gorbachev essay grade 12

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Gr. 12 HISTORY T3 W1:The end of the Cold War and a new world order 1989 to the present

This essay focus on Gorbachev's reforms in the Soviet Union in 1989 and its impact on South Africa

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Mikhail Gorbachev and the de-nuclearisation dream

The actions and achievements of the prominent Russian politician in the 1980s.

• A staff writer National Library of Scotland

Mikhail Gorbachev is known for being the first real reforming General Secretary of the old Soviet Union.

Soon after his appointment as leader in 1985, he immediately set out his vision for a more open society. His attempts to reshape the economy were partly successful, despite being hampered by entrenched vested interests in both the departmental ministries and also the Communist Party itself.

'Glasnost' (transparency) was introduced by Gorbachev as a way of opening up the Soviet system to citizens' scrutiny with a view to improvement — from 1987, he accelerated the process using 'perestroika' (restructuring), including the introduction of private business. Arguably, this was too fast for the turning of a juggernaut like the Soviet system — many were still in favour of central control of the economy and baulked at anything that smacked of capitalism. It was not helped by the fact that the economy was suffering a steep decline, only partly hidden by Soviet official statistics (from 'The impact of Gorbachev's policies on Soviet economic statistics: a conference report', CIA, 1987).

Action against nuclear weapons

Fascinating though these changes were — particularly to the Soviet Union's Cold War adversaries — Gorbachev's most remarkable aim was his determination to rid the world of nuclear weapons. This was a path that had been embarked on by his predecessor, Konstantin Chernenko, but had been met with distrust by the Americans. Within a few months of taking office, Gorbachev threw down the gauntlet to the USA by declaring a freeze on the deployment of missiles in Europe, which would expire in six months if the NATO deployment of Cruise and Pershing II missiles was not also withdrawn. They included a moratorium on all nuclear testing.

Cynics claimed that the failing Soviet economy desperately required divestment of their huge commitments to arms spending and the propping up of Soviet-friendly states around the world, and that this was the prime motivation behind Gorbachev's actions (from 'Gorbachev's economic program', 1988).

the USA administration was also very aware that they were dealing with a new type of Soviet leader

But in any case, Gorbachev's charm offensive, particularly amongst European leaders and USA allies such as South Korea, succeeded in lessening the perceived Soviet threat, certainly amongst European nations. The CIA saw it as an attempt 'to seed discord within NATO' (also from 'Gorbachev's economic program', 1988). His visit to the UK in 1984 fascinated Westerners, who saw him as a modern, urbane leader, with a sophisticated wife and confident and open manner. This was someone that UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher said she could do business with.

But his casting of the USA as the obstacle to arms limitation talks alarmed the Reagan administration. With a background of a growing anti-nuclear movement in Europe and the USA, the Americans were keen to frame the negotiations as a path towards nuclear weapons reduction. However, the USA administration was also very aware that they were dealing with a new type of Soviet leader with whom they could, in fact, have a constructive dialogue. Détente had been attempted before, and a weaker version of 'glasnost' had been tried, but never had a Soviet leader embarked on what appeared, at least to Western eyes, as such an ambitious undertaking. President Reagan was keen to meet with Gorbachev, despite the qualms of his more hawkish aides. He reasoned that they may as well call Gorbachev's bluff by agreeing to discussions on nuclear weapons reduction.

Gorbachev's meetings with Reagan

The two leaders met in Geneva in 1985 in a spirit of positivity and pragmatism, and established a good rapport. In fact, they got on so well that Reagan admitted 'you could almost get to like the guy' (from 'Dutch: A Memoir of Ronald Reagan', 1999). They were to meet several times more, in Washington in 1987 and in Moscow in 1988.

However, their meeting in Reykjavik in 1986 was the real breakthrough. The stakes were high: on the negotiating table were the reduction of strategic (long-range) weapons — the elimination of all Europe-based medium-range weapons; a strengthening of the ABM (Anti-Ballistic Missile) Treaty.

On the second point, the Soviets left aside the nuclear potential of France and the UK (a very large concession on their part; they were well aware of Prime Minister Thatcher's absolute belief in their deterrent effect, something they discussed when she visited Moscow in 1987). The two leaders went 'off-piste' and spent 10 hours talking with only their interpreters present. But the great stumbling block at Reykjavik was the USA commitment to the so-called 'Star Wars' project.

