Topic 3

Question 1

The Kabul Revolution

Answer 1

Brezhnev saw the communist revolution in Afghanistan as a chance to get near the oil in the Middle East.
It was an overthrow of the government and Taraki (USSR ally) wanted to make Afghan socialist.
Muslims didn’t like this.
The civil war (1979) was between the government & Islamic fighters.
Taraki made Amin (head of army) prime minister.
In October 1979 Amin supporters killed Taraki.

Question 2

When was the SU invasion

Answer 2

December 1979

Question 3

When was the Kabul Revolution?

Answer 3

April 1978

Question 4

Why did Brezhnev order an SU invasion of Afghanistan?

Answer 4

He didn’t trust Amin.
He was scared that the civil war would encourage surrounding countries to become an Islamic state.
Karmal (Afghani communist) said he had enough support to make a new government with SU help.
Brezhnev thought the USA wouldn’t mind.

Question 5

When was Karmal president until?

Answer 5

1986.

But 1.5 million people died including 15,000 soldiers.

Question 6

Why was the Carter Doctrine created?

Answer 6

Brezhnev was wrong about the USA not minding them in the Middle East. The doctrine was made in response to stop them being in the Middle East.

Question 7

What were the key features of the Carter Doctrine?

Answer 7

Formed an alliance with China and Israel supporting the Afghani rebels.
The CIA armed the Mujahideen (soldiers of God) with weapons.
Imposed economic sanctions to stop trade with the SU.
Ended diplomatic relations with the SU.

Question 8

What caused the end of SALT 2?

Answer 8

Carter signed it in June 1979 but refused to make it law because of the SU invasion in Afghanistan.

Question 9

How did Carter prepare for a possible ‘hot war’?

Answer 9

Increased defence spending by 5%

He ordered the U.S. military to plan survival and winning methods for a nuclear war.

Question 10

The Olympic Boycott

Answer 10

Carter boycotted the 1980s Moscow Olympic Games along with 60 countries.
They held the Olympic Boycott Games in Philadelphia.
In 1984 the USSR & 14 countries boycotted the LA games and made the Friendship games.

DETENTÉ DEAD

Question 11

President Reagan

Answer 11

President from 1981
Wanted to win with no peaceful coexistence.
He thought it was their duty to fight for freedom.

Question 12

What was the ‘Second Cold War’?

Answer 12

Used to describe the periods between 1979-1985.

Question 13

What was Reagan’s vision?

Answer 13

He believed they must fight to win and that the SU could be forced to Disarm because of SDI.

Question 14

What does SDI stand for?

Answer 14

Strategic Defence Initiative

Also known as Star Wars

Question 15

What was SDI?

Answer 15

It took the arms race to a new level.
It was a ‘nuclear umbrella’ that would stop SU nuclear missiles reaching the USA; by using lasers from space.

Broke the 1967 outer space treaty.

Question 16

What was the SU response to SDI?

Answer 16

They could no longer compete because they weren’t funding enough from consumer goods.

Question 17

What was the Evil Empire speech?

Answer 17

Made in March 1983
The Cold War was a fight between good and evil and the USA was fighting with Gods blessing.
Don’t “ignore the facts of history and aggressive impulses of an Evil Empire.”

Question 18

Who was Gorbachev?

Answer 18

Leader of the SU from 1985-1991
Hoped to be communisms saviour
Viewed the USAs relationship simply.

Question 19

What was the Chernobyl crisis?

Answer 19

April 1986
Nuclear power plant in the Ukraine went critical and exploded.
Gorbachev said there was no dangerous radiation released.
It was a symbol of SU crisis.

Question 20

What was Gorbachev’s ‘new thinking’?

Answer 20

He knew the SU economy was weaker than the USAs.
Many people had lost faith in the communist party.
Policy of ‘perestroika’ (restructuring)- economic reforms to make the economy more efficient.
‘Glasnost’ (openness)- censorship relaxed.
But he was slow to allow democratic elections in Russia.

Question 21

Position of the USA in 1986

Answer 21

Strengths;
Economy
Computer/space technology
Highly equipped military forces
'Leaders of the world'
NATO allies 

Weaknesses;
Fewer nuclear missiles than the SU

Question 22

Position of the USSR in 1986

Answer 22

Strengths;
Warsaw Pact allies
More nuclear missiles than USA

Weaknesses;
Expensive Afghanistan war
Economy
Old-fashioned technology
Chernobyl

Question 23

Geneva conference

Answer 23

November 1985
First time USA and SU presidents met.
Reagan was more powerful
Reagan- wanted peace
Gorby- wanted no SDI and good relationship.
They built and personal relationship but no agreements.

Question 24

Reykjavik conference

Answer 24

October 1986

Reagan wanted to scrap ballistic missiles but Gorby said no because Reagan wouldn’t scrap SDI.

Question 25

What was the INF Treaty?

Answer 25

Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces Treaty
Arms reduction- signed December 1987.
Eliminated nuclear missiles with a 500-5500km range.
First treaty to reduce missiles, better than SALT 1.
Strict procedures made sure both sides followed through.

Question 26

Why did Gorbachev sign the INF Treaty?

Answer 26

Nuclear missiles are expensive.
USA had no intention of invading the SU.
SU economy wouldn’t recover without cutting spending.
Disarmament= West popularity.

Question 27

What happened at the Malta Summit?

Answer 27

It was in 1989.
Between Gorbachev and George Bush
Worked on agreements- CFE 1990 and START 1 1991.

Question 28

When did the Berlin Wall come down?

Answer 28

1989

Question 29

CFE agreement

Answer 29

1990

Limited the amount of non-nuclear power NATO and the Warsaw Pact had in Europe.

Question 30

What was START 1?

Answer 30

1991
Limited nuclear missiles
Both sides reduced war heads by 1/3 by destroying them.