Cold War: Leaders

Question 1

Gorbachev’s Personality

Answer 1

• Discussions: INF and START
• Reagan and Bush (+ Thatcher)
• More open-minded towards change
  - Perestroika and Glasnost
• Human rights (Glasnost)
• Less committed to Hard line Stalinism/Leninism
• Wanted change so Communism could survive

Question 2

Gorbachev’s Policies

Answer 2

• Foreign Policy:
  - Decrese tension
  - Increase negotiation and friendship
  - Key impact on Cold War
  - Afghanistan
• Glasnost
  - Freedoms
  - Decrease Censorship
  - Increase relationships with the West
  - Contrast to Helsinki Accords
• Perestroika
  - Free-market economy (end price control by the state)
  - Stop production planning (too rigid)
  - Decentralise planning (more regional)
  - Decrease alcohol consumption
  - The Law on Cooperatives (1988)
  - Terminate private ownership of businesses.

Question 3

The conditions of USSR at the beginning of Gorbachev’s tenure

Answer 3

• Economic problems
• Gerentocracy
• Lack of freedoms
• Economic inefficiency
• Alcoholism (Social problems)
• Lack of technology (backward)

Question 4

Taiwan Straits

Answer 4

• 1954
• After the Civil War many Nationalists fled to Taiwan to set up the Republic of China (ROC).
• USA wanted Taiwan to be independent while China Wanted to reunify with Taiwan.China shelled some of the off-shore islands
• Mao threatened by US involvement:
  - “Back off America!”
• 1958
• After second Taiwan Strait USA and China agree Ceasefire.

Question 5

Impact of Taiwan Straits

Answer 5

• Increase tension between China and USA/Taiwan

- Increase relationship between USA and Taiwan.

Question 6

When did Mao come to power? How did it impact the Cold War?

Answer 6

• 1949
• China was the dominating power in Asia.
• Communism
  - Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship, Alliance and Mutual Assistance

Question 7

Sino-Soviet Split

Answer 7

• Breakdown of alliances: 1960, Nuclear Secrets
• Difference in ideologies:
  - Mao: Peasants
  - Khrushchev: Workers
• USSR wanted to dominate
• Destalinisation - Criticised Stalin’s Cult of Personality
  - Mao based his Cult of Personality on Stalin - insulting

Question 8

Mao and the Korean War

Answer 8

• Supported N (with USSR) against USA
• Large involvement - Lots of troops
• Decrease Sino-Soviet relations

Question 9

Comparison of Mao and Gorbachev

Answer 9

• Gorbachev dissolves conflict while Mao fuels it.
• Gorbachev tried to increase relations with the West while Mao had no interest in the West.
• Gorbachev tried to decrease the Arms Race while Mao only increased it.
  - “All power grows out of the barrell of a gun!”