Cold War GCSE

Question 1

When was the Yalta conference?

Answer 1

February 1945

Question 2

When was the Potsdam conference?

Answer 2

July 1945

Question 3

Who was at the Yalta conference?

Answer 3

Stalin, Churchill and Roosevelt

Question 4

Who was at the Potsdam conference?

Answer 4

Stalin, Truman and Attlee

Roosevelt had died and Churchill lost the 1945 election

Question 5

Decisions made at Yalta

Answer 5

The Russians would join against Japan. Stalin was not to be told of the atom bomb. Stalin promised free elections to Eastern European countries. Germany would be split into four with Berlin placed within the Russian zone. Russia was invited to join the UN.

Question 6

Decisions made at Potsdam

Answer 6

Atom bomb was still kept a secret until its use on Japan. Truman became angry that the USSR got all the reparations from the Soviet sector, 10% of Western sides’ industry ands machines as well as 15% of food, coal etc. Communist party setup in Poland and Stalin arrested other party leaders.

Question 7

What was the Marshall Aid?

Answer 7

In June 1947, the US visited Europe and saw the devestation. He wanted to send $17 billion but congress said no because of the depression until in 1948 Czechoslovakia turned Communist (last one to become satellite state). As of March 1948, the money was sent to Europe; mostly France, Britain and West Germany. The soviets called it ‘Dollar Imperialism’ but the USA said it was ‘investing’

Question 8

What was the Truman Doctrine?

Answer 8

In a speech to congress in 1947, Truman spoke of ‘containment’ of communism and how military and economic assisstance should be sent to Capitalist countries in need.

Question 9

Truman Doctrine - Greece

Answer 9

Greece was in a civil war and Truman backed the monarchy against communist rebels but in 1947, the UK was to withdraw its troops. The USA therefore sends $400 million and the war ends in 1948. The KEE (Greek Communist Party) were backed by Yugo-Salvia. It was another Proxy war.

Question 10

Truman Doctrine - Turkey

Answer 10

Stalin wanted control of the Dardanelles - Truman made sure Greece stayed stable to spite him. Turkey recieved $100 million in economic and military aid.

Question 11

A-Bomb droppings (Hiroshima)

Answer 11

August 6th, 1945 - 90% of city destroyed - estimated a death toll of 80,000

Question 12

A-Bomb droppings (Nagasaki)

Answer 12

August 9th, 1945 - estimated death toll of 40,000

Question 13

What countries were part of the ‘Iron curtain’?

Answer 13

The satellite states were: Albania, Hungary, Poland, East Germany, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, Romania. These countries were also part of the 1955 forced Warsaw Pact agreement.

Question 14

The nuclear arms race

Answer 14

1945 - USA reveals A-bomb.
1952 - USA detonates 10.4 megaton H-Bomb (450x more powerful than A-Bomb)
1952 - Great Britain gets atom bomb
1953 USSR gets H-bomb

Question 15

NATO

Answer 15

North Atlantic Treaty Organisation - was a result of the Berlin Crisis and was a protection of capitalism via military co-operation in an event of war

Question 16

Cominform

Answer 16

In 1948, in reaction to Truman Doctrine, it was set-up to

“co-ordinte” communist parties and it was used to tighten the iron curtain so that Stalin had complete control

Question 17

Comecon

Answer 17

In 1949, in reaction to the Marshall plan, economic assistance was given to Eastern European countries

Question 18

Before WW2 Hungary

Answer 18

Stalin places Rakosi in power who enforces the Avho, high industrial quotes, food shortages and inequality.

