The End of the Cold War

Question 1

Why was the Soviet economy bankrupt?

Answer 1

It could not afford to support communism world-wide and compete with the USA in the nuclear arms race as well as it being inefficient

Question 2

What did Chernobyl become?

Answer 2

A symbol of the crisis facing the Soviet Union

Question 3

What did Gorbachev think?

Answer 3

The Soviet Union and communism could survive if its economy was completely rebuilt

Question 4

What was perestroika?

Answer 4

Economic restructuring to make the economy more efficient

Question 5

What was glasnost?

Answer 5

A new sense of openness, both within the Soviet Union and also with the West

Question 6

Why did Gorbachev and Reagan want to end the Cold War?

Answer 6

• Although the USSR had more missiles than the USA, it could not carry on the arms race. Gorbachev knew that if the Soviet Union was to survive was by making agreements with the USA to reduce arms.
• Although America had the money and resources to carry on the arms race, it had fewer missiles. Reagan also needed to cut military expenditure.

Question 7

What were the effects of Gorbachev’s ‘new thinking’?

Answer 7

• Led to the break-up of Eastern Europe and the fall of the Berlin Wall
• As the Eastern Bloc disintegrated the Warsaw Pact could no longer survive

Question 8

What happened during the Olympic Boycotts in 1980 and 1984?

Answer 8

• The USA boycotted the 1980 Olympic Games, which were held in Moscow. 60 other countries joined the US boycott.
• The Soviet Union and 14 communist countries responded by boycotting the Los Angeles Olympic Games four years later

Question 9

Why were the Olympic boycotts so significant?

Answer 9

These boycotts were a very public sign of the hostility between the superpowers and signalled the end of the cooperation that characterised détente.

Question 10

What was the Evil Empire Speech?

Answer 10

• In a speech in March 1983, Reagan called the Soviet Union ‘The Evil Empire’
• Felt he could ‘win’ the Cold War by putting pressure on the Soviets

Question 11

What was the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI)?

Answer 11

Announced ability to shoot down Soviet missiles using lasers in space, giving the USA a huge advantage in the Arms race

Question 12

What happened during Geneva 1985?

Answer 12

No formal agreement made but Reagan and Gorbachev began to develop a constructive relationship

Question 13

What happened during Reykjavik 1986?

Answer 13

No major decisions made - disagreements about ballistic missiles and SDI

Question 14

What happened during Washington 1987?

Answer 14

• INF Treaty was very significant as it reduced the number of missiles that both sides had
• All missiles with a range of 500-5500 km eliminated
• First time agreement on reducing missiles

Question 15

What happened during the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe in 1989?

Answer 15

Gorbachev’s reforms (e.g. withdrawing troops) led to increased desire for more change and communist regimes across Eastern Europe collapsed

Question 16

What happened during the fall of the Berlin Wall, November 1989?

Answer 16

• After collapse of Hungarian communist government people started leaving East Germany through Hungary
• This forced the East German government to open the Berlin Border and when this was announced people flooded the wall and began dismantling it
• This was broadcast around the world and was a hugely significant event

Question 17

What happened after 1985?

Answer 17

Gorbachev refused to use Soviet or Warsaw Pact forces to control Eastern Europe: Gorbachev encouraged Glasnost and Perestroika in other Eastern European countries. To save money, Gorbachev withdrew Soviet troops from other countries in Eastern Europe

Question 18

What happened in 1989?

Answer 18

Communist rule collapsed across Eastern Europe

Question 19

What happened in September 1989?

Answer 19

Hungary opened its borders with Austria and East Germany opened its borders with Austria

Question 20

What happened in November 1989?

Answer 20

Berliners tore down the Berlin Wall with hammers and chisels and the Communist governments of East Germany, Czechoslovakia and Bulgaria all resigned

Question 21

What happened in December 1989?

Answer 21

Ceausescu, the Romanian dictator, was overthrown and shot

Question 22

What did the events of 1989 and the collapse of communist governments across Eastern Europe mean?

Answer 22

That it was impossible for the Warsaw Pact to survive - military co-operation between the member states ended in early 1990 and the Pact was formally dissolved in July 1991