Who was the leader of the Soviet Union that initiated policies of glasnost and perestroika?

The leader of the Soviet Union who initiated the policies of glasnost and perestroika was Mikhail Gorbachev. Glasnost, which means "openness," was aimed at increasing transparency in government institutions and encouraging public discussion and freedom of expression. Perestroika, or "restructuring," involved significant reforms in the political and economic aspects of the Soviet system, promoting decentralization and allowing for some market-oriented reforms.

Gorbachev's leadership marked a significant shift in the direction of the Soviet Union, moving away from the strict authoritarian control that characterized previous leaders. These policies played a crucial role in the eventual dissolution of the Soviet Union, as they opened the door for greater political freedoms and economic changes that ultimately led to the end of communist control in Eastern Europe.

The other leaders listed each had distinct roles during different periods of Soviet history, but none of them introduced these transformative policies. Leonid Brezhnev was known for his period of stagnation and strict adherence to party lines. Nikita Khrushchev implemented some reforms but did not go as far as Gorbachev in promoting openness and restructuring. Joseph Stalin was associated with a repressive regime characterized by totalitarian control and purges, which starkly contrasts with G