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Home , Glasnost, Konstantin Chernenko

THE CANADIAN ORIGINS OF YV Introduction

Glasnost and are distinctly revitalize their nation. The concepts of Focus Russian terms, but there is a Canadian glasnost and perestroika intrigued the This News in Re- connection to both of them. In the world. The , historically a view module discusses the mean- the Russian ambassador to closed society run by a tight committee ings of two very Canada, Alexandre Yakovlev, devel- of party faithful, had ruled the nation powerful terms, oped the idea of opening his nation to with an iron fist for three quarters of a glasnost and change and enlightenment. This man century. Now glasnost (openness) and perestroika. Their could see the writing on the wall for the perestroika (restructuring) became the significance, in Soviet Union. He believed that if buzzwords of a new regime. An experi- terms of modern Russian history, is change from within did not occur, then ment in cultural change was unleashed. explored. As well catastrophic change from without Glasnost applied primarily to the these terms are would be inevitable. He wanted to find media in the Soviet Union. The media discussed from the a way to save his people and provide had long been an extension of the party perspective of their prosperity and happiness to a nation politic and had little to do with accuracy origins, both Russian and Cana- that for too long had done without and truth (despite the leading publica- dian. either. tion named [Truth]). Glasnost During his tenure as ambassador to led to a lessening of restrictions and an Canada he became a student of our attempt to improve the information flow YV Sections nation. He watched the ways in which to the people of the nation. In fact it marked with this Canadians operated, in agriculture, in went far beyond that. Over time, in symbol indicate the media, and in government. He incremental stages, the press pushed the content suitable for younger viewers. developed his own conclusions about limits of glasnost until the barriers were what he might emulate and what he effectively gone. Freedom of the press, could improve upon. if not formally established, became a de In , he had a person of like facto reality. mind in . Gorbachev Perestroika, an attempt to restructure was at that time a member of the the economic and political systems of Politbureau (cabinet) of the Communist the Soviet Union, likewise went beyond Party Central Committee, a powerful the expectations of its originators. The man destined for greatness. Yakovlev economy was thrust into massive invited his friend to visit Canada to change from tight control to a free observe agricultural procedures. While market. However, with no experience in here, Gorbachev and Yakovlev ex- free-market thinking, productivity plored the ideas that had evolved in declined, and in the initial stages the their minds. They agreed that the Soviet economy faltered. Union needed help and they were By 1991, Gorbachev was gone as determined to provide it. leader of the Soviet Union. In fact, the The rest is history. Gorbachev was Soviet Union was gone as well. In its Further Research To view the English elected General Secretary of the Com- place the new Russian Federation led version of Pravda munist Party Central Committee in by tried to pick up the online, visit http:// 1985 and, with his newly returned pieces of the aftermath of perestroika. english.pravda.ru friend from Canada at his side, inspired The economy gradually turned to the changes they felt were necessary to privatization and a free market. Crime

CBC News in Review • December 2002 • Page 45 and corruption increased, and the strongly, driving the rebels from their Further Research military declined, even while a war was capital. President Putin had his work cut To learn more being waged in Chechnya. The ruble out for him. The Russian people had about the new Russian Federation collapsed, and inflation ran rampant. In tasted freedom and, while the taste was visit www.gov.ru/ time, even the President was being sometimes bad, freedom had an addic- and www.russian investigated for corruption. Yeltsin tive quality that Putin could not ignore. embassy.org. Here resigned at the turn of the century. There was no turning back. Russia you will find news, Vladimir Putin, Russia’s new Presi- continues to move ahead with a new government docu- dent, quickly began to work to create a attitude. The Second Russian Revolu- ments, maps, profiles, and recent stronger economy. War in Chechnya tion, with its Canadian origins, is firmly speeches. resurfaced, and Putin responded established.

Reflecting 1. In general, what elements of Canadian life do you think would be useful for other nations to consider adopting? Why?

