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End of the Cold War

End of the Cold War. Period of Détente (1962-1979). Period of lessening tension between the US and USSR After Cuban Missile Crisis (1962) Ends with Soviet invasion of Afghanistan (1979). Characteristics: Hotline between White House/Kremlin Recognized borders of Europe

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End of the Cold War

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  1. End of the Cold War

  2. Period of Détente (1962-1979) • Period of lessening tension between the US and USSR • After Cuban Missile Crisis (1962) • Ends with Soviet invasion of Afghanistan (1979) Characteristics: • Hotline between White House/Kremlin • Recognized borders of Europe • Limiting Arms Race • Trade between superpowers

  3. End of Détente • Two main reasons: SALT and Afghanistan • Soviets did not reduce nuclear arms after 1st meeting • Invade Afghanistan during peace talks • U.S. doesn’t sign SALT II in protest • President Reagan ushers era of neo-conservatism

  4. Gorbachev’s Changes • Soviet Union = declining economy and widespread social issues • Election of Mikhail Gorbachev- 1985 changed Soviet policy • Perestroika (restructuring)- limited free market for consumers • Glasnost (openness)- encouraged citizens to openly discuss problems with the gov’t

  5. Gorbachev’s Changes • Reduced arms with U.S.; relations improving • Stopped providing military support to satellite states • States begin revolting with Gorbachev’s new foreign policy • Most significant event: Fall of the Berlin Wall • Early appeals to remove wall ignored • Growing resentment of division in E. Germany; widespread protest expand after fall of communism in Poland • Nov 1989- travel restrictions lifted and demolition begins

  6. Revolutions in E. Europe • Poland • Trade union called Solidarity fought for workers rights • Support from Catholic Church (1st Polish Pope) • 1988- 1st democratic elections in 40 years

  7. Revolutions in E. Europe • Czechoslovakia • Violent suppression of reform in 1968 • Mass demonstrations in 1988/89 • Communist gov’t falls in Dec. 1989 • Slovakians and Czechs agree to peacefully split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia

  8. Revolutions in E. Europe • Romania • Leader Ceausescu abusive Communist leader • Secret police kill thousands in a peaceful protest in Dec. 1989 • Army captured and executed Ceausescu • Continued to be led by communist sympathizers until 1996

  9. Fall of the Soviet Union • Revolutions also break out within the Soviet Union • Countries of Georgia, Moldova, Uzbekistan, and the Baltic states receive independence in 1989 and 90

  10. Fall of the Soviet Union • Gorbachev changes gov’t structure to add more democratic elements • Communist leaders arrest Gorbachev in 1991 and attempt a coup (failure) • President Boris Yeltsin and other Russians resist and stop the coup • Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus (Soviet republics) speak of independence • Dec. 1991- Soviet Union announced to be dissolved

  11. Why Did We Win? • Soviet oppression • Unstable foreign policy • Glasnost/Perestroika • Lack of consumer goods • Too much military spending • Effective reform in the U.S. • Other factors?

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