End of the Cold War

1. End of the Cold War ESSENTIAL QUESTION: How can economic and social changes affect a country?

2. TEKS and Objectives We will… I will… Summarize important events from the Cold War Era (1F) identify causes and effects of the Cold War (13D) explain the roles of modern world leaders in the collapse of Communism (18E) explain why Communist economies collapsed in competition with free-market economies (21A) explain how people have participated in changing their governments (22E) identify examples of individuals who led resistance to political oppression

3. Soviet Stagnation (1964-1982) • Stagnation • Failure to advance economically • Little incentive to work • Farms did not produce enough food • Alcoholism/corruption increased • Command economy unable to compete with free-market economies

4. Soviet Stagnation (1964-1982) • Détente • Policy of easing of Cold War tensions • Collapsed when Soviets invaded Czechoslovakia and Afghanistan • NatanSharansky • Founder of Refusenik Movement • Imprisoned for demanding human rights

5. Soviet Stagnation (1964-1982) • Soviet-Afghan War • Soviets fought Afghan nationalists • Cost a lot of Soviet money and lives

6. The Gorbachev Years (1985-1991) • Mikhail Gorbachev • Leader of the Soviet Union • Sought to reform Communism • Glasnost • “openness” in Soviet society • More freedom of speech/press • Allowed Soviets to elect representatives • Perestroika • Program of economic reform or “restructuring” • People allowed to form small businesses • Foreign companies invited to invest in USSR

7. The Gorbachev Years (1985-1991) • Ronald Regan • U.S. President • Called Soviet Union an “evil empire” • Challenged Gorbachev to “tear down this wall [Berlin Wall]” • New Directions in Foreign Policy • End war in Afghanistan • Worked with Regan to reduce nuclear arms • Allowed democratic governments in Eastern Europe

8. The Iron Curtain Falls in Eastern Europe • Pope John Paul II • From Poland • First non-Italian Pope in 400 years • Inspired a campaign for freedom in Poland • Lech Walesa • Polish politician • Organized an independent trade Union (Solidarity) • Led a workers strike in Poland • Poland became first to overthrow Communism

9. The Iron Curtain Falls in Eastern Europe • Berlin Wall • Knocked down in November of 1989 • Helmut Kohl • West Germany’s leader • Helped negotiate reunification (1990)

10. The Dissolution of the Soviet Union (1991) • Military Coup • Communist hard-liners overthrew Gorbachev • Lacked popular support • Communist party greatly discredited • Boris Yeltsin • Elected President of the Russian Republic • Gorbachev could not stop nationalistic uprisings

11. The Dissolution of the Soviet Union (1991) • Dissolution of the Soviet Union (1991) • Gorbachev resigned • Broken up into 15 independent states

13. Changes Come to China • Deng Xiaoping • Succeeded Mao in 1976 • Opposed Cultural Revolution • Sought to modernize China • Land Reforms • Communes (state-run farms) disbanded • Led to increase in agricultural production

14. Changes Come to China • Consumer Goods • China began increased production of goods, such as radios and televisions • New Factory Management • Government gave control back to managers • Limited Capitalism • Some private ownership allowed • Foreign Investment • Brought capital and high-technology

15. Tiananmen Square and the Limits of Reform • Tiananmen Square Massacre • College students • peaceful protest against Communism • Army tanks fired on demonstrators • Hundreds killed • Western Response • Briefly reduced trade with China • China now the fastest growing economy in the world

16. Journal Entry #39 How would you describe the United States’ relationship with Russia today? Do you think the Cold War is truly over? Why or why not?