Part 6 - 1980 - 1991 (End of the Cold War)

Question 1

Explain Reagan’s candicacy?

Answer 1

Ex-actor & California governor; strong anti-communist.

• 1980 campaign: promised to restore U.S. strength, reject détente, increase military.
• Supported anti-communist forces globally (Nicaragua, Afghanistan).

Marked key phase of Second Cold War—tensions rose then eased.

His anti communist, anti detente candicacy was helped by things like Iran and afghanistan. PUBLIC OPINION.

Won 489 electoral votes VS Carter

Question 2

Reaganomics?

Answer 2

Tax cuts + deregulation + lower govt spending (non-military) /// Huge defence buildup /// Aimed to boost U.S. economy & pressure USSR /// Criticised for increasing national debt ///

TRICKLE DOWN

Question 3

What does Reagan quote about defense spending?

Answer 3

“defense is no budget item” - no limit on how much should be spent - very different to Eisenhowers “stealing from the people” idea.

Question 4

Who was Pope John Paul II and what is his relevance?

Answer 4

Pope John Paul II (first Polish Pope) visits Poland /// Inspires national pride & Catholic resistance to communism /// Weakens USSR ideological grip ///

1979

Question 5

What builds on Pope John Pauls visit?

Answer 5

Economic crisis: food prices rise /// Strikes at Gdańsk shipyards /// Solidarity trade union formed, led by Lech Wałęsa /// First independent trade union in Eastern Bloc /// Grows to 10 million members ///

THIS WAS IN AUGUST 1980 IN GDANSK.

Question 6

Main leader of Solidarity?

Answer 6

Lech Wałęsa

Question 7

What happens in response to the growing strength of solidarity?

Answer 7

USSR alarmed at Solidarity’s power /// Fears “counter-revolution” /// General Jaruzelski imposes martial law 1981 (Dec) /// Solidarity banned, leaders arrested /// Soviet invasion avoided, but heavy pressure

Question 8

Outcome of the Soviet suppression of Solidarity in 1981

Answer 8

West condemns repression /// U.S. imposes economic sanctions on Poland and USSR /// Symbol of Soviet weakness /// Solidarity goes underground but stays active ///

Question 9

What does Solidarity prove?

Answer 9

Solidarity = proof of communist failure to meet workers’ needs

Question 10

Reagan reaction to USSR suppression of solidarity?

Answer 10

Strongly condemned Polish govt & USSR for imposing martial law /// Viewed crackdown as Soviet-backed oppression of freedom /// Imposed economic sanctions on Poland (and later USSR) /// Froze tech and trade deals /// Used the event to justify tougher Cold War stance /// Publicly praised Solidarity & Lech Wałęsa as symbols of resistance /// Strengthened support for anti-communist movements worldwide ///

Question 11

Summarise Carter and Human Rights Abuses?

Answer 11

Carter’s human rights campaign against the USSR was a moral and strategic effort to challenge Soviet authoritarianism.

He used international law, diplomacy, and economic tools to pressure Moscow, despite political costs. It marked a shift in U.S. foreign policy toward ethical concerns—setting the stage for how human rights would become a permanent element of global diplomacy.

He moved away from Realpolitik (nixon) - politics based on practicality over morality to one based on morality.

Used HELSINKI FROM 1975 TO DO SO.

Question 12

What does Solidarity represent?

Answer 12

Solidarity proved that mass opposition could exist under a Communist regime — and survive.

• It shattered the image of a politically unified Eastern Bloc.
• It showed that working-class people (supposedly the “core” of communism) were turning against the system.

Solidarity became a symbol of resistance across Eastern Europe.

It was the nucleus of the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Question 13

When does Brezhnev die?

Answer 13

Novemeber 1982

Question 14

Andropov rule?

Answer 14

November 1982 - Feb 1984

Question 15

Chernenko rule?

Answer 15

Feb 1984 - March 1985

Question 16

What was Reagans Economic policy?

Answer 16

Reagan believed the Soviet Union could be outspent and outlasted. His strategy used America’s superior economic power to exert pressure on the USSR

Between 1980 and 1985, the U.S. defense budget increased by approximately 40% in real terms (inflation-adjusted).

Question 17

What was Reagan and Oil diplomacy?

Answer 17

He pressured OPEC to increase production and stop price fixing -> big increases in oil production in the 80s -> Hurt soviet economy even more as it was 60% of their export income -> relied on this for imports of grain and technology!!!

Question 18

What was Reagans SDI?

Answer 18

A defense project announced by President Ronald Reagan in March 1983.

• Aimed to develop a space-based missile defense system to intercept and destroy incoming Soviet nuclear missiles before they reached the U.S.
• This wouldv’e elimated the whole concept of “MAD” putting immense pressure on the Soviet Union.