Reykjavik … was widely acknowledged as the turning point of the end of the Cold War

In 1983 the Americans had embarked enthusiastically on plans for the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), a space-based anti-ballistic missile system which in theory could intercept Inter-Continental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) thereby rendering nuclear weapons obsolete. The Soviets saw it as the USA gaining the upper hand in the arms race. President Reagan insisted that it could be a shared initiative, perhaps overseen by an international body such as the UN. Gorbachev dismissed this as a highly unlikely scenario, famously declaring that the USA would not even share the technicalities of its milking machines with them. However, Reagan's proposal was very far removed from his previous assertion that the Soviet Union was an untrustworthy 'evil empire', and indicated how far the Cold War mindset had thawed.

Reykjavik, despite its failures, was widely acknowledged as the turning point of the end of the Cold War. It paved the way for the signing of the historic Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty in December 1987, which abolished a whole category of nuclear weapons for the first time. As a result, the Soviet Union had destroyed 1,846 missiles, and the USA destroyed 846 missiles over the next four years.

By the time of the Moscow summit in 1988, Republican hawks had forced Reagan to be less facilitative so that the Soviets were not seen to gain the upper hand on their home turf. But nonetheless, the summit played well to the Russian public, and Gorbachev took the opportunity to push through more reforms, including the first elected legislature in Russia since the 1917 Revolution. He could not foresee that these reforms would, ironically, contribute to the eventual demise of the Soviet Union.

Beginning of the end of the Soviet Union

1991 saw the two sides in negotiations on the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), but by this time, Gorbachev was in a weaker position. The Soviet military was opposed to further concessions, as they saw it. Gorbachev also faced increasing opposition to his economic reforms from all sides — Communist Party hardliners who longed for the certainties of the old Soviet Union, and others who believed his reforms did not go far enough.

His decentralisation plans were a step too far for some of his influential Communist Party opponents: in August that year tanks appeared on the streets of Moscow in an attempted coup d'état. It failed, but the beginning of the end of the old Soviet Union had begun. By the end of that year, Boris Yeltsin, President of the Russian Republic, along with 11 other leaders of the 12 republics, declared the formation of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and the Soviet Union ceased to exist.

De-nuclearisation today

Mikhail Gorbachev continues his work through his International Foundation for Socio-Economic and Political Studies. Since then, although new state actors now have nuclear weapons and political allegiances have changed, Gorbachev still claims that it is possible to de-nuclearise the world. If he, Reagan and Bush could agree, he asserts that all that is needed is the political will.

However, the outlook is not optimistic. This year, despite European pressure, President Donald Trump withdrew the USA from the historic INF Treaty, after complaining that Russia had violated its terms. The US Senate Foreign Relations Committee has said that 'The withdrawal without a follow-on is the invitation for an arms race'. Currently, there is only one nuclear weapons treaty, START, between the two superpowers. It expires in 2021.

Further reading

• 'An impossible dream: Reagan, Gorbachev, and a world without the bomb' by Guillaume Serina (London: Biteback Publishing, 2019) [available as a National Library of Scotland e-book].
• 'Assessing Gorbachev' by Bhupinder Brar, in 'Economic and Political Weekly', Vol 29, No 24 (June 11, 1994), pages 1465-1475 [available at the National Library through the JSTOR eResource].
• 'Dutch: A memoir of Ronald Reagan' by Edmund Morris (London: Harper Collins, 1999) [Shelfmark: Q4.200.154].
• 'Gorbachev's economic program: Problems emerge: A report' by the Central Intelligence Agency. (Washington: CIA, 1988) [Shelfmark: PB9.216.21/14].
• 'Gorbachev's struggle for economic reform' by Anders Åslund (London: Pinter, 1991) [Shelfmark: QP2.91.1667].
• 'Reagan at Reykjavik: Forty-eight hours that ended the Cold War' by Ken Adelman (New York, NY: Broadside Books, 2014) [available as a National Library e-book].
• 'Reagan, Bush, Gorbachev: Revisiting the end of the Cold War' by Norman A Graebner, Richard Dean Burns, Joseph M Siracusa (Westport, Connecticut: Praeger Security International, 2008) [Shelfmark: HB2.208.11.1624].
• Reykjavik: documents and materials (Moscow: Novosti Press Agency, 1987) [National Library reference: Erick.Box.1.8 (17)].
• 'The impact of Gorbachev's policies on Soviet economic statistics: a conference report [December, 1987]' United States Central Intelligence Agency — available to view at the CIA Library website .
• 'The Gorbachev factor' by Archie Brown (Oxford: OUP, 1996) [Shelfmark: Q3.96.214].
• The International Foundation for Socio-Economic and Political Studies (The Gorbachev Foundation) — view Gorbachev Foundation website .
• 'The Triumph of improvisation: Gorbachev's adaptability, Reagan's engagement, and the end of the Cold War' by James Wilson (Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 2014) [available as a National Library e-book].
• 'Visit of Mikhail Gorbachev, General Secretary of the CPSU Central Committee, Chairman of the Presidium of the USSR Supreme Soviet, to Great Britain, April 5-7, 1989: Documents and materials'. (Moscow: Novosti Press Agency, 1989 [National Library reference: Erick.Box.1.66(4)].
• 'Way out there in the blue: Reagan, Star Wars and the end of the Cold War' by Frances FitzGerald (New York: Simon & Schuster, 2000) [Shelfmark: H3.202.0918].

