Gorbachev and the collapse of Soviet control over eastern Europe Flashcards
When did Gorbachev become Leader
14 March 1985
describe Reagan’s new Strategic defense initiative (SDI) 4
Missile defense system that would protect USA from any missile attack
Program called “Star Wars”
If USA developed weapons again, USSR would have to follow
USSR didn’t have funds to compete
Describe the Chernobyl explosion 6
26 April 1986
there were two enormous explosions at Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in USSR controlled Ukraine
Radioactive plume of smoke & debris 1km high spread across Europe
Radiation equivalent to 500 Hiroshima bombs
Despite threat to surrounding countries, USSR kept quiet
Europe only became aware on 28 April when employee at Sweden’s second largest nuclear plant noticed his shoes had high radiation levels
What were the main Problems facing the USSR in the 1980s 7
Reagan wanted to embark on new Strategic defense initiative (SDI)
USSR involved in costly proxy wars, worst of these was Afghanistan
Soviet economy was dire. Ppl tired of low wages, food queues and lack of basic commodities
Soviet citizens tired of regime that lacked human rights
Rising nationalism in satellite states and member states of USSR caused frequent protests in East Euro.
Sending USSR army to crush protests was costly & unpopular
Embarrassment of Chernobyl explosion
Why did Gorbachev want to make the USSR more appealing to the West? 2
West won’t see USSR as an enemy
Maybe West won’t embark on expensive arms race
what were the solutions put forward by Gorbachev 4
Glasnost (Social reform)
Perestroika (Economic Reform)
Change in Policy towards the West, avoid competition and focus on Peace
Change in Policy towards Eastern Europe, No longer intervening in Satellinte states
Describe Glasnost 6
“openness”
A culture of debate
lifted censorship
Travelled around Country listening to Grievances
Allowed formation of political parties other than CCP (Democratisation)
Allowed access to historical documents
Describe Perestroika 6
“Restructuring”
Aimed to grow economy without freeing it from state control
investment from capitalist West encouraged
Private ownership allowed
people given permission to buy and sell goods for profit
Workers and managers allowed to make decisions about how to run enterprises
Describe the Change in Policy towards the West 4
Couldn’t afford to match USA in Arms race anymore
USSR tried to appear less threatening
Opted for “international trust & co-operation” as way forward
Met with Reagan and discovered they got along quite well
How did Perestroika lead to collapse of USSR in 1989 3
Economic conditions got worse
Hardliners say it’s Capitalism & Gorbachev needs to go
Ppl wanted to just change to Capitalism
How did Glasnost lead to collapse of USSR in 1989 3
Gorbachev faced backlash of anger & criticism
Truth of USSR’s repressive leaders revealed
Makes ppl more determined to get complete change
How did Change in Policy towards Eastern Europe lead to collapse of USSR in 1989 4
Mass protests in satellite states (1989)
With less opposition than back in Hungary or Czech, One- by-one they threw off Soviet governments
Poland- Solidarity
Czech, Velvet Revolutio
Describe the fall of the Berlin Wall 4
November 1989
signifying: End of “Communism”
End of USSR which broke up into its separate states
End of the Cold War: “Capitalism won”
How did solutions led to collapse of USSR in 1989?
Perestroika failed
Glasnost brought more anger and criticism of USSR
Mass protests in satellite states (1989) after change in policy
November 1989, Berlin wall Falls
