Chapter 29/30

Permissive society

Permissive society

a social setting in which traditional norms and values are relaxed, and people are allowed to express themselves more freely. In Europe, this term is often used to describe the social and cultural changes that took place in the 1960s and 1970s, when there was a growing tolerance for alternative lifestyles, such as hippie culture and sexual liberation.

Whiny French kids

They demanded more freedom and more say in how universities were run. The protests quickly spread to other parts of French society, and millions of workers joined the students in a general strike. The protests were eventually put down by the government, but they had a significant impact on French society and politics. Many of the demands made by the protesters were eventually met, and the events of May 1968 are still remembered as a turning point in French history.

Feminism

focused on issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence against women. The fall of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War created new opportunities for feminist activists in Eastern Europe, who were able to organize more freely and work towards greater gender equality. In Western Europe, feminist movements continued to push for greater representation of women in politics and business, as well as greater attention to issues such as domestic violence and sexual harassment.

Brezhnev Doctrine

A Soviet foreign policy stated that the Soviet Union had the right to intervene in the affairs of any socialist country if it believed that socialism was under threat. The doctrine was also used to justify Soviet intervention in other countries, such as Afghanistan in 1979. The Brezhnev Doctrine was a key element of Soviet foreign policy during the Cold War, and it was used to justify Soviet intervention in the affairs of other countries.

Détente

a period of improved relations between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War. During this time, both the United States and the Soviet Union worked to reduce tensions and improve relations. This included arms control agreements, such as the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT), as well as increased economic and cultural exchanges.While détente did not end the Cold War, it did help to reduce tensions and improve communication between the two superpowers.

Andrei Sakharov

a Soviet physicist who became an advocate for human rights and civil liberties. He was critical of the Soviet government's policies and was exiled for his outspoken criticism. Sakharov played a key role in the development of the Soviet Union's first hydrogen bomb and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to promote disarmament and human rights.

Soviet economic problems

The Soviet Union's centrally planned economy created many economic problems, including shortages of goods and services and overproduction of certain goods. The economy was heavily dependent on exports of natural resources, making it vulnerable to fluctuations in global commodity prices. These economic problems, combined with political unrest, contributed to the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Lech Walesa and Solidarity

a Polish worker who started a labor union called Solidarity. The union helped workers fight for better working conditions and more political freedom in Poland. Solidarity became really popular and helped bring down communism in Eastern Europe. Walesa became famous for his work and won a Nobel Peace Prize.

Dubcek and the Prague Spring

a leader in Czechoslovakia who tried to make his country more democratic and open. He introduced a series of reforms called the Prague Spring. The Soviet Union didn't like these reforms and invaded Czechoslovakia to stop them. Dubcek was removed from power and replaced with a leader who was more loyal to the Soviet Union. Even though the Prague Spring was short

Nicolae Ceausescu

a Romanian politician who served as the country's leader from 1965 until 1989. He was a Communist and ruled Romania with an iron fist, suppressing political dissent and limiting personal freedoms. Ceausescu also pursued a policy of rapid industrialization and forced collectivization of agriculture, which led to economic hardship and widespread poverty. In 1989, a popular uprising against Ceausescu's regime led to his overthrow and execution.

Margaret Thatcher

a British politician who served as the country's Prime MinisterShe was the first woman to hold the position. Thatcher was a Conservative and pursued a policy of free

Mitterrand and socialism

a French politician who served as the country's President He was a Socialist and pursued policies that aimed to reduce economic inequality and strengthen the welfare state. Mitterrand introduced a number of reforms, including the creation of a minimum wage, the reduction of the working week to 35 hours, and the expansion of social security benefits. Mitterrand's policies were controversial and faced opposition from conservatives and business interests, but he remains a prominent figure in French politics.

Domino theory

The Domino Theory was a Cold War

Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan

The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan to support the country's communist government, which was facing a growing insurgency.The conflict was brutal and resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of people, including many civilians. The Soviet Union eventually withdrew its troops from Afghanistan in 1989, marking the end of the conflict. The war had a significant impact on Afghanistan and the wider region and is often cited as a major factor in the collapse of the Soviet Union.

