On 26 December 1991 the dissolution of the Soviet Union was finalized with the granting of the Autonomous Republics of the Soviet Union independence to the pursuant to declaration number 142-H. Historians have long debated the factors and implications that catalyzed the fall of the Soviet Union, with arguments ranging from the involvement of nationalist uprisings to the effects of Western aggression. Mikhail Gorbachev made great strides in democratizing the old communist ways of the Soviet Union, even though this led to its political demise. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay His reforms weakened the USSR and opposition began to grow on all sides as he sought to restructure the communist party and purge it of corruption, all the while trying to establish a more democratic process for l election of officials. Through glasnost he attempted to reform and restructure his nation through his policies from 1985 to 1991. His efforts to democratize his country's political system and decentralize its economy led to the fall of communism, ultimately contributing to the economic downfall of the Union Soviet. On March 3, 1985, Konstantin Chernenko dies and is replaced by Michael Gorbachev as General Secretary. of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. Gorbachev was known for his policy of “Glasnost” which allowed for freedom of expression and the loosening of controls on the radio, press, film industry and television. However, this policy quickly paved the way for public opinion to slip beyond Gorbachev's grasp. This is evident since in the Soviet system all sectors of social life were subject to an ideological and politically derived logic, consequently economic restructuring cannot to some extent be separated from politics. At 1:23 a.m. on April 26, 1986, Reactor 4 at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant exploded, following a reckless testing of the systems by poorly trained technicians that caused the immediate deaths of workers and exposed others to deadly levels of radiation. It took about two days for the explosion to be announced, and in vague terms, others did not discover its true extent until radiation was detected outside Soviet borders. Gorbachev introduced his policy of glasnost, or "openness" of ideas and expression, not long before the Chernobyl explosion. Some consider this situation to be the first “crack” in the Soviet system that may have contributed to its collapse. According to Gorbachev, the Chernobyl explosion represented a turning point that “opened up the possibility of much greater freedom of expression, to the point that the system as we knew it could no longer continue.” It was his remedy to widespread censorship and government secrecy. For Gorbachev, Chernobyl demonstrated the wisdom and necessity of glasnost, and his statements “made it absolutely clear how important it was to continue the policy of glasnost.” By 1987, the year after Chernobyl, glasnost had taken hold in Soviet society, with a sudden openness dominating the press and public forum. Outrage over the catastrophe began to spread even among loyal citizens who had never questioned the infallibility of their government. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a custom essay Gorbachev, fighting a political battle as a reformer, chose to maintain glasnost while.