Gorbachev's time as a leader was a big change for Soviet politics and helped lead to the end of the USSR. He came to power in 1985 and introduced new ideas that challenged the strict way the Soviet government worked.

Glasnost (Openness):

• Gorbachev wanted the government to be more open.
• This made it okay for people to criticize the Communist Party and talk about problems in society.
• Because of this, people started discussing issues more freely, and the media had more freedom too.
• People began asking for more rights and freedoms, pushing for change and more voices to be heard.

Perestroika (Restructuring):

• Along with glasnost came perestroika, which aimed to fix the struggling Soviet economy.
• This meant changing how the economy was controlled, and letting some market ideas come into play.
• However, instead of improving things, these changes sometimes made things worse, causing confusion and more unhappiness among the people.
• People noticed there were still shortages and problems, making them frustrated with the government.

Gorbachev's changes affected more than just the economy:

Rise of Nationalism:

• Different groups within the USSR started to express their identities and ask for their rights because of the new openness.
• Nationalist movements became stronger in places like the Baltic states, Ukraine, and the Caucasus, which challenged the unity of the Soviet Union.
• Gorbachev couldn’t stop these movements, which made his leadership weaker.

Political Reforms:

• Gorbachev tried to make the political system more democratic. He allowed elections in 1989 where people could choose from multiple candidates.
• While this temporarily supported his leadership, it also helped opposing groups grow stronger and made politics more unstable.
• The creation of the Congress of People's Deputies was a significant step towards a system where many ideas could be heard.

Foreign Policy Shifts:

• Gorbachev changed how the USSR interacted with other countries. He reduced tensions with the West.
• One big change was the INF Treaty, which helped get rid of certain nuclear weapons.
• These shifts showed that the Cold War era was ending and made Western leaders look more closely at the Soviet Union's internal problems.

With all these changes, the USSR faced a power struggle:

Loss of Control:

• Gorbachev’s reforms weakened the Communist Party’s control over the country.
• As people turned to new ideas and movements, the party lost its power and respect.
• In the middle of this political chaos, different groups fought for control, making it hard to govern.

Crisis of Legitimacy:

• Gorbachev tried to change the system without completely getting rid of it, which caused issues with both reformers and traditionalists.
• As crises hit, like the 1991 coup attempt by hardliners, Gorbachev's inability to handle the situation made him look weak.

As public discontent grew, key events unfolded in Soviet history:

August Coup of 1991:

• The coup attempt against Gorbachev showed just how weak the Soviet state had become.
• Gorbachev was absent during critical moments, which made his leadership seem even less valid.
• The public stood up against the coup, supported by figures like Boris Yeltsin, marking an important change.

Autonomous Movements:

• During this time, more places in the USSR started declaring independence.
• The Baltic states, particularly Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, led this movement, declaring their independence in the summer of 1991 and encouraging others to do the same.

End of the Soviet Union:

• Gorbachev’s attempted reforms that were meant to save the Soviet system actually sped up its fall.
• In December 1991, leaders from Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus officially dissolved the USSR by signing the Belavezha Accords.
• Gorbachev lost all authority, marking the end of Soviet power and a significant moment in the history of the Cold War.

In conclusion, Gorbachev changed Soviet politics in major ways. He encouraged openness, nationalism, and reforms. Although he wanted to keep the Soviet Union together, the changes he made led to its downfall. This shows how unpredictable political reform can be, especially when dealing with established systems.