Question 19

Post Stalin Hungary

Answer 19

In 1953 Stalin dies - Nagy replaces Rakosi who allows new freedoms, free elections and external trade. This worried the USSR due to Polish riots and so in 1955 Rakosi seizes power again and takes away freedoms. In October 1956 the protests and riots in Budapest start which leads to 5 days of street fighting, the execution of the Avho, the burning of Soviet propaganda and Nagy replacing Rakosi once more.
Kruschev was pushed too far by the 16 points that Nagy put forward including free elections and wanting to leave the Warsaw pact and so on the 1st of November 1956 Soviets troops and 1000 tanks move in and by the 4th they’re in Budapest. Nagy then appeals to the West but after 2 weeks of fighting, a new Pro-Soviet leader, Kadar is placed in power and Hungary is back under USSR control.

Question 20

The effects of Hungary

Answer 20

It was the last uprising until Czechoslovakia 1968. Khrushchev had proven that ‘peaceful co-existence’ had its limits. 200,000 fled to the West. 2,500 to 30,000 civilians killed. 700 Soviet troops killed.

Question 21

1952

Answer 21

Eisenhower becomes the US president on the 20th June 1952

Question 22

1953

Answer 22

Stalin died on the 5th of march and Nikita Khrushchev takes his place. Eisenhower gives a speech about peace.

Question 23

1955

Answer 23

West Germany joins NATO. The Warsaw pact is introduced. The 1955 Geneva summit.

Question 24

1956

Answer 24

Khrushchev’s secret speech about ending Stalinism and about ‘peaceful co-existence’. First Hungarian revolution.

Question 25

1958

Answer 25

Khrushchev issued an ultimatum for the USA to leave and de-militarise West Berlin due to concerns over defectors.

Question 26

What sparked the Berlin Blockade?

Answer 26

In January 1947 a bi-zonia was created between the USA and Britain in Berlin. In December 1947 the USA, Britain and France meet to discuss the future of Germany. In January 1948 Stalin bas western literature in the Soviet zone. In march 1948 the marshall aid is introduced but com inform countries are banned. On the 1st of June 1948 West Germany becomes an independent country. On the 23rd of June the new West German Currency (the Deutsche mark) is introduced which causes chaos in the Russian zone. On the 24th of June the blockade starts.

Question 27

What was the Berlin Blockade?

Answer 27

On the 24th of June 1948 Stalin had all access routes into the soviet sector of Berlin from the Western sectors shut down, this included all roads, railways and airports. He declared that he would not remove the blockade unless the western powers left Berlin and if the blockade was not removed 2 million would starve.

Question 28

What were the decisions of the Western powers?

Answer 28

They had three main options, take troops and force through the blockade and take the entire of Berlin which would risk war, leave Berlin or airlift supplies through a 23 mile wide air corridor that Stalin had signed documents allowing them to use. In the end they decided on using the air corridor as if Stalin shot he would break his word.

Question 29

The Berlin airlift

Answer 29

The airlift began on the 27th of June 1948. The RAF and US airforce worked together to unload 1.5 million tonnes of supplies across 275,000 planes. On average, 1,600 tonnes of food were delivered daily, 2,500 tonnes tonnes of coal were delivered daily and at Templehof, a plane landed every three minutes. The blockade was abandoned on the 12th May 1949.

Question 30

What were the events of the U2 incident?

Answer 30

On may 1st 1960, Gary Powers took off from Pakistan and flew over the USSR taking photos of military bases. He was shot down over Sverdlovsk, captured and his pictures developed. During the Paris Summit, 1960, Khrushchev spoke of the plane but did not mention the pilot. The Americans quickly said it was a NASA satellite plane but Khrushchev then revealed he had captured Powers.

Question 31

Effects of the U2 incident

Answer 31

Khrushchev announced he would shoot down all future planes and demanded a US appology. Eisenhower refused this appology however and Khrushchev left the summit, refusing any US visits to the USSR. After this the newspapers exploded about the US lies and the thaw and Paris Summit were over. Gary was sentenced to 10 years but only served 2 after being released for the exchanged for a captured KGB agent.

Question 32

Korean War causes

Answer 32

Japan occupied Korea until Japan fell after the first world war so the superpowers split the country. China became communist in 1949 but were not recognised by the UN, which lead to the USSR boycott of the security council and the Soviets not being able to vote against UN intervention in Korea. Both the North and South leaders’ thought that they were the legitimate leaders. The Soviets armed the North Koreans and then the North Koreans invaded.

