Cold War Flashcards
1
Q
What countries were in the Grand Alliance?
A
The USA, the USSR and Britain
2
Q
When was the Tehran Conference?
A
1943
3
Q
What was agreed at Tehran? (2)
A
- USA and Britain would open a second front and launch an attack on Germany from the West
- Stalin would declare war against Japan
4
Q
What impact did Tehran have on international relations? (3)
A
- Stalin was pleased the USA and Britain were opening a second front against Germany
- But Britain was annoyed and wanted the second front in the Balkans
- Good relations between the USA and USSR – development of the two superpowers.
5
Q
Which leaders met at Yalta Conference? When was it?
A
Roosevelt (USA), Churchill (GB), and Stalin (USSR) / Feb 1945
6
Q
What was agreed at Yalta? (4)
A
- Germany would be divided into zones of occupation under control of the USA, USSR, GB, and FR
- USSR would join the war against JAP
- United Nations to be set up after WWII
- Eastern European countries could hold free elections after the end of the war
7
Q
What did the Allied leaders disagree on at Yalta?
A
Stalin wanted to move the border of Poland westwards into German territory – Roosevelt was unhappy but agreed since Stalin promised not to help Communist rebels in Greece. The British supported the London Poles.
8
Q
Which leaders met at Potsdam Conference, July 1945?
A
Truman (USA), Attlee (GB), and Stalin (USSR)
9
Q
What was agreed at Potsdam? (3)
A
- Germany and Berlin would be divided as agreed at Yalta
- Poland’s eastern border moved west – this would give the USSR more territory
- Nazi leaders to be tried as war criminals
10
Q
What were the disagreements at Potsdam? (3)
A
- Truman blocked Stalin’s demands for crippling reparations (fines) to be placed on GMY
- Truman refused to allow the USSR to occupy JAP once it was defeated
- Truman and Atlee opposed Stalin’s demand that he set up pro-Soviet governments in Eastern Europe. Stalin’s Red Army was looking like an army of occupation.
11
Q
Why was Potsdam less successful? (5)
A
- Stalin’s troops remained in Eastern Europe – hopes of free elections seemed very distant now
- Truman informed Stalin that the USA now possessed the atom bomb – Stalin feared that the USA might use this weapon in the future against the USSR
- Truman adopted a far more hard-line approach to Stalin than Roosevelt had
- GB and USA were suspicious of Stalin who had now set up a pro-Communist government in Poland
- Stalin was suspicious as to why USA wanted GMY to ‘recover’ economically
12
Q
When did the USA drop atom bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan?
A
August 1945 to end World War Two
13
Q
How did the development of the atom bombs make the USA and the West feel?
A
More confident/secure. Could use it to persuade Stalin to hold free elections in Eastern Europe.
14
Q
What did Stalin do in reaction to the USA’s Hydrogen bomb? (2)
A
- He made a buffer zone between Eastern European countries and the West.
- Tested their own atomic bomb in 1949.
15
Q
How did the development of the atom bomb affect USA/USSR relations? (3)
A
- Increased cold war tensions as the bomb was so powerful
- Made both sides reluctant to go to war
- Arms race between USA and USSR
16
Q
What was the Kennan Long telegram?
A
A telegram discussing US-Soviet relations was sent by George Kennan, the US ambassador in Moscow. It said Stalin wanted to destroy capitalism but that the USSR would back down if threatened by the USA.
17
Q
What was the Novikov Telegram?
A
A telegram sent by Nikolai Novikov, a Soviet diplomat in Washington that said that the USA wanted to dominate the world.
18
Q
How did both telegrams affect American-Soviet relations?
A
Both sides now distrusted the other side even more. Led eventually to America’s policy of containment as the USA felt that the USSR was now looking to spread communism and led to the Soviet desire to protect itself.
19
Q
Why did Stalin ensure that every government in Eastern Europe was pro-communist?
A
Stalin wanted to create a buffer zone between east and west. The USSR had suffered two invasions in the last thirty years – if Eastern Europe was under his control, this would make any future invasion less likely
20
Q
How did the USA interpret Starlin’s ‘buffer zone’?
