The end of the Cold War

Question 1

What happened on 25th December 1991?

Answer 1

Gorbachev dissolved the USSR and resigned. THE COLD WAR ENDED.

Question 2

In 1991 what group opposed Gorbachev?

Answer 2

The August Coup

Question 3

What did The August Coup want to do?

Answer 3

Rescue the USSR and save it’s communist values

Question 4

Why was there opposition to Gorbachev? (Give two reasons)

Answer 4

Any of the below:

1. Perestroika was ruining Soviet economy
2. Glasnot had caused the break-up of the Eastern Bloc and was causing the USSR to break-up
3. Some of the republics hated each other and would start fighting
4. Some of the republics could turn on Russians living there

Question 5

During the coup Gorbachev couldn’t do anything. but who led resistance to the coup in moscow?

Answer 5

Boris Yeltsin

Question 6

The coup ended in a few days but was Gorbachev’s problem?

Answer 6

Gorbachev looked weak while Yeltsin the hero who had defended freedom looked strong.

Question 7

Even after the coup there was still a problem, what was it?

Answer 7

Most republics still wanted full independance

Question 8

What were the five key reasons for the end of the Cold War?

Answer 8

1. PROPAGANDA - hard to ‘sell’ communism when capitalism worked better
2. AFGHAN WAR - huge cost, drain on USSR’s economy
3. ECONOMY - never as good as the US’s
4. ARMS RACE - trying to keep up with the Americans crippled the USSR’s economy
5. FREEDOM - eastern bloc and soviet republics only existed because of force and repression.