(19) The Second Cold War Flashcards
What had been the background surrounding Afghanistan?
The People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) was a communist group, financed by the USSR.
Islamic fundamentalism had begun to be spread throughout the Middle East and into the central Asian republics within the USSR.
The USSR feared this as they were reliant on Afghanistan as a buffer state that protected the USSR.
The PDPA was factionalised and the USSR was concerned that they could not rely on its leadership to remain loyal.
Why did the USSR invade Afghanistan?
A seemingly pro-Western faction influenced by Hafizullah Amin, usurped the main faction of the group in mid-1979.
Amin was seen as an unreliable ally whom would find it difficult to stop the spread of Islamic opposition to the PDPA
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Fearing this, and the possible US support for Amin’s faction, the Soviet government under Brezhnev ordered the invasion of Afghanistan.
What did he use to back up his invasion of Afghanistan?
Brezhnev invoked the Brezhnev Doctrine and Basic Principles, arguing that the preservation of socialist regimes would prevent Afghanistan from becoming vulnerable to foreign influence.
He believed that this were reasonable actions to take and that the USA would understand and not get involved.
How did his invasion of Afghanistan come back to bite him?
In reality, it proved a long war which weakened the USSR and gave the USA a fantastic opportunity to exploit them through propaganda.
How did the USA and the world respond to his invasion of Afghanistan?
America condemned the invasion as a breach of international protocol.
The United Nations requested that the USSR leave Afghanistan and the USA placed economic sanctions on them.
The USA announced the Carter Doctrine which was a US commitment to preventing Soviet advance into the Persian Gulf and Southwest Asia.
The USA also unsuccessfully tried to convince its allies to suspend NATO participation in détente in Europe.
What was the Strategic Defence Initiative (SDI or ‘Star Wars’)
Reagan proposed the creation of a sophisticated anti-nuclear defence system that could destroy nuclear weapons in space before they reached their target.
Why was it significant?
Soviet leadership feared American possession of this technology as it would give them a de facto nuclear monopoly meaning mutually assured destruction would turn to assured destruction of the Soviet Union.
What was the context behind Solidarity and how had the Solidarity been crushed in Poland?
Polish workers went on strike in response to rises in food prices and a trade union called Solidarity was formed.
Walesa had been the leader and membership rose to 10 million
In June 1981, Soviet intervention took place by which martial law had been imposed. Moreover, gatherings, demonstrations were banned and Walesa had been arrested.
KAL 007
In 1983, South Korean airliner had been shot down by a Soviet interceptor on claims it had been on a spying mission for the USA.
All 261 people, including 61 Americans, died on the flight.
Reagan responded to the incident calling it ‘a crime against humanity’.
The Soviet Union took the view that the USA was abandoning détente and was moving towards policies of military superiority over the USSR.
How did the personalities of the new leaders around the world ensure détente had come to end?
What was Ronald Reagan’s personality and how did it end détente?
Reagan was elected US President in 1980, partly due to his criticism of the Soviet Union, his staunch anti-communist stance and his patriotic policies that aimed at restoring American pride through a return to unilateralism.
Reagan was determined to increase pressure on the Soviets and intimidate them into making concessions in the Cold War.
He rejected détente and opposed summit talks.
In 1983, Reagan made a speech where he called the USSR an ‘evil empire’.
How did he spend his military?
Reagan convinced Congress to increase military expenditure by 13% to $1.4 trillion dollars and deployed 700 nuclear weapons.
He also authorised the Strategic Defence Initiative (SDI or ‘Star Wars’).
What was Margaret Thatcher’s personality and how did it end détente?
Reagan worked closely with Margaret Thatcher who became Prime Minister of Britain in 1979.
She too was critical of the Soviet Union and had a staunch anti-communist policy.
As a unafraid critic of the Soviet Union, A Soviet newspaper in the 1980s first called Margaret Thatcher ‘The Iron Lady’ intended as a criticism of Margaret Thatcher’s hardened personality.
She didn’t believe in détente, believing more in deterrence and thought that the Cold War had gone on for too long.
How did Pope John Paul II get involved in the Cold War?
John Paul II was concerned about the Human Rights of people in Poland.
The USSR was very critical of religion and the Pope wanted countries to have religious freedom.
John Paul II wanted open borders, reconciliation between nations and saw a real need to reunite Europe.
Why was his visit to Poland, his home country, so significant?
In 1979, 12 million Poles witnessed the pope expressing his views on international reconciliation.
John Paul II had spoken freely within an aggressive and controlling state.