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Grade 12 - The impact of the Cold War in forming the world as it was in the 1960s

The Cold War was the period of conflict and competition between the capitalist United States and the communist Soviet Union, and their respective allies. From the end of World War II until the early 1990s, world politics was dominated by the rivalry between these two Superpowers.

The Cold War spread outside Europe to every region of the world, and drew to a close in the late 1980s. Towards the end of the 1980s, Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev held conferences with United States President Ronald Reagan.

During these conferences Gorbachev introduced reform policies in the USSR - called perestroika (restructuring of the Soviet economy) and glasnost (policy of openness, and transparency).  In December 1989, after more than four decades, Gorbachev and President George H.W. Bush declared the Cold War officially over.

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T he role of China and areas of conflict are not being examined in 2009. This section is detailed so we have broken it up into 4 pages:

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Class 12 Political Science Notes Chapter 2 The End of Bipolarity

CBSE Class 12 Political Science Notes Chapter 2 The End of Bipolarity is part of Class 12 Political Science No2 for Quick Revision. Here we have given NCERT Political Science Class 12 Notes Chapter 2 The End of Bipolarity.

Political Science Class 12 Notes Chapter 2 The End of Bipolarity

Soviet System

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Target Exam ---

• The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) came into being after the Socialist Revolution in Russia in 1917. The revolution was inspired by the ideals of socialism and the need for an egalitarian society as opposed to capitalism.
• After the Second World War, the East European countries that the Soviet army had liberated from the fascist forces came under the control of the USSR.
• There was change in the economic and political system of the USSR. Then the Soviet economy became more developed than the rest of the world except the US.
• However, the Soviet system became very bureaucratic and authoritarian. It made life very difficult for its citizens.
• In the arms race, the Soviet Union managed to match the US from time to time, but at great cost.

Gorbachev and the Disintegration of the USSR

• Mikhail Gorbachev, who had become General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in 1985, sought to reform the system. He introduced economic and political reform policies of perestroika (restructuring) and glasnost (openness). But later his policies were criticised.
• A coup took place in 1991 that was encouraged by Communist Party hardliners. The people did not want the old-style rule of the Communist Party and wanted freedom.
• Russia, Ukraine and Belarus, the three major republics of the USSR, declared in December 1991 that the Soviet Union was disintegrated.;
• Capitalism and democracy were adopted as the basis for the post Soviet republics.

Reasons for the Soviet Union Disintegration There are several reasons which led to the collapse of the Soviet Union. These were

• Internal weaknesses of Soviet political and economic institutions failed to meet the aspirations of the people.
• The economy of the Soviet Union became stagnant. The Soviet economy used much of its resources in maintaining a nuclear and military arsenal. The Soviet Union too became stagnant due to rampant corruption, the unwillingness to allow more openness in government, and the centralisation of authority in a vast land.
• A section of the society was not happy with the reforms of Gorbachev. It was believed that the reforms introduced by Gorbachev were at a very slow pace.
• Another reason for the collapse of USSR was the rise of nationalism and the desire for sovereignty within various republics including Russia and the Baltic republics.

Consequences of Disintegration There are many consequences of the disintegration of USSR. They are as follows:

• It led to the end of Cold War confrontations. There was no dispute of Socialist ideology and Capitalist ideology.
• Power relations in world politics changed and thus it led to change in the relative influence of ideas and institutions.
• The US became the sole superpower which also backed the capitalist economy making it the dominant economic system internationally.
• The end of the Soviet bloc paved way for the emergence of many new countries. All these countries had their own independent aspirations and choices.
• The international system saw many new players’ emerge, each with its own identity, interests and economic and political difficulties.

