The Ending of Cold War Tensions

Reasons for Gorbachev wanting to withdraw Soviet troops from Afghanistan:

• The Financial implications

• The huge number of casualties

• The Mujaheddin were being supplied by the US and were not getting weaker

• The Public opposed the war.

When was Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan completed?

1989

Nicaraguan situation:

• US pulled funding from the Contras and a ceasefire was employed

• They instead propped up Chamorro who removed Contras and ended civil war upon winning 1990 elections

• US initially offered $300 Million in assistance but then withdrew it in 1992 as apparently the Sandinistas were controlling the economy

El Salvador:

• US propped up Jose Duarte who was elected during a civil war

• Duarte failed to limit the armed forces power

• The FMLN, a leftist guerilla group, battled against the army.

• A truce was needed after 1988 as the FMLN launched new offensive against new government led by Christiani

• Peace Accords signed in 1992 and UN oversaw free elections in 1994

Cuban end of tensions:

• They did withdraw from Africa

• Had a fresh sense of economic diversity with a re-emergence of Tourism from Canada and Europe

• Reduced its dependence on sugar exports and increased trade with China.

• Remained hostile with the US

Angola:

• Gorbachev encouraged a reduction of assistance to MPLA yet still provided them with $1 Billion in arms.

• USSR encouraged a major offensive against UNITA - Backed by the US and South Africa - to end the war

• The MPLA were supported by 10,000 Cuban troops.

• A peace agreement was reached in 1988 which included the withdrawal of Cuba

Ethiopia:

• Mariam proclaimed a fully Marxist country led by Workers Party of Ethiopia - 1987

• Mengistu thought he could oust this regime with Soviet support, yet fled in 1991 due to the unreliability of soviet help

• US-Backed Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front then took over. Received assistance from USA despite being Marxist.

The Malta Summit 1989:

• Focused on developing economic relations between the powers

• The USSR to no longer intervene in Eastern Europe

• USA would not intervene in Baltic states and leave German reunification to Germans

Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty

A commitment to end the superiority in military capability held by the USSR in Europe.

When did the Soviet Union collapse?

1991

German reunification:

• GDR had free elections in 1990 which led to thoughts of collectivism with FRG

• May 1990 - An economic social union

• August 1990 - GDR passes law to become part of FRG

• Germany became a member of NATO in October 1990

How many states made up the USSR?

15 States

How many held hands from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to commemorate the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact where the USSR had annexed them?

2 Million all held hands to form the ‘Baltic Way’

When did the Baltics declare independence?

1990

1991:

• Soviet troops try to regain Lithuania but fail

• Hardlines attempt a coup d’etat on Gorbachev but fail, yet left his position insecure

• Gorbachev resigns as General Secretary

• The USSR Supreme Soviet votes to dissolve itself as there is no leader and a power vacuum

• Gorbachev resigns as President of the USSR and is replaced by Yeltsin

Bush’s principles to deal with now Russia:

• Self-determination consistent with democratic principles

• Support for democracy and Human Rights

• Respect for international law and treaty obligations

• Russia succeeded the Soviet seat on the UN Council