Main Events 1967-91

Question 1

What was the Outer Space Treaty (1967)?

Answer 1

Superpowers agreed that no nuclear weapons would be placed in space

Question 2

What was the Non Proliferation Treaty 1968?

Answer 2

Superpowers agreed not to supply nuclear weapons or information to other states

Question 3

What was SALT 1 (1972)?

Answer 3

Imposed limits on nuclear capability of both Superpowers – significant as the first agreement to limit their nuclear weapons

Question 4

What happened during the Helsinki Conference (1975)?

Answer 4

Agreed greater co-operation in terms of trade, fighting terrorism and human rights. Stabilised their relationship in Europe.

Question 5

What was the Apollo-Soyuz Mission (1975)?

Answer 5

Joint space mission shows co-operation in space exploration

Question 6

What happened during the Kabul Revolution (1978)?

Answer 6

New communist president Taraki became an ally of USSR. Unstable new government eventually led to civil war.

Question 7

What happened during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan (1979)?

Answer 7

Brezhnev ordered a Soviet invasion of Afghanistan to help the communists retain control in Afghanistan. USA saw this as a clear act of aggression.

Question 8

What happened during the Moscow Olympics 1980?

Answer 8

The USA led a boycott of the Olympics in protest at Soviet invasion of Afghanistan

Question 9

What was the leadership problem?

Answer 9

Brezhnev, Andropov and Chernenko died in quick sucession between 1980-1985

Question 10

What happened during the LA Olympics 1984?

Answer 10

USSR and 14 communist countries boycotted LA Olympics in retaliation for Moscow

Question 11

What was the role of Reagan?

Answer 11

Reagan made his hatred for communism clear in his evil empire speech. He took a very hard line against the Soviets and wanted to ‘win’ the Cold War (e.g. SDI)

Question 12

What was the role of Gorbachev?

Answer 12

Gorbachev saw the problems in the USSR clearly. He planned to revive communism through Glasnost and Perestroika. Also became more prepared to speak to the USA

Question 13

What happened during the Geneva Summit 1985?

Answer 13

No formal agreement made but Reagan and Gorbachev began to develop a constructive relationship

Question 14

What happened during the Chernobyl disaster in 1986?

Answer 14

Nuclear disaster became a symbol of the crisis in the Soviet system

Question 15

What happened during the Reykjavik Summit 1986?

Answer 15

No major decisions made - disagreements about ballistic missiles and SDI

Question 16

Why was the INF Treaty 1987 significant?

Answer 16

Reduced the number of missiles that both sides had. All missiles with a range of 500-5500 km eliminated.

Question 17

How did the collapse of communism in E. Europe (1989) come about?

Answer 17

Gorbachev’s reforms (e.g. withdrawing troops) led to increased desire for more change and communist regimes across E. Europe collapsed. Berlin Wall fell in November 1989.

Question 18

What caused Warsaw Pact to dissolve in 1991?

Answer 18

Collapse of communist governments

Question 19

How did the fall of Soviet Union (1991) come about?

Answer 19

After a coup against Gorbachev failed in August, he officially announced the dissolution of the Soviet Union in December.