2. How much glasnost do you believe actually exists in Canada? Explain.

3. What types of perestroika (restructuring) is Canada itself under- going today?

CBC News in Review • December 2002 • Page 46 THE CANADIAN ORIGINS OF GLASNOST YV Video Review

1. In the opening shot of , what signs of Western civiliza- Answer the ques- tions as you view tion are present? the video. 2. How many Russians perished in wars and oppression in the last century? ______

3. Why, in 1945, did Yakovlev first begin to doubt ?

4. In 1957 where did Yakovlev attend university?

5. Why was Yakovlev sent to be ambassador to Canada?

6. In 1983 who was Canada’s Minister of Agriculture?

7. Why was the wheat field near Windsor, Ontario, considered “historic”?

8. What happened in in August 1991, and what was the result of this event for the Soviet Union and Mikhail Gorbachev?

9. Why does Yakovlev not like the Russian national anthem?

10. What does “don’t let the past become Russia’s future” mean?

CBC News in Review • December 2002 • Page 47 THE CANADIAN ORIGINS OF GLASNOST Timeline: Russia: The Last Hundred Years

In the course of one century Russia has 1939 Soviet Union invades Poland and Did you know . . . gone from rule by an all-powerful czar, Finland. Czar sometimes to rule by the , to the written as tsar, 1941 Germany invades Soviet Union. owes its origins to beginnings of democracy. At times it 1941-1945 Soviet Union pushes Ger- the Roman title has been a rough ride, and the people of many back to Berlin, Second World caesar, based on Russia have weathered storm after War ends. the power and storm: rebellion, invasion, war, natural exploits of the disaster, political upheaval, economic 1949 Soviet Union tests first atomic great Roman failure, and nuclear meltdown. Through bomb. leader, Julius 1953 Stalin dies, Caesar? it all they have managed to persevere. Now, after such a difficult history, the becomes First Secretary. Russian people have the opportunity to 1959 Russian satellite Sputnik is prosper and to control their destiny. launched. Following is a thumbnail sketch of 1961 Yuri Gagarin is the first man in highlights from this challenging journey. space. 1962 (Russia and 1904 Trans-Siberian Railway com- U.S. almost stumble into nuclear war) pleted 1964 Khrushchev is replaced by Leonid 1904-5 Russo-Japanese War Brezhnev. 1905 “Bloody Sunday,” the Russian 1979 Gorbachev enters Politburo. Revolution of 1905 Soviet Union invades . 1914 First World War begins. Russia 1982 Brezhnev dies, is replaced by Yuri loses the Battle of Tannenburg. Andropov. 1917 “,” Czar 1983 Gorbachev leads Soviet delega- Nicholas abdicates. tion to Canada, meets with Prime “,” Minister Trudeau. under seize power 1984 Andropov dies, is replaced by 1918 March: Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, . Russia exits First World War (8 million casualties) 1985 Chernenko dies, is replaced by July: Czar Nicholas and family are Mikhail Gorbachev. assassinated. Gorbachev initiates restrictions on production and sale of alcohol. 1918-1921 Perestroika begins. 1920-1921 Soviet-Polish War 1986 Nuclear power facility at 1922 Union of Soviet Socialist Repub- Chernobyl explodes, sending radioac- lics (USSR) is declared. tive material into the atmosphere. 1924 Lenin dies. 1987 Gorbachev engages in talks with 1927 Josef Stalin begins his leadership U.S. President to reduce of the Soviet Union. nuclear arms. 1934 Stalin begins purges (imprison- Laws restructuring banking, business ment and murder) of Soviet military. are enacted.

