Afghanistan + Second Cold War + Collapse of USSR Flashcards
Why was the Soviet Union interested in Afghanistan? What happened in the Middle East that threatened the soviets? What did Afghanistan become?
It bordered Middle Eastern Countries like Iran and Afghanistan.
In 1979, A revolution in Iran removed the Shah and established an Islamic Fundamentalist government, they did not want this to spread into the Soviet Union.
Afghanistan became a buffer zone between the Soviet Union and Iranian Government.
The soviets could use this to add a pro soviet government.
What happened in the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan? (4)
- In September 1979, the rebel ‘Hafizullah Amin’ toppled the pro-soviet government. To begin win, he had the support of the soviet union.
- A growing number of pro Muslims groups attempted too overthrow Amin. This included Muslim guerrilla fighters.
- Brezhnev heard rumours that Amin had spoke to the USA for their support.
- On the 24th December 1979, Soviet Troops invaded Afghanistan on the claim that Amin had asked the USA for support. He was assassinated on the 27th and Babrak Kamal formed a pro-soviet government.
When did the Soviets remain in Afghanistan until? What was the reason for staying?
The soviets remained their until 1989 because The Mujahideen continued to fight against the Soviet Union and Kamal’s government.
How did the US react to the invasion of Afghanistan? What was produced because of it?
The US government believed it was a attempt to spread communism against the people’s belief. In January 1980, president Carter Introduced the Carter Doctrine.
What did the Carter Doctrine entail?
- The Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan was one of the the biggest threat’s to world peace since WW2.
- The USA would protect the Persian Gulf (Had a lot of oil)
- He would impose economic sanctions (The US supplied mujahideen with weapons and money to beat the Soviets.
How did the invasion of Afghanistan affect the Cold War relations?
- Many historians believe that Carter overacted to the invasion of Afghanistan, for it to be a reason to end détente.
- President Carter withdrew from SALT II marking the end of collaboration between the US and Soviets.
- President Carter spent more money on weapons.
- The US and Soviets began becoming more confrontational with each other.
What did the US public want after the invasion of Afghanistan? What did this lead too?
They wanted a harsher stance on the Soviet Union and for the government to change as Carter was seen as ‘weak’.
In 1981, Reagan gained a landslide victory and became the new President.
What did Reagan believe about communism? What did this lead too?
He believed that communism was playing a significant threat to the US, he made the government spend its own money on the defence budget. He created new weapons such as bombers, tridents etc.
What did the Reagan Doctrine entail?
- Give support to anti-communist groups trying to overthrow Soviet Governments (The US army invaded and overthrew the communist government in Grenada)
- Rollback communism, remove the influence of communism in all other parts of the world, keep it in the Soviet Union.
When was Reagans empire speech? What did it entail?
8th March 1983, he spoke to a Christian organisation, his speech entailed
‘The Soviet Union is an evil empire.’
‘America is good. And if America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great’
‘I believe that communism is another sad, bizarre chapter in human history whose last pages are now being written’
What was created by Regan in 1983? What did it involve? When was it released to the public? (Costs to create HINT)
He created the Strategic Defence Initiative, it involved sending satellites into orbit and they could shoot down soviet missiles by laser.
Reagan announced the SDI to the public on the 23rd March 1983, the tech was not developed at the time, and they spent 30 billion to attempt to create it.
How did the Soviet’s react to the SDI?
They were shocked because
- The economy was falling in the Soviet Union and could not afford to match this system.
It posed a threat to their safety
The SDI broke the 1967 Outer Space Treaty and now the Soviets believed that the US were becoming more aggressive.
How did the SDI impact Cold War relations? Why? Explain the 3 points.
- The SDI showed the clear gap between the US and Soviet’s economy, they could out spent them, and the SDI was not going to be created, instead it was a tactic for them to accept defeat.
- It showed the US technological advancements, their development of computers boosted their economy. (The Soviets had a skill gap, and had poor quality goods)
- The SDI forced the Soviet Union to reform, with Gorbachev becoming a new leader and aimed to reform Soviet Economy.
NEGATIVE!
What caused the US to boycott the Olympic games? How many other nations joined?
Moscow was set to hold the Olympic games in 1980 by the US (Détente reasons), but the invasion of Afghanistan caused the US to boycott this with 60 other nations!
How did the Olympic Boycott in 1980 affect Cold War relations? Explain the 3 points.
- Heightened Cold War tensions, the Olympics values are ‘excellence, friendship and respect’ - the Olympics should not bring in Politics, the USA did but some argue that the Invasion of Afghanistan went against the Olympic values.