A
The USA believed that this was part of Stalin’s aim to spread communism throughout the world – in particular, they thought countries in Western Europe were under threat
21
Q
What and When was the Iron Curtain speech?
A
- Churchill visited the USA where he made a speech in which he declared that Europe was being divided by Soviet policy. In the West were free and democratic states, but in the East, countries were living under the domination of communism and the USSR – an ‘iron curtain’ separated the two
- March 1946
22
Q
How did the Iron Curtain speech affect American-Soviet relations?
A
It increased tension and mistrust and led the USSR to step up its campaign of anti-Western propaganda. Intensified hostility.
23
Q
What were satellite states? Name four.
A
Countries that were freed from Nazi rule by the Red Army. These included: Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and Romania.
24
Q
How did Stalin set up pro-Communist governments?
A
Although Stalin did hold elections, these were rigged to ensure Communists won. Politicians from other parties were beaten, intimidated, or even murdered (e.g. Jan Masaryk). Even after the war, six million Soviet troops remained in Eastern Europe to stamp out opposition
25
How did Stalin ensure the satellite states relied on the USSR?
He set up COMINFORM in 1947, an alliance of Communist countries, which restricted their contact with the West. This was done in response to the Marshall Plan. Later on, he set up COMECON to coordinate trade between these countries.
26
Why did events in Greece change US policy?
Truman was informed in 1947 that GB could no longer afford to keep troops in Greece & Turkey. If GB withdrew these countries could well come under the influence of Stalin. Truman, therefore, paid for the troops to be kept there and gave financial backing to the two countries. This was the beginning of the US policy of CONTAINMENT.
27
What was Marshall Aid?
Truman believed poverty and hardship were the breeding grounds for communism, and he therefore provided billions of dollars for the wrecked economies of Europe. Between 1948 and 1952 the USA gave $12.7bn to West Europe. He also wanted these economies to recover so that they could provide a market for US-produced goods.
28
What was the Soviet response to the Truman Doctrine?
Stalin thought it showed that the USA was trying to extend its influence in Europe. He argued that the MP was a way of using economic strength to divide Europe in two. He called it dollar imperialism.
29
What impact did the Truman Doctrine have on international relations after 1947? (3)
- The USA was now in direct opposition to the USSR
- Stalin’s suspicions of the West were reinforced
- Europe was now divided into two economic and political camps
30
What did Stalin set up to rival the MP? When
Comecon, 1949
31
What did Comecon allow?
Aimed to support economic development in member states/trade and industrial planning across East European countries. Trade with the West was discouraged.
32
What was Cominform?
Set up in 1947 in response to the Truman Doctrine. The political organization included the USSR, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romani, and Poland. Yugoslavia was expelled in 1948.
It directed and controlled the governments of satellite states and made sure they took orders from Moscow.
33
How did the USA’s actions help to cause the Belin Blockade (1948-1949)? (3)
- West Germany (and West Berlin) were benefitting from Marshall Aid
- GB and USA had combined their parts of West Germany to form BIZONIA, then TRIZONIA (French zone)
- They introduced a new currency called the Deutschmark across Trizonia
34
How did Stalin interpret the USA's actions in berlin before 1948?
The USSR believed that this was part of the USA’s to rebuild Germany into a strong nation once more and to leave the Soviet zones in poverty. Now two Germanys had been created: East and West. The West was more prosperous.
35
Why did Stalin decide to impose a blockade on Berlin in June 1948?
By blockading road and rail links from West Germany into West Berlin, Stalin hoped to test the strength of the USA and to force them into surrendering West Berlin where two million people lived free from Soviet rule.
36
Why did the USA and GB decide to fly in supplies to West Berlin in 1948/49?
They could not break the road and rail blockade with force as this might be seen as an act of war; nonstop flights (a total of 275,000!) ensured that 1000 tons of food and other necessities came to West Berlin each day. This was known as Operation Vittles or the Berlin airlift.
