USA Topic 7 Flashcards
What was détente
Policy of improved relations with the USSR
What were the reasons for détente
Brinkmanship of the Cuban Missile Crisis had a sobering effect on those involved
The Vietnam war also didn’t work out for the USA. Nixon had also visited China recently and Brezhnev was scared of an alliance
What was agreed in SALT I
Limits were imposed on production of nuclear weapons and there would be no more production of ballistic missiles. It was the first agreement between the superpowers
What were the three issues in the Helsinki Agreements
Security, Human Rights and Co-operation
What was the ping pong diplomacy
The Chinese ping pong team invited the US to play in China against them. This brought them closer, reduced tension and helped to end the Vietnam war
Why did the Soviets get involved in Afghanistan
Because the communist leader was having problems with the mujahideen who wanted a jihad (holy war) and wanted to overthrow him. USSR sent 50000 troops
What did Carter do as a response to the USSRs involvement in Afghanistan
He took a firm approach and stated that he would use military force if necessary, delayed SALT II and boycotted the Moscow Olympics
What happened at the US embassy in Iran
The Shah of Iran was overthrown. He then fell ill and was being treated in New York. The rebels wanted him in their country to punish him and US refused so they captured US embassy hostages. Carter failed to secure them at first
What was the Star Wars programme
Reagan planned to destroy any of Russias nuclear bombs using lasers and satellites and expected NASA to figure it out. They couldn’t but it scared Gorbachev enough to back down
What were Gorbachevs new policies
He introduced perestroika (restructuring) to make the economy more efficient and glasnost (openness) to stop censorship. He also stopped Soviet interference in European satellite states
When was the Cold War officially announced as over
1989 in Malta
Which event in Berlin symbolised the end of the Cold War
The fall of the Berlin Wall
How did the USSR fall
Countries that they were controlling slowly declared themselves independent and Gorbachev resigned in 1991
Why did the Gulf War start
Because Sadam Hussein (Iraq) invaded Kuwait
Why did Iran and Sadam Hussein invade Kuwait
Because it had lots of oil and he viewed it as his