Question 33

Events of the Korean War

Answer 33

On the 25th June 1950, North Korea invaded the south. From June to September 1950, North Korea pushed the south back to the Pusan Pocket in the south east corner. South Korea asked the UN for help and the USA brought the case forward. The UN declared the North Koreans the ‘aggressors’ and a relief army was formed which made a surprise landing at Inchon on the 15th of september 1950 and were able to push back the North Korean forces back to the 38th parallel. It was here that Truman ordered McArthur to not advance any further in fear of Chinese interference. McArthur however dismissed this and pushed the North Koreans back to the Yalu River. Once here 200,000 Chinese troops pushed the UN back to the 38th parallel and McArthur was dismissed for requesting to A-Bomb all of Korea. Between July 1951-July 1953 a stalemate of trench-warfare broke out. After the death of Stalin however the USSR saw the war as a burden and a cease fire was ordered.

Question 34

US involvement in Korea

Answer 34

The USA went into Korea due to the Domino theory, containment, the Berlin Blockade, the Truman Doctrine and because they were scared they were losing the cold war. in 1950, it was the USA who went to the UN with the Korea case. The relief army that was created consisted of 50% US land force, 93% US Airforce and 86% US navy. The army was also lead by American General McArthur. Also, before the UN had made a decision regarding Korea, the US sent their troops to Japan.

Question 35

What were the causes of the Berlin Wall?

Answer 35

The division of Germany at Potsdam. The 1948-49 Berlin Blockade had not been successful. Stalin was worried about West Germany being a ‘showpiece of Capitalism’. The open borders in Berlin was seen as a ‘gap in the iron curtain’. Between 1949-1961 3 million East Europeans defect. In 1955 West Germany joined NATO which meant NATO and the Warsaw pact were side-by-side. By the late 50’s Khrushchev saw West Berlin as a ‘bone that sticks in’ his ‘throat’. The 1958 Berlin ultimatum failed. The 1961 Khrushchev and Kennedy Berlin Crisis.

Question 36

Events of the Berlin Wall

Answer 36

On the 13th of August 1961 Soviet tanks and barbed wire block the city. Lyndon B Johnson, vice president, then travels to reassure West Berlin and takes troops. Tanks face-off at checkpoint Charlie but both sides stand down. The wall soon became 3.6m tall with armed guards, watch towers and multiple traps that stretched 4.6km. Kennedy gave his ‘Ich Bin Ein Berliner’ speech in 1963. The wall was taken down in November 1989.

Question 37

Effects of the Berlin Wall

Answer 37

Only 5,000 escaped after the wall compared to the 3 million before. It was a propaganda victory for the US and for capitalism. Stabilised East German Economy. Was a peaceful resolution. Ended any further attempt at merging the East and West of Germany which could of lead to war. Official number of deaths of people attempting to flee was 136. Kennedy became very popular with his ‘Ich Bin Ein Berliner’ speech.

Question 38

The Bay of Pigs Fiasco

Answer 38

The CIA plotted to use cuban exiles to overthrow the communist government of Cuba. The attack began on the 15th April 1961 and they first painted 8 B-26 bombers and used them to bomb the Cuban air-fields on but were outdated WW2 planes and left the airforce in tact. A second bombing was cancelled due to pictures emerging of American planes. On the 17th April, Brigade 2506 landed and came under heavy fire, whilst wading through muddy terrain and carrying heavy equipment. In the end, 1200 surrendered and 100 were killed of the 1,400 man force. 20,000 Cuban Troops then protected the beach and ruled the skies over the next 24 hours.

