U4: the end of the Cold War 1984 to 1995 Flashcards
(12 cards)
The economic problems and social problems in the USSR Eastern Europe
ποΈ USSR & Eastern Europe
β’ Command economies stagnating β poor growth, shortages.
β’ High military spending (arms race + Afghanistan).
β’ Low living standards, pollution, poor consumer goods.
β’ Public dissatisfaction growing (esp. Poland, East Germany).
Western influence
π WESTERN INFLUENCE
β’ Western culture (TV, radio, consumer goods) influenced Eastern Europe.
β’ Human rights movements encouraged by Helsinki Accords.
β’ Western economic success made Communism look weak β more popular pressure for reform.
Problems in the USA
πΊπΈ USA
β’ Early 1980s recession, but recovered under Reagan.
β’ Rising national debt from military spending.
β’ Social tensions but economy stronger than USSR.
Pressure of arms race
β’ USSR forced to match US SDI and rearmament β huge economic burden.
β’ Technological gap β USSR could not keep up.
β’ Massive drain on Soviet economy β worsened public unrest.
Explain Gorbachev perrstoika and glasnot
π Glasnost (βopennessβ)
β’ More freedom of speech & media.
β’ Exposed corruption + failures of Communist rule.
β’ Increased criticism of the regime.
ποΈ Perestroika (βrestructuringβ)
β’ Economic reforms to allow some market elements.
β’ Aimed to revive economy but caused confusion and shortages.
β’ Failed to stop economic collapse.
Explain Afghanistan
π¦π« AFGHANISTAN
β’ Soviet troops bogged down in long, unpopular war (1979β89).
β’ Supported pro-Soviet Afghan government against Mujahideen (US-backed).
β’ Huge cost + many casualties β contributed to Soviet decline.
β’ USSR withdrew in 1989 β seen as Soviet failure.
Explain the events in Eastern Europe
1989: Events in Eastern Europe
β’ Poland: Solidarity legalized β free elections β Communists lost power.
β’ Hungary: Opened border with Austria β first escape route to the West.
β’ East Germany: Mass protests β fall of the Berlin Wall (Nov 1989).
β’ Czechoslovakia: Velvet Revolution β peaceful overthrow of Communism.
β’ Romania: Violent revolution β execution of CeauΘescu.
β’ Bulgaria: Peaceful transition to democracy.
Explain the 1991 Soviet coup
π·πΊ 1991 Soviet Coup
β’ Hardline Communists launched coup against Gorbachev (Aug 1991).
β’ Failed due to popular protests + leadership of Boris Yeltsin.
β’ Gorbachev weakened, USSR collapsed soon after.
Explain Russia on the YELTSIN
π·πΊ Russia under Yeltsin
β’ Boris Yeltsin became President of Russia.
β’ Transition to capitalism β chaos, inflation, unemployment.
β’ Rise of oligarchs, lawlessness, economic crisis.
Explain the reunification of Germany
π©πͺ Reunification of Germany
β’ Berlin Wall fell (1989) β rapid moves toward unification.
β’ October 1990: East and West Germany officially reunited.
β’ Economic + social challenges β costly integration.
Explain the Civil War
π·πΈ Civil War + Breakup of Yugoslavia (1991β1995)
β’ Yugoslavia split into separate states:
β’ Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro.
β’ Ethnic conflicts β brutal wars (esp. Bosnia).
β’ Ethnic cleansing, sieges (e.g. Sarajevo), Srebrenica massacre.
β’ NATO intervened to stop violence β fragile peace by 1995 (Dayton Accords).
