Mikhail Gorbachev and the Collapse of Communism

In 1982, the Soviet Unions leader was dying, and a new leader had to come to power. This was the very young Mikhail Gorbachev, the youngest leader of the Soviet Union since Stalin. Mikhail wanted to bring change to the Soviet Unions communist ways, such as not being open to other countries. He created Glasnost, which was openness to other countries. This allowed trade with other countries to help the people get new products. He also unbanned certain books and lessened media censorship. Through perestroika, or economic reconstruction, to revive the economy.
By opening the Soviet Union to other countries, Mikhail lessened the power of the Communist Party over the country. The political system slowly changed to something closer to a Democratic system, and the Communist Party lost control. People became tired of communist ways, and the system proved to be a failure. Communism soon fell, and East European countries adopted new policy's.

The Collapse of Communism

After the War, America and Soviet Russia where in cold war. Soviet Russia was communist, and not willing to change to democratic movements. But as the 21st century came closer, the economy of communist countries such as Cuba and Soviet Russia began to collapse. The waste of money on military and oppressive government could not hold up the economy. By the 1990s Soviet Russia collapsed. The Berlin Wall, which separated communist East Germany and West Germany, was brought done. Now the sides where no longer separated.
The fall of communism ended the Cold War between the America and Communist countries. Eastern and western Germany where no longer separated. The Soviet Union became separated into different countries. After that very few countries remained communist including China and Cuba. The fear of nuclear war also decreased, and Democratic policys where accepted in other countries.

Nelson Mandela and Apartheid

In government, Apartheid is when a white minority has more rights than the other races such as Indian and black. This segregation was used in Africa by European rule. Different races where not allowed to get married, and all blacks over 16 had to carry documents. Manny people wanted to change this way of life. One of these men was Nelson Mandela. He became involved to free South Africa . He became the Leader of the African National Congress to try to help. The ANC used non violence to try to reach peace. Other groups tried to use violence to free Africa, and some thought Mandela was behind it. He was sent to jail for his actions in 1964 for 27 years, but later was free still determined to free Africa. When released from prison, it marked the beginning of the end of apartheid. Five years later, he became president of South Africa. This ended the racist rules in Africa.

African Independence

After WWII, Europe controlled many African countries. Some Africans inspired by American movements wanted to raise awareness of African culture and heritage. African colony's began to gain their independence. A nonviolent protester named Kwame Nkrumah helped Ghana gain its freedom from Britain. He also began to develop economic projects to help make Africa more advance. But these where expensive and hurt these countries economy, and failed to make the countries like Americas economy.
In Kenya, Britain did not want the African people to gain independence. Jomo Kenyatta was one of the leaders fighting for their rights. Another group known as the Mau Mau used violence to try to
scare the British. Kenyatta was not involved with this, but many where killed. He became president, and helped the country become more democratic. With many country's gaining independence, leaders such as Mobutu Sese Seko helped liberate the Congo, and the country's Algeria and Angola also gained independance.