Chapter 21: Gorbachev and the ending of the cold war

Question 1

When did Gorbachev become leader of the USSR?

Answer 1

• 1985

Question 2

What were Gorbachev’s 2 main aims?

Answer 2

• Reduce tensions
• Reform communist systems to save it

Question 3

What agricultural issues were there?

Answer 3

• Attempts at reform were blocked by hardliners
• Poor harvests (1972&5) - food shortages
• Forced to buy grain from abroad - diverted funds

Question 4

What were military expenses at the time?

Answer 4

• 1964-82 -> 25% GNP spent on military - arms race
• Increased spending against SDI
• Inc spending due to invasion of Afghanistan

Question 5

Why was there a lack of consumer goods?

Answer 5

• 1970s - consumer goods limited despite emphasis in 9th + 10th 10yr plans
• Black market flourished instead

Question 6

What problems did central planning cause?

Answer 6

• Inflexible, slow, corrupt system
• Rejected reform

Question 7

How was discontent a problem?

Answer 7

• Wages didn’t match inflation - frequent strikes
• Low living standards - low morale
• Alcoholism and absenteeism
• Low environmental standards

Question 8

How could public dissent increase?

Answer 8

• Criticism of government increased as no stalinist terror so less fear
• Groups more vocal - mothers against war
• Minority groups wanted more independence - baltic states and jewish community

Question 9

How was lack of foreign investment a problem?

Answer 9

• Closed off
• Stopped growth and innovation

Question 10

What was the basis of new thinking?

Answer 10

• Needed to boost the economy to remain a superpower
• Foreign policy would help boost domestic problems
• Peace would allow progress economically and domestically

Question 11

What was perestroika?

Answer 11

• Restructuring

Question 12

What were the aims of perestroika?

Answer 12

• To restructure and improve the economy
• Was opposed to by hardliners
• To amend policy without dismantling it

Question 13

What actions were made for perestroika?

Answer 13

• Decentralise planning - decisions be made independent of gosplan
• End state price management - permit some self management
• Law on joint ventures - allow foreign investment up to 49%

Question 14

What was glasnost?

Answer 14

Openness

Question 15

What pushed glasnost to happen?

Answer 15

• Chernobyl
• Effects felt across Europe - forced to explain

Question 16

What were the features of glasnost?

Answer 16

• criticism
• More open reporting by TASS (soviet news agency)
• Released high profile dissidents and rehabilitated those persecuted or disgraced by Stalin

Question 17

What foreign policy changes were made?

Answer 17

• Stopped cheap exports of oil and raw materials to Eastern Europe and subsidies
• Liked foreign policy to domestic - more like other states

Question 18

What were positive outcomes to new thinking?

Answer 18

• 1988 Comecon and European economic community allowed bilateral negotiations - paved way for trade agreements
• 61 joint venture agreements by 1988 - brought development
• Removed corruption in state bureaucracy
• Ended collectivisation - state owned the land but was rented by farmers

Question 19

What were negative outcomes to new thinking?

Answer 19

• Inc consumer prices as price controls ended - inflation
• 1988 - USSR budget deficit 12% GNP - US 3.5%
• Industrial production decreased
• Decreased agricultural output - by 13% 1985-90
• Labour productivity dec by 9% 1985-90
• Exports dec 18%, imports dec 45%
• Alcohol policies cost government 100mil rules in tax