Chapter 24 - The Ending of Cold War Tensions Flashcards
1
Q
What was G’s view towards Afghanistan?
A
- Early as 1982, Soviet Politburo realised it couldn’t win Afghanistan war BUT refused to admit defeat
- Couldn’t withdraw troops due to Brezhnev doctrine
- As soon as G took office, wanted to withdraw troops from Afghanistan
2
Q
Why was USSR policy in Afghanistan failing?
A
- US supplies weapons to Afghan mujaheddin guerrilla fighters
- Afghan army couldn’t defeat mujaheddin by itself but Soviets had been no more successful
- Huge casualties and huge expenses
- Glasnost = people could express anti-government opinions
3
Q
How did G end Soviet involvement in Afghanistan?
A
- Met with Revolutionary Council of Afghanistan and prepared them for removal of Soviet troops
- G thought would remove barrier to East-West relations
- G wanted ‘peace with honour’
- Soviets accomplished withdrawal quickly
4
Q
How did the USA help Cold War tensions ease in Nicaragua?
A
- Late 1980s = reduced US funding to the Contras
- Contras agreed ceasefire with Sandinista regime
- Sandinistas agreed elections to be held Feb 1990
- US influenced 14 Sandinista opposition parties to campaign for single presidential candidate
5
Q
Who became leader of Nicaragua?
A
- Violeta Chamorro
- Pro-American
6
Q
Why did Chamorro win the Nicaraguan election?
A
- Send over $1 million of financial support from USA
- Venezuela also contributed to her campaign
- Chamorro removed the Contras = ended Civil War
(country tired of 11 years Civil war) - BUT Chamorro’s legacy = leave dire economy that would take decades to recover
7
Q
How did the USA aid Duarte’s election in El Salvador?
A
- USA contributed $6 million to Duarte’s campaign in 1984
- USA provided military assistance against FMLN (supported by USSR and Cuba) who opposed the military and would do so until death squads were eliminated
8
Q
How did anger in El Salvador grow?
A
- 1987 amnesty law released those falsely accused from prison BUT also pardoned members of military death squads
- 1988 elections = Cristiani won
9
Q
How did the FMLN cause change in El Salvador?
A
- After Cristiani elected President, launched new offensive against gov
- FMLN couldn’t win but couldn’t be defeated by gov either = need for truce
- USA became increasingly uncomfortable with supporting Salvadoran army = encouraged gov to begin negotiations
- 1992 = peace accords signed and FMLN became legitimate party
10
Q
How did Cuba become more independent as Cold War tensions relaxed?
A
- USSR not intervening = lost major source of funding
- Lacked resources = economic restructuring needed
- Diversified trading partners and economy
- Engaged with Europe and Canada
- Opened to tourism
- Series of agreements = currency to country
- Withdrawal of Cuban troops from Africa
11
Q
How did USSR’s policy in Angola change?
A
- Dec 1986 = G announced USSR would reduce support for MPLA regime in Angola
- Wanted to improve relations with USA and reduce USSR spending
- Sep 1987 = USSR encouraged major offensive against UNITA (supported by USA) to try and end civil war
- South-African coiner-offensive = DANGER
- Cuba aided by sending 10,000 troops (without consulting Moscow)
12
Q
How did negotiations in South Africa occur?
A
- May 1988 = South Africa agreed to negotiations as continued civil war threatened stability of its own regime
(opposed by ANC which could use Angola as base) - Dec 1988 - agreement reached (included withdrawal of Cuban forces from Angola)
13
Q
What was the significance of agreements made regarding the Civil War in Angola?
A
- Brought some stability to Southwest Africa
- South Africa became more secure
- South Africa no longer needed to engage in conflict with MPLA regime in Angola
- Agreement resolved source of Cold War tension between USA and USSR
14
Q
How did communism show influence in Ethiopia?
A
- After Somali invasion of Ogaden, USSR, Cuba and North Korea offered assistance to Mengistu to help Ethiopia retake territory
- 1987 = Mengistu established People’s Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
(= country would be fully Marxist) - Would be led by Workers Party of Ethiopia (Cuba sent over 300 medical personnel in aid)
15
Q
How did the Marxist regime in Ethiopia come undone?
A
- Civil War and armed resistance from Eritrean nationalists who wanted independence
- 1989 = Ethiopian army suffered series of defeats
- May 1991 = Mengistu fled country as opposition forces approached capital (found asylum in Zimbabwe)
- May 1991 = Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front took power (got assistance from USA)
