End Of The Cold War 1980s

Question 1

When did Reagan become president ?

Answer 1

1981

Question 2

What were Reagan’s aims coming into power?

Answer 2

1) To increase US defence spending- SDI
2) To weaken the position of the USSR through the Reagan Doctrine, SDI and changing diplomacy- foreign policies
3) Restrict trade with the USSR

Question 3

The Reagan Doctrine

Answer 3

• this aimed to provide US support to anti communist freedom fighters around the world
• the support for the mujahideen is an example

Question 4

The Changing Diplomacy- Reagan foreign policy

Answer 4

• Reagan changed the governments approach through increasingly hard line public speaking
• the best example was the speech in 1983- Evil Empire
• he also made the public aware that he was prepared for a limited nuclear war in Europe- this worried SU leaders
• the increased defence spending did weaken the SU position as they were leading the arms race

Question 5

Trade Restrictions- Reagan’s foreign policy

Answer 5

• Reagan introduced trade restrictions so the SU could not buy western technology
• 1981 he restricted access to US developed energy
• 1982 he restricted access to US oil and gas

Question 6

What was SDI (Star Wars)?

Answer 6

• it had the potential to provide a shield against Soviet missiles and the USSR could not match the space technology this was necessary to create a sheid

Question 7

What was significant about the Reagan Doctrine?

Answer 7

• it decreased the financial resources of the USSR
• the support for the Mujahideen prolonged the war in Afghan:

1) financially they were drained
2) war was unpopular in SU population so this weakened government support
3) war was unpopular internationally

Question 8

Why was the changing diplomacy and SDI significant?

Answer 8

• it forced the SU to see nuclear war as a real threat
• soviet leaders realised that the USA had a clear military advantage- this meant that soviet government began to negotiate

Question 9

Why were trade restrictions significant?

Answer 9

• it weakened the soviet economy

Question 10

The USSR and Eastern Europe

Answer 10

• During the 1980s the USSR lost control starting with Poland in 1980
• unpopular war in Afghan, international pressure and economic problems meant Brezhnev court not asset control

Question 11

Poland 1980-81

Answer 11

• economic problems led to escalation of protest and repression
• it showed rejection of the Brezhnev doctrine
• Brezhnev was unwilling to impose economic sanctions on Poland- the soviet economy was in decline so trade with Poland was key

Question 12

The role of Pope John Paul II

Answer 12

• he was the first polish pope who inspired great nationalism
• the Roman Catholic Church meant that anti communism was the feeling

Question 13

Gorbachev- the new thinking

Answer 13

1) Perestroika (restructuring) - workers and managers should be given greater power to make economic decisions- this would remove power from the soviet central planning authority

2) Glasnost (openness)-
Lazy members of the communist party to be removed
Reduce censorship of the press and government should admit past mistakes

3) sought arms reduction talks with the USA to ensure security through dialogue rather than MAD

Question 14

Geneva Summit 1985

Answer 14

• between Gorby and Reagan
• Gorby wanted Reagan to give up of SDI but he refused
• no agreement was reached

Question 15

Reykjavik Summit 1986

Answer 15

• Gorby said he would take out all nuclear weapons by 2000 if SDI was stop
• Reagan refused

Question 16

The Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces 1987

Answer 16

• With SDI carrying on they agreed that all these missiles would be scrapped