How did glasnost contribute to the break-up of the Soviet Union? Restructuring the economy led to a change in the political structure. By allowing citizens more freedom to travel, people could see what they were missing. Due to cuts in military spending, people were not afraid the army would stop their demonstrations. By allowing citizens to speak openly, people could express their frustrations.
Glasnost, which means "openness" in Russian, allowed for increased transparency and freedom of speech in the Soviet Union. This policy, introduced by Mikhail Gorbachev in the mid-1980s, played a significant role in contributing to the break-up of the Soviet Union.
One of the key ways in which glasnost contributed to the break-up of the Soviet Union was by allowing citizens to speak openly about their frustrations and grievances with the government. This led to the emergence of various dissident movements and protests across the country, as people felt more empowered to voice their discontent.
Additionally, glasnost allowed for increased freedom of travel, which meant that Soviet citizens could now see firsthand the stark differences between their own country and the more prosperous and democratic Western nations. This exposure to the outside world further fueled dissatisfaction with the Soviet system and inspired calls for reform.
Furthermore, the restructuring of the Soviet economy under glasnost led to a change in the political structure of the country. The government's decision to cut military spending in order to focus on domestic issues, coupled with the economic inefficiencies of the Soviet system, weakened the state's control and authority. This made it easier for dissent to spread and for calls for independence from the various Soviet republics to gain traction.
Overall, glasnost played a crucial role in exposing the weaknesses and inefficiencies of the Soviet Union, ultimately leading to its dissolution in 1991. By allowing for greater openness and transparency, it paved the way for widespread political change and ultimately contributed to the break-up of the Soviet Union.