Cold War - 1964 -1985 Flashcards
When did Leonid Brezhnev come to power?
1964
What is Leonid Brezhnev like?
Conservative, ended cultural freedom that Khrushchev permitted, committed communist.
What is the Brezhnev Doctrine?
Responsibility of all communist states to stop anti-communist actions in communist countries.
Who is Alexander Dubcek?
Leader of Czech Communist party.
When did Alexander Dubcek come into power?
1968
What did Alexander Dubcek believe in?
Communism with a human face. - meaning people can speak out and live their lives without fear of the government.
What problems were there in Czechoslovakia when Dubcek came to power? (4)
- Economy declining (run for the benefit of the Soviets)
- No freedom of speech - censorship.
- Secret police used to maintain control.
- Czech government arrested any one considered to be a threat.
What are some examples of Dubcek’s reforms?
Relaxed government control.
Czech people given freedom to travel abroad.
Criticism of governments actions were allowed.
What happened on the 20th of August 1968?
500,000 Warsaw pact troops invaded Czechoslovakia.
What was the Czech individual’s response to the invasion?
Blocked roads and attacked tanks.
What happened to Dubcek?
Arrested and sent to Moscow to reverse reforms.
Who replaced Dubcek in 1969?
Gustav Husak - loyal to Moscow.
What happened in Czechoslovakia after the uprising?
Remained firmly under Soviet control for next 20 years.
Consequences of the Soviet Invasion of Czechoslovakia.
- Gave rise to the Brezhnev doctrine.
- Some communist countries began to move away from Moscow - Romanian President refused to send troops to the invasion.
- Sent message to Warsaw Pact members that USSR would suppress any attempt to relax communist control.
- West were outraged
What is Detente?
An attempt to improve relations between East and West in 1970’s as both sides wanted to reduce spending on the arms race.
What is SALT 1?
The Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty - attempts to limit the arms race (and spending on ICBM’s, SLBM’s and ABM’s)
It also included the Basic Principle’s agreement that lay down the rules for nuclear warfare.
When was SALT 1?
1972
What was the Anti-ballistic Missile treaty?
Stated ABM’s could only be allowed at 2 sites. Each site was allowed a maximum of 100 missiles.
What was the Interim treaty?
Placed restrictions on the number of ICBM’s and the SLBM’s the USSR and USA could have.
What did both countries agree to do as a whole in relation to the arm race?
Exercise restraint and make every effort to avoid the risk of war.
Why did the US want to limit spending?
War in Vietnam - led to 60,000 Americans being killed and billions of dollars spent.
Wanted to address social problems that led to race riots.
Why did the USSR want to limit spending?
Want to devote money to improving living standard.
Economy not developing.
What were the Helsinki Accords 1975?
- Europe borders
- Western and soviet controlled countries will try to reduce tensions between them.
- Respect human rights across Europe.
What did Brezhnev want from the Accords?
Recognition of existing European borders.
To boost the Soviet economy.
What did Nixon want from the accords?
An extension of human rights, which could undermine communist authority.
Why were Soviets concerned after the accords had been set?
They were worried organisations would be set up to monitor soviet policies in it’s satellite states.
What was SALT 2 and when did it happen?
To build on SALT 1, talks towards SALT 2 continued until 18th June 1979.
What were 2 agreements at SALT 2?
Restrictions on missile launchers and strategic bombers.
Ban on testing and deploying new types of ICBM.
What events during the late 1970’s led to the failure of SALT 2?
US politicians called for a stronger stance due to increase in soviet support in El Salvador and Nicaragua.
Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan.
What were 2 consequences of SALT 1?
Symbolic of improving relations - After signing SALT 1, Nixon visited Brezhnev in Moscow and in 1973, Brezhnev came to Washington.
Led to further improvements - Helsinki Accords and SALT 2.
What were the Helsinki Accords and when were they signed?
NATO and Warsaw Pact countries met to build on SALT 1 and make agreements in 3 areas. 1975.