CBC News in Review • December 2002 • Page 48 1988 Easter services are televised in Yeltsin assumes expanded presidential USSR for first time. powers. Laws on state enterprise, co-operatives, 1994 Russia invades rebellious Repub- working for profit are enacted. lic of Chechnya. Armenian earthquake, 150 000 killed or Ruble (Russian currency) becomes injured. virtually worthless. 1989 Price controls, work productivity 1995 Russian troops reach Grozny incentives established. (Chechen capital), thousands killed or Individual farmers permitted to lease left homeless. land. Yeltsin suffers two heart attacks. Gorbachev elected President. 1996 Yeltsin wins re-election as Presi- Coal miners strike to poor dent. wages, medical care, housing. Chechen rebels retake Grozny. Nationalist sentiments increase in many Peace accord signed in Chechnya, of the Soviet Republics. Russian troops begin to withdraw. torn down. This signals the Yeltsin undergoes quintuple bypass end of the . surgery. 1990 Gorbachev receives Nobel Peace 1997 New criminal code is established. Prize for efforts to end the Cold War. Russia develops an accommodation Gorbachev is re-elected President. with NATO. First McDonald’s opens in Moscow. 1998 Financial Crisis, market crashes, 1991 Gorbachev initiates monetary ruble is devalued. reform. Yuri Primakov is appointed Prime Soviet economy declines. Minister by Yeltsin. Independence sentiments spread 1999 Primakov fired, Sergei Stepashin throughout Soviet Republics. becomes Prime Minister. Gorbachev held in temporary captivity Stephashin fired, Vladimir Putin be- during attempted coup. comes Prime Minister. BorisYeltsin orchestrates rescue and Russian troops return to Chechnya. defeat of insurgents. Gorbachev resigns as President. 2000 Yeltsin resigns, Vladimir Putin appointed interim president. USSR is dissolved, to be replaced by Putin presidency confirmed in election. Commonwealth of Independent States Putin visits Canada. (CIS). 2001 Terrorist car bomb linked to 1992 Yeltsin elected President. Chechen rebels. Putin supports U.S. in Economic reforms cause economic “War Against Terrorism.” disaster in Russia. Rampant inflation devalues Russian 2002 Russia and U.S. sign nuclear currency. reduction treaty. Chechen rebels capture Moscow the- 1993 U.S.-Russian summit in atre, 140 die in rescue attempt. Vancouver. Yeltsin crushes attempted coup by Communist hardliners.

CBC News in Review • December 2002 • Page 49 To Consider 1. The over the last 100 years has been one of extreme hardship and political upheaval. In a paragraph, compare this with the history of Canada over the same period. Identify similarities and differences and conclude with a statement about life in Russia today compared with life in Canada today.

2. By examining the timeline, identify the point where you believe that Russia began to take on the trappings of democracy. What role do you think glasnost and perestroika played in this transi- tion?

3. Based on your general knowledge and your review of this simple timeline, write a brief statement outlining your predictions for the future of Russia over the next decade.

CBC News in Review • December 2002 • Page 50 THE CANADIAN ORIGINS OF GLASNOST The Gorbachev Revolution

In 1985 Mikhail Gorbachev assumed collapse of the monetary system, the Further Research the role of First Secretary of the Com- significant reduction of defence capa- In order to learn munist Party and became the leader of bilities and several instances of political more about the Gorbachev years, the Soviet Union. He immediately unrest. consider making a introduced two terms that would have a In the final analysis, perestroika led visit to this Web profound effect on the Soviet Union to the collapse of the Soviet Union and site: www.anet.net/ and come to be used throughout the eventually the defeat of Gorbachev ~upstart/ world. These terms were glasnost and himself at the polls. When asked to perestro.html perestroika. reflect on his time as leader of the The first indicated a change in ap- Soviet Union, Gorbachev responded proach for the people of the Soviet with the following comments (all Union. Glasnost, or “openness” initi- quotes are from Conversations with ated a trend toward freedom of expres- Gorbachev, Columbia University Press, sion that was unheard of in Communist- 2002, translated by G. Shriver). controlled countries. It allowed for the media to act more independently. 1. “I saw political reform as a way of Initially this meant that the press was solving two problems at once. First, to able to report on more, but not all, provide citizens with real control over issues and events. There were still the processes under way, to strengthen restrictions, but over time these dimin- their rights and freedoms, and second, ished to the point where open criticisms to solve the problem of official cadres of Gorbachev himself could be found in through democratic reforms, changing the pages of the news. the role of the party and reviving the Perestroika, or economic, political, Soviets.” and social restructuring, was Mikhail Gorbachev’s idea to slowly change the 2. “I passed through various stages in Soviet Union, within the concepts of my own experience: exploring, devel- , to meet the challenges of a oping a new conception, formulating a modern world. He was trying to move policy corresponding to that conception, his country out of the past and into the and putting these plans into effect— future. In this he was to be more suc- then there were the reforms themselves, cessful than he initially realized. new discoveries, and conclusions Perestroika ushered in numerous re- during the course of perestroika. This forms in the political arena, in the experience leads me to the conclusion military, in social structure, and in that people can make use of freedom by monetary structure. It would open the taking the road of reform, of gradual door for a variety of positive and nega- evolutionary development. On the other tive changes. Those that were positive hand, a choice in favour of revolution- included restrictions on alcohol con- ary extremism leads to chaos, destruc- sumption, a reduction of nuclear weap- tion, and often to a new lack of freedom.” ons, and the beginnings of democracy. Negative effects included the substan- 3. “The movement to a new world order tial increase in criminal activity, the does not mean a levelling or smoothing

