End of the Cold War

Question 1

When did Gorbachev come to power?

Answer 1

March 1985.

Question 2

What was Glasnost?

Answer 2

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

Question 3

What was Perestroika?

Answer 3

The Soviet state and economy should be reformed in order to include some of the practices that made capitalism successful

Question 4

What did Gorbachev do with the Brezhnev Doctrine?

Answer 4

The Brezhnev Doctrine would be dropped. The Soviet Union would no longer get involved in the domestic affairs of other countries

Question 5

What limitations on Nuclear weapons were made 1985- 1989?

Answer 5

INF (Intermediate-range Nuclear Force Treaty.
Malta summit in 1989 was officially seen as the end of the Cold War by both countries

Question 6

Name 3 Satellite States that moved to end Soviet control in 1989-90. Describe how each country did this?

Answer 6

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.

Question 7

What was the Berlin Wall?

Answer 7

A fortified wall which divided East Berlin from West Berlin

Question 8

Describe the Fall of the Berlin Wall?

Answer 8

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.

Question 9

What was the Warsaw Pact and why did in end?

Answer 9

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

Question 10

When did the Warsaw Pact end?

Answer 10

The Warsaw Pact was formally dissolved in July 1991

Question 11

When did Gorbachev fall from power?

Answer 11

25th December 1991

Question 12

How did Gorbachev fall from power?

Answer 12

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.

Question 13

Where is Afghanistan?

Answer 13

Afghanistan is in the Middle East, Specifically the Persian Gulf. It is bordered by the Soviet Union, Pakistan and Iran.

Question 14

Why was the Soviet Union interested in Afghanistan?

Answer 14

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

Question 15

What happened in Afghanistan 1978- 1980?

Answer 15

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.

Question 16

What was America’s reaction to the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan?

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

What impact did the Afghan war have on the Soviet Union?

Answer 17

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.

Question 18

Which Olympics did the USA boycott and why?

Answer 18

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.

Question 19

Which Olympics did the Soviet Union boycott and why?

Answer 19

The USA’s Los Angeles Olympics, 1984, in response to the Moscow Boycott. 15 communist countries stayed away

Question 20

Give three examples of Reagan’s policies towards the Soviet Union

Answer 20

• 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.

Question 21

What was the “Second Cold War”?

Answer 21

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.

Question 22

What problems did the Soviet Union have in the early 1980?

Answer 22

• 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).