Shock Therapy in Post-Communist Regimes

• The model of transition in Russia, Central Asia and East Europe from an authoritarian socialist system to a democratic capitalist system which was influenced by the World Bank and the IMF came to be known as ‘Shock Therapy’.
• This process of transition was due to the Collapse of Communism.
• There was a need to make a total shift to a capitalist economy which meant rooting out completely any structures evolved during the Soviet period.
• Shock therapy also involved a drastic change in the external orientation of these economics.
• It also involved a break up of the existing . trade alliances among the countries of the Soviet bloc.

Consequences of Shock Therapy

• The shock therapy brought ruin to the economies and disaster upon the people of the entire region.
• The value of the Russian currency ‘Ruble’ declined dramatically. People lost all their savings due to high rate of inflation.
• The government withdrew subsidies which pushed large sections of the people into poverty. The middle classes were pushed to the periphery of society.
• The construction of democratic institutions was not given the same attention and priority as the demands of economic transformation.
• Most of these economies, especially Russia, started reviving in 2000, 10 years after their independence. The reason for the revival was the export of natural resources like oil, natural gas and minerals.

Tensions and Conflicts in Former Soviet Republics

• There were tensions and conflicts in most of the former Soviet republics and many have had civil wars and insurgencies.
• In Russia, two republics, Chechnya and Dagestan have had violent secessionist movements.
• Tajikistan witnessed a civil war for almost 10 years till 2001. The region had many sectarian conflicts.
• Central Asia too become a zone of competition between outside powers and oil companies.
• Czechoslovakia was divided into two, the Czechs and the Slovaks thus forming independent countries.
• Yugoslavia broke apart with several provinces like Croatia, Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina declaring independence.

India and Post-Communist Countries

• India maintained a cordial relationship with all the post-communist countries. The strongest relation of India is still with Russia.
• Indo-Russian relation is an important aspect of India’s foreign policy. Both the countries share a vision of a multipolar world order.
• India got benefits from Russia over issues like Kashmir, energy supplies, access to Central Asia, balancing its relations with China.
• Russia stands to benefit from this relationship because India is the second largest arms market for Russia. Both the countries have collaborated over many scientific projects.

FACTS THAT MATTER

1. The Socialist Revolution in Russia in 1917 gave birth to USSR with inspiration of socialism, ensure a minimum standard of living for all its citizens and also the government subsidised basic necessities and productive assets were owned and controlled by the state.

2. Russia was the only republic among fifteen republics who dominates everything and people in the region.

3. Soviet Union lagged behind the west in technology, infrastructure and could not fulfil political aspirations of people. Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 also weakened the system furthermore.

4. Mikhail Gorbachev, General Secretary of Communist Party of Soviet Union in 1985 initiated the policies of economic and political reforms to democratise the system which were opposed by leaders within communist party and contradictory view of people.

5. The people of republic had been fed up with old style rule of Soviet bloc and in Dec 1991, under the leadership of Boris Yeltsin (an elected leader), Russia, Ukraine and Baltics declared themselves independent.

6. The formation of Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) came as a surprise and the exclusion of these states was resolved by making them founder members of the CIS.

7. Russia was accepted as successor state of Soviet Union by inheriting a Soviet seat in UN Security Council, who accepted all international treaties and commitments of Soviet Union and carried out some nuclear disarmament measures with the US.

8. Now Soviet Union had been disintegrated on the grounds to maintain nuclear and military arsenals, awareness of people of their backwardness than western capitalism as well as alienation of ordinary people who were exempted from any kind of privileges.

9. The rise of nationalism and the desire for sovereignty within republics like Russia, the Baltic Republics (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania), Ukraine, Georgia and others proved to be the most immediate cause for disintegration of USSR.

10. Disintegration of USSR resulted into the end of Cold War confrontations, created dominant capitalist system, emerged many new states and the advantage was taken by Central Asian countries of their geographical locations by maintaining relations with Russia, the West, the US, China and others.

11. The process of transition from an authoritarian socialist system to a democratic capitalist system in Russia, Central Asia and East Europe was influenced by World Bank and IMF came to be known as Shock Therapy.

