End of the Cold War

Question 1

Who was Mikhail Gorbachev

Answer 1

• Gorbachev assumed Soviet Leadership in March 1985 at age 54
• He had a more pragmatic approach to superpower relations not least to enable more resources not least to enable more resources to be chaneled to the domestic Soviet economy to help revive socialism
• Realisation that lasting improvements in superpower relations will require movement on both sides but also some bold, imaginative and unilateral moves from the Soviet Union both globally and domestically

Question 2

Key US-USSR developments 1985-9

Answer 2

• Increased diplomatic contact as there were five Gorbachev-Reagan summits between Nov 1985 and Dec 1988
• December 1987 INF treaty was signed
  
  • This led to the destruction of 1846 Soviet missiles and 846 US missiles within 3 years.
• Reagan and Gorbachev developed a strong working relationship
• Significant reduction of the Soviet military presence in Eastern Europe and Moscow is now clearly relaxing its grip here
  
  • Gorbachev does not require anything in return from the US for this move

Question 3

Key developments in 1985-9 Afghanistan

Answer 3

• Moscow seeking peace with honour not victory.
• 1986 - Mujahideen influencing heavy losses on Soviet forces
• 15000 Soviet dead since 1979. $7.8bn per year
• Withdrawal announced in Feb 1987 and last Soviet soldier leaves on schedule in February 1989
• Afghan regime collapses in April 1992 after the demise of the Soviet Union itself in December 1991

Question 4

Key USSR foreign policy developments 1985-9

Answer 4

• Gorbachev takes a radical new approach to conflicts in the developing world. Source of US-Soviet tension since mid 1970s
• Client states in 3rd world(Afghanistan, Angola and Cuba) are a drain on Soviet finances
• Emphasis now on diplomatic solutions to conflicts
• Gorbachev’s ‘new thinking’ about international relations
• End of Soviet-based patronage systems in 3rd world states

Question 5

Key developments 1985-9: Eastern Europe

Answer 5

• 1989 Gorbachev signals a break with the Brezhnev Doctrine of limited sovereignty for Eastern European states
• Replaced by the Sinatra Doctrine
• Communist rule swept away in months in Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, East Germany and Bulgaria

Question 6

What was the Sinatra Doctrine

Answer 6

• Eastern Europe can do socialism their way
• Led to dominoes of revolutions
• Gorbachev said ‘’ not once did we contemplate the possibility of going back on the fundamental principles of the new political thinking - freedom of choice and non-interference in other countries’ domestic affairs

Question 7

Reagan’s contribution to the end of the Cold War(Hawkish interpretation)

Answer 7

• Reagan’s more confrontational stance towards Moscow: his arms build up, SDI, the Reagan Doctrine all applied such pressure to the Soviet Union and imposed such strains on it that it was compelled to change
• In this interpretation, Gorbachev’s ‘new thinking’ at home and abroad is a direct consequence of Reagan’s tough policies

Question 8

Reagans contribution to the end of the cold war(dovish interpretation)

Answer 8

• Over time Reagan adopts a more co-operative approach, less confrontational position as he appreciates the growing dangers of confrontation
• Gorbachev’s dramatic domestic changes allow Reagan to retreat from confrontation without serious loss of face
• There was a symbiotic, mutually reinforcing relationship

Question 9

What did John Lewis Gaddis say about the end of the cold war

Answer 9

• There were 3 Soviet Unions during detente
  
  1. Externally visible and confident superpower whose global influence seemed to be growing
  2. Internal problems as there was corruption and a diminishing economy
  3. Invisible USSR: a struggle to bring out new ideas and perception for change
• New thinking emerged from those who grew up in the 1950’s and 1960s after a mass investment in higher education and Gorbachev was the first of his generation to reach the Kremlin

Question 10

George Kennan on who won the cold war

Answer 10

The suggestion that any Administration had the power to influence decisively the course of a tremendous domestic political upheaval in another superpower is childish

Question 11

Parting thoughts

Answer 11

• Cold War was a global military, political and economic ideological phenomenon. It as not just US and USSR
• What stopped the cold war getting hot
• Why did Gorbachev relax the Soviet grip on Eastern Europe
• How important is Gorbachev and Reagan in explaining the demise of communism and the ending of the Cold War
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