"Evil empire" and "Star Wars"

important during the Cold War because they reflected the heightened tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union. "Evil empire" was a term was meant to convey the idea that the Soviet Union was a hostile and oppressive regime that posed a threat to the United States and the world. The use of this term was significant because it reflected the increasingly confrontational rhetoric used by the United States towards the Soviet Union during the Cold War. "Star Wars" was a term used to describe a proposed missile defense system that would use lasers and other advanced technology to shoot down incoming missiles. The idea was first proposed by President Reagan in 1983, and it was seen as a way to counter the Soviet Union's nuclear capabilities.

Green movements

a social and political movement that emerged in the 1970s in response to growing concerns about environmental issues. It advocates for the protection of the environment and sustainable development. The movement has led to the creation of many environmental laws and regulations, as well as the establishment of many environmental organizations and advocacy groups.

Popular culture

MTV, etc.

Mass Sports and politics

became an important arena for political competition between the US and the Soviet Union. Both countries used sports to demonstrate their superiority and to project their political ideologies. Mass sports were used as a means of promoting national pride and unity. In the United States, sports were seen as a symbol of democracy and individualism, while in the Soviet Union, they were viewed as a means of promoting socialist values and collective identity.

Gorbachev

a Soviet politician who served as the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union f He is best known for his policies of glasnost and perestroika, which aimed to reform the Soviet Union's political and economic systems. Gorbachev's reforms led to greater political freedom and openness in the Soviet Union and contributed to the end of the Cold War. Gorbachev's reforms paved the way for greater democracy and economic liberalization in Russia and other former Soviet republics.

Perestroika

a policy of economic and political reform introduced by Gorbachev in the 1980s. The policy aimed to modernize and restructure the Soviet economy by introducing elements of capitalism and market

Glasnost

a policy of political openness introduced by Gorbachev in the 1980s. The policy aimed to increase transparency and accountability in the Soviet government and to promote greater political freedom and openness. Glasnost led to the relaxation of censorship and the freedom of the press, allowing for greater public debate and discussion of political and social issues.

Conservative coup

The Greek military coup of 1967 was a significant conservative coup during the Cold War era. Led by Colonel Georgios Papadopoulos, right

Boris Yeltsin

the first president of the Russian Federation following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Yeltsin played a key role in the transformation of Russia from a communist state to a market

"ceased to exist"

was a commonly used euphemism during the Cold War era to describe the aftermath of a nuclear attack.It conveyed the idea that a city or country that had been hit by a nuclear bomb would not simply be damaged or destroyed, but would be completely obliterated, and all life within it would be eradicated.

Economic problems for Russia

Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russia experienced a period of economic turmoil marked by hyperinflation, widespread poverty, and social unrest. Although the country has made significant progress since then, it has continued to face economic challenges, including corruption, political instability, and dependence on the export of natural resources such as oil and gas.

Chechnya

The region has a long history of resistance to Russian rule, and after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, it declared independence. Russia responded by launching a military campaign to reassert its control over the region, leading to a protracted conflict that lasted for many years. The conflict has had significant human costs, including tens of thousands of deaths and the displacement of large numbers of people.

Putin

Putin's leadership was marked by a renewed emphasis on Russian nationalism, as well as efforts to strengthen the country's economy and military. Putin's leadership has been controversial, with critics accusing him of authoritarianism and human rights abuses. However, his influence on Russian politics and on the global stage has been significant, particularly in shaping Russia's role in the post

"shock therapy"

an economic strategy implemented in several Eastern European countries and the former Soviet Union in the aftermath of the Cold War. The strategy involved rapidly transitioning from a socialist command economy to a capitalist market economy, often involving the privatization of state

Expansion of NATO

Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, NATO began to expand its membership to include former Soviet bloc countries in Eastern Europe. This expansion was intended to promote stability and security in the region, but it also raised concerns among Russia and other countries about NATO's intentions and its role in global politics. The expansion of NATO has been a contentious issue in international relations, with some arguing that it has contributed to tensions between Russia and the West, while others view it as a necessary step to promote democracy and security in the region.

