How did Gorbachev’s policies contribute to the Cold War's end?

Gorbachev's policies of glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring) led to the dissolution of the Soviet Union, effectively ending the Cold War.

Mikhail Gorbachev, the last leader of the Soviet Union, introduced two significant policies that played a crucial role in ending the Cold War. The first was glasnost, which translates to 'openness'. This policy aimed to increase transparency and freedom of speech within the Soviet Union. It allowed for public criticism of the government, which was previously unheard of in the Soviet Union. This openness led to a surge of public dissatisfaction with the communist regime, weakening its control and influence.

The second policy, perestroika, or 'restructuring', was an attempt to reform the Soviet Union's economic system. Gorbachev aimed to decentralise the economy, allowing for more private ownership and less state control. However, these reforms were not as successful as hoped. They led to economic instability and shortages, further fuelling public dissatisfaction.

Moreover, Gorbachev's foreign policy also contributed to the end of the Cold War. He adopted a more conciliatory approach towards the West, which was a stark contrast to the aggressive stance of his predecessors. This included the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan, and the signing of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty with the United States, which marked a significant de-escalation in the arms race.

Gorbachev's policies also indirectly led to the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, a symbolic end to the Cold War. His refusal to intervene militarily in Eastern Europe, unlike previous Soviet leaders, allowed for the peaceful revolutions that led to the collapse of communist regimes across the region.

In conclusion, Gorbachev's policies of glasnost and perestroika, along with his more peaceful foreign policy, led to a weakening of the Soviet Union's control both domestically and internationally. This ultimately resulted in the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, marking the end of the Cold War.