37
Why did Stalin not shoot down the planes of the Berlin Airlift?
This would be seen as an aggressive act of war – Furthermore, the US had also stationed B29 bombers in GB, capable of dropping the atom bomb on the Soviets
38
What were the consequences of the Blockade? (5)
- Stalin gave in and ended the Blockade in May 1949 – he was humiliated
- The USA, GB, and FR combined their zones to form WEST GERMANY (FRG)
- Stalin set up East Germany (GDR) in 1949. West Germany refused to recognise it until the 1970s.
- NATO, a military alliance of western nations, was set up in 1949 to ensure that any future attack by Stalin would be met with force. West Germany joined in 1955.
- Stalin set up the WARSAW PACT in 1955 – a similar alliance of Eastern European countries; by 1949 Soviet scientists had also developed the atom bomb
39
When were nuclear bombs developed by both sides? (6)
- 1945 USA atomic bomb
- 1949 USSR atomic bomb
- 1952 USA hydrogen bomb
- 1953 USSR hydrogen bomb
- 1957 USA ICBM
- 1957 USSR ICBM
40
What were the effects of the arms race on both sides? (3)
- Each side became more powerful
- USA and USSR spent huge sums of money on developing conventional and nuclear weapons and armies
- Led to a change in thinking about war – they acted as a deterrent to war
41
Which President took over from Truman in 1953?
Eisenhower- he was fiercely anti-communist but open to talks between the two sides
42
When Stalin died in 1953 who took over leadership of the USSR?
Khrushchev in 1956 – followed a policy of de-Stalinisation.
43
Why were people in the satellite state of Hungary unhappy by 1956? (3)
- Lack of political freedoms
- Fuel shortages
- Poor harvests
44
Who replaced the Hungarian Prime Minister Rakosi in 1956?
Imre Nagy (Khrushchev hoped he would improve things in Hungary)
45
What did Nagy do?
He re-organised the government to include non-communists, released political prisoners, and persuaded Khrushchev to withdraw Soviet troops from Hungary.
46
What did Nagy announce on 1 November 1956?
He would withdraw Hungary from the Warsaw pact
47
What happened during the Hungarian uprising? (6)
- Khrushchev could not accept that Hungary would leave the Warsaw Pact.
- On 4 November 1956 his Soviet army invaded Hungary – 1,000 tanks rolled into Budapest.
- Nagy begged the West for support but none came.
- Up to 20,000 Hungarians were killed.
- A new pro-communist government was set up under Kadar.
- Despite being offered safe passage out of Yugoslavia, Nagy was tried and executed in 1958
48
How did other countries respond to the Soviet invasion of Hungary?
Although Radio free Europe, a US-government funded radio station had been urging people of Eastern Europe to rebel against communism, no military support was offered by the USA. The USA was not prepared to interfere in the affairs of an existing communist country.
49
What was the impact of the Hungarian uprising on international relations? (5)
- Khrushchev’s position in the Soviet Union was more secure
- Warsaw Pact members now knew they had to do what the USSR said
- Khrushchev was more confident dealing with the USA as he knew they would probably not take military action
- The West looked bad – they had not offered military support to Hungary
- Relations between the USA and USSR got worse again as the USA condemned the Soviet invasion of Hungary
50
How many Germans had left East Germany by 1958?
Three million. Over a sixth of the country’s population.
51
What kind of people were leaving East Germany during the ‘Brain Drain’?
Skilled workers who were essential to the East German economy, such as engineers, technicians, and teachers.
52
What did Khrushchev demand in his ‘Berlin Ultimatum’?
In November 1958, Khrushchev issued the Western powers an ultimatum to withdraw from Berlin within six months and make it a free, demilitarised city.
53
What were the names of the 4 summits held to discuss the ‘Berlin Ultimatum’? Between what dates?
1. Geneva, May 1959
2. Camp David, September 1959
3. Paris, May 1960
4. Vienna, June 1961
54
Why did these summits do badly?
