Chapter 9: End of Cold War

1. Chapter 9: End of Cold War Focuses: What were the weaknesses of the Communist System and the Economy in the USSR? How did Gorbachev try to get the system to work again? What were Perestroika and Glasnost, how did they affect USSR? How did they affect Eastern Europe? Why did the Soviet Union Collapse?

3. Background Leaders of the Soviet Union Joseph Stalin, 1945-1953 (post-war) Economic transformation in the USSR’s industry and agriculture Suffering for the people Nikita Khrushchev 1953-1964 A reformist of Stalinism (destalinisation) Introduced reforms to improve food production Gave people more say in running industry & agriculture Proposed to end the Cold War

4. Background Background: The Soviet Union 1953-85 Leaders of the Soviet Union Leonid Brezhnev 1964-82 “An age of stagnation” Wanted to reverse Khrushchev reforms Foreign policy under Brezhnev Began a policy of détente with the USA lessening of tensions – co-existence Achievements of Détente – Relationship improved Started talks known as SALT that agreed to limit certain types of nuclear weapons Signed the Helsinki Accords

5. Background Limitations of Détente Maintained competition Continuation of the arms race and the space race Continuation of the Cold War in the form of proxy wars Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968 - Gave rise to the Brezhnev Doctrine US involvement in the Vietnam War, 1960s-1973 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, 1979

6. Weaknesses of Communist Govt USSR did not have an effective government for 10 years 1976 – 1982 – Brezhnev was ill 1982 – 1983 – Yuri Andropov who was also ill 1984 – 1985 – Konstantin Chernenko, also ill

7. Weaknesses of Communist Govt • Society • Housing provided • Jobs provided • Education provided • Healthcare provided • Coupons for basic foods • Security (KGB) • Censorship • Political arrests • Surveillance • Passport system to control movement in USSR STATE BUREAUCRACY • Agriculture • State-run farms • Small plots for farmers’ own use • State decides crops to grow • State keeps surplus • State sets production targets • Industry Gosplan • Sets production targets • Decides what to produce • Provides Raw Materials • Keeps any profits • Trade • Foreign Trade Ministry controls trade

8. Weaknesses of Communist Govt Hard for Eastern bloc to become self sufficient Just 1 good production for convenience of USSR Profit into state ventures, not reinvested Protectionist trade + Eastern bloc No incentive to work well State sets production targets & fixes wages In control of Eastern Europe via Comecon Quantity, and not quality, emphasised Command Economy Run by those loyal to Comm Party, not those with best skills GOSPLAN supplies raw materials Slow Choices not always best Corruption Delays Coupon scams Initiative & innovation discouraged

9. Weaknesses of Communist Govt Ineffective Government Politburo controlled by the Communist Party Dominated by the ‘old guards’ / ‘hardliners’ Refused to introduce changes Corruption among party and governmental officials Officials chosen based on favouritism, friendship and length in Communist Party

10. Weaknesses of Communist Govt Inefficient economy Low levels of economic growth in the late 1970s and early 1980s Low productivity of Soviet industry Paid workers regardless of work quality Gave workers lifetime employment Problem of alcohol Little incentive for local factories to make improvement

11. Weaknesses of Communist Govt Investment focused on heavy industry – military and defence industry USSR was head of Warsaw Pact – led defence of the E. European countries and supported Communist allies Serious shortage of basic goods Rise of black markets – govt couldn’t collect tax Disorganised transportation and distribution system Factories were located far away Time wasted on getting the raw materials to factories crops sometimes rot and go to waste during bumper crops or large harvest because of inefficient transport system

12. Weaknesses of Communist Govt Low agricultural production - insufficient workers to harvest crops - did not use technology to improve its farms and factories - fell in output Little contact with the world economy - unable to sell goods abroad

13. Weaknesses of Communist Govt External Pressure Ronald Reagan’s ‘Star Wars’ Programme Aimed to create a defensive shield of laser-beam firing satellites USSR’s economy too weak to keep up with Reagan’s new arms race, which cost US$4 trillion USSR worried about the new measures, pushed to improve relations with USA Significance?

14. Weaknesses of Communist Govt Pressure within the Eastern Europe Bloc Eastern bloc not united Rising displeasure and resentment against USSR’s Politburo Financial support to Warsaw pact allies, caused strain in USSR USSR spent US$3 billion annually on its satellite states Not including cost incurred from proxy wars. Eg War in Afghanistan Food for thought: Was the Comm Govt a total failure?

