End of Cold War Flashcards
Detente
The relaxation of strained relations, especially political, through verbal communication. It was carried out in the 1970s between the United States and the Soviet Union. E.g. Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT)
Bi-Polarity
A situation where two nations / powers in the world possess the greatest economic, cultural and military influence; often describing a context of division of power and influence.
Democracy
A system of governance which is built on the fundamental belief of power to the people; typically achieved through elected representatives. Critical attributes include the right to vote (i.e. elections), advocating for individual liberties, establishing of a system of capitalism and private ownership.
Containment
American policy adopted to prevent the spread of communism beyond the USSR. Approach taken in limited Soviet expansion, for e.g. in the Korean War and the Cuban Missile Crisis. As a concept, it is generally a policy of “limiting expansion” and not confrontation.
Power Vacuum
A condition that exists when one (or one party) has lost control of something, usually abruptly, and no one has replaced them. Can refer to individuals of leadership / authority (e.g. presidents, prime ministers) or even a authoritative force (e.g. colonial governments leaving)
Communism
A theory or system of social organization in which advocates for a classless system in which the means of production are owned communally and private property is nonexistent or severely curtailed.
Capitalism
An economic and political system in which a country’s trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the state.
Proxy War
A war fought between a group or couple of “smaller” countries that each represent the interests of external, larger powers, and definitely receives help and support from superintendent powers. The “external” forces do not directly participate in these conflicts.
Civil War
War between domestic or internal political factions or regions within the same country, typically in order to gain political control
Note: The two parties should be legally recognised (i.e. recognised political entities); or else the term ‘insurgency’ is typically used instead.
Marxism
A social, political and economic ideology named after Karl Marx, later acting as a base for communism (including Stalinism & Maoism, which are different interpretations of Marxism). It posits the endless struggle between different classes through revolution, in pursuit of a classless society. In the modern context, it is concerned with the proleteriat struggle against the bourgeoisie, an outcome of our capitalist society.
Glasnost
Translates to ‘openness’; essentially a policy by Gorbachev which called for greater transparency in the Soviet government and for freedom of speech. It sought to give supporters space to speak out in favour of reform. Gorbachev intended for the gradual involvement of free speech to boost creativity and productivity to reform the outdated Soviet economic system. This proved to be counter-productive as citizens made new discoveries of past leaders, manipulations and questioned the status quo.
Perestroika
Translates to ‘restructuring’ and refers to a slew of economic and political reforms to liberalise Soviet economy and politics, running in parallel with glasnost. It wanted to encourage greater interest, productivity and investment among soviet workers in their respective industries but was counter-productive due to general lack of momentum, industrial know-hows and political backfire.
SALT I (1972)
The Strategic Arms Limitation Talks, held by both superpowers in May 1972 to limit and later reduce the number of nuclear weapons they possessed.
Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty (1972)
The Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty was an arms control treaty between the United States and the Soviet Union on the limitation of the anti-ballistic missile systems used in defending areas against ballistic missile-delivered nuclear weapons.
Stalling of détente (late 1970s/1980s)
Détente was stalled due to President Jimmy Carter who criticised the Soviet Union for perceived human right violations. Other factors that led to the stalling of détente is the intervention in the internal affairs of other countries. (e.g. Angolan Civil War in 1975 and Afghanistan in 1979)
The Soviet-Afghan War (1979)
Following a sucessful coup in 1978, a communist Afghan government was installed. The Afghan government continued to face strong opposition from rebels, known as the Mujahideen, resulting in much political instability. Alongside the takeover of the Communist party by Amin (suspicious to the USSR for his close relations with the US) through the assasination of Taraki (Soviet’s choice), Brezhnev decided to invade Afghanistan (Brezhnev Doctrine). Soviet invasion was heavily criticised by the international community. President Carter cancelled the ongoing arms limitation talks and imposed embargoes on the Soviet Union.
Soviets’ Involvement in Ending Vietnam War (1975)
The Vietnam War greatly damaged the prestige of the USA from both within and outside the country. After decades of futile fighting between the communists in the North (Ho Chi Minh) and pro-democracy nationalists in the South (US, Fr) which ended in a stalemate, the United States enlisted the support of the Soviet Union to convince communist North Vietnam to negotiate a peace treaty with the USA in 1975.
Most Favoured Nation
In 1972, Brezhnev agreed to repay World War II debts to the USA. In return, the USA granted the most-favoured nation status to the Soviet Union, allowing them to purchase large supplies of grain from the USA. However, it was later withdrawn in 1974 in retaliation to the Soviet Union’s continuous support for the Arab states, whom the USA perceived as the enemy of its ally, Israel and the Soviet-Afghan War.
American economic prowess (1980s)
The American economic system, in comparison to the Soviet economic system, allowed for greater productivity and faster technological advancement. This allowed the US to “one up” the Soviets in terms of military (nuclear) development and economic productivity. This convinced some Soviet Leaders that changes must be made to the outdated Soviet economy.
Renewal of arms race
The growth of the American economy (esp. 1980s) allowed Reagan to invest heavily on arms capacity again, for e.g. ‘Star Wars programme’ or Strategic Defence Intiative (SDI). Alongside rising tensions in the 1980s and end of detente with Jimmy Carter coming to power, the Soviet Union was pressured to keep up its nuclear capabilities and similarly invested heavily in it, at the expense of other domestic sectors. This led to a renewed (nuclear) arms race.
Star Wars Programme
The Strategic Defense Initiative, derisively nicknamed the “Star Wars program”, was a proposed missile defense system intended to protect the United States from attack by ballistic strategic nuclear weapons.
Able Archer 1983
Able Archer 83 was the annual NATO Able Archer exercise conducted in November 1983. The purpose for the command post exercise, like previous years, was to simulate a period of conflict escalation, culminating in the US military attaining a simulated DEFCON 1 coordinated nuclear attack. The exercise was so ‘real’ that it led to a full Soviet mobilisation, bringing the world again on the brink of war.
Structural Weakness of the Soviet Command Economy (1970s/80s)
The Soviet command economy inherently discouraged productivity and innovation, in comparison to the liberal economies of the US and its allies, which encouraged free enterprise and incentivised productivity (e.g. through Reaganomics) . The lack of private sectors (and hence competition) in the Soviet economy resulted in the diminishing of the “hardworking spirit” needed for an efficient working force.
Lack of Consumer Goods and Low Quality of Life in the USSR (1970s/80s)
There has been too much emphasis on the development and production of military goods and weapons causing a shortage of consumer goods such as clothes, electronics, housing and foodstuffs. This was further worsened by the renewal of the arms race.
