PAPER 1: DBQ

Question 1

Domestic problems in USSR (when Brezhnev came into office)

Answer 1

1964
Industrialized, arms production, development of new technology

BUT

production of consumer goods/agriculture/SOL = failures

Question 2

Brezhnev’s (domestic) reforms

Answer 2

• wanted “market reforms” but afraid of capitalism
• allowed famers to work on state owned plots instead of collectivization
• –increased motivation bc could sell surplus
• consumer goods still unavailable
• poor harvests –> increased agriculture importation instead of money to petroleum exports

Still censorship (illegal pamphlets)

“stability of cadres” keep jobs despite poor productivity

Question 3

Brezhnev Doctrine

Answer 3

1968
maintain communist regime/empire at any cost

“communist regimes to remain communist, and would not be allowed to be overthrown internally or externally”

Question 4

Foreign problems of the Brezhnev era

Answer 4

Czechoslovakia introduced reforms that went against communism, so Soviet troops invaded and reversed (Brezhnev Doctrine)
-west criticized doctrine, but no support to Soviet states

RELATIONS WITH US

• SALT talks with Nixon
• agree to limitations in 1972

Question 5

End of the Brezhnev era

Answer 5

Not with his death…

After Andropov and Chernenko in 1985 (beginning of Gorbachev)

Question 6

Afghanistan

Answer 6

Buffer bw Britain/Russia with mixed ethnicities (in Soviet sphere of influence since 1945)

Question 7

Afghanistan: Daoud

Answer 7

Coup instates him as leader in 1973
Supported by Soviets and half of PDPA (Parcham) to make political changes
-starts dictatorship that represses opposition
-attacked Islamic fundamentalism
-less dependent on USSR
-1978: coup d’etat overthrows

Question 8

Afghanistan: New Regime

Answer 8

Marxist Karaki (of the Khalq) becomes leader and instates radical social reform that threatens cultural traditions and wealthy landowners, causing anarchy

Question 9

Afghanistan: the beginning of the war

Answer 9

USSR boots out Karaki in favor of Amin, and tricks him into allowing Soviet aid

• Soviets invade on Christmas 1979 (defends as action of the Brezhnev Doctrine)
• US: Olympic boycott + back out of SALT

Question 10

Afghanistan: the war

Answer 10

1979-1988
High tech Soviets fight war of attrition against low tech HIGHLY MOTIVATED guerilla force
US supports mujahidin via CIA/funds/weapons
Soviet morale drops, soldiers pick up opium problems

Question 11

Afghanistan: civil war turned proxy

Answer 11

• containment of Islamic fundamentalism
• preservation of Soviet control in Afghanistan
• ends in stalemate, war rages on

Question 12

Gorbachev: glasnost

Answer 12

“openness”

• greater freedom of expression/press
• government accountability of the people
• detente = wave of the future
• increased nationalism bc freedom for ethnic minorities

Question 13

Gorbachev: perestroika

Answer 13

“restructuring”

• Enterprise Law encourages private initiativ/independence of small businesses
• Limited Social Market Economy
• foreign investment in the west
• attacks alcoholism
• peaceful coexistence

Question 14

Gorbachev: results

Answer 14

NEGATION OF THE BREZHNEV DOCTRINE

• allowed Soviet states to defect (Poland, Hungary…)
• Baltic not allowed (Lithuania crushed)
• Satellite states crumble, causing bloc to break

Question 15

Poland

Answer 15

1989 Solidarity leaders sign accord with Polish gov. allowing for elections

June election: Solidarity candidates win majority of seats, leader of PCP resigns

Question 16

Czechoslovakia/Velvet Revolution

Answer 16

Civic Forum: mass movement to create political opposition to the communist party
Oct. 1989: demonstration in Wenceslas
Nov.: march on Prague (work force goes on strike)
Dec: PM/president resign, Vaclav Havel –> new president

Question 17

Romania

Answer 17

Ceausescu: Stalinist dictator

• Securitate guns down demonstrators in Timisoara
• Christmas, 1989: Ceausescu seized in coup, executed
• Elections in May 1990 for new pres.

Question 18

Hungary

Answer 18

May 1989: cut barbed wire bw Austria
June: Imre Nagy given hero's burial
-Communist party crumbles
-CP leaders stripped of authority
-complete disintegration in October 1990
-becomes Hungarian Socialist Party

Question 19

East Germany

Answer 19

EG's escape to WG thru Hungary when barbed wire cut
-accessibility cut off in Sep.
-continue emigration thru Prague
Honecker replaced with Krenz in Oct.
-EG cabinet resigns and Politburo reorganizes
-Nov.: Berlin Wall opened
March: communists voted from office
-September: leave Warsaw Pact

Question 20

Berlin Wall

Answer 20

Yalta Conference divides Germany into zones of occupation
Wall to stop emigration

AUGUST 13, 1961 PUT UP
NOVEMBER 1989 TAKEN DOWN