Question

question 6 of 10
as leader of the soviet union, mikhail gorbachev felt that soviet foreign policy should focus on:
a. gaining political influence worldwide.
b. building alliances with socialist nations.
c. bringing an end to cold war tensions.
d. winning the nuclear arms race.

Explanation:

Analyze Gorbachev's foreign policy goals

Using the Gorbachev Reforms and Cold War Diplomacy knowledge points

• Mikhail Gorbachev sought to revitalize the struggling Soviet economy through internal restructuring (perestroika) and political openness (glasnost).
• To fund these domestic reforms, he needed to reduce the massive military expenditures associated with the Cold War arms race and foreign interventions.
• Consequently, his foreign policy shifted away from global expansionism and nuclear competition toward diplomatic engagement, arms reduction treaties (such as the INF Treaty), and easing international confrontations.
• This strategic shift was aimed directly at bringing an end to Cold War tensions to secure a stable international environment for domestic modernization.

Evaluate the given options

• Option A: Incorrect. Gorbachev moved away from competing for global political hegemony to focus on domestic issues.
• Option B: Incorrect. He reduced Soviet commitments and interventions in other socialist nations (such as ending the Brezhnev Doctrine).
• Option C: Correct. Ending Cold War tensions was essential to reduce military spending and focus resources on internal reforms.
• Option D: Incorrect. He actively worked to halt the nuclear arms race through bilateral disarmament agreements with the United States.

Answer:

• (A) gaining political influence worldwide.
• (B) building alliances with socialist nations.
• (C) bringing an end to Cold War tensions. (Correct answer)
• (D) winning the nuclear arms race.