The rise of nationalist and independence actions inside the Soviet Union may be thought of a major consequence of Gorbachev’s coverage of glasnost (openness). Whereas the intention was to foster higher transparency and dialogue inside Soviet society, it inadvertently supplied a platform for suppressed ethnic and nationwide identities to reassert themselves, difficult the centralized authority of the Soviet state.
This resurgence of nationalism, facilitated by the newfound freedom of expression, performed an important function within the eventual dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. It uncovered and exacerbated current tensions between the assorted republics and Moscow, empowering native leaders to demand higher autonomy and, finally, independence. This historic context highlights the advanced and infrequently unpredictable penalties of political reform.
