Mikhail Gorbachev Biography

Mikhail Gorbachev was the General Secretary of the Soviet Communist Party from 1985-1991. He was also the first democratically elected President in 1990.

Mikhail Gorbachev played an important role in ending communist grip on power in both Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. His ambitions for democracy and reform opened the way to the end of the Cold War and to bring down the Berlin Wall. During the coup attempt, he was removed from the presidency in 1991. Since leaving his post, Gorbachev has worked to promote new efforts of concern for social justice and the environment through his own organization, Green Cross.

Mikhail Gorbachev was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in October 1990

gorbachevGorbachev was born in March 1931 in a poor farmer family in Stavropol, North Caucasus. At the age of 11, the district was captured by the Germans for three years, it was a difficult time for everyone in the village. In 1950, he enrolled at Moscow University where he became a member of the Soviet Communist Party. This is where Gorbachev met his future wife, Raisa Maxima, and got married immediately after meeting him.
After obtaining a degree in law, Gorbachev made a lot of progress within the Communist Party.

In 1980 he was the youngest politburo member, and in 1985 he was elected general secretary of the Communist Party.
First of all, Gorbachev was relatively unknown but he soon gave an indication that he wished to improve in society. In particular, they announced two major policies, Pereostroica and Glasnost.

Prestroika was involved in improving the economy and opening it for the market's powers.
Glasnot included political reforms. It included religious expression and freedom of individual freedom; It paved the way for the release of many political prisoners for democracy. This was especially important for the Eastern Block. When Eastern European economies called for democracy, the Soviet Union did not stand in its own way (as they were previously in Hungary and Czechoslovakia).
On the international scene, Gorbachev expressed his desire to end the race of arms:

"We need Star Grind, not Star Wars."

He has been credited for playing an important role in ending the Cold War, both in East and West.
In 1991, conservative military forces attempted a coup where Gorbachev's life was in serious danger. The coup eventually failed but the modernist movements of Yeltsin from the politburo were transferred to Moscow's political power. Gorbachev resigned and never returned successful in Russian politics.

Gorichove's wife Raisa Maximova died from leukemia in 1999. He had a daughter Irina.

Although unpopular in Russia for alleged role in the breakup of the Soviet Union, he remains an influential voice. Although he first supported Putin, in 2011, Gorbachev criticized his third term as the Russian President. He was also important for democratic deficit in the 2011 elections. Gorbachev has also warned that in Russia. "Politics is fast changing in a fake democracy" - With all the power in the executive branch.

Gorbachev has also warned against a new 'cold war' and argued that America and the West need to be cautious about intervening in Russian affairs and Russian areas of influence. On the issues of economics, he has called for a new perspective on economic issues - arguments for the financial crash of 2007 show the boundaries of "Washington Consensus" - on free market economics. Gorbachev has established one of the main sponsors of Green Cross International - Earth Charter - a movement to encourage greater concern for the planet and the environment.

Gorbachev has officially said that he is an atheist. However, at the same time, he is open to religious influences. He has praised the life of St. Francis of Assisi, Pope John Paul II and has made friendship with the Indian spiritual teacher, Mr. Chanoy.