**This is the chapter slice "Mikhail Gorbachev (Soviet Union/Russia) Gr. 5-8" from the full lesson plan "World Political Leaders"** Get the scoop on twelve of the most interesting World Political Leaders from the past century. Our resource reviews the global impact of these leaders while making these concepts more accessible to students. Begin your journey in the United States with a look at the leadership of George W. Bush and Ronald Reagan. Compare Bush's war on terrorism with Reagan's arms race during the Cold War. Journey down south with a stop in Mexico, where Vicente Fox acted as mediator between George W. Bush and Fidel Castro during an international summit. Cross the pond on your way to the United Kingdom. Learn about Margaret Thatcher's role in ending apartheid in South Africa. Read about how Mikhail Gorbachev went from being the leader of the Soviet Union to winning the Nobel Peace Prize. Learn how Nelson Mandela fought to bring equal rights for all citizens of South Africa. Journey to Tibet and explore the reincarnated spirit of the Dalai Lama, now head of state and spiritual leader of the Buddhist religion. Aligned to your State Standards and written to Bloom's Taxonomy, additional writing tasks, crossword, word search, comprehension quiz and answer key are also included.