Gorbachev’s
Reforms
, What the world was like before 1989
Cold War dominated international politics and world attention
- USSR = crisis = resources drained by Cold War
- Economy was failing:
o Agricultural production was poor
o People openly talk about economic collapse
- People = demoralized:
o ≠ consumer goods
o Inadequate housing
o Poor public health care
o Alcoholism
- Government = privileges ≠ care about the people
- War in Afghanistan
o USSR wanted to defeat Mujaheddin
o Feared Islamic extremism influence on Asian regions
o USSR ≠ defeat them
o War drained resources and morale of USSR
- Nixon = president of USA = promised to withdraw from Vietnam
o USA left Vietnam = costs and international pressure
≠ achieve objections
- Nixon + Brezhnev = bitter rivals
o BUT both ≠ want nuclear war = Period of détente
The Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT 1)
Both countries limit nuclear weapons
USA sold grain to USSR (750 million)
o This was a shift away from Cold War
- Détente continued = peace in 70’s
o Cherenkov replaced Brezhnev
o Andropov replaced Cherenkov
o Andropov = died
Politburo turned to Gorbachev as president
Politburo:
The most powerful ruling body of the Communist Party
Reforms
, What the world was like before 1989
Cold War dominated international politics and world attention
- USSR = crisis = resources drained by Cold War
- Economy was failing:
o Agricultural production was poor
o People openly talk about economic collapse
- People = demoralized:
o ≠ consumer goods
o Inadequate housing
o Poor public health care
o Alcoholism
- Government = privileges ≠ care about the people
- War in Afghanistan
o USSR wanted to defeat Mujaheddin
o Feared Islamic extremism influence on Asian regions
o USSR ≠ defeat them
o War drained resources and morale of USSR
- Nixon = president of USA = promised to withdraw from Vietnam
o USA left Vietnam = costs and international pressure
≠ achieve objections
- Nixon + Brezhnev = bitter rivals
o BUT both ≠ want nuclear war = Period of détente
The Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT 1)
Both countries limit nuclear weapons
USA sold grain to USSR (750 million)
o This was a shift away from Cold War
- Détente continued = peace in 70’s
o Cherenkov replaced Brezhnev
o Andropov replaced Cherenkov
o Andropov = died
Politburo turned to Gorbachev as president
Politburo:
The most powerful ruling body of the Communist Party
