Cold War: Confrontation and reconciliation Flashcards
When was Gorbachev elected as General Secretary?
1985
What did Gorbachev do in terms of Afghanistan?
He began to wind down the Soviet commitment in Afghanistan, mostly due to economics.
In 1988 he began to withdraw the Red Army troops.
outline two USSR satellite states that libereated themslves?
Hungarian border opening 1989
Hungarian reformers in the Communist party forced the General secretrary of Hungary, Kadar to resign.
One of his first actions was to reopen the border with Austria.
the abolishment of the supremacy of the Communist Party
1989- Checkoslovakia
protests gorups
Government ended up abandoning the supremacy of the Communist party and opened the border with Austria
What was the Soviet reaction to the 1989 reforms in Hungary? and checkoslovakia
There was no objection from Moscow
When did the Berlin Wall fall?
9 November 1989
What were the Monday demonstrations?
A series of weekly protests against the GDR. They started in Septmeber 1989. They began forming in Leipzig
What happened as the Monday demonstrations grew?
The protests grew bigger and bigger. Honecker ordered soldiers to open fire on protests, but deputy secretary Egon Krenz suppressed the order.
Honecker was forced to resign and Krenz replaced him. Krenz made some limited reforms, but the protestors would not stop.
What was Khruschev’s policy towards light manufacturing?
He tried to move away from Stalin’s focus on heavy industry towards the light manufacturing of consumer heavy goods.
Production of goods did increase, but never enough to compete on a level with the west.
What was the era of stagnation under Brezhnev?
Brezhnev reversed some of the liberisations of Krushchev.
Additionally energy shortages in the 1970s and a return to heavy industry led to shortages in consumer goods.
Virgin Land Schemes in 1954 unsucessful at
What led to the start of the Soviet Afghan war?
The pro-Soviet regime in Afghanistan came under attack by anti-communistsm, including the radical Muslim mujahideen.
Soviet troops were sent to support the Afghans.
How did the Soviet-Afghan war put pressure on the Soviet economy?
100,000 Soviet troops were sent to Afganistan.
Oil, coal and manufacturing were all diverted to support the war effort.
What did Gorbachev believe?
That fear of repression prevented the USSR from identifying issues in its economy.
What were the 2 main policies introduced by Gorbachev? as well as a doctrine
Glasnost (openenss) and perestroika (restructuring)
the Sinatra doctrine: The idea that satellite states were left to kind of do their own thing.
Based on the song ‘My way’ by Frank Sinatra.
How do post-Revisionist historians see Gorbachev?
They believe his attempts to improve the quality of life were genuine.
How did critics see Gorbachev intentions
They see him as weak. Extremists claim he intended to end communism.
What is 1 energy crisies/natural disasters that strained the Russian economy?
1986 Chernobyl. Showed the inefficiances of Soviet bureaucracy. Led to economic problems in surrounding areas.
What did the Partial Test Ban 1963 do?
Limited where nuclear weapons could be tested, including banning them from outer space.
Why were the SALT II agreements never ratified?
President Carter withdrew the agreement from the Senate when the Soviets invaded Afghanistan.
What was a promise made by Reagan, to help him get elected?
He promised to confront the Soviets. He advocated for a ‘roll back’ approach to communism.
What was the US role in the war in Afghanistan?
They provided the anti-Communist forces with weapons. This meant the US provided lots of economic and military resources to islamic extremists, including Osama bin Laden.
What was the Strategic Defense Initative (SDI)?
Regans most controversial project, mockingly called ‘Star Wars’
Hoped to develop satellites that could shield the US through a series of laser and particle beams
Most though it was impossible, but Regan still invested billions from the American defense fund into the project.
What was the Soviet reaction to SDI?
They were outraged because it ended the possibility of MAD. It was also a violation of the 1972 ABM Treaty.
What was the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF)?
Both the USSR and the USA agreed to eliminate the stocks of nuclear and conventional missiles with a range of 500 to 5,500 km.
When did the Berlin Wall fall?
1989
What was the idea behind the Union of Sovereign States Plan?
The aim was to salvage some authority for Moscow by creating a decentralised union of the different republics of the USSR.
In how many countries did the Union of Soveriegn States Plan win a majority? how many rejected and decalred their independence? Why did some states sign the Union of Soveriegn States Treaty?
9 accecpted, at least 4 rejected such as armenia
Some republics were still loyal to the communist party
Felt that Gorbachev could reform the Soviet Union
Why was there a coup against Gorbachev? when? was it succesful?
1991
His opponents felt he was letting the USSR crumble and that he was consequently weak.
believed the coup would be generally supported and therefore easy.
BUT many leaders in the government were in opposition. Crowds demonstrated in Moscow.
The plotters surrounded and were arrested
When did Gorbachev announce his resignation? What happened to Russia after the collapse of USSR?
Christmas Day 1991. He announced his resignation and the communist flag was lowered from the capital to become the Russian tricolor.
Yeltsin took over as president of the Russian Federation. Russian inherited the UN Security Council seat.
