Reasons for the End of the Cold War
1. Defeat of Soviet Union in Afghanistan
2. Weakness in Soviet Economy
3. Failure of Communism in Eastern Europe
4. Rise of Nationalism
5. Gorbachev
6. Reagan
Detente End
- 1970s end —> improved relations & cooperation between superpowers fade
- Increased support Soviet Union = El Salvador, Nicaragua & Angola (USA suspicious)
- Politicians distrusted Moscow & cooperation with USSR seen weak
- Nov 1979 = Iranian Islamists captured US embassy in Tehran + held American
diplomats & family hostage for 444 days —> US called by Americans restore strong
& powerful image
- Dec 1979 Detente end = Soviets invade Afghanistan to restore communist
administration after previous leader overthrown
- Strategic Arms Limitations Talks II (SALT) to be ratified in US senate ended
1. USSR defeat Afghanistan
Invasion Causes
- Islamist fundamentalism spread Middle East & Central Asian republics in USSR
(Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan & Turkmenistan)
- 1979 = Iranian Islamic Revolution + western-backed Shah overthrown + Ayatollah
Khomeini establishes extreme Islamist government
- 1978 = People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA), communist group seizes
control of Afghanistan
- PDPA factionalized = pro-Western faction led by Hafizullah Amin gained influence
- Fear of US support for Amin’s faction = Brezhnev ordered invasion
Invasion
- 24 December 1979 = Soviets capture Kabul airport + army cross border
- 27 December 1979 = Pres. Amin killed during KGB assault (Kabul palace)
- 28 December 1979 = Brezhnev informs US Carter informed soviet troops entered to
ensure country’s safety
- 1 Jan 1980 = Soviets install pro-soviet govt
Uprising / Revolt
- Islamic groups opposed soviet occupation + nationalists against communism’s
religion suppression
- Afghan army supported Red Army but badly trained & underequipped
- Islamic insurgent groups, Mujahideen = determined to fight Soviets + armed
(supplied by China & USA + CIA trained)
- Mujahideen employ guerilla tactics against Red Army + helps gain control in rural &
mountainous areas
End of war
- Soviets under pressure to withdraw + UN requested leave + US placed economic
sanctions on USSR
, - Middle East countries critical of invasion + unrest in USSR republics with large
Muslim populations
- 1985 Gorbachev came into power & withdrew troops + 1988 Soviets signed peace
treaty + withdrawn from country 1989
- Economic impact = 25% spending on military + Russian people morale (deaths &
army inability to defeat Afghan rebel forces)
2. Weaknesses in Soviet Economy
- Command economy not working
- Couldn’t commit expenditure necessary to maintain arms race
- Living standards falling while west was rising
- Economy stagnating + black market increase
- Consumer goods of much poorer standard as industrial production lagged behind
West
- Gorbachev wanted to modernise USSR & improve US relations
- USSR couldn’t compete in arms race if USSR modernised + find ways to end military
competition & reduce tension between superpowers
3. Failure of Communism in Eastern Europe
- Growing opposition to Soviet policies
- Nationalism growth (Soviet republic & Eastern Europe)
- Majority against Soviet interference & Eastern bloc Red Army presence
- Poland
4. Rise of Nationalism
- Under Brezhnev = promotion of Russian language, non-Russian culture restricted
—> aim = ensure Russian dominance
- Led to growing discontent & nationalism growth in EE
5. Gorbachev
- 1985 power + revive economy by increasing industrial output & technology
- USSR faced internal & external problems which he inherited + took over after elders
poor leadership
- Last leaders poor health + power for short time + couldn't implement meaningful
change
Aims
● Reduce govt control + incentives & competition = restore & restructure economy
● Reduce military spending
● Encourage western spending
● Make govt transparent + listen to public
● Allow elections but ensure communist power
Glasnost (1986)
● ‘Openness’
● Allowed speaking out + freely criticise govt (no repercussions)
● Censorship ban = freedom of expression in art, literature, theatre & media + debate
encouraged = intellectual stimulation
● Reform - not undermine communist system
● USSR historical questions = opened archives
