The Ending of the Cold War, 1985-1991: The ending of Cold War tensions in Asia Flashcards
When did Georage H. W. Bush begin his presidency?
Jan 1989
What were Bush’s goals?
Wanted Gorbachev to stay in power, to ensure positive relations with the USSR could be managed
Wanted a renewed detente. Was convinved that the USSR were not planning a renewed cold war.
It was Bush that signed START.
When was the Malta Summit?
Dec 1989
What was did the Malta Summit do?
Marked the end of the cold war’s economic conflict
Brought the USSR and USA closer together
Both agreed to not interfere in Germany or other satellite states
What followed the Malta Summit?
Bush and Gorbachev’s final summit, in Moscow, which led to the conclusion of START I and the implementation of SALT I
Why did the Soviet Union pull out of Afganistan?
- Politburo realised they were in a war they could not win, as early as 1982, but couldn’t withdraw as they had invoked the Brezhnev doctrine.
- Cost of troops was too high.
- The US supplying weapons to the Mujaheddin prolonged the conflict.
- Public opposition amid glasnost.
- Gorbachev wanted to improve US-relations
How did US policy change towards the Americas by the end of the cold war?
USA started to distance itself, as it was less strategically relevant.
Has previously brought down 24 governments in favour of pro-US ones.
But now US policy involved development of economic ties to Latin America and the reinvigoration of the Organisation of American States
Events in Nicaragua at the end of the Cold War?
- Late 1980s, ceasefire between Contras ans Sandinistas.
- Sandinista agreed to elections in 1990.
- Violetta Chamorro (former Sandinista who left the group) won. She was popular and pro-US.
- She removed the Contras, leaving the Sandinistas without opposition.
- She was given $300 million from the US in financial assisstance, but this was withdrawn in 1992 as the US argued the ecnomy was scretly sandinista-controlled.
Events in El Salvador at the end of the Cold War?
- FMLN, a coalition of leftist guerilla groups which recieved Soviet support, stated its intent to act against the military.
- US funded the government to limit communisms spread in the western hemisphere.
- FMLN launched an offensive vs the government. Neither could win.
- US encouraged the negotiations in a truce.
- Peace accords signed 1992. FMLN became a legititmate political party.
Events in Cuba at the end of the Cold War?
- As soviet union collpapsed, Cuba lost major source of its funding
- Led to withdrawal of Cuba troops from Africa, due to the cost.
Events in Angola at the end of the Cold War?
- 1986, Gorbachev announces plans to decrease funding to the MPLA, to improve US-relations and save money.
- Although the USSR still provided $1 billion of arms to MPLA as the US continued to supply UNITA.
- To try and finish the conflict to end involvement, the USSR launched a major offensive against UNITA in 1987. This was unsuccessful as South African support countered it. Hpwever, Cuba sent 10,000 troops which saved it.
- So South Africa agreed to negotiations, which happened in New York in 1988, where Cuba agreed to withdraw from Angola and the conflict was resolved.
Events in Ethiopia at the end of the Cold War?
- After Soviet invasion of Ogaden, Soviet Union provided assistance that allowed Ethiopia to retake the territory.
- 1987, Mengistu Haile Mariam established the People’s Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, signalling it would become fully Marxist.
- After a series of defeats against Eritren nationalists, in 1991 Mengistu fled to Zimbabwe.
- New government established, People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front, which recieved US support despite its Marxist roots
- Showed US were less focused on ideology, but rather control and ending the cold war.
What was the singing revolution?
- The events from 1987-1990 in the Baltic States, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, that led to the restoration of their independance from the Soviet Union
- July 1986, Helsink-86 founded in Latvia, the first openly anti-communist movement in the USSR. It set an example for other ethnic minorties’ pro-independance movements
Helsink-86 is in reference to the Helsinki Accords
What was the Baltic Way?
August 1989
A peaceful political demonstration where 2 million people held hands in a 600 km long human chain through the Blatic countries, demonstrating their unity in their efforts for freedom.
Events in the USSR’s collapse
- Territories such as Azerbaijan, Georgia, the Baltic States called for independance.
- 1989, 20 pro-independance marchers in Geogria were killed, generating more demand.
- Feb 1990, Lithuania declare independance, followed by Estonia in March and Latvia in May.
- Soviet forces failed to regain control, increasing Gorbachev’s opposition.
- After a failed coup against him, Gorbachev resigns August 1990 and dissolves the Soviet Communist Party
- December 1991, The Soviet Union dissolved
