... USSR. Though Gorbachev may have brought about factors leading to the fall of communism in the Eastern bloc there are other aspects that must be taken into account that greatly contributed to the collapse as well. The over-centralized, inefficient and restrictive communist government of Eastern Europe was failing economically and as the populations of these countries were gradually more exposed to the West through media during the 1980's it became apparent that communism could not survive within these republics for much longer. This essay seeks to examine Gorbachev's contribution to the disintegration of the Soviet bloc and evaluate the significance of his administration in relation to other factors that correspondingly contributed to the fall of the Soviet Union. It is possible to consider that the deterioration of the Soviet Union was already underway prior to Gorbachev's appointment as General Secretary of the CPSU in 1985. By the time Gorbachev ...

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