Part 4 - 1963 - 1980 (Cold War outside of Vietnam) Flashcards
(34 cards)
Cool argument for ICH BIN EIN BERLINER?
Having just defused a nuclear crisis, JFK needed to show that solution in Cuba didn’t mean passivity worldwide.
After years of pressure, isolation, and the Wall cutting them off, West Berliners were demoralized. JFK’s visit and speech were like a political morale injection — making them feel seen and supported.
June 1963
Summarise the Hotline
Hotline Agreement (June 1963)
Direct communication link between Washington and Moscow /// Triggered by delays + near-misses during Cuban Missile Crisis /// Aimed to prevent miscalculation / accidental nuclear war /// First major step toward détente through practical cooperation amid Cold War tension
What was the Partial Test Ban Treaty?
Partial Test Ban Treaty (Aug 1963)
Banned nuclear tests in atmosphere, outer space, and underwater /// Response to global fear post-Cuban Missile Crisis + radioactive fallout /// First arms control agreement of the Cold War /// Signed by US, USSR, UK — symbol of limited thaw /// Didn’t stop arms race (underground tests allowed) but opened door to future détente
Where and When was JFK shot?
November 1963, Dallas
LBJ sworn in hours later aboard Air Force One
Describe what LBJ is like at the date of JFKs assassination?
Lyndon B. Johnson = seasoned politician, ex-Senate Majority Leader, master of domestic policy /// Framed himself as JFK’s heir to ensure stability /// Pushed major civil rights + “Great Society” reforms /// Maintained Cold War policies — escalated Vietnam War despite early restraint
What is GREAT SOCIETY / one example?
LBJs policy from 1964 onwards on an “Abundance of liberty” and the end to poverty.
Set up Medicare.
Why and when was Khruschev forced to retire?
He was blamed for the Sino Soviet split, failure of Cuba and erratic reforms. This was possibly his greatest achievement as in the Stalin era, he probably wouldv’e been executed instead of being ALLOWED to peacefully (but forcefully) retire from party elites.
(Oct 1964)
When does Brezhnev become Soviet Premier?
October 1964 after Khruschev forced to retire.
What was Brezhnev like when he came to power?
Prioritised stability and control after Khrushchev’s turbulent leadership.
- Cold War tone = cautious but firm
- Sought strategic stability — less brinkmanship, more predictability
- Embraced détente short-term (arms control, diplomacy) but remained hardline on Soviet sphere
- Prioritised military strength + nuclear parity with US
- Brezhnev Doctrine — no tolerance for deviation in Eastern Bloc
What was the 6 day war?
Six-Day War (June 1967)
U.S. backed Israel (arms + diplomacy) /// USSR supported Arab states (esp. Egypt + Syria) /// Cold War proxy conflict — regional war, superpower shadow /// War humiliated USSR allies, pushed Soviets to re-arm Egypt /// Intensified U.S.–USSR rivalry in Middle East /// Triggered long-term instability + Cold War entanglement in region
The USSR’s key allies were crushed in 6 days — massive propaganda defeat.
What were the reasons for the Prague Spring?
- The Czechoslovak Communist Party had become rigid, corrupt, and deeply unpopular.
- People were frustrated by lack of freedom, censorship, and the secret police.
- Many saw the government as just a puppet of the USSR.
- The economy was in STAGFLATION
- Dubcek was elected in Janurary of 1968 and represented the new generation of communists.
- Under Dubcek reforms gained speed, press freedom, less secret police power and plans for limited market reform.
Who was Dubcek and what was his policy?
Elected leader of Czech in early 1968 - “Socialism with a human face” - lots of reform like press freedom, less secret police power, loosening of one party rule.
- The USSR and Warsaw Pact leaders saw these changes as a threat to communist unity. There were also fears that Czechoslovakia could “infect” other Eastern Bloc states (e.g. Poland, East Germany) with reformist ideas.
Despite meetings and pressure, Dubček refused to fully reverse reforms.
What was Brezhnevs response to Dubceks reforms?
Night in August - red army + Warsaw Pact troops (500,000+) invaded Czechoslovakia.
- Aimed to crush reforms and restore hardline control.
- Dubček was arrested, then forced to reverse reforms under pressure.
- Minimal armed resistance, but massive nonviolent protests erupted.
Outcomes of the Prague Spring:
- Invasion shattered hopes of reform within the Eastern Bloc. Showed that Brezhnev would not tolerate any deviation.
- Led to the Brezhnev Doctrine: USSR claimed the right to intervene wherever socialism was threatened.
- Deepened East-West divide — massive Western condemnation, though no military response.
- Weakened faith in the idea that communism could evolve peacefully.
Dubcek replaced with a pro soviet leader.
Dates of the Prague Spring?
Jan - Dubcek Elected
August - invasion
What was the Brezhnev Doctorine?
November 1968
In response to Prague Spring -
- No Eastern Bloc country was allowed to leave the Warsaw Pact or abandon communism.
- The Soviet Union would use military force if necessary to maintain communist control.
- Sovereignty of individual socialist countries was limited—the survival of socialism took priority
Explain the 1969 border clash?
Battle of Zhenbao - March 1969
Hundreds dead on both sides - almost flung the two biggest socialist nations in the world into war.
Followed the Sino Soviet Split.
What is triangulation?
It’s the Cold War policy where the U.S. sought to exploit the Sino-Soviet split by improving relations with China while continuing rivalry with the USSR — effectively playing the two communist powers off each other to U.S. advantage.
NIXON
What was the Nagoya Championship?
Ping Pong Diplomacy – April 1971
U.S. and Chinese table tennis teams meet during World Championships in Nagoya, Japan /// First publicly acknowledged contact between the two nations since 1949 /// China invites U.S. team to visit – major symbolic step /// Opens the door for improved relations /// Leads to Nixon’s 1972 visit and forms part of triangulation strategy against the USSR.
Nixon Visits China significance?
Forced the USSR to negotiate and reduced the risk of a strong communist alliance vs the West.
The visit isolated the USSR by explotiting the Sino Soviet split, forcing the Soviets to reconsider their approach towards the US.
- Weakened the communist bloc’s united front.
- Helped the U.S. improve its global position without direct military confrontation.
What was the Shanghai Communiqué
Produced on the final evening of Nixons visit to China (Feb 1972)
Was less a binding treaty and more a diplomatic framework signaling a willingness to engage constructively.
Both sides expressed the desire to reduce tensions in Asia
Kissinger (who visited beforehand and had over 25hrs of meetings with Zhou) sought to reinforce things they already agreed on, but Zhou pushing to work on things they disagreed on impressed America and created even better spirits.
Explain Ostpolotik?
West Germany’s “Ostpolitik” under Chancellor Willy Brandt was the normalisation of positive relations between West Germany and East Europe, especially East Germany.
Who was Willy Brandt and what did he do?
Chancellor of W.Germany and trailblazed ostpolotik.
Brandt engaged and connected Eastern Europe to the West both diplomatically and economically and signed treaties aimed at improving relations with the Soviet Union and Communist Germany.
