Yalta

A conference held in February 1945 that the Allies attended. Josef Stalin, Winston Churchill and Franklin Roosevelt were all present at this meeting. The conference was held to decide the fate of Eastern Europe after the Second World War.
Penny Points

Germany was to be divided into four zones, and Britain, France, USA and the USSR would each occupy a zone. Berlin was also to be divided into four zones as it was the capital despite it being in the USSRs zone. Eastern Europe would be allowed to choose their own government despite the USSRs slight influence. (Especially Poland) Germany would be made to pay reparations. Results of the Yalta Conference The division of Germany eventually led to the Berlin Blockade. By Russia demanding reparations from Germany it made them seem cruel and uncaring. Stalin broke the promise about not taking over Poland loss of trust between the Allies.

Potsdam
Another conference held between the Allies in July 1945. Stalin was
the only attendee that was also at Yalta. Truman and Attlee had now replaced Churchill and Roosevelt.

Penny Points The newly appointed leaders of Britain and the USA were now determined to be firmer with Stalin. Stalin had promised free elections in Poland at Yalta and he had broken this promise. Truman now feared the spread of Communism and Stalin could no longer be trusted. The USA had tested the A-bomb without telling Stalin. Results of the Potsdam Conference New leaders caused more animosity between the leaders. Increasing hostility as neither side no longer needed to be Allies as their common enemy had been defeated. Both had different ideas for Germany America wanted it to be strong to trade with, however USSR wanted it kept weak so it would become Communism. Differences in ideology enforced the fact they were different and caused further tension.

The dropping of the A Bomb Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

America had developed the Atomic bomb a horrific bomb that could kill thousands instantly and destroy cities. They wanted to test this bomb, and as Japan refused to surrender, they took the opportunity to use the bomb to scare them into surrendering. Penny Points Was dropped from aircrafts called Enola Gay and Fat Man. Enola Gays pilot was called Paul Tibbetts and Fat Mans pilot was called Charles Sweeney. A total of 78,000 people were killed in Hiroshima outright. 74,000 people were killed in Nagasaki. The atom bombs had killed around 220,000 people by the end of 1945 due to instant death or illnesses from the radiation killed people slowly. Results of the Dropping of the Atomic Bomb The USSR feared the USA would drop an A bomb on them they started development on their own A bomb. This was the start of the Arms Race. Didnt tell the Soviet Union. This resulted in loss of trust. Russia had spies, only way they found out before Nagasaki and Hiroshima. Proves lack of trust. Reinforced the idea of MAD. Both countries feared this. America was the top superpower for a while due to this. There was a growth in nuclear pacifism, with groups such as The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) calling for the destruction of all nuclear weapons.

Soviet Expansion into Eastern Europe

The USSR feared Western invasion so it began spreading Communism throughout Eastern Europe to create a buffer zone to protect itself. The Soviet Red Army freed the countries of Eastern Europe from Nazi Rule and then stayed there. Penny Points USSR took power in Bulgaria, Albania and Poland in 1945, Hungary and Romania in 1947 and Czechoslovakia in 1948. The Red Army took over radio stations, police force and they rigged elections. The takeovers of the Communist Red Army were violent with opposition leaders being captured and murdered, eg. Jan Masaryks mysterious death from falling out of a window. Iron Curtain speech the phrase invented by Winston Churchill in March 1946 to describe the division of Europe into the Western Allies and the USSR and their allies. It was not a real division but a political and economic one.

Results of the Soviet Expansion into Eastern Europe. This caused tension because the Western Allies thought Communism was taking over the World. They had democracies and hated the kind of Communist dictatorships were being set up there. The West was so worried that when it looked like Turkey and Greece might turn Communist, President Truman announced the Truman Doctrine to contain the spread of Communism. This in turn led to the USA offering Marshall Aid to war-torn Europe in 1947 to help them to resist Communism, Stalin saw these policies as an attempt by the USA to takeover Europe and reduce Soviet influence and power over the Communist states of Eastern Europe, so suspicion grew and more tension was created. Creates a division in Europe even more prominent as it has now been addressed to and nicknamed.

Examples: Bulgaria. In 1945, a left-wing government which included a mix of Communists and non-Communists took power. The Communists EXECUTED leaders of the nonCommunist parties and took power. Czechoslovakia. In 1946, a mix of political groupings were elected freely to form a coalition government. By 1948, the Communists had banned all other parties and imprisoned their leaders. Masaryk, the last remaining non-Communist in the government was found dead after falling from his window. He had clearly been murdered.

Truman Doctrine
The Truman Doctrine was a promise that Harry Truman made to help any countries who had a possibility of falling into Communism and make sure it spread no further. Penny Points Congress announced $400 million of aid to Greece and Turkey. They focused on Greece and Turkey in particular as communists were threatening to take control in both countries. Americans also installed ballistic missile sites on the Turkish border with the USSR. Results of Truman Doctrine. Led to the Marshall Plan. Some years later it leads to NATO. Speeds up the Arms Race development due to Soviets fears with the missiles being installed and they dont have nuclear weapons yet. Leads to the Molotov Plan, Comincon and Cominform. It was the start of the US policy of containment. Communism must be contained within its existing boundaries and shouldnt be allowed to spread. As well as being regarded by the USSR as a threat to the Communist world, the Truman Doctrine IS MOST SIGNIFICANT because of the things the promise of US help led to. Eg. NATO, Marshall Aid, US Involvement in events of Berlin etc.

