Major problems facing the soviet system, in the view of gorbachev, included low agricultural productivity, which he saw vividly when he visited canada. the unexpected reappearance of collective patriotism among the ninety-two ethnic groups in the soviet union. the demand of conservative members of the military and political elite that he bring about changes they felt were necessary to protect social stability and their statuses. the united states threat to use nuclear weapons against communist cuba. hyperinflation as the consequence of the soviet union's consumer boom.