The End of the Cold War

1. The End of the Cold War “We were engaged in the exhausting arms race and the country had come to the end of its strength. The economy was in a poor state and production figures were falling. Peoples standard of living was clearly declining. Corruption was on the increase.” Gorbachev reflecting in 1992 on the challenges he faced when he became the leader of the soviet union in 1985 Try and pronounce these two tricky words: Perestroika Glasnost

2. (1) The Role of Gorbachev “We were engaged in the exhausting arms race and the country had come to the end of its strength. The economy was in a poor state and production figures were falling. Peoples standard of living was clearly declining. Corruption was on the increase.” Gorbachev reflecting in 1992 on the challenges he faced when he became the leader of the soviet union in 1985 Glasnost (Glaz-nost) A period of openness. No secrets. In order for the Soviet Union to survive a level of openness was required with both the USA and other communist countries. This went even to the extent where Communist countries within the Warsaw Pact could criticise the Soviet Union openly. Perestroika(Perry-stroy-ca) The restructuring of the Soviet Union. Gorbachev wanted to restructure the Soviet Union so that it could survive.

3. In March 1986 a crowd of 3,000 people marched through the streets of Budapest, it was led by teenagers carrying the Hungarian Flag. The date was significant as the were celebrating the unofficial independence day of Hungary. They demanded more democracy, the police attacked then with truncheons. The world waited to see what Gorbachev would do: would he send in the tanks?!!!!

4. The answer was NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

5. Mikhail Gorbachev Became leader of the Soviet Union in 1985 Soviet leaders boasted that there was no inflation, in fact there was. The problem was that nobody new how much. Industrial production was falling. 70% of all industrial production was military based. The military budget was out of control. Nobody knew how much the armed forces cost. The communist system was corrupt, but nobody knew how corrupt or how much it was costing. The Soviet Unions technological advancements were behind that of the USA. The USA had introduced its Star Wars project in 1983. The Cold War was draining all of the Soviet Unions wealth and resources. Unrest was rising unrest in the Soviet Union and the satellite states. The Soviet Union couldn’t keep up at this rate and survive. Gorbachev had to do something.

6. The role of Gorbachev • In 1985, the Cold War had warmed up considerably. • This was due to • The attitude of Reagan. • SDI and Star Wars. • The war of words- the boycotting each others Olympics. • Weakness of the Soviet Union both economically and politically. • USA increasing its defence spending. • Problems in Africa and the middle east. 1987 and 89- Time magazines names Gorbachev man of the year. For better or for worse the person(s) who have done most tp influence the year. However, within 5 years the Soviet Union would have completely crumbled and the Cold War, it could be argued, was over!

7. Why did the Cold War end? The simple reason why the Cold War ended was because Gorbachev called it off. It was a move that caught many people by surprise. Calling the Cold War off didn’t simply end the war, there was still the problem of how to end it. Interview with Gorbachev in 1992 in which he reflects the problems that he faced in 1985. I knew that an immense task awaited me. Because we were engaged in the exhausting arms race the country had come to an end of its strength. The economy was in a poor state, state production figures were falling. People’s standards of living were clearly declining. Corruption was on the increase. Prioritise the events that you think were the most significant reasons for Gorbachev wanting to end the Cold war.

8. How did the Cold War end? The Cold War was ended by Gorbachev in 3 ways 1Perestroika and Glasnost- Perestroika means restructuring. Glasnost means openness. Gorbachev introduced sweeping reforms to the Communist Party and the Soviet system. He wasn't in any way anti-communist he was looking to find a way to ensure that Communism could survive. 2 Ending the arms race- Gorbachev looked to sign a number of treaties with the USA to end the arms race. 3Interference- Gorbachev stopped interfering in the Eastern European satellite states. Once countries realised that they could challenge Soviet rule without fear of the tanks being sent in by the Russia then more countries challenged the system. This would eventually lead to the break up of the Soviet Union.

9. The Role of Gorbachev Glasnost (Glaz-nost) A period of openness. No secrets. In order for the Soviet Union to survive a level of openness was required with both the USA and other communist countries. This went even to the extent where Communist countries within Warsaw Pact could criticise the Soviet Union openly. Perestroika(Perry-stroy-ca) The restructuring of the Soviet Union. Gorbachev wanted to restructure the Soviet Union so that it could survive.

10. Gorbachev in Russia Gorbachev was able to introduce such changes because of his style of approach and personality. He was a change, a breath of fresh air. He had to be all things to all people. He had to solve world peace. He had to maintain the Soviet Union as a Super Power. He had to win over the Soviet people. Winning over the Soviet people Gorbachev wanted to be all things to all people. He toured the industrial areas and factories of Moscow, talking to the workers. He visited the supermarkets where the public queued for bread to talk about the hardships. He toured the Soviet Union speaking to teachers about computer training, nurses about pay and conditions he even dropped into one couples apartment for tea!

