Chapter 21: Gorbachev and the ending of the cold war Flashcards
1
Q
When did Gorbachev become leader of the USSR?
A
- 1985
2
Q
What were Gorbachev’s 2 main aims?
A
- Reduce tensions
- Reform communist systems to save it
3
Q
What agricultural issues were there?
A
- Attempts at reform were blocked by hardliners
- Poor harvests (1972&5) - food shortages
- Forced to buy grain from abroad - diverted funds
4
Q
What were military expenses at the time?
A
- 1964-82 -> 25% GNP spent on military - arms race
- Increased spending against SDI
- Inc spending due to invasion of Afghanistan
5
Q
Why was there a lack of consumer goods?
A
- 1970s - consumer goods limited despite emphasis in 9th + 10th 10yr plans
- Black market flourished instead
6
Q
What problems did central planning cause?
A
- Inflexible, slow, corrupt system
- Rejected reform
7
Q
How was discontent a problem?
A
- Wages didn’t match inflation - frequent strikes
- Low living standards - low morale
- Alcoholism and absenteeism
- Low environmental standards
8
Q
How could public dissent increase?
A
- 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
9
Q
How was lack of foreign investment a problem?
A
- Closed off
- Stopped growth and innovation
10
Q
What was the basis of new thinking?
A
- Needed to boost the economy to remain a superpower
- Foreign policy would help boost domestic problems
- Peace would allow progress economically and domestically
11
Q
What was perestroika?
A
- Restructuring
12
Q
What were the aims of perestroika?
A
- To restructure and improve the economy
- Was opposed to by hardliners
- To amend policy without dismantling it
13
Q
What actions were made for perestroika?
A
- 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%
14
Q
What was glasnost?
A
Openness
15
Q
What pushed glasnost to happen?
A
- Chernobyl
- Effects felt across Europe - forced to explain
16
Q
What were the features of glasnost?
A
- criticism
- More open reporting by TASS (soviet news agency)
- Released high profile dissidents and rehabilitated those persecuted or disgraced by Stalin
17
Q
What foreign policy changes were made?
A
- Stopped cheap exports of oil and raw materials to Eastern Europe and subsidies
- Linked foreign policy to domestic - more like other states
18
Q
What were positive outcomes to new thinking?
A
- 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
19
Q
What were negative outcomes to new thinking?
A
- 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
