Peristrokia: restructuring of the Soviet political and economic systems
Glasnost: a term that was made up that meant "openness"
Mikhail Gorbachev opened up the Soviet Union by letting the people speak out and be heard. The books that were banned were allowed, churches were open and people were released from jail.
Communism was when the government basically controlled how the people live. Mikhail Gorbachev paved a way so that he would let the people be heard. He allowed angered Soviets to speak about their problems that they had. He listened to his people instead of ignoring them.
