The ending of Cold War tensions Flashcards
What were Gorbachev’s views on Afghanistan?
Gorby wanted to remove troops in Afghanistan in 1985, as soon as he entered office as he felt it would be impossible to defeat the American- backed mujaheddin.
How did Gorbachev facilitate the removal of troops in Afghanistan?
Gorbachev met with head of the revolutionary council of Afghanistan Babrak Kamal and prepared him for the removal of troops. Process of withdrawal began in 1988 and the last troops left in 1989.
Was Gorbachev more successful at achieving ‘peace with honour’ than Nixon in Vietnam?
Like Nixon, Gorby wanted a ‘peace with honour’ outcome, but the Soviets accomplished their withdrawal in much less time, perhaps learning the lessons of Vietnam
Why did the USA want to distance themselves from Central America?
- The region was no longer strategically significant.
- signalled to right-wing regimes that they could no longer rely on US support and aid
- during the years of the Cold War, the USA had brought about the downfall of over 24 governments in the region.
How did the Cold War end in Nicaragua?
- Late 1980’s the Contra’s see a reduction in funding from the USA and agree to a ceasefire with the Sandinista’s as a result.
- The Sandinista’s agree to elections in 1990 expecting an easy victory, but with US influence 14 Sandinista opposition parties were persuaded to campaign around Violeta Chamorro.
- She was given over $1 million in financial support from the USA.
- By 1990, the Nicaraguan public was exhausted from 11 years of civil war and Chamorro removed the contra’s thereby leaving the Sandinista’s without opposition and ending the civil war.
- US politicians withdrew aid in 1992 arguing that the Sandinista’s controlled the economy, leaving behind a ravaged economy that would take decades to recover.
How did tensions end in Cuba?
- With the collapse of the USSR, Cuba lost major source of funding- Castro wanted to remain communist but decided they could not continue without economic restructuring.
- forced to diversify away from sugar exports and open markets up to China, Europe and Canada- opening Cuba up to tourism.
- Had to stop assistance to other countries which led to withdrawal of Cuban troops from Africa 1988
How did Cold war tensions end in Angola?
- USSR provided $1 billion of arms to MPLA regime as USA continued to supply UNITA.
- To try and end the civil war, the USSR encourage a major MPLA offensive in 1987 but a SA counter-offensive ruins this effort.
- Cuba comes to the MPLA’s rescue by sending 10,000 troops without consulting Moscow.
- SA agrees to negotiations thinking continued civil war in Angola may damage its own regime, with ANC using Angola as a base for operations.
- Negotiations lead to an agreement in 1988 which included the withdrawal of Cuban forces from Angola- removing a source of continued Cold War confrontation between the USA and USSR.
How did Cold War tensions end in Ethiopia?
- After Somali invasion of Ogaden, USSR, Cuba and North Korea all provide assistance that help Ethiopia regain the territory.
- USSR support Mengistu Marxist regime.
- Ethiopia engaged in civil war- with the Ethiopian army suffering a series of defeats in1989- Mengistu felt as long as they had Soviet support they could still win.
- May 1991, opposition forces approach the capital of Addis Ababa and Mengistu flees.
- The new government- the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic front takes power in May 1991 and receives assistance from the USA.
What did Ethiopia demonstrate?
Even though the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front had marxist roots and opposed liberal democracy. The relationship is more of a symbol of the rejection of the former communist regime and demonstrates that as the Cold War ended, the importance of anti-communism in the US diminished.
The Malta Summit
September 1989
- hoped to finalise START
How did Bush lead to ending of Cold War tensions
- ordered a review of US policy towards the Soviet Union.
- resumed arms control negotiations
- needed to prove he wasn’t just inheriting Reagan’s approach and unthinkingly continuing it.
What was the result of the Malta summit?
- moves made towards a closer economic relationship as Soviet Union begins to move towards a market economy.
- Some informal agreements reached in terms of Eastern Europe eg USSR would not intervene in Eastern Europe, Bush agrees USA would not get involved in Baltic states
- No formal agreements signed
- paved the way for the Conventional Forces in Europe treaty (CFE treaty) in 1990
- No agreements over Germany
What was agreed in the 1990 Conventional Forces in Europe treaty (CFE)
-Gorby agreed to end the superiority in military capability held by the USSR in Europe
-Limits on scale of military hardware that could be controlled.
- Followed by summit in 1991 in Moscow which led to conclusion of START
When was the Soviet Union formally dissolved?
December 1991
Why was the reunification of Germany delayed?
West German Chancellor Helmut Kohl had no interest in reunification, and also wanted a united Germany as a full member of NATO (Troubling to the Soviets)
How did the USSR lead to German reunification?
-Gorby although not happy with NATO, saw it as inevitable and was so in need of money that he was prepared to compromise if there was financial gain.
- He agreed to remove the soviet military presence in the East
When was Germany reunified?
October 1990
