COLD WAR: Brezhnev Era 1972-85

what were the key features of Brezhnev’s leadership style?

promoted stability, centralised power, avoided reform, resulted in economic stagnation

what was the Helsinki Accords 1975 and why was it important?

major East/West agreement on borders, cooperation, human rights

what were the three baskets of the Helsinki agreement?

borders and peace, economic/technological cooperation, human rights and freedoms

how did USSR violate the human rights commitment of Helsinki agreement?

continued repression, censorship, refused to allow free movement or dissent

what was the US response to Soviet violations of Basket 3?

began naming and shaming violations, funded dissident groups in the East

what was Carter’s approach to the Cold War?

initially committed to human rights, arms limitation, nuclear restraint

how did Carter’s emphasis on human rights affect superpower relations?

increased Soviet suspicion, USSR accused US of ideological interference

what led to the breakdown of detente under Carter?

Soviet brigade of Cuba, Afghanistan invasion, Iran hostage crisis

what was the Soviet justification for invading Afghanistant 1979?

USSR claimed it was invited by the Afghan communist government to suppress a rebellion

how did the US respond to the Afghanistan invasion?

Carter imposed sanctions, ended arms talks, boycotted 1980 Olympics

what was the impact of the 1980 Olympic boycott?

symbolic protest, over 60 countries joined, worsened relations

what was the role of Reagan in reigniting the Cold War?

took a hard-line approach, focussed on military build-up and ideological confrontation

what was the Evil Empire speech 1983?

labelled USSR as inherently repressive and immoral

what was SDI?

aimed to develop space-based missile defence

how did SDI impact arms negotiations?

USSR saw SDI as a threat to MAD and escalated spending in response

what was Reagan’s defence spending policy?

Reagan oversaw a massive increase in military spending, especially on nuclear and space tech

how did the Soviet economy perform in the early 1980’s?

economy was failing, low growth, inefficient industry, high defence costs

what were signs of unrest in Eastern Europe during 1970-80s?

dissent grew, economic shortages, lack of reform, nationalist protests increased

what was Solidarity in Poland, and how did USSR respond?

trade union led by Lech Walesa, pushed for reform, USSR imposed martial law via the Polish government

what was the Reagan Doctrine?

backed anti-communist insurgents in places like Afghanistan, Nicaragua, Angola