1
Theme 6: The End of the Cold War
By 1980s, Soviet Union facing severe economic problems
In 1985 new Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev introduced reforms to solve problems.
His reforms would have unintended results; and by 1989 people of Eastern Europe used
opportunity to overthrow communist governments and end Soviet control.
The reform process begun by Gorbachev would gather momentum and spread beyond
his control. By 1991 he was out of office, and the Soviet Union had collapsed.
There were other factors, aside from Gorbachev’s reforms, that led to this collapse.
Collapse of Soviet Union affected South Africa, and was one of the factors which would
lead the National Party to a negotiated settlement with the ANC.
Remember that PW Botha had liked to claim that he could not unban the ANC, PAC and
SACP in the 1980s owing to the “Communist threat.” However once the Soviet Union
collapsed he could no longer use this as a valid point.
The Situation in the Soviet Union in 1985
When Gorbachev came to power in 1985 the Soviet Union was facing a crisis.
Its resources were drained by Cold War owing to arms race, economy and agricultural
production were failing and people were demoralized.
Shortages of consumer goods, inadequate housing, poor public health care, alcoholism
and a sense that the government could not find solutions.
Those in power led privileged lives whilst majority of population had nothing.
Another drain on Soviet Union was war with Afghanistan, ongoing since 1979.
USSR sent troops to back newly-elected, pro-Soviet government of the country.
This new government was being challenged by Mujaheddin – anti communist, Islamic
fighters who were being supplied with weapons by the USA.
Soviet Union wished to defeat Mujaheddin, as it feared that they could spread Islamic
extremism throughout the large Muslim populations within the USSR.
Despite having superior weapons, Soviet Union was unable to crush the resistance.
By 1985, over 20 000 Soviet troops had died in Afghanistan, in war that was becoming
increasing unpopular at home, and had been likened to the Vietnam war.
It became a war that could not be won, and it continually drained the resources and
morale of the USSR.
Gorbachev’s Reforms
Gorbachev became General Secretary of Communist Party and head of state of Soviet
Union in 1985.
He brought a new energy and drive to Soviet leadership.
He recognized problems within Soviet Union and realized major changes were needed.
At NO stage did he intend to dismantle communism though.
,2
Gorbachev decided to withdraw from Afghanistan and within four years all Soviet
soldiers had left.
Glasnost
This meant ‘’openness.”
People would be allowed to speak more openly, and they could criticize the
government.
Up until this time, communist government had controlled all art, theatre, literature,
media and debate. Everything else was censored or banned.
Under glasnost, greater freedom of speech was encouraged.
Government still controlled press but newspapers and magazines could report openly
and question the government.
Old versions of Soviet history were opened up for debate and stories of oppression and
terror under Stalin’s rule began to emerge.
Many political prisoners were released.
Perestroika
This meant “restructuring’’ and aim was to rebuild the soviet economy.
Economy would still be state-owned and centrally planned but market forces would be
allowed to operate.
Private businesses would be allowed to exist and make their own decisions about prices,
production and marketing; and could finance themselves through newly created banks.
Bankrupt state-owned businesses no longer received support from the state and were
closed down.
State subsidies were withdrawn, leading to more realistic pricing based on supply and
demand.
People could start to buy and sell for profit and foreign investment was encouraged.
Détente
A state of peaceful relations with the west
It was to end tension and bring in a calm relationship
Democratization
Allow political parties to form
The Impact of Gorbachev’s Reforms
, 3
Gorbachev’s withdrawal from Afghanistan and internal reforms were welcomed by
western leaders
British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher declared “I like Mr. Gorbachev, we can do
business together.”
Gorbachev needed to end arms race with USA so that he could pour much needed
money into the Soviet Union, so he initiated a number of meetings with the US president
Ronald Reagan, so that they could agree to reduce their nuclear arms and overall
military spending.
Gorbachev’s policies were less popular in the Soviet Union
The aim of ‘’perestroika’’ was to promote economic growth within the USSR, but
without state support and control many of the systems simply collapsed.
Cost of living increased substantially as prices rose for food, housing and medicine.
Production remained low and there were long queues for basic goods.
Inflation and foreign debt increased drastically, and life for ordinary citizen did not
improve
Gorbachev lost support; and because of ‘’glasnost’’ people could now openly criticize
him.
Firm control which Bolsheviks had established over the USSR since 917 was beginning to
collapse.
Eastern Europe
After World War II, most of Eastern Europe had come under Soviet domination
For more than four decades the Soviet Union had wielded complete control over these
satellite states, and from 1955 Warsaw Pact Soviet troops had been coming in and
crushing any reform attempts or opposition occurring anywhere in the Eastern Bloc.
By 1980s, people in Eastern European satellite states wanted change, and after 40 years
of communist rule they began to demand reform.
Events in Poland
Interestingly enough, first protests against Soviet rule in the 1980s took place in Poland.
Poles were religious people, and despite communist efforts to destroy Roman Catholic
Church, remained strong and almost all Poles were catholic.
The Pope – Pope John Paul II was Polish – and was outspoken critic of communism in
Poland.
In 1979 he made an influential visit home to Poland, which inspired Polish Catholics to
demand greater freedom.
From 1980 Poland was badly affected by economic problems such as rising prices, and a
declining standard of living.