CBC News in Review • December 2002 • Page 51 over of differences or the imposition of hold with everyone; everyone is forced Further Research a single model for everyone. Every to recognize that no matter what hap- Gorbachev won the people must have a real right of free pens anywhere in the world, our- in 1990 for his choice, with its history, its culture, its selves are affected. I think this provides efforts to end the mentality, and its potential taken into the basic prerequisites for forward Cold War. Visit the account. From this it follows that movement in the direction of new kinds official Nobel site development must include diversity in of social relations and a new stage of at www.nobel.no the paths of development. Freedom of civilization. But there are many differ- to view other choice must not be restricted for ent variations that such a movement winners of this significant prize. anyone. . . .” could take . . . it was an understanding Who won the of the possible disaster of nuclear war Nobel Peace prize 4. “A sense of interconnectedness and that served as an incentive for me to in 1957? unity of the whole world has caught arrive at a new thinking of perestroika.”

Activity Consider the quotes above and answer the following questions.

1. Do you think Mikhail Gorbachev could have predicted the result of his move toward freedom and reform in the Soviet Union? Explain your answer.

2. In his second quote, Gorbachev reflects on his own experience of perestroika as it evolved. He concludes that a gradual evolution is preferable to extremism. Was he able to keep the evolution of reforms gradual? What has happened to Russia since he left office? Explain.

3. The people of Russia lived under very restrictive regimes through- out the 20th century. Freedoms have been few and far between. Consider quotes one and three. How do you think the Russian people will handle freedom after such a long period of oppres- sion?

4. Some observers consider that Gorbachev was one of the greatest leaders of the 20th century. Do you agree or disagree? Why?

CBC News in Review • December 2002 • Page 52 THE CANADIAN ORIGINS OF GLASNOST Russia: Problems and Possibilities

The Problems enterprises, and hard currency. The The reforms initiated in the atmosphere militia, charged with rooting out crime, of perestroika have not yet resulted in is filled with corrupt officers on the the completely successful evolution of take. Dozens of murders occur each Russia. There are areas of decline and day, many of them contract killings. problems that have arisen through the These mobs, patterned after the Italian constant economic crises of the last Mafiosi, are stronger, meaner, and decade and the struggle to find balance richer than their predecessors. President in the “New” Russia. Putin has inherited a difficult challenge The promise of Russia’s first in his efforts to curb the power of the McDonald’s restaurant has slipped into Mob. a quagmire of limited foreign invest- After the collapse of the Soviet ment and a resurgence of the “Russian Union, the army was posted throughout Mob.” The military continues to the many newly independent Soviet weaken, while war still rages in Republics. Remaining in Russia were Chechnya. All is not well in this new only eight of the previous 16 military Russia. districts. Russia itself lost valuable first- President Putin has inherited an line troops such as 13 field armies and economy stuck in recession, bereft of corps, four tank armies, two missile adequate capital investment and often armies, three armies of anti-missile under the sway of criminals. Since the defence, various other units, and stock- early 1990s the level of foreign invest- piles of weapons and ammunition. ment has declined by hundreds of Surface and sub-surface vessels have millions of dollars. The economy declined to at least half their former stagnated because of a number of number. Investment in upgrading has factors: outdated equipment, a Soviet- been limited, leading to a decline in the style bureaucracy, the growth of crimi- effectiveness of Russia’s forces. Putin’s nal activity, and a lack of real capital experience in Chechnya has led to investment. Productivity declined even Russian control of the area, with front- after the beginnings of privatization. line troops, to hold them in check. The Incentives were few, and the ruble resulting terrorist activities in Russia continued to decline in value at an have been less controllable, and the alarming rate. Even in stronger parts of army needs to re-evaluate its role and the economy, like oil production, there capabilities. has been a decrease in productivity The hostage-taking incident in a without a corresponding reduction in Moscow theatre showed the inexperi- employees. All the while Russia contin- ence of the militia. Putin has demon- ued building its national debt. strated his desire to restructure the The Russian Mob has flourished military and utilize them appropriately. under the limited restrictions of post- It remains to be seen whether he can perestroika Russia. They control huge find the resources to carry out his segments of the economy by controlling wishes. By 2002 the army had declined factories, real estate, co-ops, private in quality to the point where Putin

