New Cold War Flashcards
What missiles were installed in 1976?
1976, USSR installed SS-20 medium range missiles in Central Europe, 600-5000km capability threatening all NATO states. NATO responded saying if an arms agreement couldn’t be reached Pershing and Cruise missiles would be installed in Europe by 1983.
What did Reagan propose in 1981 and why did he fail?
In November 1981 Reagan suggested all existing medium range nuclear weapons be destroyed. Soviets rejected this as US had not yet installed new weapons and US limited by protest from Green and left wing groups. USSR did not give up advantage so between 1983-7 missiles were placed in FRG, Britain, Belgium, Netherlands, and Italy.
What was the cause of Afghanistan?
April 1978 Afghan Communist Party had a coup to enter power, removing monarchy. Their reform angered the conservative Islamic forces in the countryside, encouraging women to attend school, and making wearing of the veil not compulsory, alongside establishing agrarian reform. USSR feared the impact opposition would have on Islamic fundamentalism in southern Russia, a link in global encirclement of the USSR. Communist President Hafizullah Amin had to be removed.
What did Soviets do in December 1979?
24-27 Dec 1979, the USSR sent 50,000 troops to Kabul, the capital of Afghanistation. Over the next few months 100,000 were stationed. On 27 Dec Amin was executed and replaced with Babrak Karmal. Soviets hoped Soviet opposition would be crushed so they could withdraw troops within a few weeks.
What problems did the USSR face once Karmal was in power?
Two problems:Afghan army disintegrated leaving Soviet forces to conduct all military actions, Babrak Karmal seen as Soviet puppet causing mujahideen, fundamentalist guerrilla fighters, to gain popularity.
Why were the USSR disadvantaged at Afghanistan?
There were up to 200,000 mujahedin guerrillas in the country, and Soviets only controlled 1/5 of country. They were in mountainous areas along border with Pakistan, giving them an advantage. By 1985 the USSR found it clear they would not win and faced financial strain.
How did the US respond to Afghanistan?
US feared Afghanistan was seized as part of further expansion towards Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf, which contained much of world’s oil supply. Carter banned grain exports to USSR, refused to ratify SALT II, and boycotted 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow.
How was the mujahedin supplied?
The US supplied weapons to the mujahedin through the Pakistan border agencies and in 1986 Reagan sent them lightweight ground-to-air missiles, diminishing Soviet air superiority. The PRC denounced the invasion of Afghanistan and cancelled Sino-Soviet talks. In May 1980 Geng Biao, defence minister, visited the US, which approved export of 400 military items to the mujahedin.
Why was Poland influential? What problem did it face in 1980?
Poland was influential due to the fact it was on the border with the West, contained 1/3 of Warsaw Pact troops, and had a population of 36 million. By 1980 Poland faced economic crisis as recession in the West meant it couldn’t export goods and oil prices forced other prices up. The government failed to modernise the economy.
When did strikes break out in Poland and how did Solidarity grow in popularity?
In 1980 strikes broke out in Gdansk. The government tried to offer political and economical concessions and by August recognised Solidarity, but they only committed changes to Gdansk, causing labour unrest and threat of a strike. Membership of Solidarity rose to 8 million and it was supported by the Roman Catholic Church which elected a Polish Pope in 1978.
How was the Poland crisis resolved?
In Moscow Warsaw Pact intervention was discussed but Stanislaw Kania insisted he could deal with the crisis himself. In 1981 Solidarity attacked party leaders at the ninth Congress of the Polish Communist Party and threatened the organisation. Wojciech Jaruzelski, successor of Kania, decided to instil martial law in December and by October 1982 Solidarity was outlawed.
What did Helmut say at Tito’s funeral and how did he inspire Madrid Talks?
German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt (1974-82) met with Honecker at Tito’s funeral in Belgrade, May 1980, where he said the really big brothers don’t want to get nervous. A month later he visited Moscow and persuaded Brezhnev to negotiate with the US on the question of intermediate missiles, little done at Madrid talks 1980-3.
When did Reagan enter power?
Jan 1981 – Reagan became US president. 1981-5 30% of government spending on armaments.
November 1982 Brezhnev died, replaced by Yuri Andropov. Reagan announced Strategic Defence Initiative, 1983, Star Wars, an anti ballistic missile shield which was composed of nuclear missiles and laser armed satellites to destroy offensive attacks and threaten the defenceless USSR.
