The 1980s is a historical period that began in 1980 and lasted until the early 1990s. This period saw significant socio-political and cultural changes in Russia and other countries of the former Soviet Union. In Russia, this period was characterized by the beginning of perestroika, the end of the Brezhnev stagnation, and the easing of the restrictive policies that characterized the Soviet era. This period also saw many cultural changes, including freely open access to Western culture such as music and film. The 1980s were also characterized by the rise of new forms of communication such as computers, video games, and cell phones, which led to the beginning of the digital age. Overall, the 1980s left a huge mark on the history of the USSR and the world, and was a turning point in the history of the Soviet Union.
Generation of the eighties
The “Generation of the Eighties” is a term that refers to the generation of young people born between the 1980s and 1990s in the Soviet Union and Russia. This generation grew up during a period of significant social and political changes, such as the collapse of the Soviet Union, perestroika, crises, etc. The “Generation of the Eighties” is perceived as a kind of bridge between the Soviet Union and the new Russia. They were no longer brought up in a strictly controlled social system, but did not have time to fully form in the new democratic Russia.
This generation is often called the lost generation. It was not born and raised in a world of freedom and democracy, but at the same time it did not experience the completely controlled society of the Soviet Union. Thus, the “Generation of the Eighties” was forced to adapt and survive in a new environment, not always fully understanding it and the need for change. As a result, they often feel insecure about their place in society and cannot fully identify with the previous generation, which expresses a completely different mentality, as well as with young people who were born into different conditions. This can lead to a loss of meaning in life and a feeling of alienation.
Perestroika
Perestroika is a process of changing the political, economic and social system that took place in the USSR in the 1980s. It was initiated in the USSR under the leadership of Mikhail Gorbachev and was aimed at improving the efficiency of the economy, raising the standard of living of the population and implementing political reforms.
Perestroika included a number of measures, such as the elimination of central planning and the transition to a market economy, democratization of the political system and freedom of speech, privatization of enterprises and the formation of independent trade unions.
However, the process of perestroika caused a mixed reaction among the population and led to a political and economic crisis. The reforms were too abrupt and not always successful, resulting in the destruction of the economy and the intensification of social protests.
Perestroika also led to the collapse of the USSR and the formation of independent republics. Overall, perestroika had a significant impact on modern Russian history and continues to be a subject of discussion and evaluation.