Question 39

The Cuban Missile Crisis

Answer 39

Cuba becomes communist in 1959, under Fidel Castro, and US buissnesses are thrown out. The USA then place economic sanctions and no longer trade with Cuba, forcing them to trade with the USSR and forming a trading relationship with them. Then, after the Bay of Pigs Fiasco, Cuba asks the USSR for support in case of US attack and in exchange for this the soviets place missiles of Cuba which Khrushchev denies are there. However, on october 1962 a U2 plane spots ICBMs on Cuba and the US navy blockade Cuba, stopping trade and further weapons deliveries. Kennedy then sends an ultimatum to Khrushchev demanding the missiles are removed. In reply Khrushchev sends 2 letters back, one saying the USSR will leave Cuba, if the USA do not invade it, and the other stating that this will happen only if US Jupiter missiles are removed from Turkey. Kennedy agrees to both but only the first letter goes public.

Question 40

Threats of the Cuban Missile Crisis

Answer 40

Both sides threatened nuclear war. The USSR was planting missiles without other countries consent. If the USSR had tried to break through the blockade then a war would have broken out. Cuba remained a soviet ally that was close to the USA and was still heavily armed.

Question 41

How did the Cuban Missile Crisis improve American-Soviet relations

Answer 41

Kennedy promised to not invade Cuba. Jupiter missiles were taken off of Turkey. It motivated the leaders to avoid a similar situation in the future. The problem was solved with diplomacy. It began steps towards nuclear proliferation.

Question 42

When was the ‘thaw’?

Answer 42

1953-1964

Question 43

When was ‘Detente’?

Answer 43

1969-1979

Question 44

What were the reasons for Detente?

Answer 44

Both countries accepted each others ‘sphere of influence’ as neither wanted to risk a nuclear war. The arms and space race was costing too much. Brezhnev visited Washington and Nixon went to Moscow twice (his visit in 1972 was the first time an American president had visited the soviet state). SALT 1 was signed in 1972. In August 1975 the Helsinki conference was held. Brezhnev saw Detente as an opportunity to grow the USSR further.

Question 45

What were the effects of the Cuban Missile Crisis?

Answer 45

Shocked the world; a fortnight of nuclear threat. Kennedy was seen as a victor in the west. Krushchev got what he wanted. Stabilised East-West relations, in June 1963 a ‘hot line’ was setup between Moscow and Washington. Test Ban treaty 1963. Chinese thought Khrushchev cowardly and France pulled out to NATO as they were not consulted. Brezhnev replaces Khrushchev in 1964.

Question 46

What was the cause of the ‘Prague Spring’?

Answer 46

In January 1968, Dubcek was brought into power and put in place new policies to increase the standard of living and create ‘socialism with a human face’ in Czechoslovakia. He put in place the following changes:
Allowed factory competition
Wanted increased trade with the West
Wanted to borrow funds from the USA to re-structure Czechoslovakian industry
Proposed to abolish censorship
Proposed free travel abroad
Dubcek also remembered the events of Hungary and promised Brezhnev he would not leave the Warsaw Pact.

Question 47

How did the Soviets respond to the actions of Dubcek in 1968?

Answer 47

On the 3rd of August 1968 Brezhnev introduced the Brezhnev Doctrine and was appealed to by Communist Hardliners to intervene in Czechoslovakia. On the 20th of August 1968, 200,000 Warsaw pact troops and 2000 tanks entered Czechoslovakia and were greater by passive protests and sit-ins. The country appealed to the west with Photographs written in English, secret radio stations and television stations. The Soviets crushed the resistance but only approx 3 people died. One of these was Jan Palach, a student who on January 1969 set fire to himself in a protest. Dubcek was expelled and Husak was his replacement.

Question 48

Results of the ‘Prague Spring’ Crisis?

Answer 48

Damaged East-West relations as the West had seen the horror of the Soviets resistance. Showed the Soviet Union were not going to allow reform and that the West were powerless to stop their actions behind the ‘Iron Curtain’. Soviet-Chinese relations deteriorated as the Chinese did not like how the Soviet treated their Satellite states.

