Collapse of Soviet Union - Super Power Relations

Causes and Consequences of Invasion of Afghanistan (1979)

Moscow did not want Muslim fundamentalism to cross into its border.

Americans saw it as an action of the spreading of communism.

Carter sent weapons and funds the mujahideen

What happened at the 1980 olympic games

The USA led a boycott, which caused the soviet showcase of communism to undermine and cause relationships with the USA to deteriorate

What were Reagan’s policies

Reagan described the Soviet Union as an “evil Empire”

Defence spending increased by 13%

Development of Trident submarines and stealth bombers

What was the Reagan Doctrine

Supporting anti communist governments

supporting anti communist groups

What and When the SDI or “star wars” introduced

• Introduced in 1983

• Strategic Defence Initiative

• Satellites with powerful lasers attached to shoot down soviet missiles.

• Caused soviets to devote a large amount of resources to catch up

• Soviet economy was not strong enough and was behind in terms of computer technology

What problems did Gorbachev face when he became leader in 1985

• Huge sums of money were spent on the arms race

• low investment in the soviet economy

• low economic growth

• very poor living standards compared to the west

• unrest due to standards and Hrights in satellite states

What was Perestroika

• State and Economic reform

• Allowed some capitalistic practices

What was Glasnost

• Openness and less corruption the government

• freedom of speech allowed

• Opposition to the government allowed

What was part of Gorbachevs new thinking

The dropping of the Breznev doctrine so the soviets would no longer get involved with other communist countries affairs

reduced arms and defence spending

When and what happened at the washington summit

December 1987

Intermediate Range Nuclear Force treaty signed (INF)

The abolishment of all land-based missiles with a range of 500-5,500 Km

When and what was the Moscow summit

1988

reduction in Warsaw Pact troops

Soviets would leave Afghanistan

When and what was the Malta Summit

1989

Marked the end of the Cold War

What was the significance of the soviets giving up on the Breznev Doctrine

Satellite states could choose how they were to be governed