- Affected the reputation of the Soviet Union, the Soviet’s were hoping to show the strength of communism, but many US channels refused to show their coverage.
- Showed that the USA would go to a large extent, threatened the removal of passports for those who went.
How did the Soviets react to the Olympic Boycott? What happened in the 1984 Olympic games?
- The lower viewing figures angered the Soviet’s as they wanted to show the strength of communism.
- The Soviet Union boycotted the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 1984, 15 countries joined the Soviets, a statement stated that the Soviet Union did this to It claimed that the boycott protected Soviet athletes from protest and physical harm from the US audience.
How did the 1984 Boycott on the Olympics affect Cold War Relations? Explain.
Worsened Soviet-US relations. The US saw no clear reason of the boycott, making the Soviets look like they only want revenge.
It gave the US a moment to showcase talent, with 84 gold medals won.
What were the causes of the Olympic boycotts? What were the consequences?
Causes
1. Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan
2. Building Cold War Tensions in the ‘Second Cold War’
3. The 1984 boycott was in retaliation of the 1980 boycott.
Consequences
1. A worsening US-Soviet Relations
2. A negative impact on the Soviet Union’s reputation.
What was the social status of the Soviet Union in 1985? (5)
- Living conditions in the Soviet Union were worse than the USA.
- Life expectancy began to fall in 1970.
- The Soviet Union was a police state. People were monitored by police.
- Poor living conditions caused social unrest with the soviet Union.
- The Trade Unions ‘Solidarity’ forced the Soviet Union to impose martial law in Poland.
What was the economical status of the Soviet Union in 1985? (3)
- The Soviet Union were spending around 10-20 percent of its GDP on the military.
- Brezhnev had spent a significant amount of money on weapons to keep up with the US.
- By 1980, there was no growth in the economy in the Soviet Union.
Why was their a need for Gorbachev’s New thinking? What did he believe the reform was going to do?
Due to the social and economical issues in 1985 of the Soviet Union! He believed that it would save the soviet economy and increase happiness.
What did Gorbachev come up with to reform the economy, what did the policy involve?
He came up with ‘perestroika’ which meant restructuring.
The Policy Included
1. The reduction of military spending.
2. The ending of the arms race with the US.
3. Introduction to more capitalist elements to the economy.
4. A reduction in soviet control of businesses.
What does ‘glasnost’ mean? What did the ‘glasnost policy entail?’
It means openness, the policy included
1. Less restrictions on censorship and freedom of speech (the citizens could discuss and criticise the government.)
2. The Soviet Union took responsibility for past oppression (This admission sparked protests in certain areas)
3. The Soviet Union would allow an opposition to their government.
4. To speak up against corruption in their government.
How did relations change when Gorbachev came into power? What happened/why? (2)
Gorbachev and Reagan could form a strong diplomatic relationship.
Gorbachev announced that they would no longer follow the Brezhnev Doctrine. The USA saw this as less as a threat - time to end the cold war.
Gorbachev spoke at the UN about forming a better relationship.
How was the ‘New Thinking’ seen in action?
Because there were a number of summits between 1985 and 1989!
When was the Geneva Summit? What was the aim? What was the outcome?
Geneva Summit was in November 1985.
Aim - First meeting between Gorbachev and Reagan.
Outcome - No formal agreements made, but a positive relationship started.
When was the Reykjavik summit? What was the aim? What was the outcome?
Reykjavik summit was in October.
Aim - Soviet Union experienced a disaster in Chernobyl, Gorbachev agreed to reduce the Soviets stockpile if the US gave up the SDI.
Outcome - No formal agreements made, US could not give up SDI. Relationships continued to improve.
When was the Washington Summit? What was the aim? What was the outcome?
Washington Summit was in December 1987.
Aim - Gorbachev wanted to reduce military spending in efforts to achieve nuclear disarmament.
Outcome - USA and Soviet signed the Intermediate Range Nuclear Force Treaty. Abolish a lot of land missiles.
When was the Moscow Summit? What was the aim? What was the outcome?
Moscow summit took place in May-June 1988.
Aim - A clarification on the complex details and the problems with the INF treaty.
Outcome - Two countries resolved issues with the INF. Reduce the number of Warsaw Pact members + Leave Afghanistan after UN talks.
When was the Malta Summit? What was the aim? What was the outcome?
Malta Summit was in December 1989. First Aim - Meeting between George Bush and Gorbachev.
Outcome - No agreements made, but both sides used this to mark the end of the cold war.