Question 49

Explain Khrushchev’s ‘Peaceful co-existence’

Answer 49

In May 1955, Khrushchev signed the Austria State Treaty, which ended occupation of Germany with the allies and made Austria a separate individual state. He also pulled red army troops out of Soviet sector Austria. He then made a secret speech in 1956 about how Stalin was an evil tyrant and started a ‘desalinisation’ programme where cities were re-named, consumer goods increased and secret police decreased.

Question 50

What happened in the arms race in 1955-63?

Answer 50

1957: USA developed the R-7 rocket and later the Atlas rocket which could fit a nuclear warhead.
1960: Both countries had ICBMs. The USA also fired the first submarine missile, the Polaris which the USSR later copied.

Question 51

The space race 1957-1962

Answer 51

1957: USSR, Sputnik 1 satellite, first in space, later Sputnik 2 takes dog into space.
1958: First satellite, Explorer 1, by USA
1959: USSR, Luna 3, pictures of far side of the moon
1960: USSR, Sputnik 2 orbits the earth with two dogs
1961: USSR, 12th April, Yuri Gagarin is 1st to orbit the earth. USA later send Ham, a chimpanzee. In May Alan Shephard flies Freedom 7 into space and Apollo manned space mission is launched.

Question 52

Arms race in 60s

Answer 52

1962: Disarmament conference in Geneva
1963: August Test Ban treaty, October UN banned nuclear weapons in space.
1968: 187 countries signed the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty.

Question 53

Space race in 60s

Answer 53

1961: Kennedy asks NASA to put a man on the moon to have ‘mastery of space’.
1963: USSR sent first woman to space
1964: USSR make first flight without space suits
1965: USSR makes first space walk
1968: USA completes first manned orbit of the moon
1969: USA lands on the moon (Armstrong on 21st July)
Nixon became president in 1969

Question 54

What were the pressures for Detante in the USSR?

Answer 54

Brezhnev wanted to extend ‘Peaceful co-existence’ and to persuade the west to accept Soviet control of East Europe. The USSR had caught up in the arms race and could now use the money to improve the Eastern Bloc. The Iron Curtain countries had weak industrial efficiency and were dependent on Western trade. The USSR had quarrelled with China and needed to make new allies (USA).

Question 55

What were the pressures for Detante in the USA?

Answer 55

The Arms race, Vietnam and inflation was crippling the USA economy leading to stagnation. Vietnam had created protests and opposition at home which the government needed to deal with.

Question 56

How did Detante start?

Answer 56

Nixon=president. Henry Kissenger= US secretary of state
1972 Nixon went to Moscow - first time since 1945
1974 Brezhnev went to Washington
1972 East and West Germany signed treaty accepting each others borders.
1971, USA allowed China into the UN and nixon visited in 1972
1975 the US and USSR space orbiters docked and met.

Question 57

What was SALT 1?

Answer 57

Strategic Arms Limitations Act. A 5-year plan which was signed in 1972. It limited the number of ICBMs and ABMs which was monitored by spy satellites. It did not lower superpower weapons numbers however it did improve relations and seemed a great step at the time.

Question 58

What was the Helsinki agreement?

Answer 58

August 1975, 35 countries signed a treaty in Helsinky concerning the relationship of the two superpowers within Europe. It stated:
1.The West recognised the frontiers of Western Europe and acknowledged Soviet influence in the area; West Germany recognised East Germany.
2. The Soviet agreed to buy US grain and sell oil to the West
3. All countries agreed to improve human rights including:
Freedom of speech
Freedom of religion
Freedom of movement.

Question 59

What were the results of the Helsinki agreement?

Answer 59

People in Eastern Europe campaigned for further freedoms:
Charter 77 in Czechoslovakia
Helsinki watch group in Helsinki and East Germany
By the 80s the USSR were in great debt as they borrowed from the west.
Carter becomes president in 1977

Question 60

Why did Detante fall apart?

