Topic 3 - Why did The cold war end ? Flashcards
1967 Outer space treaty
Stopped the arms race spreading to outer space as it pledged that no nuclear weapons would be placed in space by either superpower
1968 Nuclear Non-Proliferation treaty
Agreed that neither superpower would supply nuclear weapons to other states or help states to develop nuclear weapons - stopping superpower conflict from engulfing other areas of the world
Salt 1 Treaty
The strategic arms limitation treaty - 1972, imposed limits on the nuclear capability of USA and Russia
- no further production of strategic ballistic (short range) missiles
- submarines carrying nuclear weapons would only be allowed once existing stocks became obsolete
- ABM (anti ballistic missile treaty) meant each side only got 2 ABM systems each
Intended to be temporary, leading to a more comprehensive treaty
Why was SALT 1 so significant ?
It was the first agreement between the superpowers that successfully limited the number of nuclear weapons they had. Detente created an environment in which both sides could co-operate
When was SALT 2 signed ?
It was signed in June 1979 by Carter and Brezhnev BUT never became law as US senate refused to ratify it after Afghan invasion
Why were SALT 2 negotiations difficult ?
- The West German government was worried that further arms reductions would leave their territory undefended
- Right-wing American Congressmen thought that detente had gone too far and were reluctant to agree to further compromises with the Soviet Union
Apollo Soyuz mission
A joint space mission between USA and USSR in 1975 - Astronauts exchanged gifts and shook hands demonstrating detente as they were co-operating
The Helsinki agreements
1975
Made terms that applied to everyone (35 countries from east and west)
Security: All country boundaries were accepted, disputes settled peacefully
Co-operation; industrial, economic, scientific, educational
Human rights: freedom of speech, movement, religion, information
Kabul Revolution
April 1978
Afghan revolution overthrew the capitalist government as the new government was determined to “build socialism in Afghanistan”
Taraki, the new communist president became an ally of USSR
Very unstable government, Muslims fought it and a civil war broke out between the government and Islamic fighters - Taraki was forced to accept Amin as prime minister - soon became bitter rivals
When was Taraki assassinated ?
October 1979 by supporters of Amin - Amin then claimed presidency
Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan
December 1979
Soviet troops invaded Afghanistan and killed Amin. They declared Karmal (loyal to the soviets) president
Why did Brezhnev order the invasion of Afghanistan ?
- He did not trust Amin as Soviet secret police believed him to be an American spy
- Feared muslim groups were planning to take control of country
- opportunity to extended his power in oil-rich Middle East
- Concerned that Afghanistan would become an Islamic state (not communist) as result of civil war
- Karmal (afghan communist) argued he had enough popular support to form a new government but need soviet help to defeat Amin’s military
- Belived that the US would tolerate the invasion as they had done in Czech
Carter Doctrine
President Jimmy Carter was appalled at the Soviet invasion and so devised the Carter doctrine.
1979
Reaction to Soviet invasion of Afghanistan
He said the USA would not allow the USSR to get control over the oil-rich Middle East
- USA supported afghan rebels (Muslims) in an alliance with China and Israel
- imposed economic sanctions on Russia
- ended all diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union
Key events signifying the end of detente
- Carter Doctrine
- The end of Salt 2
- Carter increased US defence spending money by 5% and ordered the US military to come up with plans for surviving and winning a nuclear war with the Soviet Union - more hardline approach to relations
- The Olympic Boycott (US boycott of 1980 Moscow games along with 60 other countries, in response USSR and 14 communist countries boycotted 1984 LA games)
When did Ronald Reagan replace Jimmy Carter as president ?
January 20th 19811
What is meant by the “Second Cold War” ?
A term used to describe the period between 1979-1985 in which superpower relations met a new low
Reagan’s attitude toward the Soviet Union
Reagan had no intentions of fixing relations and believed it was time for America to start fighting again - he wanted to win the cold war
He rejected the idea of peaceful co-existence with the USSR
Very hard-line
“limited nuclear war in Europe”
Why was America not convinced Reagan was a suitable president ?
He was originally an actor and was portrayed as a modern day cowboy who knew nothing of world affairs and totally unqualified
