End of Cold War

How did Gorbachev’s reforms impact the Soviet Union and its relations with other countries?

Gorbachev's reforms, perestroika and glasnost, modernized the Soviet economy and political system. They increased political freedom and demands for independence in Soviet republics, leading to the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Gorbachev's policies also improved relations with the West, ending the Cold War and resulting in arms control agreements.

What was perestroika? Glasnost?

Perestroika was a political movement in the Soviet Union during the 1980s, aimed at restructuring the country's economy and political system. Glasnost was a policy of openness and transparency in government and media, also introduced in the Soviet Union during the same period.

Why did communism collapse in Eastern Europe?

Communism collapsed in Eastern Europe due to a combination of factors, including economic inefficiency, political corruption, and popular uprisings against authoritarian rule. The Soviet Union's declining power and influence also played a significant role in the collapse of communism in the region.

What sparked the fall of the Berlin Wall (1989)? Impact and significance?

The Berlin Wall fell in 1989 due to economic decline in East Germany, Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev's reform policies, and pressure from East German citizens. It had a major impact on German reunification and the end of the Cold War. The fall symbolized the end of Soviet control in Eastern Europe and paved the way for political and economic integration in Europe.

What brought about the collapse of the Soviet Union?

The collapse of the Soviet Union was caused by a combination of factors, including economic stagnation, political corruption, and the arms race with the United States. Additionally, the policies of Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, such as glasnost and perestroika, inadvertently led to the weakening of the Soviet state and the eventual collapse of the communist government.

How did the fall of communism in the early 1990s affect Yugoslavia?

The fall of communism in the early 1990s led to the breakup of Yugoslavia and the subsequent Yugoslav Wars. The different ethnic groups within Yugoslavia, which had been held together by the communist government, began to assert their own national identities and demand independence. This led to violent conflicts between the different groups, resulting in the deaths of thousands of people and the displacement of millions.

Why did the breakup of Yugoslavia spark conflicts? What role did Slobodan Milosevic play?

The breakup of Yugoslavia sparked conflicts due to ethnic and nationalist tensions. Slobodan Milosevic, the leader of Serbia, played a significant role in exacerbating these tensions through his nationalist rhetoric and policies, which aimed to create a Greater Serbia. Milosevic's actions led to the persecution and displacement of non-Serbian populations in Croatia, Bosnia, and Kosovo, and ultimately contributed to the outbreak of war in the region.

What sparked war in Bosnia?

The war in Bosnia was sparked by a combination of factors, including ethnic and religious tensions, political instability, and the breakup of Yugoslavia. The specific trigger was the declaration of independence by Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1992, which was opposed by Bosnian Serbs who wanted to remain part of Yugoslavia. This led to a brutal conflict that lasted for several years and resulted in the deaths of over 100,000 people.

What is “ethnic cleansing?”

"Ethnic cleansing" is the systematic and violent removal of an ethnic or religious group from a particular area by another group. It often involves mass killings, forced displacement, and other forms of persecution.

What happened at Srebrenica?

Srebrenica was a town in Bosnia where a genocide occurred during the Bosnian War. Bosnian Serb forces under the command of General Ratko Mladić killed more than 8,000 Bosniak (Bosnian Muslim) men and boys, and forcibly expelled around 25,000-30,000 women, children, and elderly people from the area. It is considered the worst atrocity in Europe since World War II.

How did the UN respond to the conflict in Bosnia?

The UN responded to the conflict in Bosnia by establishing a peacekeeping mission. The mission aimed to monitor the ceasefire, provide humanitarian aid, and protect safe areas for civilians. However, the UN faced criticism for its inability to prevent the Srebrenica massacre in 1995 and for its overall lack of effectiveness in ending the conflict.

What role did NATO play in Bosnia?

NATO launched a series of airstrikes against Bosnian Serb targets in 1995, which helped to bring the war to an end. Additionally, NATO deployed a peacekeeping force to Bosnia to help maintain peace and stability in the region.

How did the conflict end in Bosnia? How was justice sought in the aftermath?

The conflict in Bosnia ended with the Dayton Accords in 1995, which established a power-sharing government and ended the fighting. Justice was sought through the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, which prosecuted war crimes committed during the conflict.