End Of The Cold War

Question 1

What was the impact of the Afghanistan invasion?

Answer 1

• Olympic Boycotts (1980 & 84)
• SALT 2 agreement ended
• Detente ended after a fractured period
• Economic sanctions imposed on the USSR

Question 2

What was GLASNOST?

Answer 2

GLASNOST was Gorbachev’s plan to have more open and welcoming relations with the West

Question 3

What was PERESTROIKA?

Answer 3

PERESTROIKA involved the economic reconstruction of the Soviet Union

Question 4

What happened as a result of Gorbachev’s new thinking?

Answer 4

Gorbachev began to lose some authority and control not only over the Soviet Union, but over the entire Warsaw Pact. This eventually led to the complete dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Question 5

What happened at the Olympic Boycotts?

Answer 5

The USA boycotted the Olympic Games in Moscow in 1980 alongside 60 other countries in response to the invasion on Afghanistan. The Soviets then boycotted the olympic games in LA 4 years later.

Question 6

Why did the Soviet Union invade Afghanistan (1979)?

Answer 6

• They wanted to extend influence in the oil-rich Middle East
• They aimed to support the Communist government under Karmal
• They feared states in the USSR would become Islamic states

Question 7

What was Detente?

Answer 7

Detente was a period of improve relations between the US and the Soviets, largely due to the fact that they could lose control of events to dangerous effect.

Question 8

Why did the US and USSR attempt to follow detente?

Answer 8

• Nixon was focused on getting the US out of the Vietnam War.
• Many Americans thought the US should be less active in international affairs.
• The US was dealing with problems at home, namely inequlity between rich and poor, white and black etc.
• The Soviets were facing economic problems and wanted to draw back on spending on weapons.

Question 9

What was SALT 1?

Answer 9

SALT 1 was signed in May 1972 and set out 3 key agreements: all of which aimed to reduce the use of certain weapons.

• The Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty
• The Interim Treaty
• The Basic Principles Agreement

Question 10

What were the Helsinki Accords?

Answer 10

The Helsinki Accords - signed in August 1975 - were three important agreements made between US and USSR:

• European borders must not be altered by force
• Human rights including individual freedoms such as religion and free speech will be respected across Europe
• Both US and USSR will work together for improved relations between the West and Soviet controlled countries

Question 11

Why were the Helsinki Accords significant?

Answer 11

They were considered the high point of detente and seemed to mark the dawn for new and improved relations.

Basket 1 (European borders) was significant as it was the first time that West and East Germany were formally accepted as seperate.

Basket 2 (Improved relations) was also followed up by the joint US-Soviet space mission, the Apollo-Soyuz mission in 1975.

Question 12

What was SALT 2?

Answer 12

SALT 2 signalled the deteriorating relations between the US and the Soviets by 1979 when it was signed due to:

• Growing beliefs in the US about the mistrust of the Soviet government due to their support in Communist Latin American countries
• Islamic capture of American millitary bases in Iran. People now wanted detente to end so America could restore it’s power.
• Eventuallt, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan (December 1979) signalled the end of detente.

Question 13

Why did Reagan support the “Second Cold War”?

Answer 13

Reagan’s policies were:

• He described the Soviet Union as an “evil empire” and believed the US represented the forces of good
• He convinced Congress to increase spending on arms
• He announced the “Reagan Doctrine”, claiming support would be given to anti-Communist governments, or governments overthrowing Communists.

Question 14

What was the Strategic Defence Initiative?

Answer 14

SDI involved placing a series of satellites in orbit which could shoot down Soviet missiles using lasers. This went against the Outer Space Treaty of 1967. It was a key turning point in the Arms Race, as it meant the Soviets needed to invest into catching up with the technology now being used by the Americans.

Question 15

What happened in the “year of miracles” of 1989?

Answer 15

• Communist rule began to collapse across Eastern Europe
• In November 1989, Berliners tore down the Berlin Wal
• Romanian dictator Ceausescu was overthrown and killed

Question 16

When did the Soviet Union collapse?

Answer 16

Decemeber 1991 after Gorbachev resigned

Question 17

What happened at the Summit Meetings of the 1980s?

Answer 17

• Geneva November 1985 - no formal agreements but Reagan & Gorbachev aquired a good working relationship
• Reykjavik October 1986 - no foremal agreement again, both realised the US would not give up SDI
• Washington December 1987 - Intermediate Range Nuclear Force Treaty agreed. This meant both countries abolished most land based missiles.
• Moscow 1988 - improved relations, eventually, Gorbachev announced the withdrawl of Soviet troops from Afghanistan
• Malta 1989 - no new agreement, but both viewed it at the end of the Cold War