Chapter Nineteen Flashcards
What happened in Afghanistan in 1978-79?
PDPA regime was an ally of the SU. Faction within it led by Amin, gained control and the Soviets were concerned that this could lead to instability in the country. Also concerned Amin may align Afghanistan with the USA, China and Pakistan= a direct threat on the Soviet Border.
Amin was an unreliable ally, and unable to control the growing Islamic opposition he was facing within Afghanistan. Brezhnev was concerned due to Afghan’s geostrategic position. Believed it had to remain a buffer to protect Soviet security. Necessitated Soviet intervention.
Why did the Soviets view intervention in Afghanistan as a viable option?
They believed it would be consistent with the Basic Principles of Detente, agreed in 1972. Was viewed as a security necessity, not expansionism opportunity. To preserve he status quo. Afghanistan had never been part of the US security system.
When did the Soviet intervention in Afghanistan become a concern for the USA?
When its neighbouring country Iran, pro-American regime was overthrown by anti-Islamic fundamentalists led by Khomeini. Americans feared his regime would collapse, and leave Iran vulnerable to leftist and communist influence- reinforcing Soviet Union’s regional influence. Carter believed that the USA had not interfered in Afghan so did not expect Brezhnev to either. Hindered SALT II agreement.
What action did Carter take in 1980?
January- he formally asked the US Senate to postpone indefinitely any further consideration of the SALT II agreement because of the Soviet invasion of Afghan. Took action against trade with the Soviet Union- relations deteriorated. E.g restrictions on Soviet fishing privileges in American waters, embargo on sales of grain. Mil assistance to Pakistan.
Carter Doctrine.
What was the Carter Doctrine?
Jan 1980.
American commitment to prevent any further Soviet advance into the Persian Gulf area and Southwest Asia. Military solution to such expansionism. Focus on building up US strategic forces.Reinforced need for USA to strengthen relations with China.
What did Carter request regarding European Detente?
Tried to persuade NATO and the West to suspend East-West Detente. But it was working beneficially, and they did not see its interests being served by allowing itself to become a pawn in the USA’s global power strategy.
What action did Carter take in 1981? What did his overall strategy represent?
He announced an increase in te defence budget for 1981. Represented an ultimatum and shut down any possibility of a diplomatic solution- Detente and Soviet Union- Amerian relations depended entirely on Soviet actions in Afghan and whether it would withdraw.
Question of whether Carter reacted.
How did the Soviet Union view Carter’s actions in Afghan?
Believed that US leadership in 1980 had used the intervention as pretext that enabled them to dismantle detente, revive nuc arms race and build up position of strength for USA in the Persian Gulf. Saw it as a piee of international opportunism.
What occurred during the Ronald Reagan Presidency of the 1980s?
Brought tension and suspicion- again the fear of nuclear war. Arms race accelerated. Was determined t pursue aggressive policies to change Soviet behaviour. Reagan believed that detente had resulted in the USA’s trust in the Soviet Union being misplaced and blamed previoous administrations for allowing USA to be taken advantage of and allowing Ameria’s power globally to be eroded. Wanted to abandon Detente.
What were the START talks?
Strategic Arms Reduction Talks. Mid 1982. Each side accepted the need for some limited cooperation by the end of 1981.
USSR abandoned talks, because USA deployed missiles in Europe. For first time in over a decade they were no longer engaged in any level of negotiation. USSR believed USA was not seriously interested in negotiating. Pressure on USA from Western powers to adopt a more cooperative stance. Reagan blamed USSR for abandoning the talks.
What were relations like between Thatcher and Reagan?
Thatcher visited Reagan in Feb 1981. Began what was viewed as a honeymoon period in Anglo-American relations. Solid relationship. Britain appeared to be a willing ally in support of American aggression- agreed to allow US to launch F-111 bombers against Libya in 1986. Although Britain was more sympathetic to Reagan’s aggressive approach than the other Western powers, Thatcher was less enthusiastic about Reagan’s Strateic Defence Initiative Project.
What was Thatcher’s concern about the Strategic Defence Initiative Project?
That the West would be defenceless without the protective umbrella of the US nuclear force. SDI projec threatened to bring this about. Cost od ridding the world of nuclear weapons would be th creation of a massive imbalance between the conventonal forces of West and East.
Who was Pope John Paul II?
1978 he was elected as a Polish Pope. Led to the Roman Catholic Church assuming a much more direct role in Polish Political affairs.
1979 he visited his homeland and roughly 12 million Poles witnessed the Pope expressing his views on international reconciliation. Believed in peace and the need to reunite Europe. He spoke freely in an aggressive and controlling state.
What condition was Poland in by 1980? What did this cause?
By 1980 Poland was experiencing a severe economic crisis, causing a popular response by a section of Polish workers. Jul and Aug about 300,000 workers on strike. Government-imposed rises in food prices of up to 100% due to Poland’s rapidly increasing foreign debts.
To ease unrest, government accepted the first independent Polish trade union= Solidarity led by Lech Walesa.
What action did Solidarity take?
Membership rapidly increased to about 10 million and strikes erupted throughout the country leadin to significant pay rises. Clear that it was an influential political organisation.
