Annotation

The article is devoted to the initial stage of “perestroika” (restructuring) in the USSR (1985-1986) under the slogan of “acceleration” of socio-economic development. The prerequisites for this course are examined, including personnel changes and Gorbachev's first statements. It is emphasized that “acceleration” was not fundamentally new, but rather continued the ideas of Andropov and Chernenko. Special attention is paid to the April Plenum of the CPSU Central Committee in 1985, which determined the directions of the acceleration policy — scientific and technological progress, improvement of social relations, and democracy. It is noted that the reforms at the initial stage were declarative in nature and involved cosmetic changes.