End of the Cold War Flashcards
When did Gorbachev come to power?
March 1985.
What was Glasnost?
There should be more openness and less corruption in government. It would allow opposition to the government and give the people a better understanding of how the country was run
What was Perestroika?
The Soviet state and economy should be reformed in order to include some of the practices that made capitalism successful
What did Gorbachev do with the Brezhnev Doctrine?
The Brezhnev Doctrine would be dropped. The Soviet Union would no longer get involved in the domestic affairs of other countries
What limitations on Nuclear weapons were made 1985- 1989?
INF (Intermediate-range Nuclear Force Treaty.
Malta summit in 1989 was officially seen as the end of the Cold War by both countries
Name 3 Satellite States that moved to end Soviet control in 1989-90. Describe how each country did this?
Poland: Solidarity is legalised and wins a landslide victory in Polish elections.
• Hungary: The government takes down the fence on the border with Austria. It promises a new democratic government with free elections.
• Czechoslovakia: The velvet revolution overthrows the communist revolution. The anti-communist Vaclav Havel is elected president.
What was the Berlin Wall?
A fortified wall which divided East Berlin from West Berlin
Describe the Fall of the Berlin Wall?
The East German government announced that the border crossing to West Berlin would be opened. Thousands of East Berliners force their way through the border crossing. People on both sides of the Wall start to pull it down. East and West Germany are formally reunited in 1990.
What was the Warsaw Pact and why did in end?
A military pact between different Soviet States. As communist governments came under pressure in Eastern Europe it was impossible for the Warsaw Pact to survive. Military co-operation between the member states became impossible
When did the Warsaw Pact end?
The Warsaw Pact was formally dissolved in July 1991
When did Gorbachev fall from power?
25th December 1991
How did Gorbachev fall from power?
In 1991 the communist hardliners staged a coup against Gorbachev. 12 leaders of the other Soviet Socialist Republics took advantage of Gorbachev’s weakness and joined together in a commonwealth of independent states. Gorbachev resigned.
Where is Afghanistan?
Afghanistan is in the Middle East, Specifically the Persian Gulf. It is bordered by the Soviet Union, Pakistan and Iran.
Why was the Soviet Union interested in Afghanistan?
Afghanistan formed an important Buffer Zone for the USSR, between the USSR and Iran. Iran had a newly formed Islamic Fundamentalist government, and the Soviet Union saw this as a threat. To protect Soviet interests, there must be a pro-soviet government in Afghanistan
What happened in Afghanistan 1978- 1980?
A Pro-Soviet government took control in Afghanistan, and received assistance from Moscow. This government became unpopular, and pro- Muslim factions tried to overthrow the puppet-leader, Amin. In 1979 the USSR invaded Afghanistan.
What was America’s reaction to the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan?
Carter claimed this was the biggest threat to world peace since the end of the Second World War. He withdrew the SALT 2 proposal and stated that the USA would repel (possibly by force) any threat to American Interests in the Persian Gulf. This became known as the Carter Doctrine.
What impact did the Afghan war have on the Soviet Union?
The relations between the USSR and the USA became more confrontational, which effectively destroyed détente. Economic sanctions were imposed on the USSR by the USA.
Which Olympics did the USA boycott and why?
The 1980 Moscow Olympic games due to the War in Afghanistan. Over 60 nations supported the Boycott. The Soviet Union had been hoping to use the Olympics as a means to promote communism to the world.
Which Olympics did the Soviet Union boycott and why?
The USA’s Los Angeles Olympics, 1984, in response to the Moscow Boycott. 15 communist countries stayed away
Give three examples of Reagan’s policies towards the Soviet Union
• Persuaded congress to boost America’s spending on arms. In 1982 13% more money was spent. New weapons like trident submarines were developed.
• He announced the “Reagan Doctrine”; The USA support anti- communist governments and anti-communist groups trying to overthrow communist governments.
• SDI (Strategic Defence Initiative): Star Wars was a scheme giving money to putting weapons in space. The violated the terms of the 1967 Outer Space Treaty. It was years from being a possibility but Reagan spoke about it like a present reality.
What was the “Second Cold War”?
The deterioration of relations between the USA and USSR after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, which led to a period of increased hostilities between the two nations.
What problems did the Soviet Union have in the early 1980?
• Economic: During the Brezhnev era huge sums of money were spent on developing arms to keep pace with the USA. Investment in the USSR’s economy was low.
• Low standards of living and lack of human rights, which led to unrest in Satellite states (Poland).
• A run of short-lived leaders, leading to political instability (Breznev died 1982, Andropov 1984, Chernenko 1985).