Marshall Plan & Aid

The Marshall Plan originated from the Truman Doctrines plan of containment for Communism. The Americans feared that an impoverished Western Europe would be more vulnerable to turn to Communism. The Marshall Plan helped provide economic aid where it was needed. Penny Points The Marshall Plan set up a fund of $15 billion for Europe. Aid often arrived in the form of products, such as machinery and fertilisers. Between 1948 and 1950, industrial production had increased by 25 per cent. 16 nations asked the USA for help. They needed Europe recovered so that they could trade with them again helping US economy. The US Congress was persuaded to give Marshall Aid due to the takeover of Czechoslovakian government and the violent death of Jan Masaryk. Results of the Marshall Plan & Aid. Stalin described Marshall Aid as dollar imperialism an attempt to win allies in Europe by controlling the industry and trade of Europe. As an effect of this, he created the Molotov Plan the USSRs version of Marshall Aid. It promised to help any Communist countries. This established the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance or Comecon as it is more widely known. The Soviet Union however lacked the necessary resources so it was never effective. Stalin saw Marshall Plan as a crude attempt to dominate Europe . His fear and suspicion intensified the Cold War and further increased the divisions within Europe.

Berlin Blockade/ Airlift.

This was when Stalin closed all roads, canals and railways into West Berlin, preventing the Western Allies having access to their zones of Berlin in June 1948. The Allies responded by airlifting supplies of food and fuel into West Berlin. Penny Points Stalin wanted to force the West to give up West Berlin by starving the two million inhabitants, who only had enough food and fuel to last for six weeks. The Allies used the airlifts established in 1945 to carry over food, fuel and other supplies. 4000 tonnes was needed a day. By September 1948 aircraft were landing in Berlin every three minutes, day and night, and by the spring of 1949, 8000 tonnes a day was being flown in. Stalin could not shoot down the planes as this would be an act of war. However, Soviet planes did track supply planes in case they moved out of the permitted air corridor, but did not shoot them down. Stalin called the Berlin Blockade off in May 1949. Results of the Berlin Blockade and Airlift. Dashed the hopes for a United Germany and showed the division between West & East Germany. Caused the building of the Berlin Wall. Stalin couldnt afford to start war, it made him seem weak. Was seen as a victory in the West and led to the creation of NATO. Stalin saw NATO as a direct threat to the USSR and the Warsaw Pact was set up in response. First major crisis of Cold War and it set the pattern for the rest: Threats not war.

NATO
NATO stands for North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and it was created to safeguard the freedom of its members and block Soviet expansion into Europe. Penny Points 12 countries originally signed the treaty. They were : USA, Canada, GB, Belgium, Netherlands, Iceland, Luxembourg, Italy, Norway, Portugal and France. Greece and Turkey joined in 1952, and West Germany in 1955. NATO was democratic; The USA was important but it didnt have the overall say, all members were included in the decision making. All NATO members agreed to go to war if any one of them was attacked. NATO was voluntary no-one was forced to join. NATO was a defensive alliance against the USSR, not an offensive one. Results of NATO. Combined with the USA having the A-bomb, Stalin felt that the Americans now had a huge advantage over them. So Stalin speeded up plans for the Soviet development of nuclear weapons. Stalin retaliated with the Warsaw Pact in 1955, the Soviet version of NATO. The division of Europe into Capitalist and Communist states was now marked with rival alliances. Any wars would involve all the countries of NATO and the Warsaw Pact. The Korean War America may not have gotten involved with the Korean War without the creation of NATO. Stalin was angered by NATO, pushed Stalin to work with China.

Warsaw Pact
The Soviet response to NATO. It was a defensive alliance designed to protect against Western attack. Penny Points Members were: USSR, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and Albania. Had territory on one large part of land which made it easier to transport horses and weapons. The Warsaw Pact was a military alliance and was dictated by Stalin. This was between the Communist countries. The Warsaw Pact was clearly controlled by Moscow. Results of Warsaw Pact. Led to an escalation in the Arms Race as both sides felt threatened by each other. US suspicions of USSR takeover attempts were confirmed, the USSR used the Warsaw Pact to increase control over Eastern Europe. The division of Europe into Capitalist and Communist states was now marked by two RIVAL ALLIANCES. If there was to be a war, it would involve all the countries of NATO and the Warsaw Pact.

Korean War
The Korean War was a civil war that happened in June 1950. The Communist North Korean Peoples Army (NKPA) invaded non-Communist South Korea in a bid to unite the divided country under the Communist leadership of Kim Il Sung. Penny Points At the end of WW2, Korea had been divided into 2 separate countries along the 38th parallel. This was only intended as a temporary division. South Korea was led by the anti-Communist military government of Syngman Rhee. USA supported South Korea as they were Anti-Communist. China had fallen to Communism in 1949 and the USA feared the Domino Theory. They provided troops for UN forces who fought against the Communist North in the Korean War. USSR supported the Communist in North Korea and provided them with economic and military aid, but the Soviet army was never directly involved.

