Mikhail Gorbachev’s Role in Ending the Cold War Represented through TIME
Devon Tesoriero
What was the Cold War?
The “Cold War'” refers to a period of tension between the United States of America (the US) and the Soviet Union (USSR) during the twentieth century. At its core, the Cold War was an ideological confrontation between two rival superpowers; the capitalist US versus the communist Soviet Bloc.
In the early 1990’s, the Soviet Union collapsed, marking the end of the Cold War. Since then, there has been an ongoing debate about why the Cold War ended, and who was primarily responsible. Some historians argue that the Cold War ended as a result of US President Ronald Reagan’s assertive military manoeuvres and staunch ideological position. Other historians attribute the end of the Cold War with former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev’s new, more democratic, ideas rather than President Reagan’s aggressive foreign policy.
Media and the Cold War
During the Cold War many people stayed informed through mass media such as the press, radio, and television. Consequently, news media had the power to profoundly influence how the public perceived certain events. This influence was utilised by both the United States of America and Soviet Union to garner public support for the ideologically driven Cold War, and therefore played a critical role throughout this period.
Why TIME Magazine?
TIME Magazine has been a prominent and influential weekly news magazine in the United States of America that has both reflected and shaped American attitudes on current events. From 1985 until 1992, TIME Magazine published various detailed articles on Gorbachev, and he featured on the cover ten times during this period. Additionally, Gorbachev was named TIME Magazine's Man of the Year in 1988, and Man of the Decade in 1990. TIME therefore provides useful insight into how Gorbachev’s role in the collapse of the USSR was represented by the US media.
Keep scrolling to find out how TIME Magazine represented Gorbachev’s role in ending the Cold War
The “Cold War'” refers to a period of tension between the United States of America (the US) and the Soviet Union (USSR) during the twentieth century. At its core, the Cold War was an ideological confrontation between two rival superpowers; the capitalist US versus the communist Soviet Bloc.
In the early 1990’s, the Soviet Union collapsed, marking the end of the Cold War. Since then, there has been an ongoing debate about why the Cold War ended, and who was primarily responsible. Some historians argue that the Cold War ended as a result of US President Ronald Reagan’s assertive military manoeuvres and staunch ideological position. Other historians attribute the end of the Cold War with former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev’s new, more democratic, ideas rather than President Reagan’s aggressive foreign policy.
Media and the Cold War
During the Cold War many people stayed informed through mass media such as the press, radio, and television. Consequently, news media had the power to profoundly influence how the public perceived certain events. This influence was utilised by both the United States of America and Soviet Union to garner public support for the ideologically driven Cold War, and therefore played a critical role throughout this period.
Why TIME Magazine?
TIME Magazine has been a prominent and influential weekly news magazine in the United States of America that has both reflected and shaped American attitudes on current events. From 1985 until 1992, TIME Magazine published various detailed articles on Gorbachev, and he featured on the cover ten times during this period. Additionally, Gorbachev was named TIME Magazine's Man of the Year in 1988, and Man of the Decade in 1990. TIME therefore provides useful insight into how Gorbachev’s role in the collapse of the USSR was represented by the US media.
Keep scrolling to find out how TIME Magazine represented Gorbachev’s role in ending the Cold War
Click on the button on the top left corner of each image for a brief overview of the cover. Click on the dots to explore how Gorbachev’s role in ending the Cold War was presented in TIME Magazine.
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The magazine covers contained on this page were retrieved from TIME Magazine’s online archive, and can be accessed at: https://time.com/vault/.
Want to read the cover story? Click the link on the bottom left corner of the image.
The magazine covers contained on this page were retrieved from TIME Magazine’s online archive, and can be accessed at: https://time.com/vault/.