1. Defeat of Soviet Union in Afghanistan
2. Weakness in Soviet Economy
3. Failure of Communism in Eastern Europe
4. Rise of Nationalism
5. Gorbachev
6. Reagan
Detente End
- 1970s end —> improved relations & cooperation between superpowers fade
- Increased support Soviet Union = El Salvador, Nicaragua & Angola (USA suspicious)
- Politicians distrusted Moscow & cooperation with USSR seen weak
- Nov 1979 = Iranian Islamists captured US embassy in Tehran + held American
diplomats & family hostage for 444 days —> US called by Americans restore strong
& powerful image
- Dec 1979 Detente end = Soviets invade Afghanistan to restore communist
administration after previous leader overthrown
- Strategic Arms Limitations Talks II (SALT) to be ratified in US senate ended
1. USSR defeat Afghanistan
Invasion Causes
- Islamist fundamentalism spread Middle East & Central Asian republics in USSR
(Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan & Turkmenistan)
- 1979 = Iranian Islamic Revolution + western-backed Shah overthrown + Ayatollah
Khomeini establishes extreme Islamist government
- 1978 = People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA), communist group seizes
control of Afghanistan
- PDPA factionalized = pro-Western faction led by Hafizullah Amin gained influence
- Fear of US support for Amin’s faction = Brezhnev ordered invasion
Invasion
- 24 December 1979 = Soviets capture Kabul airport + army cross border
- 27 December 1979 = Pres. Amin killed during KGB assault (Kabul palace)
- 28 December 1979 = Brezhnev informs US Carter informed soviet troops entered to
ensure country’s safety
- 1 Jan 1980 = Soviets install pro-soviet govt
Uprising / Revolt
- Islamic groups opposed soviet occupation + nationalists against communism’s
religion suppression
- Afghan army supported Red Army but badly trained & underequipped
- Islamic insurgent groups, Mujahideen = determined to fight Soviets + armed
(supplied by China & USA + CIA trained)
- Mujahideen employ guerilla tactics against Red Army + helps gain control in rural &
mountainous areas
End of war
- Soviets under pressure to withdraw + UN requested leave + US placed economic
sanctions on USSR
, - Middle East countries critical of invasion + unrest in USSR republics with large
Muslim populations
- 1985 Gorbachev came into power & withdrew troops + 1988 Soviets signed peace
treaty + withdrawn from country 1989
- Economic impact = 25% spending on military + Russian people morale (deaths &
army inability to defeat Afghan rebel forces)
2. Weaknesses in Soviet Economy
- Command economy not working
- Couldn’t commit expenditure necessary to maintain arms race
- Living standards falling while west was rising
- Economy stagnating + black market increase
- Consumer goods of much poorer standard as industrial production lagged behind
West
- Gorbachev wanted to modernise USSR & improve US relations
- USSR couldn’t compete in arms race if USSR modernised + find ways to end military
competition & reduce tension between superpowers
3. Failure of Communism in Eastern Europe
- Growing opposition to Soviet policies
- Nationalism growth (Soviet republic & Eastern Europe)
- Majority against Soviet interference & Eastern bloc Red Army presence
- Poland
4. Rise of Nationalism
- Under Brezhnev = promotion of Russian language, non-Russian culture restricted
—> aim = ensure Russian dominance
- Led to growing discontent & nationalism growth in EE
5. Gorbachev
- 1985 power + revive economy by increasing industrial output & technology
- USSR faced internal & external problems which he inherited + took over after elders
poor leadership
- Last leaders poor health + power for short time + couldn't implement meaningful
change
Aims
● Reduce govt control + incentives & competition = restore & restructure economy
● Reduce military spending
● Encourage western spending
● Make govt transparent + listen to public
● Allow elections but ensure communist power
Glasnost (1986)
● ‘Openness’
● Allowed speaking out + freely criticise govt (no repercussions)
● Censorship ban = freedom of expression in art, literature, theatre & media + debate
encouraged = intellectual stimulation
● Reform - not undermine communist system
● USSR historical questions = opened archives