SDI was never fully built, but it succeeded strategically in pressing on the collapsing USSR economy.

Question 19

Summarise the reasons for the failing Soviet economy by the 1980s?

Answer 19

Stagnant, Inefficient Central Planning
* The Soviet economy was based on centralized 5-year plans — rigid, slow, and unresponsive. No profit incentive: factories were rewarded for meeting quotas, not quality or innovation.

Up to 25% of Soviet GDP was going to the military-industrial complex.

Aging “gerantocracy” leadership

Poor current account - imported grain exported oil (oil glut)

Question 20

Pershing II in Carter VS Reagan era?

Answer 20

Pershing II missiles and Cruise missiles were threatened as part of NATO’s “double track descion” which Carter approved of offering Soviet arms talks in return for NOT putting these weapons in Europe.

By 1983, these talks failed, SS20s were still in the USSR and so Reagan authorised the deployment of Pershing II and cruise missiles in Turkey, Italy etc.

Question 21

What was the Evil Empire Speech?

Answer 21

Delivered by President Ronald Reagan on March 8, 1983, to the National Association of Evangelicals in Florida.

• In the speech, Reagan famously called the Soviet Union the “evil empire” — framing the Cold War as a moral and ideological battle between freedom and tyranny.
• He rejected the idea of moral equivalence between the U.S. and USSR — a direct contrast to the détente rhetoric of the 1970s.

Question 22

Impact of the Evil Empire Speech?

Answer 22

• The speech intensified Cold War rhetoric, coming just before the announcement of SDI and the missile deployments in Europe.

The USSR saw it as a direct ideological attack — and reacted furiously.

• It froze U.S.–Soviet relations — diplomacy became more difficult through 1983–84.
• Soviet leaders dismissed Reagan as a dangerous warmonger.

Strengthened support for military buildup, SDI, and anti-communist movements.

• Positioned Reagan as the moral leader of the anti-communist cause, influencing U.S. foreign policy until the Cold War’s end.

Question 23

What was the KAL - 007 incident?

Answer 23

On September 1, 1983, Korean Air Flight 007 (KAL 007), a commercial airliner en route from New York to Seoul, was shot down by the Soviet Union after it strayed into Soviet airspace near the Sakhalin Islands.

• The Soviet military, believing the plane was a spy aircraft, fired two missiles, causing it to crash. This killed all 269 passengers (including 61 Americans and an American Congressmen) and crew onboard.

Question 24

Impacts of KAL - 007 incident?

Answer 24

The incident significantly escalated Cold War tensions, as the United States and its allies condemned the Soviet action as an unprovoked act of aggression, while the Soviet Union insisted that the plane was intruding on sensitive military airspace. This event highlighted the growing dangers of military misunderstandings during the Cold War.

• The incident showed the ever growing break in detente after Reagan became President.

Question 25

What was Operation Able Archer 83?

Answer 25

**Able Archer 83 was a NATO military exercise in November 1983, simulating a nuclear war scenario that nearly escalated into a real confrontation between the U.S. and the Soviet Union**. * **The exercise was highly realistic, involving the simulated use of nuclear weapons, and it was misinterpreted by Soviet leadership as a potential nuclear first strike.** This caused heightened tensions, as the Soviets believed it might be a cover for an actual attack, leading to a near nuclear conflict.

Question 26

Context of Able Archer?

Answer 26

In terms of the Cold War, Able Archer occurred during a period of **rising tensions, particularly under Reagan's aggressive rhetoric** (calling the Soviet Union an "evil empire"). The Soviet response to Able Archer reflected the end of the détente era and a **return to suspicion and military buildup.** The incident **served as a reminder of the dangerous potential for miscalculation during the Cold War.**

Question 27

What was the Reagan Doctorine?

Answer 27

Peace with strength, use power of the superior economy and fight Communism abroad. Carter was cautious, covert, and reactive. Reagan was bold, public, and aggressive — turned fragmented actions into a doctrine: an open rollback strategy against Soviet proxies globally. In a lot of cases he increased aid in comparison to Carter to the anti communist groups.

Question 28

Why was Gorbachev chosen after Chernenkos death?

Answer 28

Chernenko died in March 1985 meaning the USSR had had 3 leaders in 3 years. Gorbachev was seen as a younger, new generation reformist who would get the USSR out of the political stagnation and economic slump they were in without compltelty collapsing the system. **Break from old guard /// Seen as energetic + pragmatic /// Chosen to fix crisis without collapsing system**

Question 29

What events shook Reagan personally that led to his more negotation friendly rhetoric after his relelection in 1984?

Answer 29

Most notably Able Archer - November 1983 and also the general increase in tensions after KAL 007 in September 1983. **These events shook him personally.** * He became more aware that nuclear war was not just abstract — it was terrifyingly close and real.

Question 30

What was Perestroika?