CBC News in Review • December 2002 • Page 53 considered changing the whole com- NATO signed an agreement setting up a Did you know . . . plexion of the force. Now, every male joint council for making decisions on Initialisms, accord- between 18 and 27 years must serve counterterrorism, non-proliferation of ing to the Canadian Oxford Paperback two years in the military. This has led to nuclear, biological, and chemical weap- Dictionary are an army of young, relatively untrained ons, peacekeeping, and other issues.” groups of initial men, numbering over one million. Putin As NATO continues to incorporate letters used as an wants to develop a voluntary, profes- Eastern European nations into the abbreviation for a sional force, smaller in number, but alliance, its relevance as a defensive name or expres- stronger in quality and training. This organization becomes less necessary. sion, each letter being pronounced plan continues to be met with resistance Putin’s acceptance of this accommoda- separately: e.g. CBC from within. tion has led to greater stability and a (Canadian Broad- lesser chance of conflict. casting Corpora- The Possibilities Economic growth, which has been in tion)? This article decline for the past decade, is now just uses several that Vladimir Putin, the newest president of may be new to you the RF, has chosen to act on the ideas of beginning to evolve. Putin is trying to such as: RF, which perestroika. A former member of the diversify the economy away from a represents Russian KGB, Putin rose quickly, beginning in dependence on oil. There is growing Federation, the local government. He started as an evidence of a market economy. Small organization that business is encouraged, and free enter- followed the assistant to the mayor of St. Petersburg. collapse of the In the 2000 election he won the presi- prise is now seen in everyday life. former USSR (Union dency by a 52 per cent margin. Foreign investment is happening. The of Soviet Socialist Putin has worked to place Russia most visible example of this was the Republics (1921- back on the international stage. establishment of the Moscow 1991), KGB, which He participated in the June 2002 McDonald’s. refers to the ruth- Freedom of the press is now practised less and powerful Kananaskis Summit, where then-U.S. Soviet era secret President Clinton stated that he was in Russia, even though conservative police known as “surely capable of creating a strong and elements recently introduced a bill to the Komitei prosperous Russia.” He also gained significantly curtail these newly found Gosudarstvennoi Summit support for the hostages at that freedoms. President Putin vetoed the Bezopastnosti, and bill, reaffirming the rights of the media. NATO (North time being held in Moscow. Atlantic Treaty Another act that places Russia in the Russia has begun to see the benefits Organization). mainstream of Western society is its of perestroika and glasnost. There are unprecedented involvement with still many hurdles to cross, but there is NATO. In May 2002 “Russia and room for optimism.

Activity Complete the exercises on this and the following page as part of your per- sonal evaluation and analysis of the role of perestroika and glasnost in the current history of Russia.

1. After reviewing your readings and notes on modern Russia, care- fully fill out the chart on the next page, comparing the positive and negative results of perestroika and glasnost.

