Gorbachev - The Man Who Ended An Empire (406)

Cold War Conversations Podcast

Ian Sanders

Society & Culture, Documentary, History

4.8 • 758 Ratings

🗓️ 6 June 2025

⏱️ 69 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In the annals of history, few leaders have faced the monumental challenges that Mikhail Gorbachev encountered when he rose to power in the Soviet Union in 1985. His ascent came at a time when the nation was grappling with stagnation, disillusionment, and an economy on the brink of collapse. Gorbachev, the youngest General Secretary in Soviet history, was thrust into a leadership role that demanded not only a vision for reform but also the courage to confront an entrenched bureaucracy resistant to change. In a new format I explore the life of Mikhail Gorbachev without a guest. Episode extras https://coldwarconversations.com/episode406/ The fight to preserve Cold War history continues and via a simple monthly donation, you will give me the ammunition to continue to preserve Cold War history. You’ll become part of our community, get ad-free episodes, and get a sought-after CWC coaster as a thank you and you’ll bask in the warm glow of knowing you are helping to preserve Cold War history. Just go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://coldwarconversations.com/donate/⁠⁠⁠⁠ If a monthly contribution is not your cup of tea, we welcome one-off donations via the same link. Find the ideal gift for the Cold War enthusiast in your life! Just go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://coldwarconversations.com/store/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on BlueSky ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/coldwarpod.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on Threads ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.threads.net/@coldwarconversations⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/ColdWarPod⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/coldwarpod/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/coldwarconversations/⁠⁠⁠⁠ Youtube ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/@ColdWarConversations⁠⁠⁠⁠ Love history? Join Intohistory ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://intohistory.com/coldwarpod⁠⁠ 00:00:00 Introduction 0:01:10 The Man from Stavropol 0:06:35 Acceleration and the Mirage of Momentum 0:13:15 The Opening to the West 0:20:26 Opening the Gates 0:28:08 Signing Away the Missiles 0:34:37 Nations within a Nation 0:40:36 The Centre Cannot Hold 0:46:51 The Coup that Failed 0:58:00 The Weight of Legacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome to Cold War Conversations, the home of real stories of the Cold War.
0:05.9	The 5-pound meal deal from McDonald's.
0:08.5	Get a cheeseburger or mayo chicken, medium fries, four McNuggets and a medium soft drink for guess what?
0:14.2	That's right, five pounds.
0:17.0	It's not called the 5-pound meal deal for nothing.
0:20.6	From 11 a.m, not available on delivery.
0:22.5	Carbonated soft drink upgrade fees apply.
0:24.1	Participating restaurants, subjects availability.
0:26.3	On the evening of December the 25th, 1991, in a quiet chamber of the Kremlin,
0:31.9	Mikhail Gorbachev sat behind a polished desk flanked by two flags,
0:36.7	the red banner of the Soviet Union and the
0:39.3	presidential standard. Before him were two cameras, a microphone and a single page statement.
0:46.6	At precisely 7pm Moscow time, he looked into the lens and addressed not just his nation,
0:53.1	but history.
0:55.4	This is Cold War Conversations.
0:59.0	If you're new here, you've come to the right place to listen to Cold War History.
1:03.3	Please make sure you follow us in your podcast app so you don't miss future episodes.
1:08.1	In the annals of history, few leaders have faced the monumental challenges that Mikhail Gorbachev
1:13.6	encountered when he rose to power in the Soviet Union in 1985. His assent came at a time when the nation was
1:20.8	grappling with stagnation, disillusionment and an economy on the brink of collapse. Gorbachev, the youngest general secretary in Soviet history,
1:30.0	was thrust into a leadership role that demanded not only a vision for reform,
1:34.6	but also the courage to confront an entrenched bureaucracy resistant to change.
	...

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