(24) The Ending of Cold War Tensions Flashcards
What happened in Cuba?
Despite the end of the Cold War, relations between communist Cuba and the USA remained hostile.
Since 1959, Fidel Castro remained the leader of Cuba.
He increased trade with China, continued with social programmes and tourism returned to Cuba.
What happened in El Salavador?
The pro-American, Jose Napoleon Duarte was elected as president of Salvador in 1984 in the middle of the civil war.
Duarte tried and failed to limit the power of the army.
The FMLN (leftist guerrilla groups) battled against the army.
Then in 1988, Cristiani became president.
The FMLN launched a new offensive against the government.
Peace accords were signed in 1992 after the USA relaxed its anti-communist stance and ceased training the Salvadoran army.
El Salvador had free elections in 1994.
What happened in Afghanistan?
The Soviets signed a peace treaty in 1988 with forces completely withdrawn from Afghanistan by 1989.
Gorbachev did this for a number of reasons:
- The financial costs of intervention in Afghanistan.
- The huge number of casualties caused by war.
- Public opinion in the USSR was against the war
- The fact that the USSR didn’t look like they could win the war
Why was their withdrawal significant?
How did it also cause problems?
The Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan improved American and Soviet relations.
The withdrawal did make the USSR look week amongst its allies though.
What happened in Ethiopia?
In 1987 Mariam established the People’s Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and he stated that he would make the country fully communist, led by the Workers Party of Ethiopia.
Despite opposition within their own country, the Workers Party of Ethiopia held onto power due to the support of the USSR.
In 1991 Mariam fled the country and the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front took power
Why was this significant in ending Cold War tensions?
Despite being communist the USA supporting them showing that anti-communism was no longer the primary motivator in US foreign policy
What happened in Angola?
In December 1986, Gorbachev stopped sending financial support (he still sent weapons) to the MPLA in a bid to improve relations with the USA.
Then in 1987, the USSR supported a major offensive against UNITA.
The MPLA was supported by 10,000 Cuban troops.
In May 1988 South Africa was split into 2 nations:
- A peace agreement was reached in December 1988.
- Cuban forces withdrew.
Why was this significant?
This resolution helped mend American and Soviet relations.
What happened in the Malta Summit?
The Malta Summit was held in December 1989 following the downfall of communist regimes in Eastern Europe.
The meeting focused on developing the economic relationship between the superpowers.
- Following the meeting, the USSR stated it would not intervene in Eastern Europe and the USA said that they would not intervene in Germany, but would leave reunification decisions to the Germans themselves.
- The USA also stated that it would not intervene in the Baltic states.
Why was the Malta summit significant?
Marked the end of the Cold War economic conflict, with the Soviet Union moving towards a more market-driven economic system and the USA agreeing not to intervene in Baltic States and Botswana.
The Malta Summit paved the way for the CFE.
What was the Conventional Forces Europe Treaty (CFE)?
This was signed by the USSR, USA and other European leaders in 1990.
This limited the amount of non-nuclear forces NATO and Warsaw Pact could have in Europe.
This led to the START Treaty which limited numbers of most types of nuclear weapons by approximately a third.
Why was this significant in ending Cold War tensions?
The USSR and USA declared an end to the Cold War after the 1989 Malta Summit.
How did the process of reunification of Germany occur?
Gorbachev agreed to remove Soviet troops from East Germany and did not oppose German sovereignty. He was prepared to allow this in return for financial aid.
In March 1990, the GDR had free elections which then paved the way forward for negotiations with the FRG on the future of their states.
In May 1990, the two countries agreed to economic, monetary and social union
.
Then in 1990, the GDR passed a law of accession which stated that it would become part of the FRG.
How was reunification finally agreed?
The unification between both sides of Germany was accepted by all of the occupying powers; France, USA, USSR and Great Britain.
Germany was reunified as a result and became a full member of NATO in 1990.
Why was this significant?
The reunification of Germany marked one of the final events of the Cold War in Europe, bringing to an end the East-West division and inaugurating a new era of cooperation.
