Key Topic 3.2 Flashpoints in superpower relations 1979 - 1984 Flashcards
SALT II failure
From 1977, talks for a new S.A.L.T II agreement took place. The aim was to limit every
type of rocket and warhead. It was meant to stay in force until 1985, and limited each superpower to 2,400 strategic nuclear weapon systems.
The treaty was drawn up in 1979, but the USSR then invaded Afghanistan, so the USA refused to ratify the treaty.
Although it was never ratified, both sides pledged to follow its guidelines. However, it did not mention tactical (short range) weapons or designate how many strategic warheads each side could deploy
Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan (Dec 1979)
Causes
1978 a pro soviet government took control in Afghanistan received economic assistance from Moscow toppled in 1979 when Amin staged a popular coup but his government become increasingly unpopular as other pro - Muslim factions tried to overthrow him. Brezhnev became worried as he heard rumours that he was talking to USA about possible American support so he decided to act.
Afghanistan important to SU because it was bordering the SU. in 1979 50,000Soviet trooped invaded Afghanistan claiming they had been invited by Amin to support his Government against terrorists. Amin was assassinated and replaced by Kama;. Soviets stayed in Afghanistan for almost 10 years fighting opponents of Kamal.
Why was the USA worried ?
USA did not want SU to get control of middle east.
Successful invasion of soviets in Afghanistan might mean soviet influence in Iran.
Iran could block middle east oil exports which was essential to USA prosperity
How did USA react ?
SU had invaded neighbouring state to protect interest like Czechoslovakia .
Americans saw this as a example of SU working to spread communism abroad which USA tried to resist
Carter claimed that the invasion imposed the biggest threat to world peace since end of WW2
consequences:
- Effectively ended détente and worsened relations
- SALT II ratification suspended
- USA stopped exportation of grain to USSR
- USA gave military and economic aid to Mujahedeen rebels fighting Soviet troops
- Boycotting of 1980 Moscow Olympics
- USA began rearmament
- Pressure on soviet leadership to end war as more troops were dying.
CARTER DOCTRINE
In response to Afghanistan invasion Carter was appalled by the Soviet aggression and released a
statement that became known as the ‘Carter Doctrine’.
He stated the USA would:
- Not allow the USSR to gain control of the oil-rich Middle East.
- Take a number of immediate steps to try to remove Soviet troops from Afghanistan
- threatened to use force if the SU attempted to tak control of the Persian gulf
- No trade with SU
- USA and its allies secretly provided assistance to the mujahadeen
- USA ceased co operation with SU
The Olympic boycott 1980/1984
In protest against the invasion of Afghanistan, the USA led a boycott of the 1980 Olympic games, which was held in Moscow. Over 60 nations supported the US boycott
- Olympic games ( GLOBAL EVENT ) which the su was hoping to spread communism to huge television audience
- Boycott reflected the influence that the USA had in international affairs
- Boycott successful
- All countries looked forward to the games
- SU was extremely angry abt this and felt undermined and relations with USA Deteriorated Further
- SU reacted by trying to boycott the USAs Olympics in LA in 1984, su led a boycott which was joined by 15 communist countries
THE RENEWED COLD WAR
Reagan was elected as the new US president in January 1981. He was elected as he had a tough
anti-communist stance; referring to the Soviet Union as ‘that evil empire’. He believed that Carter
had been too soft on the Soviets. Reagan had been a hard line anti-communist and believed détente
caused USA to lose ground with USSR; called Soviet Union ‘The Evil Empire’
THE STRATEGIC DEFENSE INITIATIVE (SDI) AKA ‘Star Wars’
In 1983 US scientists began working in the SDI. This project was informally named ‘Star Wars’.
The aim was to prevent Soviet nuclear missiles from reaching US targets by creating a huge laser
shield in space. If successful, SDI would mean USA wouldn’t be victim of ‘first strike’. It also
created a ‘gap’ in the arms race and would mean an end to M.A.D. Clearly this caused increased
tension between the Superpowers.
In 1982 meetings between the USA and USSR resumed under the banner of START (Strategic
Arms Reduction Talks). Reagan demanded huge cuts in Soviet nuclear capability. In response, the
Soviets pulled out of the talks. Reagan’s statements were very aggressive – this terrified the
Soviets into thinking he was preparing
the US to fight a war with them.
USA invaded Grenada to stop
Communist government from taking
control. As a result, the LA Olympics were boycotted by USSR and Communist countries because of Grenada invasion
SU were concerned with SDI because it meant that they would have to spend ever more money on armaments in order to compete with USA. SU economy was already experiencing problems and spending may destroy it completely. Part of Reagans plan was that SU economy would collapse. They could not collapse
SDI - turning point
