Mikhail Gorbachev

Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachyov (Gorbachev) {{Audio|ru-Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev.ogg|listen}} ({{lang-ru|??????? ?????????? ????????}}; pronunciation: {{IPA|/mixaˈɪɫ serˈgejevɪtʃ g?rbaˈtʃof/}}) (born March 2, 1931), was leader of the Soviet Union from 1985 until 1991. His attempts at reform led to the end of the Cold War, but also caused the end of the political supremacy of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU) and the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

Trivia

In the West, Gorbachev was colloquially known as 'Gorby', in part because of a perception that he was less austere than his predecessors.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 1987, Gorbachev acknowledged that his liberalizing policies of glasnost and perestroika owed a great deal to Alexander Dub?ek's "socialism with a human face." When asked what the difference was between the Prague Spring and his own reforms, Gorbachev replied, "Nineteen years."

Related Topics:
Alexander Dub?ek - Prague Spring

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 1989, on an official visit to China during the demonstrations in Tiananmen Square, shortly before the imposition of martial law in Beijing, Gorbachev was asked for his opinion on the great wall of China: "It's a very beautiful work", he replied, "but there are already too many walls between people". A journalist asked him, "would you like the Berlin Wall to be taken down?" Gorbachev replied very seriously, "Why not?"

Related Topics:
Tiananmen Square - Berlin Wall

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Religious affiliation

Baptized in the Russian Orthodox church as a child, Gorbachev is an atheist. Nevertheless, he maintains respect for the faiths of people of all religions, as evidenced by his leading role in the establishment of freedom of religion laws in the former Soviet Union.

Related Topics:
Russian Orthodox - Atheist - Religion

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Naevus flammeus

Gorbachev is the most famous person in modern times with visible naevus flammeus. The crimson birthmark on the top of his bald head was often the source of much satire among critics and cartoonists.

Related Topics:
Naevus flammeus - Birthmark

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~