Dates.

June to Sept 1950 - North Korea successfully attach the South, and most of South Korea, except the Pusan Pocket, falls to Communist troops. Sept to Oct 1950 US General MacArthur launches a successful naval landing at Inchon. The North Koreans are pushed back. Nov 1950 UN troops in North Korea approaches Communist China which warns them not to cross the Yalu River and China sends 200,000 troops to help North Koreans. UN forces are pushed back. July 1951 With the help of more US troops, Chinese are pushed back to the 38th parallel. 1953 The rest of the war is a stalemate. Both sides agree a ceasefire.

Results Extended the Cold War into the Far East. Led to the creation of SEATO (South East Asian Treaty Organisation). Asian version of NATO. Showed the UN could be successful against aggression. Showed China was becoming strong and was prepared to stand up to the West. Korea was left destroyed. 1 in 10 Koreans died. The US viewed the Korean War as a success as it showed that they were keeping the Truman Doctrine promise. The experience of the Korean War showed that the superpowers did not want a hot war Soviets refusal to participate directly & Trumans refusal to support General Mac Arthurs plan of invading China and using nuclear weaponry. Could have led to a World War perhaps a nuclear war.

Arms Race (up to 1955)

The Arms Race describes the race between the Soviets and the Americans to have the most and better developed weapons. It was started by the Atomic bomb hitting Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Penny Points Dates 1948 USA has 50 B-29 bombers. 1949 USA only had the Atomic bomb. 1950 Soviets also had developed Atomic bomb. 1952 USA had developed the hydrogen bomb. 1953- USSR had also developed the hydrogen bomb and has 50 Atomic bombs. 1953 USA has more than 1000 B-29 bombers. 1955 America had 2000 nuclear warheads. Soviets will not catch up with the amount of nuclear weaponry until 1978, however the USSR did have a huge conventional army of soldiers, tanks, artillery, and so on. Results of the Arms Race M.A.D (Mutually Assured Destruction) became more serious as the horrors of nuclear war were realised. The Arms Race helped prevent an actual was as both superpowers knew the damage the nuclear weapons could do, and knew if one attacked, both would be obliterated. Arms were kept as protection if the opposite side made a preemptive strike. The cost of participating in the Arms Race meant that by the 1980s, the USSR was spending 25% of GNP on military projects. This in turn helped to cause the collapse of the USSR and Communism in Eastern Europe as Gorbachev decided to cut-back on the Soviet Unions global commitments.

Khrushchevs New Policies

After Stalin died, Nikita Khrushchev came into power. He denounced Stalin as a cruel tyrant, and began to relax the Stalinist system. Penny Points In his time of reign, Stalin had the secret police everywhere and anyone who opposed him was arrested. Khrushchev disliked this system and knew people would turn against Communism if it continued on in this Stalinist system. Khrushchev began to relax the Stalinist system. Stalin statues were pulled down, cities were renamed and the secret police were less active. More consumer goods were made. It was very popular among the Soviet people and as the people gained more freedom, popular with the West also. The West also liked Khrushchevs change in policy towards them. He wanted to create a new policy of peaceful co-existance recogniing the western powers right to exist. For a while this reduced Cold War tensions and became known as the thaw. However, now satellite states were demanding concessions because of this newly felt thaw. Khrushchev could not grant wipespread concessions because it could lead to the end of communism, so when revolts began, they were ruthlessly suppressed by the Soviet Union, making 1953-1960 the most tense part of the Cold War so far. Results of Khrushchevs new policies Increased tension even more than before when the revolts started, as the new policies were snatched away as soon as it didnt suit them. Some could argue that the relaxing of the Stalinist system contributed to the collapse of Communism in the Soviet Union people didnt fear the government as much and werent as terrified to make sure they met targets, leaving the Soviet economy in ruins.

Hungarian Rising
Many Hungarians hoped their country would be de-Stalinised. They hated Soviet control, and when their Stalinist leader fell from power, they revolted against the government and the revolts were crushed by the Red Army. Penny Points Hungarians hated the lack of freedom, no censorship, the ban on religion and the secret police in the Stalinist system. In 1956 the Stalinist leader fell from power, and in a matter of months, people began to attack the secret police and the Soviet soldiers. Imre Nagy was then put into power and he was a Westerniser. He requested that Soviet force be removed from Hungary, and Khrushchev agreed. He then introduced freedom in Hungary, introducing democracy, freedom of speech and religious freedom. Nagy announced he was leaving the Warsaw Pact, and this angered Khrushchev. The Red Army then crushed the rising; killing thousands and making people flee to Austria. A government under Kadar was set up and all Nagys reforms were abolished. Meanwhile Nagy was expelled. NATO did nothing to roll back communism. Results of the Hungarian Rising Made the USSR look strong, but looked cruel and violent. Makes the satellite states terrified to challenge Soviet control after the Hungarian Rising. Makes Communism look bad if people are willing to revolt against it and die fighting it. Makes America looks weak, and the phrase No Action Talk Only was coined in the West regarding NATO. It deepened Cold War divisions, people in the West were horrified and it made the Western countries more determined to contain Communism.