Answer 60

The West became frustrated as the USSR continued to abuse human rights. People in the Eastern bloc were being prosecuted and suppressed due to being dissidents. Brezhnev declined an agreement giving human rights to Soviet Jews. Each side were suspicious the other was breaking SALT 1 and as a result both placed more missiles at each other.

Question 61

What happened to SALT 2?

Answer 61

It was shattered as Carter became frustrated at Brezhnev’s invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. The agreement was talked about from 1977 when SALT 1 ended but it never came into action.

Question 62

Causes of Afghanistan?

Answer 62

It had a great location near the oil fields where the USSR could put pressure on the USA’s oil routes. In January 1979 a revolution was held in Iran where the Shah was overthrown by fundamentalists. The USSR was worried that the un-allied communist leader of Afghanistan, Amin would be overthrown and a Islamic state created which could spread into the USSR.

Question 63

What were the events of Afghanistan?

Answer 63

25th december 1979, USSR invades Afghanistan. Airport in Kabul is captured and soviet aircraft land troops and supplies. Within a week 50,000 Red army troops are in the country. Presidents palace in Kabul is captured and Amin is killed. January 1980: new communist government under Karmal is setup.

Question 64

How did Brezhnev respond to Afghanistan?

Answer 64

He claimed that it was necessary to restore order, it was a request from the government for protection and they would withdraw once the situation stabilised.

Question 65

How did Carter react to Afghanistan?

Answer 65

Carter pulled the USA out of the 1980 Olympics. Carter advised the senate to not sign the SALT II agreement. Sent a US navy task force to protect oil routes in the Arabian Sea. He cut trade between the superpowers.
Brezhnev said that the USA was an ‘unreliable partner’

Question 66

Why was Reagan elected in 1981?

Answer 66

He was seen as a stronger president who would fight the USSR with his tough anti-Communist stance. He later made his ‘Evil Empire speech’.

Question 67

How did Reagan renew the cold war?

Answer 67

He increased military spending from $178B to $367B from 81 to 86.
New weapons such as Cruise missiles were developed
1981 USA developed the Neutron Bomb
The Americans also were developing the MX missiles.
Reagan adopted a new SDI programme in 1983 (Star Wars) in which he wanted to be able to stop USSR nuclear weapons reaching the USA.
In the START meetings in 1982, Reagan very aggressively asked if the USSR could reduce its nuclear arms capability and so the USSR pulled out.

Question 68

Why was Poland so wanting of a revolution?

Answer 68

Russia had ruled Poland since the 18th century and hated communism. In WW2 Stalin gave parts of Poland to Hitler and massacred Polish officers in 1940. Most Poles were Catholic and the Catholic church encouraged their nationalism. Ordinary polish people had more power than in other Communist countries and the Polish were good at striking to achieve their goals.

Question 69

What were the events of Solidarity?

Answer 69

Poland had high prices, inflation, food shortages, fuel shortages, low standards of living and little workers rights. Protests emerged in 1980 and shipyard workers in Gdansk were started by Lech Walesa. Walesa created Solidarity the first and only free trade union in the whole of the Soviet system. Further unrest was created and Solidarity swelled to 9M members, the polish government lost control and the USSR carried out ‘training manoeuvres’ near the Polish Border. The government then introduced a new Leader General Jaruzelski who imposed martial law and imprisoned 10,000 political opponents in the USSR, including Walesa in 1981. Solidarity was banned. Pope John Paul II and Reagan then worked together to free Poland, Reagan funded Solidarity and the Pope influenced the people to speak out and used local priests as informants for the CIA. In November 1982 Walesa was freed and given a Nobel peace prize in 1983. Jaruzelski had failed.

Question 70

How did the Soviets fail in Afghanistan?