On 1st May 1960 – as the various countries prepared for the Paris peace talks – an American U-2 spy plane was shot down over the Soviet Union. Eisenhower was embarrassed by this but refused to apologise. Khrushchev walked out of the meeting.
55
Who was President of the USA at the beginning of the Berlin Crisis and who was President at the end? What was the effect of this change?
Eisenhower was replaced by Kennedy in January 1961. At the Vienna summit in June 1961, Khrushchev believed that as Kennedy was inexperienced in foreign affairs, it would be possible to get the better of him. However, Kennedy refused to make any concessions and, after Vienna, decided to increase spending on American armed forces by over $2 billion.
56
What was the result of the failure of the summits to find a conclusion to the Berlin Ultimatum?
Concerns over the Berlin Ultimatum talks caused an increase in East Germans deciding to cross to the West, just in case Krushchev decided to close the border. Then, on the night of 12th August 1961, East German troops put up a barbed-wire fence between East and West Berlin.
57
What were the negative impacts of the building of the Berlin Wall on both the USA and the USSR?
Krushchev had to abandon plans to unite Germany under Soviet control. The Berlin Wall also showed how the Soviet Union had to ‘lock’ people into socialist countries. For the USA, the Soviet Union had put up the wall without asking the USA, and people who wanted to escape from communism could no longer do so.
58
What were the positive impacts of the building of the Berlin Wall on both the USA and the USSR?
The wall stopped large numbers of refugees from leaving for the West, to some extent solving the problem of the East German government. It also showed the West that communism would survive in Berlin. On the other hand, it also showed that Khrushchev had been forced to accept Western control in West Berlin. West Berlin became an emblem of freedom.
59
What was the impact of President Kennedy’s visit to Berlin in 1963?
Thousands of West Berliners went to see him speak. Kennedy praised the freedoms of the West and contrasted them with communism in a famous speech in which he said, ‘Ich bin ein Berliner’ (I am a citizen of Berlin).
60
Who ruled Cuba before Castro?
Batista, an army officer, who had seized power with the help of the USA.
61
When was the Cuban Revolution?
January 1959.
62
What reforms were introduced after Castro overthrew Batista in the 1959 Revolution?
Castro worked to end corruption in government and improve the conditions of agricultural and industrial workers.
63
Why did the USA grow increasingly concerned by Castro’s reforms?
Castro began appointing communists to his government and signed a trade agreement with the USSR in which Cuban sugar would be swapped for machinery, oil and economic aid (and conventional weapons such as machine guns) .Castro nationalised American industries in Cuba.
64
How did the USA react to Castros reforms in Cuba?
In January 1960 the USA stopped buying Cuban sugar, and then banned all trade with Cuba; by January 1961 the USA stopped all diplomatic relations with Cuba.
65
What was the Bay of Pigs Invasion?
This was to be led by Cuban exiles, living in Florida; the plan was supported by JFK. Weapons, training and transport were provided by the CIA. The exiles hoped to establish a base for guerrilla activities against Castro and were confident that the Cuban people would support them.
66
Why was it such a disaster?
This force of 1400 exiles landed in Cuba but found themselves facing over 20,000 Cuban troops; the people did not rise up in support of the exiles. Most importantly both Castro and Khrushchev knew it had been planned by the CIA – JFK was humiliated!
67
What were the consequences of the Bay of Pigs invasion? (4)
- The invasion convinced Castro that he needed more Soviet support to defend himself against possible US attacks
- In September 1961 Khrushchev publicly announced that he would provide arms to Cuba
- By 1962 Castro had a very well equipped army containing the latest tanks, missiles, and ‘technicians’ (who were Soviet military personnel)
- Castro now declared himself to be a communist.
68
What were the effects of the Bay of Pigs Invasion on relations between the USA and USSR? (4)
- Kennedy was humiliated as the invasion had failed.
- The USA looked hypocritical as they were supporting an invasion of an independent country.
- The USSR had the upper hand – they pointed out that Cubans wanted a pro-communist regime, showing the popularity of Communism.
