Arab Crisis - Collapse of the Soviet Union

Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO)

• Founded in 1964 to represent Palestinians and seek an independent Palestinian state.

• Led by Yasser Arafat for many years; later recognized Israel in peace negotiations.

Six-Day War

• Fought in 1967 between Israel and neighboring Arab states (Egypt, Syria, Jordan).

• Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Sinai Peninsula, and Golan Heights.

United Nations Security Council Resolution 242

• Called for Israeli withdrawal from occupied territories and recognition of all states’ right to exist.

• Became the basis for later Arab-Israeli peace negotiations.

Yom Kippur War

• Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack on Israel in 1973 during Yom Kippur.

• Led to heavy casualties and eventually pushed both sides toward peace talks.

Camp David Accords

• Peace agreement brokered by Jimmy Carter between Egypt and Israel.

• Egypt became the first Arab country to officially recognize Israel.

Balfour Declaration

• Britain expressed support for a “national home for the Jewish people” in Palestine.

• Increased tensions between Jewish and Arab communities in the region.

Prague Spring

• Reform movement in Czechoslovakia seeking greater freedoms and less Soviet control.

• Crushed by Soviet-led Warsaw Pact troops, showing limits of reform in Eastern Europe.

Ronald Reagan

• U.S. president during the 1980s who took a hard stance against the Soviet Union.

• Increased military spending and pressured the USSR during the Cold War.

Glasnost

• Policy introduced by Gorbachev allowing more openness and freedom of speech.

• Exposed government problems and weakened Communist Party control.

Perestroika

• Gorbachev’s policy to restructure and reform the Soviet economy.

• Tried to modernize communism but contributed to instability in the USSR.

Mikhail Gorbachev

• Last leader of the Soviet Union; introduced Glasnost and Perestroika.

• His reforms helped end the Cold War but also led to the collapse of the USSR in 1991.