Key topic 3: The end of the Cold War, 1970–91 Flashcards
specification
1 Attempts to reduce tension between East and West
● Détente in the 1970s, SALT 1, Helsinki, and SALT 2.
● The significance of Reagan and Gorbachev’s changing attitudes.
● Gorbachev’s ‘new thinking’ and the Intermediate-Range Nuclear
Force (INF) Treaty (1987).
specification
2 Flashpoints
● The significance of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, the Carter
Doctrine and the Olympic boycotts.
● Reagan and the ‘Second Cold War’, the Strategic Defence Initiative.
specification
3 The collapse of Soviet control of Eastern Europe
● The impact of Gorbachev’s ‘new thinking’ on Eastern Europe: the
loosening Soviet grip on Eastern Europe.
● The significance of the fall of the Berlin Wall.
● The collapse of the Soviet Union and its significance in bringing
about the end of the Warsaw Pact.
When does Gorbachev become leader of the Soviet Union?
1985
When is the Reykjavik summit?
1986
When is the INF treaty
1987
When is the Moscow summit?
1988
When does the Berlin wall fall?
1989
When is Gorbachev overthrown?
1991
What 2 things led to Gorbachevs new thinking?
- no industrial growth in the soviet economy( sums spend on keeping up with the USA)
- poor standard of living and and lack of civil rights led to unrest in satellite states
What four reforms did Gorbachev make?
- Perestokia(economy should include some practises that made capitalism successful)
- Glasnost:( more openness and less less corruption in government- it allows opposition to the government)
- Dropping of the Brezhnev doctrine( would no longer get involved in domestic affairs)
- Soviet Union would reduce spending on arms and withdraw from Afghanistan
What was the US response to Gorbachevs reforms?
-they saw Gorbachev as a leader who didn’t want to expand communism and work with the USA to decrease tensions
Reagan saw it as an opportunity to end the Cold War
What were the summits in the 1980s about (Gorbachev was very passionate about it)
Limitations on nuclear weapons
What was the outcome of the Geneva summit in 1985?
No formal outcome- good working relationship established
What was the outcome of the Reykjavik summit in 1986?
Both leaders know the USA won’t accept SDI- no formal agreement but improved relations
What was the outcome on the Washington summit in 1987?
The signing of the INF treaty( intermediate-range nuclear war treaty)
-both countries would abolish land based missiles from 500-55000 km
What was the outcome of the Moscow summit in 1988
Complex detail of the INF treaty resolved-
Gorbachev announces Soviet’s leaving the Afghanistan in a speech to the United Nations and a reduction in Warsaw Pact troops
What happened in the Malta summit on 1989?
No agreements made but meeting viewed as the end of the Cold War
What caused the communist satellite states to break away?
- The dropping of the Brezhnev doctrine meant the nations were free to govern themselves without soviet intervention.
- Gorbachev’s reforms encouraged the satellite states to introduce reforms that would improve their standard of living
How and when did the Poland overthrow communism?
June 1989
Landslide victory in communist elections
How and when did the East Germany overthrow communism?
September 1989
Gorbachev refuses to help the East German government put down demonstrations
How and when did the Hungary overthrow communism?
May 1989
Government takes down the fence with Austria and promises a New Democratic government
How and when did the Czech overthrow communism?
November 1989
The “Velvet Revolution“ overthrows the communist government
How and when did the Romania overthrow communism?
December 1989
Demonstrations against the government- Ceausescu is overthrown and executed