Early Life
Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev was born on March 2, 1931, on a farm in Stavropol, an eastern province of the Soviet Union. Born to a family of peasants, young Mikhail and his family endured many hardships. Throughout their lives, dictator Joseph Stalin was pressuring farmers in their area to sell their land to collective farms. Citizens of the Soviet Union rebelled, resulting in the deaths of millions and the slaughter of half the country's cows and horses.
In fact, Gorbachev's grandfather, Andrei, was sent to one of Stalin's prison camps. He returned years later, but his time away impacted Gorbachev's life. Andrei raised Gorbachev while his real father, Sergei, was drafted by the "Red Army." Andrei's wife took care of young Mikhail while Andrei was imprisoned. She taught Gorbachev Cossack songs and stories he would refer to in political speeches.
His entire life, young Mikhail wanted to make a change. He left Stavropol to study law at the University of Moscow. While he was away at college, he met Raisa Maximovna. He married her in college and they would later have one daughter, Irina.
In fact, Gorbachev's grandfather, Andrei, was sent to one of Stalin's prison camps. He returned years later, but his time away impacted Gorbachev's life. Andrei raised Gorbachev while his real father, Sergei, was drafted by the "Red Army." Andrei's wife took care of young Mikhail while Andrei was imprisoned. She taught Gorbachev Cossack songs and stories he would refer to in political speeches.
His entire life, young Mikhail wanted to make a change. He left Stavropol to study law at the University of Moscow. While he was away at college, he met Raisa Maximovna. He married her in college and they would later have one daughter, Irina.