Cold war part 3

Question 1

What is détente?

Answer 1

A period of peace between two groups that were at war or hostile to each other.

Question 2

Who was elected president in 1968?

Answer 2

Richard Nixon

Question 3

Why did the US follow a policy of détente?

Answer 3

. Nixon wanted to take US out of the Vietnam war which was costing them billions of dollars and resulted in deaths of over 60,000 soldiers
.A policy of détente would allow US to spend less money on weapons and more on trying to solve social problems (inequality between rich and poor, black and white) which led to riots in 1968 after assassination of Martin Luther King

Question 4

Why did the USSR follow a policy of détente?

Answer 4

.Soviet Union was facing economic problems and following a policy of détente would allow to focus resources on improving standards of living and updating it’s economy.
.In 1969, Willy Brandt was elected Chancellor of West Germany. He followed a policy trying to build better relations between East and West Germany. Other European nations followed his lead.

Question 5

When was Salt 1 signed?

Answer 5

May 1972

Question 6

Explain the agreements in Salt 1.

Answer 6

.Anti ballistic missile Treaty stated ABMs were only allowed at two sites. At each site maximum of 100 ABMs
.Interim Treaty placed restrictions on how many ICBMs and SLBMS they could have
.Banned the placing of warheads on the seabed

Question 7

What was the problem with Salt 1?

Answer 7

Did not cover the latest technological development e.g. MRVs

Question 8

What was the positive impacts of Salt 1?

Answer 8

Both USA and USSR wanted to reach agreement and wanted to demonstrate their better relations pubicly.

Question 9

When was the Helsinki Accords?

Answer 9

August 1975

Question 10

What were the three baskets in the Helsinki Accords?

Answer 10

Basket 1:
Borders are inviolable, they cannot be altered by force

Basket 2:
Continuation of international cooperation between Western and Soviet- controlled countries.

Basket 3:
Respect human right and free movement across Europe.

Question 11

Which baskets did the USSR like?

Answer 11

Baskets 1 and 2.

Question 12

Why did the USA like basket 3?

Answer 12

USA wanted an extension of human rights in Soviet- controlled territories which would undermine communist authority and weaken the power of the Soviet Union.

Question 13

When did President Carter come into power?

Answer 13

1977

Question 14

What additional agreements were made in Salt 2?

Answer 14

.Restrictions on missile launchers
.Ban on testing new types of ICBMs

Question 15

Explain the invasion of Afghanistan.

Answer 15

A pro-soviet government took control of Afghanistan. It was toppled in 1979 when Amin staged a popular coup. At first Moscow supported the coup but Brezhnev heard rumours Amin was talking to the USA about American support.

In December 1979, Soviet forces invaded Afghanistan, claiming they were invited by min. But, a few days late Amin was assassinated (almost certainly by the Soviets)

Question 16

How did America react to the invasion of Afghanistan?

Answer 16

Carter withdrew from Salt 2.

Question 17

What was the Carter Doctrine.

Answer 17

In 1980, Carter said that the USA would repel by force any threat to American interests in the Persian Gulf.

Question 18

Who was elected after President Carter? When?

Answer 18

Reagan in 1980

Question 19

Explain the Olympic boycotts.

Answer 19

In protest against the invasion of Afghanistan, the USA led a boycott against the 1980 Soviet Olympics followed by over 60 nations. Some countries like Britain did not stop athletes from going but encouraged them not to take part.

Question 20

Why was the Olympic boycotts so significant/ effective?

Answer 20

The Soviet Union were hoping to use the Olympics to promote communism to huge audiences around the world. With many of the athletes staying away, some of the events looked second rate.

They boycott reflected the influence that the USA had in international affairs.

Question 21

Describe Reagan’s doctrine.

Answer 21

The USA would not only support anti-communist governments but also anti communist groups trying to overthrow communist governments. He said the Soviet Union represented evil and the USA represented good.

Question 22

Explain the strategic defense initiative

Answer 22

‘Star wars’
Reagan announced this would place a series of satellites in orbit that would carry powerful lasers and shoot down Soviet missiles and prevent them harming the US. Reagan did not admit that the new system was years from being ready.

Question 23

Explain the effects of SDI on USSR.

Answer 23

The Soviet Union economy were struggling and would have to invest hue sums to develop an equivalent system to SDI. This was one important factor behind Gorbachev’s new thinking.

Question 24

When did Gorbachev come into power?

Answer 24

1985

Question 25

What were the reasons for Gorbachev’s new thinking?

Answer 25

.During the Brezhnev eras, huge sums were spent on developing arms to keep pace with USA so economy was low
.Low standards of living
.Soviet Union suffered from poor leadership for many years

Question 26

Explain Gorbachev’s new policies.

Answer 26

.Perestroika:
Soviet state should be reformed to include some things that made capitalism successful
.Glasnost:
More openness and transparency. People should not need to fear the state or fear expressing their opinions
.USSR would reduce spending on arms and withdraw from Afghanistan

Question 27

Explain the summit meetings

Answer 27

Geneva 1985
No formal agreement but Reagan and Gorbachev establish a good working relationship.

Reykjavik summit 1986
Both leaders knew America could not give up SDI. No formal agreement but better relations.

Washington summit 1987
INF treaty- both countries would abolish land base missiles within 500- 5,000 km range

Moscow 1988
Added to INF. Later in the year, Gorbachev announced Soviet forces would leave Afghanistan

Malta 1989
No new agreement but both USA and USSR saw it as marking the end of the Cold War.