The Second Cold War

Question 1

What happened in the build up to the conflict in Afghanistan?

Answer 1

1978 a coup by the PDPA (leftist People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan) meant Mohammed Daoud Khan was overthrown for failure to implement social principles promised.

Question 2

Why were the Soviets unhappy in Afghanistan following the coup?

Answer 2

• A faction in it led by Hafizullah Amin gained control- he was unreliable as an ally
• felt the regime was destabilising by rapidly alienating many afghans
  -believed Amin might realign A with USA, China and Pakistan.
• Afghanistan and USSR shared massive border

Question 3

What did the USSR do as a result?

Answer 3

Decided military intervention was necessary to ensure security.
-They viewed their actions in Afghanistan as being consistent with the ‘basic principles’ of detente agreed 1972

Question 4

How did the USA react to USSR action in Afghanistan?

Answer 4

• events in Afghanistan had greater significance after pro-american regime in Iran overthrown.
  -Carter highlighted to Brezhnev that USA didn’t intend to intervene in A and neither should they.
• Jan 1980- Carter postpones any SALT II agreements

Question 5

What was the Carter Doctrine about?

Answer 5

• American commitment to prevent further Soviet advance into the Persian gulf and Southeast Asia through a build up of forces. eg increased defense budget 1981
• reinforced US need to build relations with China.
• Moved towards position of containment much like Truman-Eisenhower-Kennedy approach

Question 6

How did Europe react to Afghanistan?

Answer 6

• US tried to get them to suspend East-West detente but Europe not willing to compromise European interests.
• Trade with USSR not only continued it expanded.

Question 7

Why was Carter’s reaction controversial

Answer 7

• Could it be seen as an overreaction? Did Soviet actions actually pose a threat to US interests in the gulf?
• Soviets felt that USA used Afghanistan as an excuse to dismantle detente and revive the nuclear arms race

Question 8

When was Reagan elected president and what did he say?

Answer 8

1980- committed to using aggressive policies to change soviet behaviour and that the USA needed to return to unilateralism, drawing a line under detente. Contributed to ‘Second Cold War?’

Question 9

What was the relationship with Thatcher and Reagan like?

Answer 9

• ‘honeymoon period’- like Reagan Thatcher felt cold war had gone on too long due to detente.
• Thatcher allowed USA to launch F-111 bombers against Libya in 1986
• Had her reservations about SDI

Question 10

Importance of Pope John Paul II

Answer 10

• First Polish Pope
• Stressed need for peace and reconciliation around the world/

Question 11

What happened with the crushing of solidarity in Poland?

Answer 11

1980- Polish workers in Gdansk go on strike due to increasing food prices and economic conditions- eventually allowed to set up first union: solidarity (led by Lech Walesa)
- Solidarity grew to 10 mill- stated didn’t want to overthrow gov just reform
- 1981- Soviet’s eventually decide not to militarily intervene
- Jaruzelski becomes communist party leader in Poland and threatens marital law. Imposes this 13th December eg curfews and no group gatherings
- Solidarity go into hiding until 1989

Question 12

When was the Shooting of KAL 007?

Answer 12

September 1983

Question 13

How did the shooting of KAL 007 strain relations between USA and USSR further?

Answer 13

Soviets claimed it was on a spying mission on behalf of the USA, USA deny this and accuse them of willingly destroying a civil aircraft filled with 269 people and 61 Americans