1. The End of the Cold War

2. In the 1940s, 50s, & 60s the USA fought to contain communism throughout the world The USA & Soviet Union engaged in the Cold War from 1945 to 1991 In the 1970s, U.S. détente policy ended as the USSR invaded Afghanistan

3. In the 1980s, two new leaders changed the direction of the Cold War: U.S. President Ronald Reagan & Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev Reagan took a strong stand against communism & the Soviet Union Reagan referred to the Soviet Union as an “evil empire” He sent over 500 ICMBs to Western Europe to protect NATO allies Reagan’s goal was to win the Cold War & restore America’s position as a dominant super power He spent $2 trillion to increase the size of the American military

4. Reagan’s most ambitious program was the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), called Star Wars, to protect the U.S. from Soviet nuclear attacks

5. In the 1980s, two new leaders changed the direction of the Cold War: U.S. President Ronald Reagan & Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev The Soviet government restricted freedom of speech & did not allow democratic elections so no alternative opinions were offered Soviet leaders faced the impossible task of competing with SDI & taking the arms race into space Mikhail Gorbachev came to power in 1985 at a time when the USSR was facing serious problems The USSR spent 50% of its budget on the military, was fighting an expensive war in Afghanistan, & maintained troops and tanks in Eastern Europe Soviet socialism did not offer incentives for hard work; By the 1980s, the USSR had low industrial & agricultural production

6. Soviet Problem Solving Group Activity: Assume the role of Gorbachev & assess the USSR’s problems Brainstorm three reforms the USSR could adopt to solve these problems Keep in mind: You want to save Soviet communism, not destroy it

7. Gorbachev began three major reforms to save the communist system in the Soviet Union Gorbachev introduced glasnost (“openness”) to encourage freedom of speech & to allow expression of new ideas Perestroika relaxed some gov’t controls over farms and factories to make production more efficient & it allowed citizens to open small businesses Democratization allowed citizens to vote for Communist politicians (but Communists only) 'Be Bold, Comrade! Openness: Our Strength!' “Don't Be Afraid of Work.”

8. In addition to his economic reforms, Gorbachev changed Soviet foreign policy Reagan’s SDI plan forced Gorbachev to admit that the USSR could not keep up with the arms race Gorbachev withdrew Soviet tank divisions from the communist nations in Eastern Europe In 1989, Gorbachev ended the 9 year war in Afghanistan

9. Reagan was able to work with Gorbachev to reduce Cold War tensions In 1987, Reagan & Gorbachev agreed to end all medium-range ICBMs

10. Rather than saving the communist system in the USSR & Eastern Europe, Gorbachev’s reforms helped bring an end to communism

11. 11 What effect did Gorbachev’s changes have on Eastern Europe?  In keeping with glasnost, Gorbachev announced that the satellite states should be free to choose their own government.  In loosening control over these countries, Gorbachev’s policy weakened over the Communist governments in these places.  Hence, Communist regimes in these countries started to collapse.

12. In 1989, a surge of democratic revolution swept through the Eastern European communist satellites Gorbachev did not use the Soviet military to stop these revolutions Eastern European nations broke from Soviet control & created democracies In November 1989, the Berlin Wall came down

13. 1. Poland 1988 sees strikes throughout the country & by June 1988 the communist government is defeated in free elections. 2. Hungary Although in May 1989 Hungary opens its borders with Austria, the Communist government is not defeated until early 1990. 6. Bulgaria Early 1990 democratic elections are held & the renamed Communist Party wins. 3. East Germany In September 1989 thousands of East Germans escape through Hungary to West Germany & by November the Berlin Wall comes down. In 1991 Germany is reunited. 5. Romania (the most brutal government in Eastern Europe) Following huge Demonstrations from December 1989 & a very violent response from the secret police, democratic elections are eventually held in 1990. 4. Czechoslovakia Following huge Demonstrations from against communism, the government resigns in November & a non-communist becomes President in December. The Fall of the Eastern Bloc 1989-90 What are the implications of this for the USSR?