Answer 30

**Gorbachev pushes economic reform **/// loosens central planning /// allows limited market mechanisms + enterprise autonomy /// aims to boost productivity + fix stagnation /// starts 1986, ramps up 1987 /// **breaks old command economy mold but causes instability.**

Question 31

Why did Perestroika create instability?

Answer 31

**Partial reforms created conflicting incentives: enterprises wanted to respond to market signals but were still hampered by old controls.** **Supply shortages worsened because prices weren’t fully liberalized, leading to increased inflation and public frustration.** * The system was caught between command and market — a “halfway house” that undermined central control but didn’t replace it cleanly. * Political resistance from hardliners slowed reforms and added uncertainty. Its failure undermined faith even among the leaders of the Communist party in the principles of centeral planning and public ownership.

Question 32

What did Gorbachev essentially try and do?

Answer 32

He tried to inject some dynamism into the soviet economy by freeing the markets to a degree. He also tried to address the acholosim problems and bribery.

Question 33

What was the anti alcohol campaign?

Answer 33

Deeply unpopular - increased tax on alcohol.

Question 34

1 core reason why Perestroika failed?

Answer 34

The Soviet economy was massively over industrialised - contributing to over 40% of its GDP. This meant that despite the attempted reform in the Gorbachev era, the economy struggled to transition and move forward. Also managers who were given incentives were still corrupt and raised prices while lowering costs / quality of products.

Question 35

More gimmicky way of demonstrating USSR economic failure?

Answer 35

Severley falling behind America in terms of dynamic effciency. Represented through the gap in technology like the personal computer and walkman being invented in the US. The quality of life difference as well as failure of reforms built resentment of the E.bloc people and led to the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Question 36

Gimicky quote about Glasnost?

Answer 36

**a tortoise crawling towards Freedom of Speech** - definition of Glasnost from the leader of the Glasnost Defense foundation.

Question 37

What was Glasnost?

Answer 37

**Glasnost aimed to increase transparency and reduce censorship, but the Party still controlled major media and information.** * It encouraged more open discussion of issues like corruption, economic problems, and history that were previously taboo.

Question 38

What was the Chernobyl disaster?

Answer 38

Reactor 4 explodes during failed safety test /// massive radiation leak across USSR + Europe /// 1000s exposed + evacuation delayed | April 1986

Question 39

What was the aftermath of Chernobyl?

Answer 39

Soviet govt tries to cover it up /// Exposed under Glasnost /// media exposes safety failures, lies, incompetence = public outrage spreads

Question 40

Signifiance of Chernobyl?

Answer 40

**Chernobyl becomes symbol of Soviet decay** /// destroys trust in government + Party /// **Economic cost = estimated $18bn** /// **drains economy already struggling under Perestroika** /// shows USSR can’t protect people or manage disaster /// **Chernobyl + Glasnost = breaks fear barrier fuels criticism, protest, and nationalist unrest accelerates loss of faith in system /// key step on road to Soviet collapse**

Question 41

What was Gorbachevs foreign policy stance?

Answer 41

Unlike other Soviet leaders, Gorbachev understood the possession of a large number of nuclear weapons did not guarantee security for the state. **He felt this could be achieved through political and economic processes, not military expansion.**

Question 42

Reagan / Gorbachevs relationship?

Answer 42

Reagan developed profound fears of nuclear warfare after KAL 007 and Able archer and so was keen to reduce arms with the USSR. Additionally, his relationship with Gorbachev was personal and incredibly friendly making this easier. **With both leaders having similar goals, they decided to meet and openly reject aggression.** **Gorbachev committed himself to sustaining only the necessary amount of nuclear weapons. For the first time ever, the Soviet Union were accepting military cuts without demanding comparable ones from the USA - making negotiation easier and less hostile.**

Question 43

What is the contiuing theme of the Reagan - Gorbachev summits?

Answer 43

The theme that continues throughout summit diplomacy is Reagan's SDI initiative which he refused to back down from. This diminishes the success of each summit.

Question 44

What was the Rekyavijik summit?

Answer 44

**Reykjavik Summit (11th October 1986)** **This followed the Chernobyl incident and fears of nuclear fallout were increased** * At Reykjavik (To his advisors dismay) Reagan was willing to accept Gorbachev’s plan of **eliminating all nuclear weapons within 10 years** * This never materialised because of further disagreements over SDI * However, the strong mutual trust established by the two leaders was important for many reasons - not just the reduction in nuclear weapons * **The mutual understanding also established the basis for Gorbachev to propose UNILATERAL arms reduction to prove that USSR sincerely sought to end the arms race**.

Question 45

What was Gorbachevs proposal around Rekyavijik?

Answer 45

The mutual understanding also established the basis for Gorbachev to propose **UNILATERAL** arms reduction to prove that USSR sincerely sought to end the arms race

Question 46

What was the Washington Summit?

