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The Cold War’s End

The Cold War’s End. Leaders, Policies, and Life After the Cuban Missile Crisis. After Cuban Missile Crisis. “Hot-line” established, linking the US and USSR governments directly

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The Cold War’s End

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  1. The Cold War’s End Leaders, Policies, and Life After the Cuban Missile Crisis

  2. After Cuban Missile Crisis • “Hot-line” established, linking the US and USSR governments directly • Test-Ban Treaty (1963) – US, USSR, and Britain halted all nuclear testing above ground, in atmosphere and under water • 1968 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty – states agree not to seek nuclear weapons or help others obtain them. 137 nations sign this

  3. Détente • Need for a lessoning of tensions • SALT Agreements – Strategic Arms Limitation Talks • Both sides enter the 1970s saying they will do anything possible for détente

  4. Chernobyl • 1986 a nuclear power plant accident occurred in the Soviet Union • 31 deaths, many others exposed to radiation (by 1990’s 6-8,000 people die of radiation related illnesses) • Need to prevent irresponsible development of nuclear energy

  5. Khrushchev • After Cuban Missile Crisis Khrushchev lost prestige • Soviet leaders voted to have Khrushchev removed from power in 1964 • Same day China exploded its first A-Bomb • Replaced by Leonid Brezhnev

  6. Brezhnev • Policies to end domestic dissent • Government censors control what is published • No more freedom of speech or worship • Dissidents are removed and expelled from the country

  7. 1968 Prague SpringCzechoslovakia What kind of reforms were created? What do you think Soviet response would be? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVIp5lUJhCs&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active

  8. Prague Spring ends with Soviet invasion • Many reforms that pushed for more democratic society are reversed • Soviet troops occupy the country to keep control • The USSR has the power to stop communist parties from losing power in any satellite states

  9. Brezhnev Doctrine • Any member of the satellite countries who tried to turn away from Soviet control and Communism would be dealt with harshly and forcefully • Once you are communist, you can’t turn back! • See Doctrine…

  10. Poland • Corrupt leaders in govt. and rising food prices lead to riots and strikes • Workers form a union called Solidarity in 1980 • 1st independent trade union in USSR history • 1981: Polish communist leader plans to establish Martial Law, (backed by USSR) • Take Solidarity’s right to exist away and arrest leaders

  11. 1979 Invasion • Brezhnev ordered the invasion of Afghanistan to support an unpopular Communist regime • Moscow Olympics are boycotted by US in 1980 in response

  12. Gorbachev • Brezhnev dies 1982 and his first two successors die within 3 years. • In 1985 a young, educated Gorbachev is elected by Communist leaders to take over as general secretary • His reforms would both help the Soviet Union and lead to its downfall

  13. Gorbachev’s Policies • Glasnost, or openness, encouraged Soviet citizens to discuss ways to revitalize their society, could criticize the government • Perestroika, economic restructuring meant to rejuvenate the Soviet economy • Demokratizatsiya – democratization of system

  14. Glasnost • Religious freedom is permitted • Dissidents are released • Relaxed control of literature and arts • Encouraged public debate on issues • Reporters actively investigated stories and exposed even some govt. officials for corruption

  15. Perestroika • Lessen govt. control of businesses • Some small businesses could be privately owned • Managers have more control over their farms and factories

  16. Demokratizatsiya • Election of new legislature – Voters actually get to vote on Communist party candidates (previously they only ratified those chosen by party leaders) • Allowed political parties in addition to the Communist Party • Encouraged political debate • Boris Yeltsin elected, he became a rival of Gorbachev’s later as he moved to have the Communist system done away with for total reform

  17. Reagan • Elected 1980 • 1983: Strategic Defense Initiative (Star Wars) – 30 billion spent with no results • Massive military spending in an attempt to tip the balance of power

  18. Intermediate Nuclear Forces Gorbachev also withdraws troops from Afghanistan in 89’ Encourages Eastern bloc leaders to try new policies to stimulate their economies, making them less dependent on Soviet aid • Gorbachev and Reagan sign the INF Treaty banning nuclear missiles with ranges of 300-3,400 miles

  19. August Coup – The End of the USSR • Hardliners try to overthrow Gorbachev, (short-lived) • Protesters rally at the Russian parliament building, led by Yeltsin • Military leaders refused to attack • Coup failed, but citizens were enraged at Communist party • Gorbachev resigned as General Secretary that Christmas

  20. Eastern Republics • After failed coup, Latvia, Estonia and other Baltic states declare their independence • By December 1991, all 15 Republics of the former Soviet bloc were independent • Yeltsin took power in Russia – 1st elected General Secretary of USSR and then 1st President of Russia

  21. Commonwealth of Independent Nations http://en.rian.ru/infographics/20100821/160274561.html Yeltsin helped to form the Commonwealth of Independent States Symbolic organization, possessing coordinating powers in the realm of trade, finance, lawmaking, and security

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