U2 Crisis
The USA had developed a plane that could fly so high that it could hardly be detected by radars, and so used this plane to spy on the USSRs military bases. The plane was captured by the USSR. Penny Points The USA had developed a lightweight spy plane that could fly at 75,000 feet. The plane was so high that even if it was detected, it was too high to intercept. Two days before the Paris Peace Summit, a U2 plane piloted by Gary Powers set off from a US base in Pakistan to take photos deep inside the Soviet Union. However, a Soviet missile then hit the plane, and Powers ejected from the plane and parachuted to the ground but was captured by Soviet forces. The plane was recovered by scientists. When America found out the plane has crashed they began to cover up, and claimed that it was a weather plane that had been lost over Turkey. They didnt know the Soviets had the pilot and the plane and Powers had admitted to spying. Khrushchev announced he had Powers and the plane, and they had recovered the photos, it was obvious. The Americans were caught. Khrushchev demanded a full apology from the USA, but they refused. So Khrushchev went home and the Paris Peace Summit was cancelled. Results of the U2 Crisis. As the Paris Peace Summit didnt happen, vital issues were not discussed which ultimately led to the Berlin Wall and the Cuban Missile Crisis. Increased mistrust between the two superpowers. Embarrassing for America as they were seen as liars, and also made them look cruel and heartless as they expected Gary Powers to take the suicide pills they provided him with, and they left him imprisoned for about 16 months.

The Berlin Wall

The Berlin Wall was a wall that separated West Berlin from East Berlin. The USSR built it in 1961 to separate the Communist part of the city from the Capitalist. Penny Points West Berlin was a huge embarrassment for the USSR as it was a showpiece for Capitalism. Nicknamed a window to the west, East Berliners could easily see how appealing and good Capitalism was compared to the in decline Communism. East Berlin was poor as the USSR wanted to keep Germany poor so it couldnt become a threat to them. They rebelled in 1953, but were suppressed. Around 2,000 people a day were crossing the border to live in West Berlin. Most of these were skilled workers that were vital for the economy. In the Vienna summit Khrushchev demanded US leave West Berlin in 6 months, but Kennedy refused and promised West Berlins freedom. The USSR erected a barrier of machine guns and barbed wire between East and West Berlin. Three days later, a wall had started to be constructed. The Soviets made it clear that anybody who tried to cross the border would be shot. People still tried, and were indeed shot. The USSR blamed it on the spies in West Berlin making it into East Berlin. Kennedy made the famous comment Democracy may not be perfect but we never had to put up walls to keep our people in. Results of the Berlin Wall Divides Germany stops confrontation so decreases tension. Checkpoint Charlie made the Americans look weak for giving in first. Warmed the West Berliners to Kennedy after his speech of I am a Berliner. Makes the USSR look cruel letting people die. Eg. Peter Fechter was left on the barbed wire for an hour while he bled to death and despite his screams, they just left him. America did nothing again reinforces the No Action Talk Only idea that the Western inhabitants had about NATO.

The Cuban Missile Crisis

The Cuban Missile Crisis was the changing of governments in Cuba and an alliance with the USSR after America boycotted trade in Cuba, leading to a naval blockade. Penny Points Before 1959, Cuba was controlled by a corrupt right wing dictatorship by Batista. There were riots against him led by Fidel Castro who seized power in 1959. A large percentage of trade was from the Americans. The Americans refused to trade with Cuba as they believed Castro was a Marxist. Castro took over possession of all land that the Americans owned and made an alliance with the USSR. The USSR would buy sugar from Cuba and they would export oil from the USSR. The USA now had a neighbour allied to her greatest rival. Kennedy then came into power in 1961. He wanted to remove Castro from power. The CIA convinced Kennedy to join forces with the Batista supporter rebels and overthrow Castro in an attack. The rebels received no support when they landed and were defeated in a few days. This was hugely embarrassing for Kennedy, and Castro now regarded the USA as an enemy and relied on the USSR more for support. In June 1962 Cuba received huge shipments of arms from the USSR; Cuba claimed it was for protection only. However, on 14 October 1962, an American U2 spy plane took pictures of offensive nuclear launch pads being set up in Cuba capable of attacking any major US city. Kennedy went public and demanded the weapons to be dismantled. He decided to do a naval blockade around Cuba to stop Soviet ships delivering the missiles. If the USSR ignored the blockade, it would be an act of war. The ships stopped and turned back to the USSR. Khrushchev sent a letter suggesting if the USA promise not to invade Cuba the missiles would be dismantled, and a second letter demanded the missiles to be taken off Turkey. Kennedy accepted the first letter and ignored the second. On 28th October, USSR took the weapons out of Cuba and the USA assured the weapons would be taken out of Turkey, but not immediately.