12. Shock Therapy involved privatisation of property, private firms emergence, complete switch over to free trade and Foreign Direct Investment, Financial opening up, Currency convertibility as well as break up of existing trade alliances among the countries of Soviet Bloc to maintain relations directly with the West.

13. Shock Therapy resulted in the largest garage sale in history, declined value of Russian Currency ‘Ruble’, due to inflation, food was imported, destroyed Old Social Welfare System, Migration of educated and intellectual manpower and disparities due to privatisation between rich and poor regions of Russia.

14. The constitution of newly democratic institutions was drafted in a hurry where strong executives appointed themselves as presidents due to weak Parliament and lack of independent judiciary as in Russia, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

15. Russia revived in 2000 due to export of natural resources like oil, natural gas and minerals which were available in abundance in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. And from where these pipelines crossed, were paid on rent.

16. Most of the former Soviet Republics had civil wars and insurgencies as in Russia, two republics Chechnya and Dagestan had violent secessionist movements, in Central Asia. Civil War took place in Azerbaijan and Georgia. Czechoslovakia was also split into two. Even countries and provinces like Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan, and Georgia are fighting over river water leading to instability and making life difficult for ordinary people.

17. The Central Asian Republics were rich in hydrocarbon resources for economic benefit as Oil Companies and outside powers had a competition to exploit these natural resources. Also, the US approached them to hire bases and territories during wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

18. Russia and India share a vision of multipolar world order, collective security, greater regionalism, negotiated settlements of international conflicts, on independent foreign policy and decision making through UN.

19. India is benefitted from Russia on issues of Kashmir, energy supplies, sharing information on international terrorism, access to Central Asia and balancing its relations with China. In return, Russia has also been benefitted from India on the ground of second largest arms market for Russia.

WORDS THAT MATTER

• Soviet System: Soviet system was introduced after Russian Revolution in 1917 based on the principles of egalitarian society and planned economy controlled by the state.
• Socialist Bloc: The east European countries were known as Socialist Bloc because these countries were liberated from the fascist forces and their political and economic systems were based on this bloc only.
• Capitalist Economy: In this economy, land and productive assets are owned and controlled by the Capitalists.
• Unipolar System: Affairs at international level are dominated by only one superpower.
• Multipolar System: Affairs at international level can not be dominated by one superpower only, instead group of countries play an important role.
• Egalitarian Society: It believes that all people are equally important and should have the same rights and opportunities in life.
• Largest Garage Sale: It was resulted due to Shock Therapy to undervalue the valuable industries of USSR to sell them at throwaway prices.
• Shock Therapy: The model of transition from authoritarian socialist system to a democratic capitalist system in Russia, Central Asia and East Europe under the influence of the World Bank and IMF.
• March 1985 Mikhail Gorbachev electced as the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union; appoints Boris Yeltsin as the head of the Communist Party in Moscow; initiates a series of reforms in the Soviet Union.
• 1988 Independence movement begins in Lithuania; later spreads to Estonia and Latvia.
• October 1989 Soviet Union declares that the Warsaw Pact members are free to decide their own future; Berlin Wall falls in November.
• February 1990 Gorbachev strips the Soviet Communist Party of its 72-year long monopoly on power by calling on the Soviet Parliament (Duma) to permit multiparty politics.
• March 1990 Lithuania becomes the first of the 15 Soviet republics to declare its independence.
• June 1990 Russian parliament declares its dependence from the Soviet Union.
• June 1991 Yeltsin, no longer in the Communist Party, becomes the President of Russia.
• August 1991 The Communist Party hardliners stage an abortive coup against Gorbachev.
• September 1991 Three Baltic republics of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania becomes UN members (Later join NATO in March 2004).
• December 991 Russia, Belarus and Ukraine decided to annul the 1992 Treaty on the creation of the USSR and establish the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS); Armenia, Azerbaijan, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan joined the CIS (Georgia joined later in 1993); Russia took ones the USSR seat in the United Nations.
• 25 December 1991 Gorbachev resigns as the President of the Soviet Union; the end of the Soviet Union.

We hope the given CBSE Class 12 Political Science Notes Chapter 2 The End of Bipolarity will help you. If you have any query regarding NCERT Political Science Class 12 Notes Chapter 2 The End of Bipolarity, drop a comment below and we will get back to you at the earliest.

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Gorbachev: His Life and Times.