Theme 6: The End of the Cold War
By 1980s, Soviet Union facing severe economic problems
In 1985 new Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev introduced reforms to solve problems.
His reforms would have unintended results; and by 1989 people of Eastern Europe used
opportunity to overthrow communist governments and end Soviet control.
The reform process begun by Gorbachev would gather momentum and spread beyond
his control. By 1991 he was out of office, and the Soviet Union had collapsed.
There were other factors, aside from Gorbachev’s reforms, that led to this collapse.
Collapse of Soviet Union affected South Africa, and was one of the factors which would
lead the National Party to a negotiated settlement with the ANC.
Remember that PW Botha had liked to claim that he could not unban the ANC, PAC and
SACP in the 1980s owing to the “Communist threat.” However once the Soviet Union
collapsed he could no longer use this as a valid point.
The Situation in the Soviet Union in 1985
When Gorbachev came to power in 1985 the Soviet Union was facing a crisis.
Its resources were drained by Cold War owing to arms race, economy and agricultural
production were failing and people were demoralized.
Shortages of consumer goods, inadequate housing, poor public health care, alcoholism
and a sense that the government could not find solutions.
Those in power led privileged lives whilst majority of population had nothing.
Another drain on Soviet Union was war with Afghanistan, ongoing since 1979.
USSR sent troops to back newly-elected, pro-Soviet government of the country.
This new government was being challenged by Mujaheddin – anti communist, Islamic
fighters who were being supplied with weapons by the USA.
Soviet Union wished to defeat Mujaheddin, as it feared that they could spread Islamic
extremism throughout the large Muslim populations within the USSR.
Despite having superior weapons, Soviet Union was unable to crush the resistance.
By 1985, over 20 000 Soviet troops had died in Afghanistan, in war that was becoming
increasing unpopular at home, and had been likened to the Vietnam war.
It became a war that could not be won, and it continually drained the resources and
morale of the USSR.
Gorbachev’s Reforms
Gorbachev became General Secretary of Communist Party and head of state of Soviet
Union in 1985.
He brought a new energy and drive to Soviet leadership.
He recognized problems within Soviet Union and realized major changes were needed.
At NO stage did he intend to dismantle communism though.
,2
Gorbachev decided to withdraw from Afghanistan and within four years all Soviet
soldiers had left.
Glasnost
This meant ‘’openness.”
People would be allowed to speak more openly, and they could criticize the
government.
Up until this time, communist government had controlled all art, theatre, literature,
media and debate. Everything else was censored or banned.
Under glasnost, greater freedom of speech was encouraged.
Government still controlled press but newspapers and magazines could report openly
and question the government.
Old versions of Soviet history were opened up for debate and stories of oppression and
terror under Stalin’s rule began to emerge.
Many political prisoners were released.
Perestroika
This meant “restructuring’’ and aim was to rebuild the soviet economy.
Economy would still be state-owned and centrally planned but market forces would be
allowed to operate.
Private businesses would be allowed to exist and make their own decisions about prices,
production and marketing; and could finance themselves through newly created banks.
Bankrupt state-owned businesses no longer received support from the state and were
closed down.
State subsidies were withdrawn, leading to more realistic pricing based on supply and
demand.
People could start to buy and sell for profit and foreign investment was encouraged.
Détente
A state of peaceful relations with the west
It was to end tension and bring in a calm relationship
Democratization
Allow political parties to form
The Impact of Gorbachev’s Reforms
, 3
Gorbachev’s withdrawal from Afghanistan and internal reforms were welcomed by
western leaders
British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher declared “I like Mr. Gorbachev, we can do
business together.”
Gorbachev needed to end arms race with USA so that he could pour much needed
money into the Soviet Union, so he initiated a number of meetings with the US president
Ronald Reagan, so that they could agree to reduce their nuclear arms and overall
military spending.
Gorbachev’s policies were less popular in the Soviet Union
The aim of ‘’perestroika’’ was to promote economic growth within the USSR, but
without state support and control many of the systems simply collapsed.
Cost of living increased substantially as prices rose for food, housing and medicine.
Production remained low and there were long queues for basic goods.
Inflation and foreign debt increased drastically, and life for ordinary citizen did not
improve
Gorbachev lost support; and because of ‘’glasnost’’ people could now openly criticize
him.
Firm control which Bolsheviks had established over the USSR since 917 was beginning to
collapse.
Eastern Europe
After World War II, most of Eastern Europe had come under Soviet domination
For more than four decades the Soviet Union had wielded complete control over these
satellite states, and from 1955 Warsaw Pact Soviet troops had been coming in and
crushing any reform attempts or opposition occurring anywhere in the Eastern Bloc.
By 1980s, people in Eastern European satellite states wanted change, and after 40 years
of communist rule they began to demand reform.
Events in Poland
Interestingly enough, first protests against Soviet rule in the 1980s took place in Poland.
Poles were religious people, and despite communist efforts to destroy Roman Catholic
Church, remained strong and almost all Poles were catholic.
The Pope – Pope John Paul II was Polish – and was outspoken critic of communism in
Poland.
In 1979 he made an influential visit home to Poland, which inspired Polish Catholics to
demand greater freedom.
From 1980 Poland was badly affected by economic problems such as rising prices, and a
declining standard of living.