Results of the Cuban Missile Crisis. Both sides considered the CMC as a success; Kennedy didnt back down so his reputation soared. Khrushchev saw it as a success as the weapons in Turkey were removed and he was pictured as the peacemaker. Also Cuba wasnt to be invaded. The Cuban Missile Crisis was one of the main causes of the era of Dtente as it scared both the superpowers so much that they began to talk about nuclear weapon limitations in SALT, tried to reduce tension, Hotline was created etc. The Cuban Missile Crisis was the closest the world ever came to nuclear war. American bombers took off with a nuclear bomb and the mission was aborted just in time. The doomsday clock was seconds away from the end of the world. Caused the test ban treaty of 1963 to ban testing of nuclear weapons in the atmosphere shows how scared both superpowers were.

Czechoslovakia 1968 Prague Spring.

Czechoslovakia had been a Soviet satellite state since 1948, but the Czechoslovakian people felt bitter about the loss of the political and economic independence. Penny Points Protests began in the 1960s and in January 1968 Alexander Dubcek took over as the new leader. He saw a need for some reforms in the system. This period became known as the Prague Spring because there was a thaw in the harsh system of communism. He promised the people socialism with a human face. Some of Dubceks reforms included free elections, opposition parties allowed, less state control, encouraged competition, powers of secret police curbed, no press censorship, increased standard of living, freedom to travel abroad, provision of basic human rights and plans to increase trade with the West. Dubcek reassured Brezhnev that his changes would not threaten the Soviet Union and that Czechoslovakia would not leave the Warsaw Pact, but Brezhnev remained unconvinced. To allow reform in Czechoslovakia would weaken Communism and encourage growth in the West. Also, these changes would be demanded elsewhere in Eastern Europe. The other Warsaw Pact members also disapproved and asked Dubcek to stop. They were concerned that the dominant position of the Communist Party was being weakened and could turn Czechoslovakia against its Communist neighbours. However Dubcek reacted by promising more reforms in regards to free elections and opposition parties. The Soviet Union saw this as pure defiance and on 20 August 1968, 500,000 troops from the Warsaw Pact invaded Czechoslovakia.

Results of the Prague Spring 1968. Showed that there were threats to Soviet control in Eastern Europe, but USSR were not going to allow reforms that could lessen their influence over Eastern Europe. It showed how terrified the USSR was of the break-up of the Communist bloc and the Warsaw Pact. Led to Brezhnev Doctrine a vow that the USSR would intervene if any country seemed to be turning away from Communism. Showed USSRs power mania wouldnt allow limited reforms even from within the Communist party. The West did nothing as relations with the USSR had been improved since Cuba and they were not willing to intervene over Czechoslovakia. Sent a message that the West were not willing to interfere with events behind the Iron Curtain where the safety of the USA and NATO were not threatened.

The Space Race

The Space Race describes the race between the USSR and the USA to make developments in space the quickest. Timeline 1957 Russia launches Sputnik 1 into space, first satellite. 1959 Luna 2 space probe crashes into moon (Russian). 1961 Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first man in space, and he orbited the Earth. 1963- First woman in space is Russian cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova. 1963 American President Kennedy promises the USA will have a man on the moon before the end of the decade. 20th July 1969 Neil Armstrong becomes first man on the moon. Results of Space Race. It was too expensive for both sides and effected both economies greatly. Led to the collapse of Communism as it was a factor of its failing economy. Contributed to the Arms Race. It was a war between ideology when it came down to it both superpowers wanted to win so their ideology looked superior. Controversy about the landing of the moon staged or not? Could have led to peoples mistrust in the American government. America came out looking superior after Neil Armstrong landed on the moon.

Arms Race of 1950s to 1960s.

The race of development of arms between the two superpowers during the 1950s and 1960s. Timeline Up until 1957, America had always been ahead in the arms race. 1957 Launch of Sputnik 2 meant the USSR had developed rockets that could carry nuclear warheads and hit the USA. 1957 America develops its own Inter Continental Ballistic Missiles and by 1959 they could be stored underground and made ready for use in 30 seconds. 1960 US fire a missile from a boat which means they can fire from sea and closer to the USSR. ICBMs were placed close to the enemy. America placed them on Turkey in 1959, and USSR tried to place them on Cuba in 1962. 1962- Disarmament Conference held in Geneva, partly successful. August 1963 Test Ban Treaty signed in Moscow, means cant nuclear weapons under water or in the air. 17 October 1963 UN Resolution stopped nuclear missiles being placed in space. 1968 The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty was signed by 187 countries. It limited nuclear weapons to the 5 existing superpowers. (USSR, USA, GB, China and France.) However, the amount of nuclear weapons increased rapidly. By 1970, USA had 3900 nuclear warheads and the Soviet Union had 1800 warheads. The development of the Space Race also gave the superpowers the possibility to put nuclear weapons in space. By the end of the 1960s, each side had enough nuclear weapons to destroy the whole world. The idea of Mutually Assured Destruction may have prevented war, but the Arms Race was extremely expensive for both sides.

Results Contributed to the collapse of communism expensive arms lowered the Soviets economy which was one of the main reasons Communism collapsed. Helped cause Dtente, both sides couldnt afford to keep up the arms expenditure. Led to campaigns for Nuclear Disarmament in the West. Could lead to nuclear destruction. Lead to treaties of arms SALT 1, START. Space Race development led to Reagans Star Wars.

