<h2>... He began to end strict censorship of ideas.</h2><h2>... He started to support reforms that weren't related to the communist system.</h2><h2>... He began to pursue trade and arm agreements with the West.</h2>
Mikhail Gorbachev began his new strategies in the Soviet Union in 1985. He proposed perestroika (restructuring) and glasnost (openness). These seemed like policies that leaned in the direction of Western ways of economics and politics, rather than being related to the traditional communist system. Perestroika meant allowing some measure of private enterprise in the Soviet Union. Glasnost meant allowing a bit of freedom in regard to speech and publication. Gorbachev also developed a relationship with US president Ronald Reagan and worked on arms agreements with the West, as well as pursuing trade opportunities.