Answer 46

**Washington Summit — December, 1987** **The most important achievement of the summit was the signing of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty.** * It required both sides to eliminate all ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges between 500 and 5,500 kilometers, including their launchers. * First treaty to eliminate an entire category of nuclear weapons. **Set the future precedent for arms reduction talks like START.** High point of arms agreements?

Question 47

What was the Moscow Summit between Gorbachev and Reagan?

Answer 47

**Moscow Summit (May - June 1988)** * INF treaty ratified * Reagan promised a return visit while there * Both leaders agreed to speed up START talks.

Question 48

What happened when Gorbachev visited NYC in December 1988?

Answer 48

He gave a speech to the UN - "Fulton in reverse". Endorsed the common interests of mankind and the reduction in Soviet forces.

Question 49

Summarise H.W Bush

Answer 49

**Bush took a more cautious and skeptical view of Gorbachev than Reagan had** * He paused to reassess U.S.–Soviet relations rather than continuing Reagan’s warm tone * Early in his presidency, Bush was unsure if Gorbachev’s reforms were genuine or just strategic * However, over time he recognised the scale of change in the USSR and resumed arms talks, leading to agreements like START I **Bush’s aim was to end the Cold War with stability — avoiding triumphalism and managing the Soviet collapse responsibly.**

Question 50

Explain why Gorbachev withdrew from Afghanistan?

Answer 50

**Gorbachev inherited a war that had become a military and political disaster for the USSR** * He recognised the conflict was draining resources and damaging the USSR’s international image * In 1986 he began openly calling for a political solution, describing the war as a “bleeding wound” ($10Bn / Year) **The 1988 Geneva Accords set the terms for a phased withdrawal, with U.S. and Pakistani involvement** * Soviet troops left by February 1989, marking the end of a war that deeply undermined Soviet confidence and exposed the limits of its power.

Question 51

What were the Geneva Accords between Reagan and Gorbachev?

Answer 51

The Geneva Accords were the agreements on the settlement of the situation relating to Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan, **and were signed in April 1988**

Question 52

What was the Malta Summit?

Answer 52

**Malta Summit (December 1989)** * This came just weeks after the fall of the Berlin Wall and during the collapse of communism across Eastern Europe **Bush and Gorbachev met off the coast of Malta to discuss how to manage these historic changes peacefully** * No formal agreements were signed, but both sides committed to ending Cold War hostility and increasing cooperation - **“We have buried the Cold War at the bottom of the Mediterranean”** * Gorbachev made clear the USSR would not intervene in Eastern Europe and Bush promised not to /// **Malta symbolised the Cold Wars peaceful end**

Question 53

Who was Samantha Smith?

Answer 53

1983 was a year of increased tensions, this led to a 10 year old girl "samantha smith" from Maine sending a letter to Andropov asking him why he wanted to conquer the world / fear of nuclear weapons. Andropov personally replied saying they didn't and that they wanted peace. He invited Samantha Smith and her family to the USSR - they toured the country and met Soviet Children etc etc. **Symbol of diplomatic peace and cooling of tensions in a year of "evil empire"**

Question 54

What did Gorbachev do in relation to the Brezhnev Doctorine?

Answer 54

He basically abandoned it and told eastern bloc countries that the Soviet Army would not interevene.

Question 56

What happened after the strikes of 1988 in Poland?

Answer 56

In Feb 1989, "Round Table Talks" begin between the strained government and Solidarity - represented by Lech Walesa. They agree to hold partial free elections and create the office of an eleceted "presidency" abolishing a "soviet leader" This occurs because Jaruzelski has no stool to stand on anymore.

Question 57

What happens after the Round Table Talks in Poland?

Answer 57

June 1989 (partially free) elections - Solidarity win 99/100 seats in the senate.

Question 58

Impact of Polands break from the E.Bloc in June 1989?

Answer 58

Poland becomes the first Eastern Bloc country to break from communism peacefully. Triggers the domino effect in Hungary, East Germany, Czechoslovakia, and Romania.

Question 59

Which country followed next after Poland broke free from the E.bloc?

Answer 59

Hungary in May–October 1989

Question 60

What do Hungary first do?

Answer 60

May 1989: Hungary begins dismantling the barbed wire border with Austria — symbolic end of the Iron Curtain. * **June: Imre Nagy (1956 uprising leader) given a state funeral, showing rejection of past repression.** October: Communist Party renames itself the Hungarian Socialist Party and begins **transitioning to a multi-party democracy.**

Question 61

What else happens in Hungary?

Answer 61

The border opening with Austria also contributed to unrest in East Germany, as thousands of East Germans fled to the West via Hungary.

Question 62

Who follows Hungary?

Answer 62

East Germany