Detnte Recap of Subject.

The relaxing of tension between the USA and the USSR in the 1970s and 1980s. Why did the USSR follow this policy? Breshnev wanted to extend Khrushchevs policy of Peaceful Co-existance. He wanted the West to accept Soviet control of Eastern Europe. Spending of Arms Race amounted to 20% of Soviet Government spending. They needed to cut back on military spending and direct money to the unhappy inhabitants of the Communist bloc who disliked their low standards of living. The Communist countries of Eastern Europe had very poor industrial efficiency so they needed to trade with the West. The USSR had quarrelled with China, so needed better relations with the USA.

Why did the USA follow this policy? The USA was suffering from stagflation- rising prices at a time where the economy was not growing. The US economy was crippled by this and the huge amount of spending in the Vietnam War and the Arms Race. American failure in Vietnam had dented US confidence, and led to huge peace campaigns which demanded an end to US military aggression abroad.

The Nuclear Scare created by the Cuban missile crisis also led both sides to look to reduce tension. Beginning of Dtente President Nixon was elected in 1969, and chose Henry Kissinger as his Secretary of State. They both wanted better relations with the USSR and China. Nixon announced the Nixon Doctrine which said that the USA would stick to NATO obligations and hold a nuclear umbrella over the free world but expected its allies to take care of its own defence in future. Success of Dtente First sign of thaw in relations was the SALT talks in 1969 between USA and USSR. 1971 US allows China to join UN. US table tennis team visits China and the ping-pong diplomacy allows meetings between Government officials from both countries. 1972- Nixon visits China himself. USSR fears that the USA and China will join together against them, so USSR is more convinced to improve relations with USA. 1972- Both USA and USSR sign SALT 1 treaty. This froze the number of submarine and land-based missiles for 5 years. Limited the amount of missiles

each superpower was allowed to have, and they could have spy satellites to check the opposition kept to this. 1972 East and West Germany agree to recognize each others borders. Removed Germany as important source of tension. USA and USSR develop trade links. April 1973 - US withdraws troops from Vietnam as its one of the last sources of tension. July 1975 3 US Astronauts and 2 Soviet cosmonauts docked spacecraft together while orbiting the Earth. Visible sign of Dtente at work. AUGUST 1975 Helsinki Agreement.

Helsinki Agreement This stated that: US recognized that Eastern Europe was Communist and it was under Soviet influence. The Soviets agreed to buy US grain, West would buy oil from USSR. Communist countries could also borrow money from the West. All countries all agreed to guarantee and improve human rights in their own countries. (Eg. Freedom of speech, freedom of religion and freedom of movement) More protest groups were set up as a result. Most famous were Charter 77 in Czechoslovakia and the Helsinki Watch Group in Moscow & East Germany.

Criticisms of Dtente Falling Apart. The West became frustrated because abuses of human rights continued in the USSR. Breshnev simply cancelled any attempts at agreements. In Communist Eastern Europe anyone who disagreed with the Government even over minor issues were persecuted and suppressed. Members of Charter 77 were dismissed from their jobs, their children expelled from school and their driving licenses and citizenship were cancelled. Many were exiled abroad or imprisoned. There were suspicions that the USSR were breaking the SALT 1 Treaty. In fact, both sides were positioning more missiles against each other. The SALT 1 agreement ended in 1977, and when Carter tried to link cuts in weapons with improved human rights for SALT 2, Breshnev got annoyed. An agreement was reached in 1979, but it never came into effect due to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. When Carter couldnt end a hostage crisis in Iran in 1979, many Americans feared that USA was becoming weak. Reagan was elected when he promised to get tough with the USSR. The public were rejecting Dtente

Dtente
The relaxing of tension between the USA and the USSR in the 1970s and 1980s. Penny Points For both the USA and the USSR it made political and economic sense to try and improve the relations between one another and reduce the cost and tension of the Arms Race. The Nixon Doctrine helped dtente to happen as it showed USA was willing to adapt to try and come to a compromise with the USSR. Both superpowers signed the SALT 1 Treaty which meant the amount of arms both superpowers had was frozen and limited. Both countries also signed the Helsinki Agreement, which meant that America accepted that East Europe was Communist, the superpowers would trade and the Communist bloc would be granted more human rights eg. Freedom of speech, freedom of religion. Dtente failed as the USSR didnt follow the policies of the Helsinki Agreement and the American public voted in another President that promised to be firm with the USSR, they rejected Dtente. Results of Dtente Helsinki Agreement led to the formation of groups to campaign for greater freedom & during the 1980s, these groups managed to produce pamphlets and secret radio broadcasts to show their despair at living in the repressive Communist bloc. This helped lead to the end of Communism in Eastern Europe. The Helsinki Agreement also had economic consequences for East Europe as they could borrow money from the West and by the 1980s this led to huge debts leading to poor standards of living for people in East Europe. This led to Soviet leaders Gorbachev decision to reduce Red Army commitments which again led to the collapse of Communism. Dtente did not directly bring about the end of the Cold War however, as from the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in Dec.1979, a new Cold War started, with US president Reagan adopting a tough stance against the USSR, and increasing defence expenditure massively. This increased tension massively. Dtente was important in reducing Cold War tension in some ways in the 1970s. This includes the SALT I agreement, US visits to the USSR and China and the Helsinki Agreements.

The Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan Subject Recap.

Background Afghanistan was a poor country, yet it was important to both superpowers because it was close to oil-rich countries of the Middle East. The USSR had influence in Afghanistan since the 1950s when it gave aid to build roads and oil pipelines. In 1973 the monarchy was overthrown and replaced by a Soviet-backed Communist group, backed by the military. The new government introduced new Soviet-style reforms that went against the Muslim culture and traditions of people living in Afghanistan they disliked new laws on marriage and land distribution. By 1979 President Amin had seized power and his government becoming increasingly more unpopular, hiss army dealing brutally with any opposition. In 1979 civil war broke out. The opposition to the Afghan communist government was led by a Muslim group called the Mujahidin. They believed they were fighting a holy war (a jihad) and received economic aid from the USA as they supported them as they were against Communism. They also received funds from a wealthy Saudi called Osama Bin Laden. At the end of 1979, the communist government of Afghanistan asked the USSR for help. Tanks and weapons were sent at first, then on Christmas Day, around 80,000 Soviet troops invaded Afghanistan. In the next few days, Kabul airport was captured and 350 Soviet aircraft carrying more troops and aircraft arrived. On New Years Day 1980, a new, more pro-Soviet government led by Babrak Karmal was set up after President Amin had been killed. Breshnev told the world that the USSR had been asked to protect Afghanistan and restore order and their troops and equipment was needed to do this. Although he promised that troops would be withdrawn as soon as peace was restored, the USA and China reacted angrily to the invasion. Reactions to the Soviet Invasion USA: Withdrew their competitors for the Olympic games in Moscow in 1980 as it was unsuitable to hold it there as it is meant to celebrate peace and goodwill. Sent US navy taskforce of 1,800 marines to the Arabian Sea to protect oil routes in the Middle East. Cut trade between the USA and USSR to inflict economic damage on the Soviet Union. Carter stopped export of computers and machines as well as 17 million tons of grain. Described the Soviet Invasion as a threat to world peace. The President advised the Senate not to ratify (confirm) the SALT II Treaty.

China: Reacted angrily and promised to support the Mujahidin against the USSR.

The Soviet Invasion Of Afghanistan

The Soviets invaded Afghanistan to ensure Afghanistan remained under Communist control influenced by the Soviets. This angered the USA and China. Penny Points In 1973, the Afghanistan monarchy was overthrown and replaced by a Soviet backed Communist party. The Afghan people hated the new reforms and began to fight against it. In 1979 civil war broke out, and the Afghan government asked the USSR for help. At first the Soviets sent tanks and weapons, but on Christmas Day 1979 Soviet troops arrived in Afghanistan, the Presidents palace was captured and killed. By New Years Day 1980 Babrak Karmal was the new President. President Carter told the Soviets that if they went to Iran or Pakistan it would be an act of war, even nuclear war. The USA boycotted the Olympic games as a result, stating that Moscow was unsuitable for an event meant to celebrate peace and goodwill. America worked with Pakistan and ignored the fact that they were involved in drugs and nuclear weapons. They also sent arms to help the Mujahidin fight the Communist government. Results of The Soviet Invasion Of Afghanistan The Soviet Invasion was a cause of collapse of Dtente, as it created an issue of conflict and more tension between the two superpowers. It also contributed to the collapse of Communism as the expense crippled the Soviet economy leading to hardship back in the USSR. The failure proved the Red Army werent invincible and could not be relied on to hold the Communist Empire together. It hadnt even been able to defeat the Afghans, and as a result American confidence had been increased cause of Reagans new policies and the renewal of the Cold War, the new Cold War. The effect on the army and the economy helped contribute to the defeat on Communism.

Policies of President Reagan

By early 1980, just as the Afghanistan conflict was beginning, relations between the USA and the USSR were very bad. Dtente had completely collapsed. Reagan was elected in January 1981 and had a tough antiCommunist stance. He referred to the Soviet Union as the evil empire. Penny Points Reagan increased the USAs defense spending from $178 billion in 1981 to $367 billion in 1986. New weapons were developed, such as the Cruise missiles, and NATO agreed that 464 US Cruise missiles should be positioned in Western Europe. In 1981, Reagan announced that America had a new bomb the neutron bomb. It could kill many people without destroying much property. The Americans were also developing the MX missile, which could be launched from different underground launch sites. In 1983, US scientists began work on the Strategic Defense Initiative. This became known as the Star Wars project. It was a satellite antimissile system that would orbit the earth and make it impossible for Soviet missiles to reach US targets by creating a huge laser shield in space. Arms talks between the USA and the Soviet Union resumed in 1982 at Geneva in Switzerland. They were called START (Strategic Arms Reductions Talks) and their main aim was to limit nuclear weapons in Europe. Reagan knew the USA was vastly superior in nuclear capacity, but the USA could not continue spending at its current level. Results of Reagans policies. The USSR were terrified that the developments would upset the balance of terror as the USA was now more developed and now the idea of MAD would not affect them as much, they could attack them. Increases Soviet fear and made them more willing to talk about reduction of arms. The USSR couldnt afford to try and keep up with the spending of arms as the Soviet economy was in ruins after the invasion of Afghanistan.

