(21) Gorbachev and The Ending of The Cold War Flashcards
What had been problems associated with the Brezhnev era?
Around 25% of the Soviet GDP from 1964-82 was being spent on Soviet military supplies in the hopes of closing the gap between the US and USSR.
What had been problems with the Soviet economy before?
Gorbachev inherited a poor economy which had been in steady decline for some years.
Factors such as alcoholism, inflation and worker discontent led to unrest and strikes, which in turn undermined productivity.
Living standards dropped as production decreased and a government deficit emerged.
What was a historical interpretation put fourth by McManhon?
‘the accession of Gorbachev… stands as the most critical turning point in the Cold War’s final phase- the one factor above all others that hastened the end of the Cold War and the radical transformation of the Soviet-American relations’.
What had Gorbachev recognised?
He saw a direct link between USSR’s economic performance and it’s ability to maintain its superpower position globally
Thus economic growth would strengthen the communist system, which could be sustained through ending the Cold War.
What was Perestroika?
A 5 Year Plan was established for the years 1986-1990. It set a target of 25% growth in industrial production.
- Perestroika aimed to improve performance of Soviet economy by amending rather than fully dismantling it. For example, there was an investment in machinery by copying the West’s automated and advanced production methods.
- Perestroika enabled USSR to open itself to foreign investment but businesses still had to be state-owned.
What had been the effects of Soviet foreign policy?
Soviet military support for its satellite states was too costly leading to the creation of the European Commission in 1988, where countries in the Soviet orbit could now make their own trade agreements leading to the obsolescence of Comecon.
What was Glastnost?
Gorbachev also planned Glasnost and the ‘democratization’ of USSR.
Gorbachev wanted to open up the Soviet party which was criticised for being too closed.
Gorbachev wanted to return to the true version of Communism, one which was similar to that of Lenin.
What did this lead to?
Censorship on TV, radio and newspapers was reduced slightly.
In 1987 BBC broadcasts were permitted to be aired in the USSR.
How did his reforms have positive effects on the Soviet economy?
There were also 61 joint-venture programmes which were made with Western companies which brought capital and technological developments to the USSR.
The brutal agricultural system of collectivisation, which had caused poverty and starvation, also ended.
Lastly, in 1988 there were positive trade talks with the European Economic Community which led to positive negotiations and fair-trade agreements being established in 1988 and 1991.
How did it lead these reforms lead to the collapse of the USSR?
The USSR’s economic problems remained severe despite Gorbachev’s attempts to resolve them.
For example, the Nomenklatura (ruling elite) liked their extreme privileges and they did not want to give them up.
Gorbachev removed some of their privileges such as their ‘special shops’ and their chauffeur driven cars which lost him support amongst the most powerful Soviet leaders.
By 1991 industrial output had dropped by 18%.
This coupled with the impacts of both Perestroika and Glasnost served to further undermine the Communist system.
