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'''Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev''' born March 2, 1931, was the last effective leader of the [[Soviet Union]]. Embarking on a new openness with the outside world not previously seen under Soviet rule, Gorbachev became quite popular in the West.

'''Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev''' born March 2, 1931, was the last effective leader of the [[Soviet Union]]. Embarking on a new openness with the outside world not previously seen under Soviet rule, Gorbachev became quite popular in the West.

==Early Life==

==Early life==

Born in the agricultural region of [[Stavropol]], Gorbachev attended [[Moscow]] University, where he studied law. In 1953 he married Raisa Titorenko, a fellow student. He returned to [[Stavropol]] and began to move gradually upward in the Communist Party.

Born in the agricultural region of [[Stavropol]], Gorbachev attended [[Moscow]] University, where he studied law. In 1953 he married Raisa Titorenko, a fellow student. He returned to [[Stavropol]] and began to move gradually upward in the Communist Party.

In April 1990, Gorbachev granted a one-on-one meeting to arch anti-Communist [[Sun Myung Moon]].  

In April 1990, Gorbachev granted a one-on-one meeting to arch anti-Communist [[Sun Myung Moon]].  

Father Moon urged him to grant religious freedom to his nation, saying:

Father Moon urged him to grant religious freedom to his nation, saying:

:"Mr. President, you have already achieved much success through perestroika, but that alone will not be sufficient for reform. You need to immediately allow [[freedom of religion]] in the Soviet Union. If you try to reform only the material world, without the involvement of [[God]], perestroika will be doomed to fail. [[Communism]] is about to end. The only way to save this nation is to allow the freedom of religion. The time is now for you to act with the courage that you have shown in reforming the Soviet Union and become a president of the world who works to bring about [[world peace]]."<ref> [http://cheonilguk2013.blogspot.com/2010/12/allow-freedom-of-religion-in-soviet_7230.html “Allow Freedom of Religion in the Soviet Union”]</ref>

:"Mr. President, you have already achieved much success through perestroika, but that alone will not be sufficient for reform. You need to immediately allow [[freedom of religion]] in the Soviet Union. If you try to reform only the material world, without the involvement of [[God]], perestroika will be doomed to fail. [[Communism]] is about to end. The only way to save this nation is to allow the freedom of religion. The time is now for you to act with the courage that you have shown in reforming the Soviet Union and become a president of the world who works to bring about [[world peace]]."<ref>[http://cheonilguk2013.blogspot.com/2010/12/allow-freedom-of-religion-in-soviet_7230.html “Allow Freedom of Religion in the Soviet Union”]</ref>

He also asked him to revive diplomatic relations with [[South Korea]].  

He also asked him to revive diplomatic relations with [[South Korea]].  

:President Gorbachev met President Roh in San Francisco in June that year for a bilateral summit. Then, on September 30, 1990, South Korea and the Soviet Union signed a historic agreement to open diplomatic relations for the first time in eighty six years.<ref> [http://cheonilguk2013.blogspot.com/2010/12/allow-freedom-of-religion-in-soviet_8021.html “Allow Freedom of Religion in the Soviet Union”]</ref>

:President Gorbachev met President Roh in San Francisco in June that year for a bilateral summit. Then, on September 30, 1990, South Korea and the Soviet Union signed a historic agreement to open diplomatic relations for the first time in eighty six years.<ref>[http://cheonilguk2013.blogspot.com/2010/12/allow-freedom-of-religion-in-soviet_8021.html “Allow Freedom of Religion in the Soviet Union”]</ref>

[[Image:Bush and Gorbachev sign agreements.jpg|thumb|300px|Left|Gorbachev (left) signs agreement with President G.H.W. Bush]]

[[Image:Bush and Gorbachev sign agreements.jpg|thumb|300px|Left|Gorbachev (left) signs agreement with President G.H.W. Bush]]