15. Weaknesses of Communist Govt • PROVIDES JOBS • Does not allow movement between jobs • Does not encourage incentive & good work • PROVIDES EDUCATION • Syllabus content controlled by state • PROVIDES HOUSING • Not enough housing & overcrowding common • Poor quality • Irregular services • PROVIDES BASIC FOOD VIA COUPONS • Minimal amts of food • State stores do not always have food to exchange for coupons Social Structure • PROVIDES SECURITY • Police state controls drugs & crime but also punishes ordinary citizens • Police control many aspects of ordinary life • PROVIDES CHEAP TRANSPORT • Mostly in cities • Travel in USSR restricted, passport system in force • PROVIDES HEALTHCARE • Hospital poorly maintained • Few Drugs • Staff Overworked

16. Weaknesses of Communist Govt • What are your conclusions about the Communist Govt in USSR? • Political • Ineffective gov’t that is backwards and not receptive towards any improvement as it was controlled by old guards who did not want to endanger their own position of power • Economic • Unable to provide for a comfortable standard of living for its people. Very inefficient system- unable to prosper. Any changes to the economic system was blocked by the old guards.

17. Gorbachev’s Reforms Perestroika “ Restructuring” of the economy Glasnost “ Openness” for the political system Perestroika Aim: To restructure the economy & political institutions in the USSR

18. Gorbachev’s Reforms Changes in foreign policy Cut defence budget Withdrew Soviet troops from Afghanistan Aimed to end Soviet competition in the arms race Stopped supporting communist governments in E. Europe – let Eastern European countries go their own way (The Sinatra Doctrine 1985)

19. Gorbachev’s Reforms Social Programme continued with anti-alcohol programme started by Andropov Increased price of Vodka Raise legal drinking age from 18-21 Reduced hours of alcohol sales Result: Unpopular campaign – Failed

20. Gorbachev’s Reforms Central Planning Ended Introduced the Law on State Enterprises Allowed market forces to decide type and prices of goods produced and workers’ wages Gave businesses more independence from govt or state ministries Encouraged workers to form small, privately owned cooperatives Allowed foreign companies to invest in joint ventures Permitted business to export goods & set prices to earn foreign currency

21. Gorbachev’s Reforms Increased amount of land available for private farming Introduced some democracy within the Communist Party Ended appointment of members of local Soviet by the Communist Party Allowed for election of members instead Result: Met with resistance from the ‘old guards’ They felt that these changes were not acceptable as they were not consistent with Stalin’s style of communism.

22. Gorbachev’s Reforms Market Economy introduced Economic change – Allowed groups of farmers to lease land for a fixed price- sold surplus on the open market (capitalism) Political changes Aim: To introduce political institutions to bypass existing ones that were resisting perestroika Replaced old parliament (Supreme Soviet) with the Congress of People’s Deputies (CPD)

23. Gorbachev’s Reforms Formed new Supreme Soviet (an organisation that make laws in USSR) Results: Elected Gorbachev as President of the USSR – could operate independently of the Communist Party Rise of open political debate and discussion Gave people a choice of candidates to vote for

24. Gorbachev’s Reforms Glasnost (openness) Reasons To restore faith in the government To end corruption To reform the Communist Party in order to carry out Perestroika reforms Reforms (pg 241) Relaxed censorship Allowed for the press and the TV to criticise the govt Permitted for open discussion & reduced suppression of information Allowed for publication of previously-banned books and publications

25. Gorbachev’s Reforms Glasnost (openness) Reforms Set up independent media agencies outside control of Communist Party Gave religious freedom Allowed for spread of western idea, music and businesses Encouraged workers to voice opinions, criticise corrupt/incompetent bosses & suggest improvements Gorbachev hoped that these reforms would make CPSU more open to new ideas, more democratic and uncorrupted.

26. How Gorbachev’s refoms affected USSR The Result of Perestroika Economic growth did not improve 1988-1989: Pre-Perestroika level 1990 & 1991: Fall of national income 1991: Serious crisis Severe shortages of basic consumer goods Revival of black markets Rationing of goods Govt printed money to pay workers’ increased wages Increase in number of people living in poverty Rise of strikes against the govt.

27. How Gorbachev’s refoms affected USSR The Result of Glasnost Rise of criticism against the govt Gorbachev & his failure to improve the economy Military defeat in Afghanistan Discoveries of corruption among leaders Loss in confidence in the Communist Party Weakened appeal of communism Re-examination of Soviet History – discredited the Communist regime Eg: Stalin’s atrocities

28. Impact of Glasnost & Perestroika on Eastern Bloc Gorbachev’s actions: Encouraged E. European govts to adopt reforms Allowed Communist hardliners to be replaced by more reformist leaders Refused to use the Red Army to support the Communist govt in E. Europe Result: Growing expression of discontent Rising expectation of significant changes within the country Weakening of Communism – Led to fall of communism in E. Europe

29. Impact of Glasnost & Perestroika on Eastern Bloc Poland The trade union, Solidarity, had won support from Polish Workers Outlawed in 1981 Remained influential The Polish Communist govt started talks with Solidarity leaders Allowed for free elections in June 1989 Solidarity won most of the seats – formed a solidarity coalition govt Was first non-communist govt in E. Europe Renamed as the Republic of Poland with Lech Walesa (Leader of Solidarity) as President