- Stronger relations were established between Cuba and the USSR which made Kennedy feel threatened. What if the USSR placed missiles on Cuba?
69
Why did Khrushchev place missiles on Cuba?
NATO had missiles on Turkey. Khrushchev could use missiles on Cuba as a bargaining tool.
70
What did a U2 spy plane discover on October 14, 1962?
It took pictures of what appeared to be missile sites being built – some were very near to completion!
71
What other worrying news was received by the Americans about Cuba in 1962?
There was a fleet of Soviet ships sailing to Cuba, presumably carrying more missiles for the new sites.
72
What did JFK decide to do on October 22, 1962?
He decided to place a naval blockade around Cuba, whilst also preparing troops for a possible invasion of Cuba; furthermore, he called on the USSR to remove their missiles from Cuba
73
How did Khrushchev respond to the Blockade on Cuba?
He replied there were no Soviet missiles on Cuba and that the USSR would ignore the blockade
74
What happened when Soviet ships reached the naval blockade on October 24 1962?
They turned back and did not attempt to break the blockade: ‘Khrushchev just blinked!’ However Soviet missiles still remained on Cuba
75
What offer was made about Cuba by Khrushchev in the letter sent on October 26?
The USSR would remove their nuclear weapons if the USA lifted the blockade and promised not to invade Cuba – the USA was very happy with this!
76
What offer was made by Khrushchev in the letter sent on October 27?
The USSR would remove their nuclear weapons if the USA removed theirs from Turkey
77
How did JFK react to Krushchev's letters about Cuba?
On the same day he received the second letter, a U2 spy plane was shot down over Cuba. JFK responded only to the first letter, saying he agreed with its terms, but if the missiles were not removed an attack would follow. The President’s brother also informed the Soviet ambassador in Washington that the US would remove its missiles from Turkey.
78
What did the USA gain from the Cuban missile crisis? (3)
- Nuclear missiles were removed from Cuba
- The missiles in Turkey were removed secretly 6 months later.
- JFK was no longer seen as weak and inexperienced – his decision to impose a naval blockade was justified
79
What did USSR gain from the Cuban missile crisis? (2)
- Cuba remained a Communist country only 90 miles from the USA
- Cuba continued to look to the USSR for protection
80
What did the USA lose from the Cuban missile crisis?
Missiles in Turkey – this angered some of her NATO allies
81
What did USSR lose from the Cuban missile crisis? (2)
- The USSR was publicly seen to have backed down – this angered many Soviet politicians
- Khrushchev was removed from office in 1964 – the military felt they had been forced into a humiliating withdrawal.
82
What did the world gain from the Cuban missile crisis? (2)
- A direct hotline phone link was set up between Washington and Moscow
- A Nuclear Test Ban Treaty was set up in 1963
83
What did Cuba gain from the Cuban missile crisis? (2)
- Cuba’s independence had been secured - free from US interference
- However, Castro felt like a pawn in a very high stakes game which could have seen the destruction of this island
84
When was the Bay of Pigs Invasion?
1961
85
When was the Cuban missile crisis?
1962
86
What reforms was Alexander Dubcek making in Czechoslovakia?
As part of the ‘Prague Spring’, from April 1968, Dubcek introduced reforms such as less censorship, trade union powers increased/worker’s rights, more power for regional government, trade with West was increased and Czechs given greater freedom to travel abroad. The idea of holding multi-party elections in the future was discussed.
87
What did Dubcek promise Khrushchev make that meant the USSR were initially happy to accept him as leader?
Dubcek was committed to the Warsaw Pact and support for the Soviet Union.
88
What happened to change the USSR’s opinion on Dubcek?
The Soviet leader, Brezhnev (who replaced Khrushchev in 1968), disapproved of many of the reforms being made by Dubcek. He saw them as a threat to Soviet control in Eastern Europe.
89
Describe the events of the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia.
On 20th August 1968, 500,000 Warsaw Pact troops invaded Czechoslovakia and ended the ‘Prague Spring.’ Although the Czech people could do little, there was some brave resistance, such as blocking roads or attacking individual tanks. The invading troops had been told they had been invited by the Czech government to help restore law and order and were surprised by the hostility they encountered.