Solidarity
Solidarity was the first free trade union in the entire Soviet system. It was led by Lech Walesa, and this group had protest movements in Poland. Penny Points The protest movements of Solidarity were caused by high prices of food and fuel shortages. The shipyard workers in Gdansk went on strike. Most Poles were Catholics despite the disapproval of their Communist leaders and were encouraged to speak out about their discontent by Pope John Paul II who was a Pole himself. Solidarity soon had 9 million members, and Poland feared a Soviet invasion and takeover, but the Soviets did not invade as they had just invaded Afghanistan. The Soviet Army was instructed to carry out training manoeuvres on the Polish border, Soviet invasion was a real threat. In 1981 General Jaruzelski took over and imposed martial law. Political opponents to the Communist government were either arrested (10,000 people) or forced to hide. Solidarity was declared an illegal organisation. However, it survived underground, and Lech Walesa was seen as a hero. The USA provided secret support for those in the banned Solidarity movement. In November 1982 Walesa was released from prison and in 1983 he was given the Nobel Peace Prize. Results of Solidarity. It helped contribute to the collapse of Communism as it showed that people living under communism were unhappy and willing to fight against it. Makes the USA and the Capitalism system look superior and inviting. Makes the USSR and Communist system look weak for not invading, and as if Communism is horrible and failing. America actually does something and so American pride is strong.

Policies of Gorbachev
Mikhail Gorbachev made new reforms on the Communist system once he came into power which were popular with both the inhabitants of the Communist bloc and the West.
Penny Points . Gorbachev came into power in 1985 at the age of 54, the youngest man to hold supreme power in the Soviet Union since Joseph Stalin. Gorbachev saw that the economy of Soviet Union was on the edge of disaster. Too much money was being spent on arms and the war in Afghanistan. Industry was being run in the same way it had been under Stalin, but the climate of fear was no longer there to meet production targets. This with the growing corruption inside the Communist Party and an increasing problem with alcoholism meant that both industrial output and quality of goods produced were falling. There had to be a change. Perestroika Restructuring changing some economic policies to allow competition and more incentive to produce goods. This meant factories were allowed to produce what they wanted and would be allowed to keep profit. Glasnost Openness Restoring faith in Government and ending corruption. This meant freedom of speech was allowed. The Breshnev Doctrine was abandoned and the Soviets pulled out of Afghanistan.

Results of Gorbachevs policies President Reagan was pleased with the new reforms and felt it safe to have cuts in expenditure on defense. Reagan and Gorbachev met several times during the 1980s to talk about arms reduction. In November 1985, it was agreed that offensive weaponry were to be cut by 50%. However, the USA refused to give up its SDI in 1986. December 1987 they agreed to get rid of all medium- and short-range nuclear weapons. This was called the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF). This was an amazing turn-around. Cause of the end of the Cold War. No hostility and both leaders were willing to agree on most things. Cause of the collapse of communism. People had freedom of speech now and werent afraid to speak out about their hatred of the Communist system.

Collapse of Communism in Eastern Europe.

Hungary In May , the government dismantled the border with non-communist Austria. There was now a hole in the Iron Curtain. In December, free elections were announced in 1990. Poland In June, Solidarity won free elections, and by the end of the year, it had formed the government. In December, Lech Walesa became president. East Germany In September, thousands of East Germans escaped to Austria and West Germany. In November, the Berlin Wal was pulled down. Free elections were held in March 1990, and East and West Germany were reunited in October. Czechoslovakia In November, mass demonstrations led to the opening of the border with the West. In December, the Communist government resigned. Romania In December, there was a revolution and the communist dictator, Ceausescu, and his wife, were executed. Bulgaria In November, Todor Zhivkov, the communist leader since 1954, resigned. A non-communist government was elected in 1990.

Collapse of Communism in the Soviet Union

Many people thought Gorbachev did little to prevent the fall of communism in Eastern Europe. Many Soviets saw this as weakness. The reforms had no immediate effect. They still suffered from food shortages and rising prices. Many wanted to see the collapse of Communism, not just reforms. In February 1990, 250,000 people demonstrated in Moscow against Communism. In the annual May Day parade in Moscows Red Square, Gorbachev was booed. He may have been popular in the West, but in the Soviet Union people disliked him some thought he had gone too far and some thought not far enough. August 1991, hardline communists led a coup against Gorbachev and made him a prisoner in his own country home. Yeltsin (the new President of the Russian Republic) led a demonstration against the coup, insisting the reform movement had to continue in order to save Russia. He was seen as a hero to save Russia from the slide of Communist repression. Yeltsin went on to disband the Communist Party in Russia, and formally ended the Soviet Union in December 1991. Later in the same month, he resigned as Soviet President as there was no longer a Soviet state for him to preside over. The communist red flag was lowered for the last time over the Kremlin.