Answer 70

The Mujaheddin controlled the countryside and used guerrilla warfare against the USSR with weapons being supplied by China and the USA. They attacked strategic supply routes and shot down helicopters. By the early 80s 125,000 Soviet troops were in the USSR but they could not find or destroy the Mujaheddin. In 1982 the USSR failed in a massive attack in the Panjahir Valley. The USSR were also fighting a holy war so they had resistance from other Muslim nations like Pakistan and were worried about the 30M muslims in the USSR revolting. A 1988 agreement at Geneva was signed and talks with the USA were held. The USSR left Afghanistan in Febuary 1989. 1 million people died in the war and once left, the fighting continued in the country for control. The war also destroyed farm land and a famine broke out.

Question 71

Soviet loses in Afghanistan?

Answer 71

15,000 Soviet troops died. Much heavy equipment was lost. It crippled the soviet economy. De-morlisaed the Red army which was the army responsible for keeping the satellite states in order.

Question 72

How did the Soviet leadership change in the 1980s?

Answer 72

Brezhnev died in 1982.
Andropov died in 1984.
Chernenko died in 1985.
Gorbachev took over in 1985.

Question 73

Weaknesses in the Soviet Bloc when Gorbachev took power?

Answer 73

Around 25% of Soviet GPD was spent on military which was crippling them. Efficiency in Soviet Industry was low, with widespread corruption and target not being met; they did not fear as they did with Stalin in power. They were in debt from Detante. The Soviet Union was outdated in its technology and carelessness was obvious with bad irrigation leading to the drying up of the Aral Sea and the nuclear accident at Chernobyl in 1986. Inequality was obvious with low standards of living for citizens and food shortages. People were sick of repression. Defeatism and alcoholism were popular, there was no hope for the future.

Question 74

Explain Glasnost and Perestroika.

Answer 74

Perestroika was the restructuring of the USSA, where:
Competition was allowed
Foreigners were involved in the Soviet economy
Soviet Businesses were allowed to introduce supply and demand techniques
Businesses had to rely on their own profit, not on government spending.
Glasnost was the openness in the USSR:
It tried to restore faith in the government and wipe out corruption.
Debates with the government were allowed to go unpunished.
Glasnost should be included in the West.

Question 75

What else did Gorbachov introduce?

Answer 75

The USSR would cut back on its global commitments.
Abandon the Brezhnev doctrine and loosen grip on satellite states
Aimed to cut military spending and pull out of Afghanistan.

Question 76

How did East-West relations improve after this?

Answer 76

The USA felt they too could relax military funding if the USSR could. The two superpowers met in 1985 in Geneva to cut offensive weapons by 50%, Iceland summit in 1986 , INF in 1987 meeting saw the dismantling of all short and medium range nuclear weapons. In 1989 George H W Bush became president and met with Gorbachev to announce the end of the cold war. Gorbachev was also given a nobel Peace prize that year.

Question 77

How did the Collapse of Communism spark?

Answer 77

The Eastern bloc countries were given freedom of speech in 1989 and wanted to get rid of communism and end control from Moscow. Gorbachev then announced that no Red Army resistance would be used to control countries and that the governments would have to stop protests themselves. This added with the emerging new parties in the Satellite states saw the uprising of all of the countries.

Question 78

What was the order of the Fall of the satellite states?

Answer 78

Hungary - May 1989 the govt dismantled the border to non-communist Austria. In december free elections were held where a Nationalist-Catholic coalition was formed.
Poland - In June 1989 free elections were held where Solidarity won all the votes and Walesa became the first non-communist leader in Eastern Europe.
East-Germany - Thousands of East Germans fled through the new hole in the iron curtain and the East German Leader was forced to reign when the soldiers refused to stop protestors. On the 10th of November 1989 the Berlin wall was torn down. Free elections were held in March 1990. East and West were united in October 1990.
Czechoslovakia - In December 1989 the protests led to the resignation of the communist leaders and free election were held in 1990.
Romania - In December 1989 the dictator Ceausescu and his wife were executed.
Bulgaria - In November 1989 the leader Zhikov reisgned the government became a socialist party and held free elections in 1990.
Albania - Free elections in 1992 and a democratic constitution in 1998.

Question 79

Results of the fall of the USSR?

