Changes

During the late 1980's, the leader of the [[Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics]] ("U.S.S.R."), General Secratary [[Mikhail Gorbachev]], introduced a social, and cultural policy called "'''Glasnost'''" (pronounced GLAHZ-nohst), which means "openness".  Specifically, glasnost was a new Soviet policy allowing public discussion of political issues and a more free circulation of information.

During the late 1980's, the leader of the [[Soviet Union]] ("U.S.S.R."), General Secratary [[Mikhail Gorbachev]], introduced a social, and cultural policy called "'''Glasnost'''" (pronounced GLAHZ-nohst), which means "openness".  Specifically, glasnost was a new Soviet policy allowing public discussion of political issues and a more free circulation of information.

Gorbachev began to promote this "openness" in public discussions about current and historical problems in the U.S.S.R. He acknowledged the brutality of the [[Stalin]] era, such as the great purges and the [[Katyn  massacre]]. Soviet leaders became more receptive of foriegn leaders and the media, as a new period opened between the East and the West.  

Gorbachev began to promote this "openness" in public discussions about current and historical problems in the U.S.S.R. He acknowledged the brutality of the [[Stalin]] era, such as the great purges and the [[Katyn  massacre]]. Soviet leaders became more receptive of foriegn leaders and the media, as a new period opened between the East and the West.  

This opening of Soviet society to the [[Western world|West]] was one of the key events that eventually led to the collapse of the U.S.S.R. and its empire.

This opening of Soviet society to the [[Western world|West]] was one of the key events that eventually led to the collapse of the U.S.S.R. and its empire.