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Alex Pravda; Gorbachev: His Life and Times. . Journal of Cold War Studies 2019; 21 (1): 217–221. doi: https://doi.org/10.1162/jcws_r_00869

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If there is one thing that contending narratives of the end of the Cold War agree on, it is the importance of Mikhail Gorbachev. Even the structurally inclined acknowledge that without Gorbachev in the Kremlin the Cold War would probably not have ended when it did, and certainly not quite in the way it did. To comprehend how the Cold War ended as it did, we need to understand Gorbachev.

William Taubman's monumental biography provides a most impressive account of Gorbachev's life, offering a revealing and multifaceted portrait of the man and politician. The book breaks much new ground, especially in its detailed picture of Gorbachev's formative years and rise to power. By the time Gorbachev joined the ruling Politburo of the Communist Party in 1979, he had a reputation as a model party official, critical of bureaucratic inefficiency and able to get things done. These qualities, combined with an...

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Home — Essay Samples — Entertainment — Johann Sebastian Bach — The Role of Mikhail Gorbachev’s Social Reforms Under Glasnost in the Fall of the Soviet Union from 1985-1991

The Role of Mikhail Gorbachev's Social Reforms Under Glasnost in The Fall of The Soviet Union from 1985-1991

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2 Gorbachev's Constitutional Reforms

• Published: May 2001
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The collapse of communist rule in the Soviet Union and the eventual breakup of the union state itself had profound implications not only for the nation but also for the world. Neither Mikhail Gorbachev nor Boris Yeltsin wanted to see the union dissolve, but they were unable to coordinate on a strategy for preserving it. This chapter examines Gorbachev's reforms of legislative and executive institutions in the Russian Republic. It argues that Gorbachev wanted to shift power away from the party and into a new set of democratized state structures and a new state presidency. It looks at his democratization of parliament and his establishment of a new Soviet legislature that included the Congress of People's Deputies. It also discusses his response to the economic crisis and his economic reforms, his use of emergency powers to address the country's deteriorating political situation, and his agreement with Yeltsin and the other union leaders to adopt a new union treaty that gave the republics most of what they demanded. Finally, it analyzes August 1991 coup and its aftermath.

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ROAD TO DEMOCRACY ESSAY GRADE 12

ROAD TO DEMOCRACY ESSAY SAMPLE (TALKS/NEGOTIATIONS) NOTE:your introduction and conclusionis highlighted with green colour.Your lines of arguments are highlighted withred colour.

One would totally agree with the statement that it was leadership,negotiations and compromises among various leaders that ensured that South Africa become a democratic state.For example,Nelson Mandela and De Klerk worked together including ot her organisations to bring democratic South Africa on 1994. (Make sure your introduction is not longer than 5 pages) In1981,FW De Klerk replaced PW Botha as a state president of South Africa and immediately made drastic changes by unbanning political parties and release political prisoners.De Klerk made an announcement for the release of Nelson Mandela on 11 February 1990.This was a huge step taken by De Klerk and it gave people hope that the apartheid was coming to a nend. (Make sure your back ground is not more than 5 lines).

The National Party(NP) and African National Congress(ANC) delegation met at two locations to discuss the way on how they will work together towards the democratic South Africa.The first meeting was held in 2 May1990 at the official resident house of Groote Schuur and it was called the Groot Schuur Meeting.In this meeting both ANC and NP agreed on ending violence which were occurring in the country and to work together towards the process of negotiations or talks to bring a democratic South Africa.The second meeting were held at Pretoria on 6 August 1990 which led to an agreement called the Pretoria Minutes.Here the ANC government agreed that they will suspend the armed struggle and the NP government agreed to end the state of emergency.Other major law were removed.The Group Areas Act and Registration Population were also removed.This convinced countries that imposed sanctions to S.A and boycotts to stop them.Thus,the leadership and negotiations and compromises among various leaders ensured that South Africa become a democratic country in1994.

Although,the violence did not stop in the country between Inkandla Freedom Party(IFP)and ANC.The IFP supporters attacked ANC on commuter trains and led into almost 573 deaths. It was emerged that the NP government handed weapon to IFP supporters to eliminate ANC supporters.This created a huge distrust between ANC and IFP including NP.Another violence occurred in Sebokeng in hostels when the IFP attacked ANC strong hold and almost 30 people died.Moreover,another violence occurred in ZonkizizweTownship in Germistonin Gauteng between supporters of the IFP and the ANC.The ongoing violence between the ANC and IFP members led into a Seven Day Warat Pietermarisburg (PMB).Therefore,the violence and uncertainly that confronted South Africa in the early1980s almost delayed the process of negotiations.