90
What impact did the Soviet invasion have on Czechoslovakia?
Dubcek was arrested, sent to Moscow, and ordered to reverse his reforms. Then in 1969, he was replaced by Gustav Husak. Husak was a hardliner loyal to Moscow and introduced a clampdown in which over a thousand Czechs were arrested.
91
What was the Brezhnev Doctrine?
Brezhnev said that the actions of any individual communist country affected all other communist countries. This meant other communist countries could take action to prevent reforms.
92
What was the impact of the Prague spring on USA/USSR relations?
The Soviet response to the Prague Spring outraged Western governments. There was an attempt to pass a formal resolution condemning the invasion in the United Nations but this was vetoed by the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union saw that the USA might protest but could take little action to oppose Soviet control in Europe.
93
What was Détente?
A period of peace between two groups that were previously at war or hostile to each other.
94
Why did USA and Soviet Union follow a policy of Détente? Give 2 reasons
- Nixon was elected president of the USA. The Vietnam war had killed almost 60,000 Americans and billions of dollars had been spent. The US government wanted to focus on social problems and inequalities, especially due to urban rioting in many US cities.
- The Soviet Union was facing economic problems and wanted to cut spending on weapons so that it could try to improve living standards.
95
What was SALT 1 and when did it take place?
The Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty 1 was signed in May 1972. It agreed to limit Inter-Continental Ballistic Missiles, Submarine Launched Ballistic Missiles and Anti-Ballistic Missiles between both countries.
96
Give 3 areas of agreement that were set out at SALT 1?
SALT 1 agreed to
- Limited the number of ICBMs each country could have (1,054 ICBMs for USA and 1,618 for the Soviet Union because the USA had more strategic bombers).
- Limited SLBMs to 740 each
- It also included the Basic Principles Agreement that laid down rules for the conduct of nuclear warfare such as no warheads on the seabed.
97
What were the Helsinki accords and when were they signed?
Signed in 1975, NATO and Warsaw Pact countries met to build on SALT 1 and make agreements on three areas.
98
What three areas was there agreement about?
European borders, international cooperation and human rights.
99
What was SALT 2 and when did it happen?
To build on SALT 1, talks towards SALT 2 continued until 18th June 1979.
100
What were 2 agreements at SALT 2?
Restrictions on missile launchers and strategic bombers as well as a ban on testing or deploying new types of ICBM.
101
What events during the late 1970s helped ensure SALT 2 was a failure?
- Some US politicians called for a stronger stance against the Soviet Union in response to an increase in Soviet support in countries such as El Salvador and Nicaragua.
- The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
102
What were 2 consequences of SALT 1?
- Symbolic importance of improving US-Soviet relations.
- Also, shortly after signing SALT 1, Nixon visited Brezhnev in Moscow, and in 1973 the Soviet leader came to Washington.
103
Name two reforms introduced by Gorbachev to improve the Communist Party
- Perestoika
| - Glasnost
104
Describe Glasnost
There should be more openness and less corruption in government. It would allow opposition to the government and give the people a better understanding of how the country was run.
105
Describe Perestroika
The Soviet state and economy should be reformed in order to include some of the practices that made capitalism successful.
106
Give two other examples of how Gorbachev attempted to reduce tension with USA
- Signed various arms reduction agreements
| - Stopped Soviet interference in Eastern European satellite states such as Poland and Czechoslovakia
107
Give an example of a successful summit meeting that took place 1985-90 to discuss arms limitations.
Washington, December 1987 - INF Treaty
108
What did the INF Treaty 1987 eliminate?
Nuclear and ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges of 500-5500km i.e. intermediate and short-range missiles
109
What were both USA and USSR allowed to do under the INF Treaty?
Inspect each other’s military installations
110
Give one reason the INF Treaty was significant
It was the first treaty to reduce the number of nuclear missiles the superpowers possessed. It went further than SALT 1.
111
Where is Afghanistan?
Afghanistan is in the Middle East, Specifically the Persian Gulf. It is bordered by the Soviet Union, Pakistan and Iran.
112
What happened in Afghanistan 1978-1980?
A Pro-Soviet government took control in Afghanistan, and received assistance from Moscow. This government became unpopular, and pro-Muslim factions tried to overthrow the puppet-leader, Amin. In 1979 the USSR invaded Afghanistan.
113
What was America’s reaction to the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan?
The relations between the USSR and the USA became more confrontational, which effectively destroyed détente. Economic sanctions were imposed on the USSR by the USA.
114
What impact did the Afghan war have on the Soviet Union?
The relations between the USSR and the USA became more confrontational, which effectively destroyed détente. Economic sanctions were imposed on the USSR by the USA.
115
Which Olympics did the USA boycott and why?
The 1980 Moscow Olympic games due to the invasion of Afghanistan. Over 60 nations supported the Boycott. The Soviet Union had been hoping to use the Olympics as a means to promote communism to the world.
116
Which Olympics did the Soviet Union boycott and why?
The USA’s Los Angeles Olympics, 1984, in response to the Moscow Boycott. 15 communist countries stayed away.
117
Give three examples of Reagan’s policies towards the Soviet Union
- Persuaded congress to boost America’s spending on arms. In 1982 13% more money was spent. New weapons like trident submarines were developed.
- He announced the “Reagan Doctrine”; The USA support anti-communist governments and anti-communist groups trying to overthrow communist governments.
- SDI (Strategic Defence Initiative): Star Wars was a scheme giving money to putting weapons in space. They violated the terms of the 1967 Outer Space Treaty. It was years from being a possibility but Reagan spoke about it like a present reality.
118
What was the “Second Cold War”?
The deterioration of relations between the USA and USSR after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, which led to a period of increased hostilities between the two nations.
119
What problems did the Soviet Union have in the early 1980? (3)
- Economic: During the Brezhnev era huge sums of money were spent on developing arms to keep pace with the USA. Investment in the USSR’s economy was low.
- Low standards of living and lack of human rights, which led to unrest in Satellite states (Poland).
- A run of short-lived leaders, leading to political instability (Breznev died 1982, Andropov 1984, Chernenko 1985).
120
When did Gorbachev come to power?
March 1985.
121
What did Gorbachev do with the Brezhnev Doctrine?
The Brezhnev Doctrine would be dropped. The Soviet Union would no longer get involved in the domestic affairs of other countries.
122
What limitations on Nuclear weapons were made 1985-1989?
- INF (Intermediate-range Nuclear Force Treaty.
| - Malta summit in 1989 was officially seen as the end of the Cold War by both countries.
123
Name 3 Satellite States that moved to end Soviet control in 1989-90. Describe how each country did this
- Poland: Solidarity is legalised and wins a landslide victory in Polish elections.
- Hungary: The government takes down the fence on the border with Austria. It promises a new democratic government with free elections.
- Czechoslovakia: The velvet revolution overthrows the communist revolution. The anti-communist Vaclav Havel is elected president.
124
Describe the Fall of the Berlin Wall.
The East German government announced that the border crossing to West Berlin would be opened. Thousands of East Berliners force their way through the border crossing. People on both sides of the Wall start to pull it down. East and West Germany are formally reunited in 1990.
125
What was the Warsaw Pact and why did in end?
A military pact between different Soviet States. As communist governments came under pressure in Eastern Europe it was impossible for the Warsaw Pact to survive. Military co-operation between the member states became impossible.
126
When did the Warsaw Pact end?
The Warsaw Pact was formally dissolved in July 1991.
127
When did Gorbachev fall from power?
25th December 1991
128
How did Gorbachev fall from power?
In 1991 the communist hardliners staged a coup against Gorbachev. 12 leaders of the other Soviet Socialist Republics took advantage of Gorbachev’s weakness and joined together in a commonwealth of independent states. Gorbachev resigned.