11. (1) Perestroika and Glasnost Gorbachev also began to free dissidents (opponents) from jail. Books that had been previously banned where now free to read. He introduced local elections. He introduced economic reforms based upon a free market rather than communist control. People were told of the brutal atrocities that occurred under Stalin (up to 20 million people died). One of the consequences of perestroika and glasnost was that it made people want more. Gorbymania!!!!!!!!!!!!! His work in making peace with Reagan saw him receive almost pop star acclaim. He would eventually win the Nobel peace prize

12. (2) The end of the arms race • There was four meetings that you need to remember that helped bring about the arms race. • Geneva 1985 • Reykjavik 1986 • INF- Washington 1987 • CFE treaty 1989 Reykjavik 1986 Gorbachev and Reagan agree to huge reductions in Nuclear arms. Talks stop when Reagan refuses to abolish his SDI. INF Washington 1987 INF= The intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty. Eliminated nuclear missiles and ground based missiles and cruise missiles that had a range of 300 to 3,400 miles. Both sides would be given free access to inspect each others military bases. Geneva-1985 The two leaders met amicably (got on well) this was important considering Reagan's dislike to the communist. Reagan refused to give up his SDI, but they did promise to speed up the arms talks, abolish Chemical weapons and be more active on human rights issues. Moscow CFE treaty 1989 Conventional Armed Forces in Europe Agreement between NATO and Warsaw Pact More arms reductions. Soviet troops leave Afghanistan. Gorbachev announces that the Cold war is over in Malta in 1989

13. (2) The end of the arms race • There was four meetings that you need to remember that helped bring about the arms race. • Geneva 1985 • Reykjavik 1986 • INF- Washington 1987 • CFE treaty 1989 • Reykjavik 1986 • INF Washington 1987 • Geneva-1985 • Moscow CFE treaty 1989 Malta 1989

14. Geneva-1985 • Arms limitation talks are held in Geneva in Switzerland. The meeting goes well, the two leaders meet without their teams of advisors which is unusual and shows a level of trust and respect emerging between the two leaders.

15. Geneva-1985 • 2. At the meeting they discuss; speeding up the arms talks, abolishing the use of chemical weapons, being more active on human rights. Both Reagan and Gorbachev speak of the world being a safer place because of the talks.

16. Geneva-1985 • 3. At the meeting Reagan refused to give up his commitment to the his SDI (Star wars Programme). The two leaders agree to meet again the following year in Reykjavik in Iceland

17. Reykjavik 1986 • The second summit meeting does not go as well even though the initially agreed to sweeping reductions nuclear weapons. The second summit meeting collapses.

18. Reykjavik 1986 2. The meeting collapsed because of Reagans refusal to back down with his space-based missile defence, his SDI

19. Reykjavik 1986 3. Gorbachev paints a bleak picture. He said that Reagans insistence upon his SDI (Star wars) policy had ‘frustrated and scuttled’ the opportunity for agreement.

20. INF Washington 1987 • A third summit was held in Washington in 1987 which was much more successful, the Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty was agreed. This is known as the INF

21. INF Washington 1987 2. INF Nuclear and ground launched ballistic and cruise missiles were to be destroyed. Both sides agreed that they inspect each others military programmes to check that the weapons were being destroyed.

22. INF Washington 1987 • By the Treaties deadline in 1991, 2692 weapons had been destroyed (846 by the USA and 1846 by the Soviet Union. Reagan described the INF as the realisation of ‘an impossible mission’. They stressed that they were only half way to ending the arms race. They hoped to achieve this in Moscow in 1989.

23. Moscow CFE treaty 1989 • At the Moscow summit, the pair talked about more arms reductions and troop reductions in Europe. Gorbachev showed his desire for peace by withdrawing Soviet troops from Afghanistan, ending 10 years of war!

24. Moscow CFE treaty 1989 3. The Moscow summit ends with the two sides having established good relations

25. Malta 1989 At the Malta Summit Gorbachev and the new US President George Bush Senior announce that the Cold War is over!!!

27. START In 1991 the United States and the Soviet Union signed an historic agreement reducing their stockpiles of nuclear warheads by about a third. The Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty, known as START, was signed in Moscow by US President George Bush and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. At a joint news conference after the signing ceremony, Mr Bush described the Start treaty as "a significant step forward in dispelling half a century of mistrust".

28. The pens they used to sign the treaty were made from melted down SS-20 and Pershing II missiles.

29. The Cold War ended in the late 1980s and the early 1990s. On 3rd December the leaders of the USA and the USSR, Bush and Gorbachev, declared the Cold War over. The following year they were allies in the Gulf War against Iraq.