Mikhail Gorbachev

Mikhail Gorbachev was born in Russia in 1931. He became the leader of the Soviet Union in 1985. The Soviet Union was a large country made up of Russia and many other lands. He helped bring more freedom to his people and peace to the world.

New Ideas

Gorbachev brought two big ideas. One was called glasnost, which means openness. The other was perestroika, which means rebuilding. These ideas let people speak more freely and change how the country worked. Many things got better, but some people were scared of the changes.

End of the Cold War

For many years, the Soviet Union and the United States did not get along. This time was called the Cold War. Gorbachev made friends with American leaders like Ronald Reagan. Together they worked to get rid of dangerous weapons. The Soviet Union broke apart in 1991, ending an era of history.

Fun Facts

• He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1990.
• He had a birthmark on his forehead shaped like a map.
• He even starred in a Pizza Hut television commercial.

Did You Know?

When he was young, Gorbachev drove tractors on a farm and won a medal for his hard work.