What were the events in Hungary leading to the end of Communism? (4)
- Change in the communist government began in 1988. The public were now able the freedom to vote + reduce censorship.
- The Ceremony of Imre Nagy.
- The fence was removed between Austria and Hungary - The Soviet Union did not react. (encouraging more countries to ‘break free’)
- In October 1989, the country took part in free elections, the former communist party won little seats.
What was Solidarity in Poland? What did this group do? What did this lead too?
It was an independent trade union. This was not accepted, and Poland was placed under martial law.
The group grew - disrupting the polish government as it was very organised.
The government realised in 1989, that they needed to work with solidarity.
The group won the elections in 1989 as well.
What were the events leading up to the Revolution? What was The ‘Velvet Revolution’ of Czechoslovakia? What did it lead too? (4)
- Reforms in Hungary impacted the Czech government.
- Czechoslovakians and East Germans were escaping to the West through the open border between Hungary and Austria.
- The border was closed, but protests (500k plus) started to overthrow (The Velvet Revolution)
- Communist Leader Resigned - Anti Communist took place.
What happened in Romania to break free from communism? (4)
- After Husák’s resignation, Romanian president Ceaușescu was the last repressive communist leader in Eastern Europe
- On the 21st December 1989, protests began and the government had lost support from the army by the 22nd.
- On Christmas day he was executed
- Free elections to be held in April 1990.
What happened in Bulgaria for it to break free from communism? (4)
- After the Berlin Wall fell on 10th November 1989 Mladenov became leader.
- Mladenov opposed the freedom of speech assembly.
- Protests began
- He resigned on live television on the 11th December 1989, for multi party elections to be held in 1990.
What happened in Yugoslavia (and Slovenia) for it to break away from communism? (5)
- The previous leader Tito died in 1980.
- His death resulted in more freedom in nationalities - reforms were introduced in Slovenia.
- Early 1989, numerous anti-communist political parties appeared after it was pushing for reform.
- Slovenia broke away from Yugoslavia in 1990.
- In 1991-92 Yugoslavia was split into states
What was the The sequence of the end of communism in Eastern Europe? (Countries in order)
- Hungary
- Poland
- Czech
- Romania
- Bulgaria
- Yugoslavia
What did the collapse of the Eastern Block lead too? How did this change tensions?
It led to the collapse of the Warsaw Pact in July 1991.
By 1991 the soviet did not pose a military threat to the US - tensions dramatically increased.
What was the GDR’s new travel policy? Explain. What did this lead too? (Could you maybe talk about the miscommunication) (5)
- The new leader of the GDR, Egon Krenz, attempted to end the protests in East Germany.
- A meeting was held, it was to allow border crossing between the East and West to become easier.
- There was a miscommunication on when it was to be released.
- Hundreds gathered the border, guards were overwhelmed and many crossed.
- Many began to tear the wall down!
What were the causes and consequences of the fall of the Berlin Wall?
Causes
1. The end of communism in Hungary and Poland.
2. Gorbachev’s ‘New Thinking’
3. The announcement of the GDR’s new travel policy.
Consequences
1. The symbolic end of the Cold War.
2. East and West Berliner’s reunite with family and friends.
3. The reunification of Germany in 1990.
When did thousands cross the Berlin Wall/take it down?
Thousands of East Berliners crossed to West Berlin on 9th November
Both East and West Berliners began to pull parts of the Berlin Wall down.
Why was the power of the soviet Union reduced in 1990?
Due to the independence of the satellite states.
When was the Gorbachev Coup? Why did it fail? What did the communist think after?
In August 1991, the gang of 8 attempted to kidnap him, it was to place the Soviet Union in a state of emergency was the aim, Gorbachev refused and was placed under house arrest.
The coup failed, it lacked popular support Boris Yeltsin spoke up against the Coup and Gorbachev could govern.
But, he now lacked authority, and he lost control of most of the satellite states, causing him to resign on the 25th December 1991.
Who was Boris Yeltin? What did the Coup allow him to do?
Gorbachev chose him as the Mayor of Moscow, but was forced to resign in 1987. He rose back to power in 1990, and the Soviet Union elected him as the President of Russia.
The coup allowed him to take ultimate control of Russia. Yeltsin became the most influential political leader in Russia. Gorbachev reputation was ruined.
When did the Soviet Union ‘fully collapse’ When was the resignation? Who did Gorbachev hand power too?
Soviet Union fully collapsed when Gorbachev resigned on 25th December 1991.
Gorbachev passed power onto Boris Yeltin, and he was the most powerful man in Russia.
