Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Foreign and Domestic Entanglements
Read about the many facets of Ronald Reagan's foreign policy during his presidency. Find out about support for anti-Communist fighters, detente with the USSR, and the Iran-Contra scandal.
New York Times
New York Times: Times Machine: End of the Soviet Union
Images of the New York Times from December 26, 1991 depicting the fall of the Soviet Union and Mikhail Gorbachev.
Other
Jewish News: Gorbachev, Shamir Mark Decade of Soviet Aliyah
This article provides insight into religious persecution in the former Soviet Union and Gorbachev's efforts to curb intolerance.
Other
On This Day: Democratisation
This essay gives background into the introduction of democracy into the Soviet Union in the late 1980's.
Steven Kreis, PhD
The History Guide: Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev
Biographical account of Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev, reformer of the Soviet Union. Includes information regarding Gorbachev's ascension to power with the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and his role in reducing the Cold War...
Smithsonian Institution
National Portrait Gallery: The Presidency and the Cold War: Ronald Reagan
The National Portrait Gallery presents a look at presidential actions and decisions about the Cold War. Click on Ronald Reagan to see how his anti-Communist beliefs led to increases in the defense budget, but also, by the end of his...
The History Cat
The History Cat: Cold War Germany
Describes what happened to Germany at the end of World War II and the start of the Cold War, how it was divided into East and West Germany with the construction of the Berlin Wall. Western countries worked to rehabilitate their half of...
Digital History
Digital History: Collapse of Communism
Overview of the collapse of communism at the end of the 1980s and early 1990s ushered in by Mikhail Gorbachev and his reforms.
ibiblio
Ibiblio: Internal Workings of the Soviet System
This site briefly discusses the workings of the Soviet system and its leaders. Among those discussed are Stalin and his brutal use of police terror as well as Gorbachev and his perestroika plan.
Other
Picture History: Gorbachev and Reagan in Reykjavik
Image of Mikhail Gorbachev and Ronald Reagan at the Reykjavik Summit meeting in 1986.
Steven Kreis, PhD
The History Guide: Perestroika Defined (1987)
Perestroika, as defined by Mikhail Gorbachev. This excerpt includes the many definitions and applications of the concept of perestroika when used to describe the internal reforms of the Soviet Union that occurred during the 1980s.
Siteseen
Siteseen: American Historama: Collapse of the Soviet Union
Broad discussion of the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War.
Siteseen
Siteseen: American Historama: Glasnost
Learn about the policy of Glasnost that was used by Mikhail Gorbachev to bring reforms to the Soviet Union.
Boston University
Gorbachev's Reforms
University students discuss Gorbachev's life and reforms in the U.S.S.R. Also includes information about the Bolshevik Revolution.
Ducksters
Ducksters: Biography for Kids: Mikhail Gorbachev
A website containing the biography of Mikhail Gorbachev who was the leader of the Soviet Union who helped end the Cold War.
Ducksters
Ducksters: The Cold War for Kids: Collapse of the Soviet Union
Kids learn about the history of the Collapse of the Soviet Union which put an end to the Cold War.
Curated OER
Time: The Time 100: Leaders and Revolutionaries: Gorbachev: Portrait
Portrait of Mikhail Gorbachev.
Curated OER
Former Soviet Leader Mikhail Gorbachev
A look at those who participated in the 1991 Soviet Coup. Leaders of the failed coup describe how they had no regrets for their actions. Article dated July 5, 2001.