Answer 79

In 1990 the three baltic states, Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania were decreed independent. Gorbachov was seen as weak and his changes had no effect. In February 1990 250,000 people demonstrated against communism in the capital. Gorbachov was also booed in the Annual May Day Parade. In August 1991 a coup was held against Gorbachov where he was imprisoned in his country home. Yeltsin later led a demonstration against the coup, disbanded the Soviet Communist Party, and ended the USSR in December 1991. The communist red flag was later lowered over the Kremlin for the last time.

Question 80

What was the invasion of Kuwait?

Answer 80

On the 2nd of August 1990, over 50,000 Iraqi troops supported by tanks and airstrikes entered the territory of Kuwait and annexed it as their own. Their oil rich neighbour was stopped in two days and the Iraqi force soon increased to 150,000.

Question 81

What were the causes of the invasion of Kuwait?

Answer 81

In 1980 Saddam Hussain invaded Iran and this invasion could be a continuation of his goal to gain strength. Kuwait had supported Iraq against Iran in the 1980s and owed them a debt that Saddam demanded was removed, it was not. The oil of Kuwait could have solved Iraq’s financial difficulties. Iraq accused Kuwait of drilling under Iraqi territory and stealing their oil. Kuwait was accused of flooding the market with their oil. Saddam claimed he was supporting a planned uprising with the leader of Kuwait. Iraq never accepted Kuwait as a separate country. The Iraqi’s did not fear US intervention as they thought the fighting would just be between Arab countries.

Question 82

What was the UN reaction to the invasion of Kuwait?

Answer 82

Resolution 660 was immediately passed on 2nd August 1990. This condemned their actions and demanded a withdrawal of troops and negotiations take place. On 6th August a global trade embargo on Iraq was soon placed as they did not withdraw. This was followed by resolution 678, an ultimatum that throated military action if Iraqi forces didn’t stand down by 15th January 1991. After this was not taken, the UN allowed the US and other countries to use any means necessary to liberate Kuwait.

Question 83

What was the US response to the invasion of Kuwait?

Answer 83

The US took a lead on the following up of UN resolutions. They were interested in the area for fears that Saddam Hussain may take control of the oil wells in Saudi Arabia. The USA had a history of hostility with Iraq as they were allies with the USSR and saw them as supporters of terrorism. On 7th August President Bush organised Operation Desert Shield which added American presence in the middle east to protect their allies. On the 8th August 1990 President George Bush made a public statement in which he tried to explain his involvement in the crisis. He said he wanted to bring peace and stability to the region as well as protect American lives.

Question 84

What was Operation Desert Storm?

Answer 84

Iraq did not withdraw from Kuwait, so on the 17th of January 1991 an American led coalition of over 30 countries launched operation desert storm. The operation was led by an american general Norman Schwarzkopf where a series of airstrikes were followed by naval action. Saddam then fired scud missiles at Israel in an attempt to gain support from the Arab League however the USA intercepted the missiles and convinced the other countries to not intervene. The UN coalition was successful at taking over the air and destroying the Iraqi navy, by 24th February the coalition force had entered Kuwait and had forced out all Iraqis in 4 days. As the Iraqi’s fled they set fire to the Kuwait oil industry but by the 28th of February had all left Kuwait or surrendered. Therefore a cease-fire was called.

Question 85

What was the aftermath of the first gulf war?

Answer 85

UN resolution 687 on the 3rd of april determined the ceasefire conditions. While Saddam Hussain was allowed to stay in power, all of Iraq’s biological and chemical weapons were destroyed and its ballistic missiles put under control. A special UN commission was setup to monitor the situation in Iraq and give out humanitarian aid however Saddam put up resistance to this. In October 1994 Iraqi troops stationed close to the Kuwaiti border and were warned by the UN to withdraw and allow access for UN weapons inspectors. The US sent forces to support the UN and the Iraqi forces stood down. Continued resistance by Saddam led to further air strikes and sanctions in the 1990s which resulted in the 2003 second gulf war.