End of the Cold War

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YMngTYDfph8jR8qgwcOMQ0Q6UwThMX4gDzQHrzpgmk8/edit

• This document contains three important events.

Focus of the topic §

• Confrontation and Reconciliation
  • Whether the end of the Cold War was due to winning the confrontation or achieving reconciliation through factors like ideology and politics.
• It should be able to address both perspectives.

Background Info §

Body §

USSR Dissolve in 1991

• Confrontation
  • The USSR’s economy was stagnating and its command economy was inefficient, with a GDP per capita of only 25% of the USA’s.
  • In 1980, oil prices fell and the USSR became heavily indebted to the West, reaching $2.5 billion.
  • The USSR was unable to keep up with the USA’s spending on weapons, as it was spending 20% of its GDP on weapons compared to the USA’s 5%. This forced the USSR to either reduce arms spending or lower living standards.
  • The USSR implemented Perestroika, a restructuring of its economy that involved decentralization and allowing some private business. Price controls were also removed.
  • The effects of Perestroika included increased unemployment, higher prices, and a dramatic fall in living standards.
  • This led to reduced support for Gorbachev and increased support for independence movements and communist hardliners.
• Social issues
  • Glasnost, which allowed people to address national issues, led to the exposure of Soviet crimes and massacres against minority groups.
  • The Baltic states (Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia) declared independence in 1990, and Gorbachev used force to suppress rebellions.
  • Tensions regarding nationalism led Gorbachev to propose the “New Union Treaty,” which aimed to give more independence to the republics. Dissolution of USSR (August Coup, formation of CIS)
• Economy
  • Conservative communists rejected the “New Union Treaty” as too radical, which led to the “August Coup” in 1991. The coup attempted to take over the government and held Gorbachev hostage.
  • Boris Yeltsin, the leader of Russia, protested against the coup and rallied popular support in Moscow, leading to its failure.
  • It became clear that Gorbachev and the communists had lost control, and the second most important republic, Ukraine, voted for independence, followed by Russia and Belarus.
• The USSR voluntarily disbanded, Gorbachev resigned, and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) was formed by the 15 republics.

How did the Arms Race come to an end? • Reagan’s new Cold War (SDI, Evil Empire, Reagan Doctrine) New Cold War: ending the détente (lasts until 1985) Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI): An anti-ballistic missile program that aimed to shoot down missiles in space, known as “Star Wars.” Evil Empire (1983): Reagan referred to the USSR as an evil empire, increasing ideological tension. Reagan Doctrine: The concept was to stop the spread of communism before it could attack a country. Reagan sent troops to Grenada to stop a communist invasion and supported anti-communist fighters in Afghanistan.

• Renewed détente (Afghanistan, China) Afghanistan (1986): Gorbachev withdrew Soviet troops from Afghanistan as their foreign policy was not working. The president was replaced by Mohammed Najibullah. China: PRC frontiers and Soviet troops were reduced, and relations were fully restored. • End of Arms race (arms reduction treaties, conferences) START treaty (1991): Limited the number of ICBMs and nuclear warheads that could be possessed. Warsaw Pact and NATO signed the treaty on conventional armed forces in Europe, leading to a reduction of weapons in Europe. Annual meetings were held to prevent conflicts.

Why did Communism collapse in Eastern Europe by 1990? (Shutaro) (Textbook p267-) • Economic and Political conditions of Eastern Europe by the 1980s Two types of nations Type 1: Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria Proactively proceeded with limited political and economic reforms. Type 2: GDR, Czechoslovakia, Romania, Albania Unwilling to proceed with reforms. (Yugoslavia was ignored due to irregularities) • Revolution of Type 1: Impact of Gorbachev’s reforms (end Brezhnev doctrine) Gorbachev ended the Brezhnev doctrine in 1989. The aim was to maintain Soviet security in Eastern Europe through negotiation and cooperation rather than force. Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria: Revolutionary changes occurred through negotiation with ruling communists. For example, in Poland, issues such as an indebted economic situation and a corrupt government and industry existed. People forced the government to legalize Solidarity. Solidarity and the PUWP (communists) agreed to allow Solidarity to compete for 35% of seats in the lower parliament. However, the election proved the popularity of Solidarity, and the government transformed into a regime led by Solidarity. Gorbachev did not oppose this process, and Poland remained in the Warsaw Pact. These revolutions are known as “Negotiated revolutions.” • Revolution of Type 2: Impact of the opening of the Berlin Wall The Berlin Wall was opened on November 9, 1989. GDR, Czechoslovakia, Romania, Albania: For example, in Germany, the Leipzig demonstrations in September-October 1989 were non-violent protests that led to non-violent governments. The Soviet Union did not provide support to the communists, which led to the replacement of Honecker by Krenz. The accidental opening of the Berlin Wall occurred when crowds gathered at the border on November 9. In Romania, Ceausescu was unpopular due to his failed economic and political policies. The opening of the Berlin Wall triggered the revolution, starting with the first revolts in Timisoara on December 9. The army sided with the people, and the Soviet Union did not intervene. Ceausescu fled the capital but was executed on December 22. The National Salvation Front, a left-wing party, was formed and gained a majority in elections. Communists remained in power after democratic elections, as Gorbachev had hoped. These revolutions were unexpected for the Soviet Union.

Body §

• Confrontation

  • Confrontation led to reconciliation.
  • Renewed arms race
    • Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI)
    • The arms race became too costly for the Soviets.

• Reconciliation

  • Gorbachev and Reagan
    • Held summits and met frequently, although they didn’t reach many agreements.
  • Glasnost and Perestroika
  • Fall of satellite states
    • First Hungary
    • Fall of the Berlin Wall

• Miscellaneous

  • Historiography
    • Orthodox: The USA won the confrontation through strong pressure and its superior economy and arms. Reagan is credited with defeating the USSR.
    • Revisionist: No one won the Cold War, but they reconciled their differences and ended the arms race. Gorbachev is credited with choosing to stop the conflict early.
  • Gorbachev
    • The USSR had problems but wasn’t in a critical crisis. Gorbachev implemented reforms to improve the lives of the people, such as the decentralization of the economy (Perestroika).- The Soviet Union faced several problems, including inefficiency, corruption, and economic stagnation.

• The oil crisis in the 1970s further damaged the economy.

• The government aimed to decentralize the economy by giving more decision-making power to local Soviets instead of central control.

• Each Soviet was allowed to determine the prices of products.

• Some limited privatization was also allowed in sectors such as taxis, kiosks, salons, markets, and cafes.

• Socially, the policy of Glasnost was implemented to allow freedom of speech.

• People were tired of the lack of freedom of speech, religion, etc., and there was a nationalist movement demanding more autonomy.

• In 1986, openness was allowed, leading to the publication of anti-communist literature and the acceptance of Western cultures such as rock music, movies, and fashion.

• Nationalist issues were also allowed to be discussed, but independence was not permitted.

• Politically, the policy of Demokratizatsiya aimed to introduce real competitive elections with multiple parties.

• Gorbachev faced opposition from anti-reform politicians and needed more supporters, so he tried to bring more democracy.

• The Congress of People’s Deputies was formed in 1988, and the position of President was created in 1990, with the president being elected by the people.

• In terms of foreign policy, the Soviet Union abandoned Marxist views of “class struggle” and “world revolution.”

• The Brezhnev doctrine, which stated that the USSR would militarily intervene to protect communist measures in its sphere of influence, was ended by Gorbachev.

• The Soviet Union also withdrew from Afghanistan.

Possible Essay Questions §

• To what extent was confrontation rather than reconciliation the contributing factor for the end of the Cold War?

Resources §

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