The End of the Cold War and a New World Order: 1989 - Present

Page 1

Overview of the USSR and its Leaders

• USSR in the 1980s: Composed of 15 union republics.

• Key Leaders of the USSR:

  • Joseph Stalin: January 1924 - September 1953

  • Nikita Khrushchev: September 1953 - October 1964

  • Leonid Brezhnev: October 1964 - November 1982

  • Yuri Andropov: November 1982 - February 1984

  • Konstantin Chernenko: February 1984 - March 1985

  • Mikhail Gorbachev: March 1985 - December 1991

• Presidents of the USA:

  • Harry S. Truman: April 1945 - January 1953

  • Dwight D. Eisenhower: January 1953 - January 1961

  • John F. Kennedy: January 1961 - November 1963

  • Lyndon B. Johnson: November 1963 - January 1969

  • Richard Nixon: January 1969 - August 1974

  • Gerald Ford: August 1974 - January 1977

  • Jimmy Carter: January 1977 - January 1981

  • Ronald Reagan: January 1981 - January 1989

  • George Bush Sr.: January 1989 - January 1993

Page 2

The End of the Cold War: Background

• Formation of the USSR: Russia became the first Communist state in 1917.

• Stalin's Policies: Industrialization and collectivization turned the USSR into a powerful entity.

• Cold War Dynamics: Superpowers with nuclear capabilities; rivalry in space exploration and influence in Asia and Africa.

• USSR's Challenges in the 1980s: Despite being vast, it faced economic, social, and military issues.

USSR's Economic Problems

• Command Economy Issues: Poor quality consumer goods, outdated technology, and ineffective management led to stagnation.

• Agricultural Failures: Dependence on grain imports due to poor agricultural productivity.

• Military Limitations: Economic shortcomings hindered development of high-tech weapons, affecting defense capabilities.

Page 3

USSR's Social Problems

• Demoralization of Citizens: Scarcity of goods, poor living conditions, alcoholism, and rising corruption.

• Government Privilege: Disconnect between ruling elite and ordinary citizens, leading to declining morale.

Invasion of Afghanistan

• Background: USSR invaded Afghanistan in 1979 to support a communist government, leading to a costly conflict.

• Consequences of War: Major international condemnation, economic burdens, troop casualties, and weakening influence in Eastern Europe.

Arms Race

• Reagan's Arms Policy: Initiation of a new arms race; developed advanced weaponry and defense strategies, notably the "Star Wars" initiative.

Page 4

Gorbachev's Reforms and Their Impact

• Mikhail Gorbachev: Young, reform-minded leader focused on restructuring the economy through Perestroika and Glasnost.

• Perestroika: Economic restructuring aimed at introducing aspects of capitalism while maintaining state control.

  • Encouraged limited private ownership, foreign investment, and decision-making autonomy for managers.

• Glasnost: Openness in government policies and media; allowed for criticism and freedom of expression.

Page 5

From Reforms to Collapse

• Democratization (Demokratizatsiya): Allowed multiple candidates from the Communist Party, but weakened its grip on power.

• Détente: Attempt to reduce tensions with the West while balancing independence movements in satellite states.

The Collapse of Communism in Eastern Europe

• Eastern Bloc Dynamics:

  • Demand for change in satellite states due to economic hardships and political repression.

  • Gorbachev's leniency led to peaceful regime changes; countries overthrew their communist governments without Soviet intervention.

Key Events Overview

• Poland: Solidarity movement led to the formation of a non-communist government in 1989.

• Czechoslovakia: Velvet Revolution resulted in peaceful transition to democracy.

• Germany: Fall of the Berlin Wall symbolized the end of communist control and restoration of democracy.

Page 6

Nationalism and the Soviet Union

• Growing Nationalism in the USSR: Pressure from Baltic states and others for independence due to weakened Soviet authority.

• Gorbachev's Concessions: Allowed for greater autonomy but ultimately triggered demands for complete independence.

Page 7

End of the USSR

• Coup Attempt in August 1991: Hardliners attempted a coup but were thwarted by popular resistance led by Boris Yeltsin.

• Formal Dissolution: By December 1991, Gorbachev resigned, and Soviet republics declared independence, marking the end of the USSR.

Page 8

The Aftermath and Global Implications

• Cold War Conclusion: The collapse of the USSR created a unipolar world with the USA as the sole superpower.

• Globalization and Economics: Formation of a global economy dominated by capitalism; shifts in political dynamics affecting Africa and beyond.

Impact on South Africa

• Shift in Policy: The end of the Cold War led to decreasing support for apartheid; Western governments pressured for reform.

• End of Apartheid: Internal and external pressures combined led to negotiations and eventual democratic elections.

Page 9

The New World Order

• Globalization Defined: Movement of people, goods, and ideas worldwide, creating a more interconnected world.

Characteristics of Globalization

• Technological Advances: Facilitated communication and trade.

• Cultural Exchange: Emerging global culture tied to global media and consumerism.

• Economic Disparities: Developed countries dominate trade; developing nations struggle to compete.

Page 10

Conclusion

• The end of the Cold War did not result in universal peace; instead, it introduced complexities in international relations and shaped the modern world.

• Resistance to Globalization: Growing civil society movements opposing the negative effects of globalization and advocating for local interests.