week4

Strategic Defense Initiative

The SDI also known as star wars, was a program initiated on March 23, 1983 under president Ronald 

Raegan. The intent of the program was to develop a sophisticated anti- ballistic missile system in 

order to prevent missile attacks from other countries. SDI initiative was eventually abandoned. 

Perestrokia 

In 1986, he made changes to revive the Soviet economy. Local managers gained greater authority

over their farms and factories, and people were allowed to open small private businesses.

Gorbachev's goal was to not throw out communism, but to make the economic system more efficient

and productive.

Democratization 1988-1991

Gorbachev also knew that for the economy to improve, the Communist Party would have to loosen 

its grip on Soviet society and politics. In 1987, he unveiled a third new policy , called 

democratization. This would be a gradual opening of the political system.