Final Soviet Leader Mikhail Gorbachev Dies

RIA Novosti reported Tuesday that the final Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev died. He was ninety-one, and the Russian news agency said he died of a prolonged illness.

Gorbachev was instrumental in the ending of the Soviet Union. His reforms allowed more western influence to infiltrate the Soviet Block. He also allowed many of the satellite countries to have elections.

“I began these reforms and my guiding stars were freedom and democracy, without bloodshed. So the people would cease to be a herd led by a shepherd. They would become citizens,”

Mikhail Gorbachev

Due to his experience in charge of the Soviet agriculture sector, he realized collective farming did not work. He began rising in the party, being staunchly anti-corruption. He became the leader of the Soviet Union in 1985. Gorbachev was hailed by international leaders but was considered too radical by the party elite. Gorbachev was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1990 for his work in ending the Cold War without a shot.

That is Mikhail Gorbachev’s legacy, turning the Soviet people into citizens and ending the Cold War.