German reunification

marked the end of the Cold War era and was a significant event in European history. The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the collapse of communist governments in Eastern Europe paved the way for reunification. The reunification of Germany represented a symbolic end to the divisions of the Cold War and paved the way for the integration of the former Eastern Bloc countries into the European Union. However, the process of reunification also had significant economic and social challenges, particularly for East Germans who had to adapt to the economic and political systems of the West.

Slobodan Milosovic

played a significant role in the violent breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s.. Milošević was known for his nationalist rhetoric and his promotion of Serbian interests at the expense of other ethnic groups in the region. He pursued a policy of "ethnic cleansing" against Bosnian Muslims and Croats during the Bosnian War, and his regime was accused of war crimes and genocide. His legacy remains controversial in the region, with some regarding him as a hero for defending Serbian interests and others condemning him for his role in the violent breakup of Yugoslavia and the atrocities committed during the wars in the region.

Serbs, Bosnians, Croats, oh my!

the violent breakup of Yugoslavia and the subsequent wars that followed. Ethnic tensions and nationalism, which had been suppressed during the communist era, resurfaced in the region, leading to violent conflict and ethnic cleansing. The Bosnian War, which lasted from 1992 to 1995, resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of people and the displacement of millions. The conflict pitted Serbs, Croats, and Bosniaks (Bosnian Muslims) against each other, with each group vying for control over the region.

Ethnic cleansing

a term by Milosovic, meaning the forced removal of an ethnic or religious group from a particular territory, typically with the goal of creating a more homogeneous population. Its motivated by ethnic or religious hatred and is considered a serious violation of international law. It has been used as a tactic in many conflicts around the world, including in the Balkans during the 1990s, where it was used against Bosniaks (Bosnian Muslims) and Croats during the Bosnian War, and against Albanians in Kosovo during the Kosovo War.

Kosovo

A region in the Balkans that has been historically inhabited mostly by Albanians and Serbs. There were tensions between Albanians and Serbs in Kosovo turned into an armed conflict, and NATO intervened militarily against Serbia. Kosovo unilaterally declared independence from Serbia in 2008, but Serbia and some other countries have not recognized it. The significance of Kosovo lies in its role as a test case for principles of national self

EU and the Euro

The EU is a political and economic union of 27 member states in Europe that was established to promote peace, democracy, and economic cooperation among its members. The Euro is the official currency of the EU, used by 19 of its member states. This represented a major step towards European economic integration and has facilitated trade, investment, and tourism within the EU. However, the Euro has also faced challenges, including the 2008 global financial crisis and the economic disparities between EU member states. The significance of the EU and the Euro lies in their roles in promoting European unity and cooperation, and in their impacts on global economics and trade.

Guest workers

With the growing need for low

Multiculturalism

the coexistence of diverse cultures within a society, recognizing and valuing the contributions of each group to the whole. It became an important political and social concept in many countries as they struggled to integrate immigrants while preserving their own cultural identities. It has been both praised for promoting diversity and criticized for leading to social fragmentation and a lack of national cohesion.

WTO

The World Trade Organization (WTO) is an international organization that was established in 1995 to promote and regulate global trade. The significance of the WTO lies in its role as a forum for member countries to negotiate and settle trade disputes. By encouraging free trade and economic growth, the WTO has played a significant role in global economic development and integration. However, it has also been the subject of criticism and controversy, particularly from developing countries who feel that their interests are not adequately represented in the organization.

Globalization and the environment

greatly impacted the environment by increasing the movement of goods, people, and capital across borders, resulting in increased consumption of natural resources, pollution, and environmental degradation. The global economy has led to the expansion of multinational corporations, which often operate with little regard for environmental consequences.(WTO) has played a significant role in shaping global trade policies that impact the environment, and there is an ongoing debate about how to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability.