Arab Crisis - Collapse of the Soviet Union

Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)

An organisation created in 1964 to represent Palestinian Arabs and seek a Palestinian state.

Became the main Palestinian political group and was involved in conflict and peace talks with Israel.

Six-Day War

A war in 1967 between Israel and neighbouring Arab countries including Egypt, Syria and Jordan.

Israel won quickly and gained land such as the West Bank, Gaza Strip and Sinai Peninsula.

United Nations Security Council Resolution 242

A UN resolution passed after the Six-Day War.

Called for Israel to withdraw from occupied territories and for all states to live in peace.

Yom Kippur War

A surprise attack on Israel by Egypt and Syria in 1973.

Increased Cold War tensions and eventually pushed both sides toward peace negotiations.

Camp David Accords

Peace agreements signed by Egypt and Israel in 1978 with US support.

Led to the first peace treaty between Israel and an Arab country.

Balfour Declaration

A 1917 British statement supporting a Jewish homeland in Palestine.

Increased Jewish migration to Palestine and contributed to future Arab-Israeli conflict.

Prague Spring

A period of reform in Czechoslovakia led by Alexander Dubček to create “socialism with a human face.”

The Soviet Union invaded Czechoslovakia in 1968 to stop the reforms and keep control over Eastern Europe.

Ronald Reagan

US President from 1981–1989 during the later Cold War.

Increased pressure on the Soviet Union through military spending and later worked with Gorbachev to reduce tensions.

Glasnost

Gorbachev’s policy allowing more openness and freedom of speech in the USSR.

Reduced censorship but also increased criticism of the Soviet government.

Perestroika

Gorbachev’s policy to restructure and improve the Soviet economy.

Tried to modernise the USSR but weakened communist control and contributed to the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Mikhail Gorbachev

Leader of the Soviet Union from 1985–1991.

Introduced Glasnost and Perestroika and played a major role in ending the Cold War and the collapse of the USSR.