30. Impact of Glasnost & Perestroika on Eastern Bloc Hungary Changes started in early 1980s Eg. : Allowed for independent candidates to stand against Communist Party candidates Talks took place between the Communist govt & opposition groups The barbed wires separating Hungary & Austria were removed in May 1989 – opened first chink in the Iron Curtain Free elections held in March 1990 – The Communist Party was defeated and the state was renamed the Hungarian Republic Started reforms Introduced market economy, set up many political parties

32. Impact of Glasnost & Perestroika on Eastern Bloc East Germany Background Divided into West Germany (GFR) and East Germany (GDR) Built Berlin Wall in August 1961 Leader: Eric Honecker – resistant to change Rise of protest May 1989 – Removal of barbed wires between Hungary & Austria East Germans escaped to the West via Austria Honecker tried to get Hungary to close its borders. It accelerated the exodus of Germans to Hungary

33. Impact of Glasnost & Perestroika on Eastern Bloc East Germany Oct 1989: Gorbachev visited East Germany Told Honecker that USSR would not provide military help to put down the demonstrations Wanted political changes to take place in E Germany Honecker resigned 9 Nov 1989: The Berlin Wall was opened 1990: The Berlin Wall was demolished

34. Impact of Glasnost & Perestroika on Eastern Bloc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnYXbJ_bcLc

35. Impact of Glasnost & Perestroika on Eastern Bloc East Germany Significance of the fall 3 million East Berliners crossed to W Berlin Berlin Wall was a symbol of the Iron Curtain – Symbol of the collapse of Communism – Inspired other E European countries to end Comm rule Eg: Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Romania and Yugoslavia Re-unification of Germany became possible in Oct 1990.

36. Impact of Glasnost & Perestroika on Eastern Bloc Czechoslovakia Gorbachev encouraged the Czech leaders to reform Communism – Resisted Nov 1989: a huge anti-govt demonstration in Prague was put down harshly – triggered off larger demonstration The comm govt overwhelmed – Resigned Democratic elections held – A non-communist govt formed

37. Impact of Glasnost & Perestroika on Eastern Bloc

38. Impact of Glasnost & Perestroika on Eastern Bloc Romania Rule of Nicolae Ceausescu since 1965 (one of the most ruthless rule in Europe) Ceausescu refused to implement reforms An anti-govt demonstration started in Dec 1989 – harshly put down Rise of bloody battles between the secret police, the army and the demonstrators Ceausescu fled Bucharest – later captured & then sentenced to death May 1990: Elections held & new govt dominated by former communists, was formed

39. Impact of Glasnost & Perestroika on Eastern Bloc

40. The End of the Soviet Empire The speed of reform Inherited problems from Stalin’s era Had a govt machinery that could not cope with so many changes so quickly The size of the USSR’s problem Inherited problems from Stalin’s era Had to deal with corruption and inefficiency Lack of support from the West Welcomed the reforms Refused to give huge loans needed to finance them

41. The End of the Soviet Empire Opposition from Communist hardliners Felt the reforms went against Communist principles Believed the security of the USSR was endangered through reducing armaments Felt the USSR was threatened when it withdrew from Eastern European countries and let them decide their own future Opposition from the Soviet people Caused people to see problem with the Communist govt Led to demand for more extensive reforms at a quicker pace

42. The End of the Soviet Empire 6. The multi-ethnic nature of the Soviet Union USSR was made up of different people and nationalities – could no longer be held together by the central govt and the Red Army 1989: Red Army was in disarray Heavy losses in Afghanistan Soviet govt struggled to pay wages of the soldiers http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIyP7Ji-TWk&feature=related

43. The End of the Soviet Empire

44. The End of the Soviet Empire The collapse of USSR Background USSR was a union of 15 Republics Russia was the largest & most powerful 270 different nationalities speaking different languages Impact of Perestroika & Glasnost: Re-emergence of nationalism in Soviet Union The Baltic states demanded for separation from the USSR

45. The End of the Soviet Empire The collapse of USSR March 1990: Lithuania declared independence – Occupied by the Soviet army Rise of similar demands for independence in other Republics The stability & unity of the USSR threatened Used force (eg. Baltic States) Gave concessions By 1991: The USSR was on the verge of breaking up

46. The End of the Soviet Empire The Trigger: The August Coup By 1990: Gorbachev had lost support within Central govt Blamed by hardliners for the breakup of USSR Criticised by pro-democratic group by Boris Yeltsin 18 Aug 1991: The hardliners launched a coup to seize power Put Gorbachev under house arrest & ruled the USSR by emergency decree Yeltsin gathered supporters to condemn coup & get pp to resist the coup leaders The coup leaders asked the military to stop the demonstrations – refused to open fire 21 Aug 1991 – coup collapsed

47. The End of the Soviet Empire Aftermath Gorbachev’s reputation was destroyed – resigned on 25 Dec 1991 Fall in support of communism The collapse of the USSR sped up The Commonwealth of Independent States was formed in Jan 1992 Boris Yeltsin became president of the new Russia

48. The End of the Soviet Empire Boris Yeltsin became president of the new Russia