Moreover,the formal negotiations occurred on 20December 1990 at Convention for Democratic South Africa(CODESA1)at Trade Work Centreat Kempton Park.Nineteen political organisations including UNO and common wealth.Even though talks sometimes broke down but the Declaration of Intent was signed.It was agreed that South Africa should be an undivided country.Free from apartheid, discrimination and all other forms of prejudices.This also led into accountability of a meeting by four groups that were preparing for the future meeting which was CODESA2 which were to be held in May2.The PAC and PC boycotted against the CODESA.The IFP and the Independent Bophuthatshwana did not sign it because the irrequest for an extra delegation for the Zulu King was refused.Therefore, compromises among various leaders ensured that South Africa become a democratic state in1994.

Furthermore,DeKlerk called for a white only referendum on1991. Here DeKlerk wanted to see if the white people were still with him from the negotiations he had started making from 1990 to change South Africa.The majority voted positive and it was clear that he should continue.This gave people hope that apartheid was coming to an end.Thus,the compromises also ensured that South Africa become a democratic country in1994.

CODESA2 occurred on May1991.It was agreed that the SABC should presents the neutral view of the negotiations on televisions.The NP and ANC did not agreed on major power sharing like power sharing,majority rule and regional powers.The NP still wanted a major place from the government and the ANC did not admit on that.The ANC and NP did not come into consensus solution on how they will end the violence in South Africa. As a results,ANC and COSATU walked out of the negotiations and called for a mass rally to force government to compromise.Therefore,it was leadership,negotiations and compromises among various leaders that ensured that South Africa become a democratic state.

Even though the official negotiations had ended but the unofficial negotiations continue between Cyril Ramaphosa and Roef Meyer. The Record of Understanding was signed between Cyril Ramaphosa of ANC and Roef Meyer of the NP.This committed and encouraged South Africa to work together again towards the negotiations.Moreover,Joe Slovo came up with Sunset Clause on April 1993.The Sunset Clause allowed the National Party government until 2000.It also protected the security jobs for whites people for more than 10years.Therefore, the commitment and compromises among various leaders ensured that South Africa become a democratic country in 1994.

Moreover, the violence did not end between IFP and ANC.The ANC attacked the squatter camps of the ANC near the township of Boipatong in the Gauteng and almost 49people died.It was said that a white man was the one who handed over the Force Defence Agency to cause violence and chaos.The ANC called for a march to the Cickel to protests against homeland leaders.Here almost 79 people died and 200 people got injured when they were trying to break through the police barriers.The assassination of Chris Hani almost stopped the negotiations process of the elections.Chris Hani was a General Secretary of the Communist Party(CP) and he was assassinated on1993 by members of the Military Wink.There was a violence and chaos in a country after his assassination. DeKlerk realised he could not deal with this anymore and called for Nelson Mandela to address the issue. Mandela addressed that on national television that there must calm down and stop fighting each other.Thus,thev iolence and uncertainty that confronted South Africa in the early 1980s almost delayed the process of negotiations.

Moreover, the Multi talks began on 1993April1. It was said that the date of the election was going to be 27thApril1994 on this meeting which was held at World Trade Centre. Furthermore, the AWB and Volk front stormed the World Trade Centre attempt to disturb the negotiations.They vandalised the entrance and threatened delegation.The AWB was killed by the South African Defence Force.The APPLA opened on fire on St James Church and killed 11 people.The IFP marched to Shell House and was killed by ANC security.This led to a Shell House Massacre.Then DeKlerk, Mandela and Buthelezihada meeting led to IFP joining the negotiations.Then finally the election held free and fairly. ANC won the elections and Nelson Mandela became the first president of South African Democratic Country.The election were held on 27 April 1994. DeKlerk and Thabo Mbheki became deputy president. Therefore, the compromises, negotiations and leadership ensured that South Africa become a democratic country in 1994.

To conclude, it was leadership,negotiations and compromises among various leaders that ensured that South Africa become a democratic state in 1994. For example Nelson Mandela and De Klerk compromised so much working with other organisations to bring democracy in South Africa. (Your conclusion must be less than5lines).

MAKE SURE YOU WRITE LINES OF ARGUMENTS ON EACH AND EVERY PARAGRAPH. For more information or questions feel free to contact me via Whatsapp or calls to 0729272510(Msawenkosi Chamane) GOODLUCK!!!!!!

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