Mikhail Gorbachev

A great statesman and an outstanding leader, Mikhail Gorbachev played a quintessential role in terminating the ‘Cold War.’ He also contributed towards the fall of the ‘Berlin Wall’ and the re-unification of the East and West Germany. Right from a young age, he displayed immense dedication and organizational skills, and had a bent towards politics. With time, his inclination towards political pursuits also increased, and he became a prominent member of the ‘Communist Party.’ In 1970, he became one of the youngest provincial party chiefs. In 1979, he became the youngest member of ‘Politburo.’ In 1985, he was made the general secretary of the ‘Communist Party’ of the Soviet Union, which he served until 1991. Gorbachev became the first and the last president of the Soviet Union. Under his presidency, he sought to reform the party and the state economy by introducing the concepts of openness, restructuring, democratization, and accelerated economic development. Furthermore, he brought about various technological advancements that secured increased productivity and reduced wastage. His efforts to democratize country’s political system and decentralize its economy led to the downfall of communism and the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991.