Gorbachev 2 Flashcards
What was Chapter 77?
In 1975 the Czech government signed the Helsinki Declaration, guaranteeing human rights and freedoms. In January 1977, an opposition movement against the Soviet backed government started, with more than 200 intellectuals and writers signed in. It was an advocacy group for human rights, and was the first public action of a dissident movement.Vaclav Havel was imprisoned, and wrote an essay Power without Power, calling for nonviolent resistance.
What was the impact of the Solidarity crisis?
Significance: martial law prevented bloodshed, and allowed Solidarity movement to continue plotting downfall of Communist rule.
Americans became involved by calling upon Russians to allow Poland to resolve its own crisis.
Poland provided 1/3 of soldiers for Warsaw Pact, and had 36 million citizens; any instability would threaten the Soviet union.
What changes were made to leadership in the FRG and GDR?
Schmidt was the new Chancellor of West Germany, and was replaced by Helmut Kohl, who got along well with Thatcher and Reagan.
Honecker replaced Ulbricht.
What were SS 20s? what impact did they have?
SS 20 was a RIBM warhead. Many were placed in Eastern Europe during the Solidarity crisis.
Relations hardened with the addition of more nuclear weapons.
What was threatened by the New Cold War, and what did Helmut Schmidt do in May 1980?
Ostpolitik was threatened by the New Cold War, with the rise of SS-20s alarming the West. Helmut Schmidt, West German Chancellor, when in Belgrade for Tito’s funeral, May 1980, told Honecker the European states must make sure the ‘really big brothers don’t get nervous,’ and a month after he visited Moscow. He managed to convince Brezhnev to talk to the US about intermediate nuclear missiles, but talks in Madrid 1980-3 didn’t achieve lots.
How did Europe avoid worsening detente?
The French and German governments didn’t condemn the Soviets for their actions in Moscow or against Solidarity, and Willy Brandt criticised Solidarity for threatening the regime.
When was Schmidt replaced?
When Martial Rule was issued by the Polish government in Dec 1981, Schmidt did not criticise this. and Schmidt was replaced by Kohl, by the time Pershing and Cruise missiles were deployed in the FRG, Nov 1983.
Describe transition of leadership from 1982-85?
Brezhnev - Andropov - Chernenko - Gorbachev
What were perestroika and glasnost?
Perestroika would restructure and liberalise the economy. Restructuring.
Glasnost was transparency/openness, “We need glasnost like we need air,” aimed to reduce censorship, open archives, ended Brezhnev Doctrine in 1985, and Soviets withdrew from Afghanistan in 1988. Perestroika created competition in industry, entrepreneurship encouraged, profits encouraged and investment, alongside privatisation, and modern working practises.
What was the Brezhnev Doctrine, and what happened to it under Gorbachev?
Brezhnev doctrine would mean any uprising in Warsaw Pact countries would be put down by other countries in the bloc.
Ending this provided scope for uprising.
