star wars Flashcards
how did reagan feel about the arms race?
he felt america was lagging behind the USSR
who was the “evil empire”?
russia
what did the russians fear about america?
their technological superiority
what did brezhnev introduce into soviet politics? what was his position?
mikhail gorbachev; redesign agriculture
what was the new defense system? what did this mean for the soviets?
the new defense system, strategic defense initiative or “star wars” could utilize various satellites and other space vehicles to neutralizie any threats of missiles; this meant the USSR would have to spend more to keep up with the US
how did margaret thatcher feel about SDI? how did reagan get her on his side?
at first she was critical of it but after mentioning that he was planning on giving the UK money for helping them, thatcher agreed (bribe)
who succeeded brezhnev? what actions did he take?
adropov; he ordered a world wide alert
what happened to andropov? who followed him?
he died; followed by cheryenko
what happened to cheryenko? who replaced him?
died; followed by gorbachev
in what ways was gorbachev different from recent soviet leaders?
he brought his wife to his meetings and believed in his system; he was much younger and more energetic than previous leaders
explain perestroika and glasnot
perestroika: economic restructure
glasnot: gorbachev’s policy of opennes in the government and the media
in 1985 what happened at the geneva summit? what issue divided the 2 leaders?
Gorbachev and Reagan were split by the issue of SDI; gorbachev wanted to get rid of it while reagan was too attached to it and refused
april 1986- what disaster occured? this highlighted what problem?
explosion/nuclear meltdown of cherenobyl nuclear plant in russia; it highlighted the incompetence of the soviet system
at the reykjavik summit what hapopened? what was the 0 option?
gorbachev and reagan meet again; the 0 option was the option to do away with all nuclear weapons
what deal did Gorbachev want with reagan? what did reagan feel about SDI?
gorbachev wanted disarmment, for reagan to give up SDI and confine it to the lab; reagan refused
what happened with “pop” culture in the soviet union?
it opened the USSR out and created a new generation that rejected its soviet past
what was the effect of gorbachev’s visit to the US? what treaty was signed?
gorbachev’s visit to the US increased his political standing around the world and in the USSR. He signed the intermediate nuclear for treaty, INF
did reagan ever take back his evil empire reference?
yes
