Renewal of rivalry Flashcards
Intro
Detente’s Failure to Resolve Ideological Differences: Although the period of Detente in the 1970s facilitated key diplomatic agreements, these accords failed to bridge the deep-rooted ideological divide between the U.S. and USSR, leading to increased militarism, proxy wars, and an underlying relationship of distrust.
Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan (1978) and the Brezhnev Doctrine: The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan exemplified the USSR’s strict adherence to the Brezhnev Doctrine, highlighting its strategic interest in controlling the geopolitically significant Middle East. This act deepened ideological hostilities and played a pivotal role in renewing rivalry between the superpowers.
Reagan’s Aggressive Defense Strategy: In response to growing distrust, Reagan’s administration focused on consolidating U.S. interests through an aggressive defense policy, characterized by increased military spending, assertive rhetoric, and military posturing. This approach significantly contributed to the escalation of Cold War tensions in the 1980s.
Bp1: Failure of detente
Detente and Military, Economic, and Territorial Agreements: The period of Detente from the late 1960s oversaw several bilateral and multilateral agreements between the U.S. and USSR, including arms limitations and economic integration. It facilitated peaceful Soviet annexation of the Baltic states, but these agreements failed to alleviate entrenched ideological differences between the superpowers.
Proxy Wars as a Tool for Ideological Conflict: Despite Detente, both superpowers continued to intervene indirectly in sovereign nations, leading to proxy wars. Notable conflicts included the 1975 Angolan Civil War and the 1976 Ethiopian Civil War and Ogaden War. In Angola, the USSR and Cuba sent military aid to Marxist groups, while the U.S. sent $31 million to anti-communist militias, despite the 1975 Clark Amendment banning such aid.
Soviet Success in Africa and Increased Hostility: The Soviet Union, through military intervention in Africa, consolidated Marxist-Leninist influence, reinforcing distrust and hostility between the superpowers. These conflicts contributed to the overall deterioration of U.S.-Soviet relations and undermined the spirit of cooperation that Detente had aimed to foster.
Ineffectiveness of Arms Limitation Treaties (SALT I): Although the SALT I agreements placed quantitative restrictions on missile arsenals, they did not curb qualitative advancements, such as MIRV (Multiple Independently targetable Reentry Vehicle) technology. This allowed the U.S. to develop 550 Minuteman ICBMs and 496 Poseidon SLBMs, increasing the arms race rather than slowing it down.
Rising Military Spending: Both the U.S. and USSR saw rising military expenditures during the 1970s as a percentage of GDP, highlighting the ineffectiveness of Detente in curbing militarism. The lack of meaningful arms control during this period reflected each superpower’s commitment to safeguarding its ideological interests through military might, particularly in nuclear weapons development.
BP2: Afghanistan
Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan (1979): The USSR invaded Afghanistan in 1979, deploying 80,000 soldiers to stabilize the Soviet-aligned Democratic Republic of Afghanistan against the Islamic fundamentalist Mujahideen. This intervention was a decisive enforcement of the Brezhnev Doctrine, asserting Soviet influence in a key geopolitical region.
Brezhnev Doctrine and Soviet Ideology: The invasion reflected the fervent application of the Brezhnev Doctrine, which aimed to preserve and spread socialist gains. Brezhnev’s speech to the Politburo in December 1979 emphasized the USSR’s obligation to help defend Afghanistan’s socialist government, reinforcing the globalist Marxist-Leninist agenda.
Cost and Consequences for the USSR: The Soviet campaign in Afghanistan, which lasted a decade, was largely unsuccessful and cost the USSR an estimated $50 billion. Despite this effort, the invasion failed to secure long-term stability, marking a significant drain on Soviet resources.
U.S. Response – Carter Doctrine: In response to the Soviet invasion, President Jimmy Carter abandoned policies of détente, leading to the development of the ‘Carter Doctrine.’ This marked a shift to increased militarism, with actions including the recall of the U.S. ambassador from Moscow, withdrawal of SALT II, and the boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics by the U.S. and 66 other nations.
Renewal of Cold War Rivalry: The Soviet invasion led to a 32% increase in U.S. military spending from 1980-1985, alongside the deployment of Pershing and cruise missiles to Europe. The creation of the Rapid Deployment Joint Task Force (RDJTF) signified the U.S.’s readiness to defend its interests in the Persian Gulf, marking the end of détente and a return to Cold War rivalry.
BP3: US interests, policies and attitudes under reagan→renewal arms race.
Reagan’s Aggressive Foreign and Military Policy: Reagan’s presidency marked a shift toward aggressive foreign policy aimed at safeguarding U.S. territorial integrity and protecting democratic nations worldwide. His policies were a response to perceived weaknesses in Carter’s diplomacy, notably following the 1979 Iran Hostage Crisis and the belief that the Soviets gained disproportionately from Detente, especially through the 1975 Helsinki Accords, which confirmed Soviet control over the Baltic states.
Reagan’s Anti-Communist Ideology: Reagan’s firm anti-communist stance was epitomized by his labeling of the USSR as an “evil empire” and his commitment to the principle of “peace through strength.” His administration showcased assertive military actions, such as the 1983 invasion of Grenada and the 1986 bombing of Libya, which demonstrated a vigorous enforcement of U.S. interests and ideologically driven interventions.
Dramatic Military Buildup: Reagan’s policies resulted in a significant rise in U.S. military spending, with defense spending as a percentage of GDP being 6.5% by 1986. This buildup included the expansion of the U.S. Navy to nearly 600 ships by the end of the 1980s, reinforcing Reagan’s military strategy and reigniting Cold War tensions.
Escalation of U.S.-Soviet Tensions: Reagan’s doctrine contributed to a renewed sense of threat and distrust between the U.S. and the USSR. Notable incidents include the September 1983 downing of Korean Airlines Flight 007 and the Soviet reaction to the November 1983 Able Archer military exercises, during which the Soviet military and nuclear forces were placed on high alert, preparing for a possible U.S. nuclear strike.
Reagan’s Role in Renewing Cold War Rivalry: Reagan’s military buildup and aggressive stance were key factors in the resurgence of U.S.-Soviet rivalry during the 1980s. His policies made it clear that the U.S. would directly enforce its ideological goals, contributing to the deterioration of relations and the heightened nuclear threat that characterized the later years of the Cold War.
