1. + The Collapse of the Soviet Union The End of the Cold War

2. + Introduction Gorbachev resigns Dec. 25 1991, Soviet Union ceased to exist Little bloodshed, unpredictable U.S. and British surprised with the fall of the Berlin Wall in Nov. 1989 Relations had already been changing

3. + Impact of Mikhail Gorbachev Stalin’s legacy: authoritarian, economically-focused on military hardware Gorbachev: We can’t go on living like this Youngest, educated leader Perestroika, restructuring economy Glasnost, openness, every area open to public scrutiny Democratization at all time high Knew reduction in military spending was important, could not match Star Wars No winners in nuclear war, described interdependent world

4. + Impact of Mikhail Gorbachev Chernobyl Disaster, 1986 Only heightened Gorbachev’s awareness Reagan also interested in disarmament, had introduced Zero Option Four Summits Geneva, 1985 Reykjavik, 1986 Reagan refuses any concessions, intellectual breakthrough Washington, 1987 INF Treaty and inspection Moscow, 1988 Reagan no longer believes in evil empire 1988, withdraw from Afghanistan George H.W. Bush Malta, 1989 Cold War had been buried

5. + Role of Reagan Gorbachev credited, but Reagan pushed them into negotiations Combination of military and ideological pressures Pushed Soviet economy to the breaking point Willing to moderate, abandon personal convictions

6. + Long-Term Factors: Soviet Economy Political and economic sectors of Soviet Union already in crisis when Brezhnev dies in 1982 Had spent more on foreign policy Surpassed US Also stagnation, command economy Falling behind in modern technology and industrial output Grain imported from N. America, labor terrible May have molded Gorbachev

7. + Nationalism Late 1980s, series of movements throughout USSR Combination of deteriorating living standards and less involvement of USSR in internal affairs Gorbachev unwilling to use force Cut commitment to Warsaw Pact Brezhnev Doctrine no longer applied

8. + Poland Continued support for Solidarity despite its suppression Economic stagnation and support from Catholics Legalized in 1988 Jaruzelski remained President but a Solidarity Leader became PM Won free elections in 1989 Communist Party defeated

9. + East Germany Honecker leader of East Germany since 1971, strong Communist Living standards lower than West Stasi, secret police Growing pressure to remove him East Germans leaving again More alarming was those who stayed Honecker wants to use force, no Nov. 9, trying to ease burdens, opens travel and emigration restrictions East Berliners descend on the wall 24 hours the Berlin Wall was a symbol for the ending of the Cold War East and West reunited October 1990

10. + Throughout Eastern Europe Hungary Reform came in Hungarian Communist Party itself October 1989,Matyas Szuros declares Third Hungarian Republic and free elections held Czechoslovakia Velvet Revolution, mass demonstrations coordinated by Civic Forum Vaclav Havel elected president in 1989 Warsaw Pact condemned 1968 invasion Romania Far more violent, had been most repressive Inspired by Hungary and killing of protestors by army Uprising against president, army refused to help, arrested, executed

11. + End of the USSR Abroad, brought Gorbachev admiration Still failing to fix economy 1991, empire disintegrated Baltics, USSR republics all declare independence Attempted coup of hardliners against him in August 1991 Defeated by Yeltsin, Gorbachev resigned USSR ceases to exist

12. + Impact of the Fall of the USSR USA the winners, world was unipolar Capitalism triumphed Communism remained in only a few states Economic crisis in Cuba, Africa Civil strife continued in places like Afghanistan Led to 9/11 era