End Of The Cold War Flashcards
What were the Helsinki Accords?
It was the follow up agreements of SALT 1 between NATO and WP. The agreement were split into three areas:
- European Borders - Borders are inviolable (not altered by force).
- International Co-Operation - western and eastern relations will improve.
- Human Rights - people have complete freedom and human rights.
What were the limitations for the Soviet in the Helsinki Accords?
- Borders cannot be altered by force.
- Trade agreements are made with the West.
- People will have freedom of Speech, Religion and Movement across Europe.
Why were the Helsinki Accords important?
This improved relations with the USA and USSR as they work with and together, a joint USA-Soviet Space Mission is an example of this.
Why did the Soviets invade Afghanistan?
1) Afghanistan formed a important buffer zone between Iran (which is pro-america).
2) Moscow was determined not to let Muslim fundimentalism spread across its borders (stop communism).
3) Amin is rumoured to be talking to America which means the buffer zone will go.
What were the Events on the Soviets invasion of Afghanistan?
- In 1979, Soviet Forces invaded Afghnaistan.
- They claimed they had been invited by Amin (leader) to support his government against terrorists.
- Amin was assinated (certainly from Soviet Commandos) and replaced by the Pro-soviet Kamal.
- Soviets remained in Afghanistan for alsmost ten year fighting opponents.
What were the economic costs for the Soviets and US in Afghanistan?
Soviets:
- Finacial cost was approximatly 8 billion a year.
- 15,000 Soviet troops were killed.
US:
- USA supplied the Mujahideen (fighting Kamal) with weapons and billions of dollars.
What was the impact of the Afghanistan invasion on US-Soviet relation?
- The detente was offically over meaning that the US and USSR were no longer on good terms.
- Also it caused a new President to be elected, Reagan, to reclaim Americas position on the world stage and stand up to communism, this increased tension as the US now had a President who saw communism as evil.
- Also caused the boycotting of the Moscow and LA olympics increasing tension.
What was Americas reaction to the Soviets invasion of Afghanistan?
- America believed this was Soviet Union attempting to spread communism, went against the accords.
- SALT 2 was withdrew by President Carter and increased spending on arms.
- Carter decided to impose economic sanctions on the USSR and began sending money and weapons to the mujahideen.
- Carter Doctorine said the US would repel by force of any threat to US interest in the Persian Gulf.
What are the consequences for the USSR from the invasion of Afghanistan?
Negative:
- Finacial cost was approximatly 8 billion a year.
- 15,000 Soviet troops were killed.
- Trade bans aposed on them
Positive:
Afghan Government replaced
What was Gorbachev’s new thinking?
- Perestrokia - ‘Reconstruction’ his programme for reorganising and restructuring the Soviet State and Economy.
- Glasnost - ‘Openness’ or ‘Transparency’ describing Gorbachev’s new, more open attitude to governments and foreign relations.
- Dropping of the Brezehnev Doctorine - Russia would no longer get involved in domestic affairs of other SS.
- The Soviet Union would reduce spending on arms and defence and withdraw from Afghanistan.
The events of the falling of Soviets control on Eastern Europe, from May - October, 1989:
- May, Hungary take the femce down to the border of Austria.
- June, in Poland solidarity is legalised and wins a landslide victory in elections.
- September, East Germany huge numbers (125,000) leave for the west through Hungary to Austria.
- October, in East Germany Gorbachev refuses to help Governments with demonstrations.
The events of the falling of Soviets control on Eastern Europe, in November, 1989:
- East German government announces the bording crosser to west Berlin will be open, the wall is teared down by people.
- Czechoslovakia, the ‘Velvet Revolution’ overthrows the communist government and new anti-communist president is elected.
The events of the falling of Soviets control on Eastern Europe, in December 1989:
1) Romania the communist leader Ceasusescu is overthrown and executed.
2) Bulgaria communist leader Mladenov resigns and free elections are held the following year.
How did the Soviet Union finally End?
Yugoslavia in December 1990, breaks into 6 countries: Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnian-Herzegvia, Kosova and Macedonia.
What is Détente and why did the USA and USSR follow a policy of Detente in the 1970’s?
Detente is a period of peace between the groups that were previously at war or hostile to eachother. They did this:
- To avoid plunging the world into nuclear war.
- USA public putting pressure on the Government to take less active role in international relations due to unpopularity of the Vietnam War, 60,000 americans killed.
- USA have large social problem that demand attention and resources, causeing urban rioting ona mass scale from MLK assasination.
- Detente allows USA and USSR to spread their money on other problems e.g Ghettos, 1968 riots.