Search for peace since 1970 Flashcards
Détente
A reduction in tension
Need for detente
Nuclear war
Decrease weaponry spending
End proxy wars
Would cause relations between nations unwanted by other nations
Brezhnev doctrine showed by force wouldn’t work
Helsinki agreements
Between USSR and USA for improved relations
Main points of Helsinki agreements
Security = USSR respect west Germany ‘s existence
Respect human rights
Better communication between
SALT 1
Strategic arms limitation treaty
Prevent production of shirt range nuclear missiles
SALT 2
No construction of Intercontinental ballistic missiles
Limit on nuclear delivery vehicle
USA changing relationship with China
Ping pong tournament solidarity
Lifted trade band between them
Nixon visits = less tension over Vietnam
Changing relations with USSR
Caused by Afghanistan war
What started the war in Afghanistan?
PDPA (communist) overthrew afghan gov
Islamic fundamentalists (Mujahideen) had revolution against the communists
So USSR sent troops in
Why did Brezhnev send troops into Afghanistan?
The Islamic fundamentalism + civil war was a threat to communism
Why did Carter decide against detente with Afghanistan?
War was a threat to their oil supply if it spread to surrounding countries
May improve relation with China
Under pressure as US embassy staff taken hostage
Accused by citizens as being weak leader
What was Carter’s harsher approach with Afghanistan?
Carter doctrine
Delayed passing Salt 2
Boycott of Olympics
USA cancelled grain shipments to USSR + stopped selling tech there
What solidified the harsher approach to the USSR/2nd Cold War?
Reagan who was elected in 1980 didn’t want detente
Began space initiatives against them
SDI
Strategic defence initiative
Using satellites and lasers to intercept and disable USSR’s lasers
Did SDI work?
No
Consequences of SDIZ
Was ineffective but showed:
USSR couldn’t compete with this idea
Solidified Reagan’s harsher approach
Gorbachev
The last leader of the Soviet Union
2 terms or Gorbachev’s reformation
Glasnost
Perestroika
Glasnost
Censorship of the press relaxed
Perestroika
To combat economic problems by adding elements of capitalism for better efficiency
End to the arms race
Following the Geneva convention, INF treaty between USSR and USA
Agreed to destroy certain weaponry
End to Brezhnev doctrine
Following Sinatra doctrine
Where Warsaw countries could make changes without threat of USSR invasion
End to Berlin Wall
East German gov enabled people to cross into west Germany
Berlin Wall came down
Germany became united then joined NATO
When did the Cold War end?
Malta conference in 1989 where Reagan and Gorbachev said the war was over
Then Gorbachev resigned 1981 = Soviet Union collapsed
Who was the Shah and what happened to him?
Shah = leader of Iran and USA ally
Tried to modernise Iran but was too rapid + tyrannical government = forced abdication
Fled to USA after
Who was the Ayatollah?
A leader in Shiite Islam = Khomeini (Islamic fundamentalist)
Took over after the shah was abdicated
What caused the Iranian hostage situation?
Supporters of Khomeini took over US embassy and took 66 diplomats hostage
Said they’d be freed if former shah went back to Iran to be put to trial
Why was taking hostages in Iran significant?
They had diplomatic immunity so could work safely
This important protocol had been broken
How did Carter respond to the Ayatollah’s demands?
Refused to return the Shah back
So threats to try the hostages in court for being spies
How did Carter attempt to rescue the hostages?
A rescue mission by helicopter, which failed by colliding with a refuelling aircraft = 8 servicemen killed
How did the Iranian hostage situation effect Carter’s reputation?
Failed to rescue hostages
Killed 8 servicemen = lost election to Reagan
How did the Iranian hostage situation end?
The Shah died
Reagan sworn in as president and began negotiations
Hostages freed
How did the gulf war start?
Because Iraq invaded Kuwait under Saddam Hussein
Why did Saddam Hussein invade Kuwait?
To pay off debts from war w Iran
Thought the US wouldn’t interfere because they had supported them before and did no action after Kurdish massacre
Claimed Kuwait originally part of Iraq
How did USA and UN respond to Iraq invasion?
Attack on Iraq to defend Kuwait
Mostly to prevent Iraq from invading Saudi Arabia (main oil supply)
Operation desert shield
US + others sent forces to Saudi Arabia to defend oil resources and push Iraq out Kuwait
Operation desert storm
Air offensive attack on Iraq
Weakened their ground forces and destroyed military structure
Operation desert saber
Ground offensive to liberate Kuwait by taking over Kuwait City and ordering ceasefire
Results of the gulf war
Saddam Hussein withdrew troops
Bush’s short term reputation positive, long term negative as he should have done something about Hussein