CBC News in Review • December 2002 • Page 54 Term Positive Results Negative Results Perestroika

Glasnost

2. Once your chart is complete, write a brief position paper on the Further Research theme “Has Russia become a better place for its people as a result For more informa- of perestroika and glasnost?” Explain. tion about current Russian problems Notes for Position Paper: and possibilities, consider contacting the Russian Em- bassy in Canada at www.magna.ca/ ~rusemb/. If you would like to send an e-mail to the current president of the Russian Federation, try www.gov.ru/main/ mail_en.html.

CBC News in Review • December 2002 • Page 55 THE CANADIAN ORIGINS OF GLASNOST Russia: The Canadian Connection

As stated in the video, Alexandre and a lot of other things. And he Yakovlev, a trusted confidant of did the same thing. We were completely Mikhail Gorbachev, was Ambassador to frank. He frankly talked about the Canada for about 10 years. In that time problems in the internal situation in he was able to observe Canadian soci- Russia. He was saying that under these ety and take the time to develop his conditions, the conditions of dictator- ideas about how to reform his nation, ship and absence of freedom, the coun- the Soviet Union. From a statement try would simply perish. So it was at given by Yakovlev in 1996, he confirms that time, during our three-hour conver- the event described in the video. sation, almost as if our heads were “I arranged for him (Gorbachev) to knocked together, that we poured it all come and visit Canada. . . . I wanted out and during that three-hour conversa- very much for the man who was respon- tion we actually came to agreement on sible for agriculture in Russia to visit all our main points.” Canada. Regarding glasnost, he stated the “It was a very useful visit for following. Gorbachev. What struck me is the kind “I could not agree with the proposi- of detailed interest and care Gorbachev tion that I used what I saw in Canada as took in the farmer economy, and that a model for life in Russia. I was, for really struck me very positively and example, convinced that our press very much. should be much freer than the press in “At first we kind of sniffed around Canada or the . I already each other and our conversations didn’t encountered the practice of articles on touch on serious issues. And then, demand, articles for which some shady verily, history plays tricks on one; we deals had been made. I already saw that had a lot of time together as guests of practice in Canada. When I was trying the Minister of Agriculture of Canada. to promulgate glasnost at home, I So we took a long walk on that frankly have to tell you that I tried to do minister’s farm and, as it often happens, things in such a way as to avoid those both of us were suddenly just kind of errors or ways that I encountered in this flooded and let go. I somehow, for country. At first we were successful— some reason, threw caution to the wind, Moscow News, Izvestiia, Ogonek Maga- and started telling him what I consid- zine. They were the path-breakers to ered to be the stupidities in the area of freedom of the press and they acted foreign affairs, especially those SS-20 very idealistically.” missiles that were being stationed in

CBC News in Review • December 2002 • Page 56 Activities 1. Evaluate these two quotes and describe your views on how much impact Canada might have had on the thought processes of Alexandre Yakovlev. Consider both positive and negative impacts.

2. Do you agree with Yakovlev’s opinion of the Canadian media? Explain.

CBC News in Review • December 2002 • Page 57 THE CANADIAN ORIGINS OF GLASNOST YV Video Timeline Web Challenge

Use the Internet and outside sources to create a pictorial timeline illustrat- ing the history of Russia since 1985. Make sure to identify the succession of leaders, any wars (internal or external) that were happening, views of the crime and corruption and the state of the economy over the period, point- ing out the highlights. Where possible, make this timeline in the form of a PowerPoint presentation. Be prepared to share your work with your peers.

Possible Web sites to use in this activity:

This site shows a timeline of modern Russia: www.departments.bucknell.edu/russian/chrono3.html

This site illustrates Russian current events: www.mapreport.com/countries/russia.html

This site is a Yeltsin biography: www.infoplease.com/spot/yeltsintimeline1.html

This site contains information and pictures of Putin: www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/Parliament/5160/Putin/

This site gives an overview of Russian history: http://russia.jamestown.org/papers/papers-paper-graham.htm

This site has an overview of Gorbachev: www.mikhailgorbachev.org/

Notes

CBC News in Review • December 2002 • Page 58