Cold war essays Flashcards
Assess the consequence of the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe and the USSR? essay sections
Disappearance of dictatorships, dispersion of political and ideological tension, economic, conflict
Assess the consequences of the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe and the USSR? Dictatorships disappearance
Arrival of Vaclav Havel (former playwright) as newly elected president of Czech; sudden and momentous change. New freedoms of speech/religion/opportunities
Reunification of Germany; under Kohl, traces of communism torn down.
But many former leaders/bureaucrats unpunished, + some feel new gov s in countries of former dictatorships are corrupt (e.g. in Russia)
Assess the consequences of the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe and the USSR? dispersion if tensions
end to ideological/political division in Europe, demise of Warsaw pact; no longer a need for defence of communist nations, nearly all former communist nations joining NATO (former enemy), NATO expansion made it broader/more powerful force (though Russia still not member)
Also more political/economic unity; some former E European states joining EU allowing more freedom/cross border trade/movement of ppl/border collaboration
Assess the consequences of the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe and the USSR? economic +
(Not smooth journey;) rapid transition to capitalist market did bring new trade/investment. Market of nearly 400mil ppl, many well-skilled/ambitious available. E European state have had economic growth but still a divide across continent. e.g. Poland’s income/head roughly 30% USAs 1999, 44% by 2014.
Euro 2nd biggest currency in world, and Europe 2nd largest economy.
Assess the consequences of the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe and the USSR? economic -
But poverty remains, economies of former communist states not immediately suited to transition, at such a quick pace too. Example: Yeltsin’s ‘shock therapy’ approach in Russia; within a year inflation hit 900% + at least 1/3 pop below poverty line. While new oligarchs took advantage of Yeltsin’s voucher scheme to make great wealth out of newly privatised business
Assess the consequences of the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe and the USSR? conflict
difficult + violent process of de-communisation. Notably violent in Yugoslavia; after Tito death unity of Yug. fell apart- nationalist leaders emerged. civil war in early 1990s fuelled by economic difficulty.
Yeltsin invasion Chechnya. Czech split. Animosities in German reunification.
What was the Yugoslavian civil war (briefly)?
Civil war broke out 1990s; first between Serbia + Slovenia and Croatia, followed by brutal +extended Srebonica massacre + siege of Sarajevo. Although causes complex; difficult to see its passing if not for fall of communism.
What was Yeltsin’s invasion of Chechnya (briefly)?
1994 Yeltsin’s troops invaded Chechnya, similar destruction and violence as to that of Yug. civil war. Brutal consequence of changes that end of Cold War brought
What was the Czechoslovakia split (briefly)?
Smaller level of chaos than Yug. + Chechnya, Czech split into 2 states after fall of communism, though without the level of violence.
What animosities were there at German reunification (briefly)?
Mainly in former East Germany, some felt it was imposed by FRG rather than agreed. Old enmities still real and some people (as many as 25% in some opinion polls) have suggested that life was better under communism and that the revolution was not worth it
Assess the reasons for the fall of communism in Eastern Europe and the USSR? Essay sections
Western Leaders, Gorbachev, communist economy, people power (Yeltsin, Nationalism)
Assess the reasons for the fall of communism in Eastern Europe and the USSR? Western leaders
Rise of new leaders in West (Thatcher, Reagan and Pope John Paul II).
Reagan’s military/ideological assertiveness, Pope John Paul impact in Poland
How did Reagan affect anti-communist feeling?
Early 1980s ideological and military assertion, ‘Star Wars’ (Strategic defence initiative) USA ability to destroy oncoming nuclear missiles. Far superior to USSR tech + USSR struggled to keep up with their poorer economy. ‘Evil empire’ speech cementing anti-comm. in US, early 1980s but late 1980s speeches fizzled out.
Star wars also offered to USSR.
How did Pope John Paul II affect anti-communist views?
Mostly limited to Poland influence. Moral support for anti-Soviet Solidarity. His views spread to the 12 mil people who saw him on his 1979 tour of Poland.
