End of Cold War

Question 1

Detente

Answer 1

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)

Question 2

Bi-Polarity

Answer 2

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.

Question 3

Democracy

Answer 3

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.

Question 4

Containment

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

Power Vacuum

Answer 5

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)

Question 6

Communism

Answer 6

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.

Question 7

Capitalism

Answer 7

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.

Question 8

Proxy War

Answer 8

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.

Question 9

Civil War

Answer 9

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.

Question 10

Marxism

Answer 10

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.

Question 11

Glasnost

Answer 11

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.

Question 12

Perestroika

Answer 12

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.

Question 13

SALT I (1972)

Answer 13

The Strategic Arms Limitation Talks, held by both superpowers in May 1972 to limit and later reduce the number of nuclear weapons they possessed.

Question 14

Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty (1972)

Answer 14

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.

Question 15

Stalling of détente (late 1970s/1980s)

Answer 15

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)

Question 16

The Soviet-Afghan War (1979)

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

Soviets’ Involvement in Ending Vietnam War (1975)

Answer 17

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.

Question 18

Most Favoured Nation

Answer 18

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.

Question 19

American economic prowess (1980s)

Answer 19

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.

Question 20

Renewal of arms race

Answer 20

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.

Question 21

Star Wars Programme

Answer 21

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.

Question 22

Able Archer 1983

Answer 22

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.

Question 23

Structural Weakness of the Soviet Command Economy (1970s/80s)

Answer 23

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.

Question 24

Lack of Consumer Goods and Low Quality of Life in the USSR (1970s/80s)

Answer 24

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.

Question 25

Economic liabilities of satellite states to USSR

Answer 25

The Soviet Union had to continuously support its poorer communist countries through economic bartering due to its ideological commitments (e.g Warsaw Pact, Comecon). The Soviet Union also had weaker economic alliances since their communist satellite states were also not doing well due to lack of fiscal support and the inherent problems associated with a command economy. On the other hand, the US was flourishing in trade relations with its allies such as West Germany and Japan.

Question 26

Increasing resistance within the communist block against Soviet rule (1950s-80s)

Answer 26

There was growing internal pressure from the people for economic and political reforms. E.g. Prague Spring (1968) and Hungarian Revolution (1956). These failed attempts only further antagonised its people and built a stronger basis for anti-Soviet sentiments.

Question 27

Mikhail Gorbachev

Answer 27

Gorbachev was part of the younger generation of successors who saw a need to reform the country’s domestic and foregin policies. He believed military force was no longer a viable option to address social dissent and aimed to end the Cold War as he thought that military competition with the US was draining the Soviet economy. He wanted to phase out the military industrial complex (a more ‘hardline soviet-style economic system’)

Question 28

Nuclear Disarmament talks (1980s)

Answer 28

A series of talks by both superpowers, with no tangible outcomes but symbolized goodwill that had been lacking after the abandonment of detente.

Question 29

De-ideologisation of Soviet foreign policy

Answer 29

Gorbachev introduced “New thinking”in the Soviet foreign policy. This approach advocated that global problems ought to be solved based on shared moral and ethical principles instead of the remainign divided by ideology (capitalism and communism). Such “new thinking” aimed at ending policies driven by the ideological competition that brought the Soviet Union into conflict with the USA. The approach believes both systems can thrive harmoniously in this world.

Question 30

Gorbachev’s 1988 UN speech

Answer 30

Gorbachev’s 1988 UN speech spelled out USSR’s commitment to reduction of Soviet troops across its satellite states and the communist bloc. It effectively discussed Soviet’s exit from areas such as Poland, Hungary, East Germany, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria and Romania. By 1989, the removal of Soviet troops, which signified the end of Soviet Occupation also saw the reduction of Soviet spheres of influence in Eastern Europe.

Question 31

Fall of the Berlin Wall (9 Nov 1991)

Answer 31

The most enduring symbol of Cold War Bi-polarity. It’s fall symbolized the fall of the Soviet bloc as well as the Iron Curtain. The wall came down partly because of a bureaucratic accident ( the spokesman for East Berlin’s Communist Party announced a change in his city’s relations with the West. Starting at midnight that day, he said, citizens of the GDR were free to cross the country’s borders; this was interpreted as a free pass to the West that starts “tonight”, leading to checkpoints being overwhelmed and eventually, overrun). The collapse of the Berlin Wall also ell amid a wave of revolutions that left the Soviet-led communist bloc teetering on the brink of collapse and helped define a new world order.

Question 32

Strategic Armes Reduction Treaty

Answer 32

This aimed to substantially reduce nuclear arsenals rather than merely set limits. Signed by Bush and Gorbachev on 31 July 1991.

Question 33

Disintegration of the Soviet Union (1991)

Answer 33

Boris Yeltsin, who was loosely characterised as being pro-democracy, was elected as President of Russia in 1991. As President of Russia, he quelled the 1991 August Coup against Gorbachev and the Communist Party, gaining much influence and political clout thereafter. With overwhelming mass support, he suspended the Communist party of the USSR. On 21 December, the Belavezha Accords were signed (first signed by Russia, Ukraine & Belarus), formally dissolving the Soviet Union and ending the Cold War.

Question 34

President Nixon (1968)

Answer 34

President of the United States from 1969-1974. He initiated détente and opened diplomatic relations with China. Under his presidency, relations between US and the communist leaders (USSR, China) improved.

Question 35

Jimmy Carter

Answer 35

Elected as the President of the USA in November 1976, primarily based on his tougher approach towards communism and support for human rights, which were popular amongst Americans in the 1970s. He criticised the Soviet Union for the violation of human rights, particularly in its occupation of Soviet satellite states (e.g. post-Prague Spring, Hungarian Revolution).

Question 36

Leonid Brezhnev

Answer 36

Successor of Khruschev as leader of the Soviet Union from 1964-1980. He greatly expanded the Soviet military but neglected any meaningful economic reforms. Often associated with the Brezhnev Doctrine where he declared that the USSR would not allow the countries of Eastern Europe to reject communism, “even if it meant a third World War.”

Question 37

Margaret Thatcher

Answer 37

British Prime Minister from May 1979. Dubbed as the “iron lady” by one Soviet journalist and continued to maintain positive relations with Gorbachev through the Cold War.

Question 38

Brezhnev Doctrine

Answer 38

Declared by Soviet leader Brezhnev in Nov 1968, this meant that no country within the Warsaw pact was allowed to leave the pact or threaten the cohesiveness of the soviet bloc. This was used to justify the Warsaw pact invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968.

Question 39

Prague Spring (1968)

Answer 39

A period of liberal democratic reforms of Czechoslovakia under the leadership of communist leader Alexander Dubcek. This was met with a Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia by 600,000 Warsaw Pact troops.

Question 40

Hungarian Revolution (1956)

Answer 40

After World War II, Soviet forces occupied Hungary and set up their largely repressive and unpopular government. In 1956, civil unrest led to the resignation of the Prime Minister, Rakosi and was replaced by the nationalist Imre Nagy who withdrew from the Warsaw Pact. They were later invaded again by the Soviet Union who overthrew the new government and crushed the popular revolution.