14. Impact of the Fall of Eastern Bloc Communism on the Soviet Union

15. 1. End of Warsaw Pact - The pact had united the communist states of Eastern Europe against the capitalist states in the West. - As the states rejected communism, the pact became null and void. - Military co-operation between Eastern European states ended early 1990 - Formal dissolving of Warsaw Pact July 91

16. 16  With the advent of glasnost, the Communist Party had loosened control of the Soviet Union.  Various ethnic groups from the Soviet republics began openly calling for independence. 2. Rise of Nationalism

18. Ethnic nationalism & desire for democracy led to the break-up of the Soviet Union from 1990 to 1991 In 1990, the Soviet states of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania declared independence from the Soviet Union

19. 19  Fearing that the USSR would break up, hard-liners tried to overthrow Gorbachev on 19 Aug 1991.  The coup ended in failure and Boris Yeltsin, president of Russia, banned the Communist Party.  Though the coup did not succeed, Gorbachev’s power was gone. He was leader of a disintegrating country.  On 25 Dec 1991, he resigned. The USSR broke up and became the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). 3. Fall of Gorbachev & Fall of the Soviet Union

20. The Fall of Gorbachev & the Soviet Union Gorbachev was widely respected in the West for his willingness to reform and the fact that his policies had led to the break-up of Eastern Europe. As a result, Gorbachev officially announced the dissolution of the Soviet Union and his resignation as President on 25 December 1991. Leading members of the communist party believed Gorbachev had severely weakened communism. They organised a coup on 19 August 1991 which removed him from power. Gorbachev was away from the capital at the time and was prevented from returning. The new gvt declared a state of emergency and aimed to restore the power of the Soviet Union. The new gvt lasted 3 days. Boris Yeltsin, played a crucial role in defeating the coup. he called upon the people to resist the new regime. 21 Aug Gorbachev returned and resumed his position as Soviet leader, and announced it was his goal to save communism. But the coup had damaged his authority. Gorbachev’s final attempt to save the Soviet Union was a new constitution which gave Soviet republics greater independence. However the leaders of these countries did not accept as they wanted full independence.

21. Ethnic nationalism & desire for democracy led to the break-up of the Soviet Union from 1990 to 1991 In 1991, the Soviet Union broke apart & 15 new nations were formed

22. 4. End of the Cold War ■ The dissolution of the USSR ended the superpower conflict. ■ The Cold War was over. ■ America was left as the world’s only superpower.

23. On 25 Dec 1991, the USSR broke up and became the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

24. 24 Gorbachev’s changes failed to solve problems Immediate cause: The 19–21 August 1991 coup Loss of Communist Party’s authority Years of Cold War competition Rise of nationalism Why did the Soviet Union break up?

25. 25  Though perestroika and glasnost raised the hopes of the people, it did not solve their problems.  Gorbachev faced opposition from Communist leaders.  Furthermore, it was also difficult to put many of his ideas into practice as it clashed with Communist ideals.  Many people did not see any improvement in their lives. Some even lost their jobs in their new market economy.  Many discontented people held demonstrations. Gorbachev’s changes failed to solve problems

26. 26  Glasnost allowed people to criticize the government policies.  Changes such as free elections weakened the power of the Communist Party.  Many lost confidence in the Communist Party. Loss of Communist Party’s authority

27. 27  The USSR had long struggled to finance the Cold War competition with the West.  Soviet technology was not as advanced as the West in the 1970s.  The USA also tried to weaken the Soviet economy by preventing the sale of computers and other technologies to the USSR.  The USSR was also forced to spend more than it could due to the ‘Star Wars’ programme and war in Afghanistan.  By the time Gorbachev came to power, the USSR was almost financially depleted. Years of Cold War Competition Had Bankrupted the Soviet Union

28. 28  With the advent of glasnost, the Communist Party had loosened control of the Soviet Union.  Various ethnic groups from the Soviet republics began openly calling for independence.  Gorbachev was not willing to let these states leave but the continuing protest made him decide to give them more power. Rise of Nationalism

29. 29  Fearing that the USSR would break up, hard-liners tried to overthrow Gorbachev on 19 Aug 1991.  The coup ended in failure and President Boris Yeltsin banned the Communist Party.  Though it did not succeed, Gorbachev was made to look weak as he failed to control his party.  He did not have the support of both the Communists and the anti-Communists.  On 25 Dec 1991, he resigned. The USSR broke up and became the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). August Coup

30. 30 Summary Gorbachev’s politics failed Loss of Communist Party’s authority Bankrupted by Cold War competition Rise of nationalism August 1991 coup End of Cold War Soviet Union ended Communism in Soviet Union ended Communism in Eastern Europe ended Inefficient economy Ineffective government