31–1.            Перед чтением

In this chapter you will read about the turbulent 1980s, a period in Soviet history of great changes. Specifically, consider the following questions:

1. What were the challenges faced by Soviet society at the time of Brezhnev’s death in 1982?
   
2. Who were the leaders entrusted by the Communist Party to succeed Brezhnev?
   
3. What were these leaders’ goals? Were they able to accomplish them? Why or why not?
   
4. Under what circumstances did Gorbachev come to power?
   
5. Whom did he appoint to leadership positions and why?
   
6. What problems did Gorbachev face as the leader of the Soviet Union?
7. What forces conspired to bring about the collapse of the Soviet Union shortly after the end of the 1980s?