How did Mikhail Gorbachev differ from previous Soviet leaders?

Gorbachev differed from earlier Soviet leaders by recognizing that the Soviet Union faced serious problems and needed to change. His reforms, including perestroika (restructuring) and glasnost (greater openness), aimed to adapt the Soviet system. He still identified as a communist, so choices saying he rejected communism go too far; cooperation with the United States was important but was not the central difference described here.

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