Why did the Cold War end? Flashcards
What is Detente?
the relaxing of tension or hostility between nations
What was the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty?
A treaty in which the Superpowers agreed not to supply nuclear technology to other countries
Why did Brezhnev begin the Strategic Arms Limitations Talks with the USA?
To reduce Soviet military expenditure so he could fix the Soviet economy
What was the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty made in 1972? (SALT I)
It limited the increase in numbers of nuclear missiles
There would be a five-year delay on the building of more missiles
What agreements were made at the Helsinki Conference in 1975?
Respect human rights and fundamental freedoms - thought, religion, belief and conscience
Western powers recognised the frontiers of Eastern Europe and Soviet influence in that area.
West Germany officially recognised East Germany
Why did relations break down between the USA and the Soviet Union in 1979?
The Soviet Union invasion of Afghanistan
Why did the Soviet Union invade Afghanistan?
President of the Marxist government = deposed and murdered
Feared this would lead to the collapse of the Marxist government
Feared the revolution in Iran would spread to Afghanistan and muslim areas inside the USSR
Afghanistan - close to the Middle East oil reserves of the Western Powers + the ports of the Indian Ocean - Soviet Union wanted to develop interest in that area
What were the consequences of the Afghanistan invasion?
Soviet troops were being killed by Mujahidin - used effective guerilla tactics
USA began to secretly send large shipment of arms, money and equipment to Pakistan and from there to the Mujahidin
What effects did the Afghanistan invasion have on relations between the Superpowers?
Exports of US grain to Soviet grain were stopped
US Congress refused to ratify SALT II
Carter Doctrine made
What did the Carter Doctrine say?
The Doctrine said that the USA would not allow the USSR to gain control of territory in the oil-rich Middle East
Why did the Soviet forces lose the war in Afghanistan?
Were unable to counter the guerrilla tactics of the Mujahidin + lost control of the mountainous countryside
Many of the Soviet troops sent were young conscripts = unprepared for fighting
Little appetite for the war amongst the Soviet troops = opponents believed they were fighting for their religion, freedom and country
How did relations between the superpowers worsen?
Olympic boycotts
1980 - 62 countries including the USA boycotted the Moscow Olympic Games + some held alternative games - Liberty Bell Classic
1984 - Soviet Union + 13 other countries boycotted the Los Angeles Olympic Games + alternative games were help - Friendship Games
What effects did the Afghan War have on the Soviet Union?
Increasing opposition to the war
It was clear the Soviet Union was being humiliated by a group of guerillas
There was comparion between them and the USA and the Viet Cong
Financial cost was colossal
What was the Strategic Defence Initiative (Star Wars)?
satellite anti-missile system that would orbit the Earth to protect the USA from any Soviet missiles
satellites equipped with powerful lasers would act as a ‘nuclear umbrella’ against Soviet nuclear weapons
What reforms did Gorbachev bring to the Soviet Union?
Perestroika - economic restructuring = change government controlled economy
Glasnost - new sense of openness = powers of the KGB were restricted + criticism of the government was allowed
Why was the Soviet Union bankrupt?
`The Space programme had been very ambitious and very expensive
Military expenditure continued to rise
What were the weaknesses of the Soviet Union?
USA was ahead in the arms race - SDI
USA was ahead in space and computer technology
Growing discontent in satellite states of Eastern Europe against communism and Soviet control
Economy could not sustain increased defence spending
Committed to an expensive war in Afghanistan
What was the Intermediate Range nuclear force Treaty (INF)?
Removed all medium-range nuclear weapons from Europe
How did the eastern bloc of satellite states collapse?
1989 - free elections were held in Poland + 1st non-communist leader elected
1989 - Berlin Wall was pulled down
1989 - demonstrations in Czechoslovakia = popular playwright became the new leader + free elections in 1990
1989 - Revolution in Romania = communist dictator was killed
1989 - Communist leader in Bulgaria was overthrown + 1990 free elections held
1990 - Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia declared themselves independent of the Soviet Union
Why did Gorbachev do nothing to stop the collapse of the Soviet bloc?
Was not prepared to use force and risk bloodshed
Red Guard had not been paid regularly + morale had been destroyed in Afghanistan
Needed economic aid from the West = would not get it if he fought