Publicly blessed solidarity leader Lech Walesa in Jan 1981
Assess the reasons for the fall of communism in Eastern Europe and the USSR? Gorbachev
Gorbachev didn’t intend to destroy communism. But opened floodgates for change. Glasnost and Perestroika policies. Considered more agreeable by Western leaders. Refusal to attack protests militarily. People power became bolder under his rule
What was the policy of Glasnost?
“openness”; aiming for more transparency between the comm. gov and the people. More small freedoms, people used this change to enable protests and promote non-communist views through newspapers and leaflets etc
What was the policy of Perestroika?
“restructuring”; aimed to restructure the economic system in the USSR but ultimately failed- USSR’s economy could not be prevented from collapse
What is an example of Gorbachev’s refusal to militarily oppose protests? What effect did this have?
Night of the fall of the Berlin wall- 9th Nov 1989.
Decreased fear of open speech.
Arguably Gorbachev’s relaxation of communist control also encouraged Western + E European leaders to express dislike for comm. (not done lightly under Stalin).
Seen as someone they could “do business with” (M. Thatcher)
Assess the reasons for the fall of communism in Eastern Europe and the USSR? Communist economy
pivotal factor: without the economic benefit that USSR had provided the member states of USSR desired independence. Debts of USSR (1980s 57.1bil roubles and 1990s 100bil roubles). irretrievable economy.
discontent of people in USSR states + E Europe; wanted prosperous capitalist economy (not stagnant since 1970s USSR economy)
Ukraine independence
What was the significance of Ukraine declaring independence from the USSR?
final blow? Long relied on by USSR for economic needs - once decided independence in beginning Dec 1991, path seemed set for the collapse of the USSR.
Assess the reasons for the collapse of communism in eastern Europe and the USSR? People power
Most memorable factor. interlinked with Gorbachev. Popular protest in East Germ., Czech and Romania- likely key reason for comm. collapse in these countries. key example: fall of Berlin wall. (9/Nov/1989)
But; had Gorb. forced military response or not opened door for change in the first place, likely collapse of comm. could have been prevented/slowed
How did dislike of communism in Eastern Europe undermine its power?
Prevented its continuation after collapse of the USSR and people power undermined its authority, contributing to the collapse of communism in the USSR
How successful were the uprisings against communist control in Eastern Europe 1956-81? Essay sections
Poland 1956, Hungary 1956, Czechoslovakia/Prague spring 1968, Solidarity 1980-1
How successful were the uprisings against communist control in Eastern Europe 1956-81? Poland 1956
Successes: ability of pop opinion in impacting soviet leadership, lay ground work for larger/more impactful uprisings in months/years to come. Forced Gomulka appointment, less hard-line + nationalist + popular. No force necessary. BUT…
Did not progress far in weakening soviet power/control, partially due to economic aims not political anti-Soviet aims. For size relatively successful but overall minute success in the ‘Rollback’ of communist control in E Euro.
How successful were the uprisings against communist control in Eastern Europe 1956-81? Hungary 1956
Successes: aims more political and anti-communist- severity of threat to comm. power clearly much larger than in Poland. Support of thousands of ppl, defecting of Hungarian army, strength of support fighting for 2 weeks before defeat. BUT…
Defeated, 3000 killed, 200,000 fled to Austria, soviet authority very much undamaged, support for rebels killed, fled or gone into hiding by end of 1956. Unsuccessful in leaving Warsaw pact
How successful were the uprisings against communist control in Eastern Europe 1956-81? Czech 1968
Successes: Reflective of general mood of people more than Hungary or Poland 1956. broadcast publicly, televised talks between Czech + Soviet leaders. More human rights + less censorship + opening borders actually implemented. BUT…
Breshnev doctrine and soviet army in Czech = loss of chance for Czech to protest + soviets publicly exerted control over Czech.
Although physically lacked in undermining Soviet power, it shattered visage of unchallengable soviet control, paved the way for more serious uprisings.
KEY TIP?
INCLUDE THE TOPIC SENTENCE SOMEHOW AND BRIEFLY ASSESS IN EVERY PARAGRAPH BEGINNING !!!!!!
