1. The Cold War Thaws

2. Soviet Policy in Eastern Europe and China
Destalinization and Rumblings of Protest
Nikita Khrushchev—leader of Soviet Union after Stalin dies (1953)
Khrushchev condemns Stalin
Remove statues. Same in the U.S. such as?
; Soviets & West can peacefully compete
Citizens of Soviet-controlled governments begin protesting communism
The Revolt in Czechoslovakia
Leonid Brezhnev—Soviet leader after Khrushchev—represses dissent
In Czechoslovakia, the Communist leader, Dubcek, loosen restrictions on speech & press = Prague Spring.

3. continued Soviet Policy in Eastern Europe and China
The Soviet-Chinese Split
In 1950, Mao and Stalin sign a 30-year friendship treaty, but tensions grow
Chinese and Soviets each want to lead world communism
Khrushchev ends economic aid and refuses to share nuclear secrets
Soviets and Chinese fight small skirmishes across the border
Today, Russia & China have decent relations

4. From Brinkmanship to Détente
Brinkmanship Breaks Down
Brinkmanship causes repeated crises; nuclear war a constant threat
John F. Kennedy—U.S. president during the Cuban Missile crisis
REPLACE MR. E
Lyndon Johnson—president who increases U.S. involvement in Vietnam
Kept relations tense w/ the Soviet Union

5. The United States Turns to Détente
Vietnam-era turmoil fuels desire for less confrontational policy
Détente—policy of reducing Cold War tensions to avoid conflict
Richard M. Nixon—U.S. president who launches détente
Détente grows out of philosophy known as realpolitik
“realistic politics”—recognizes need to be practical, flexible
Nixon Visits Communist Powers
Nixon (1st president) visits in Communist China and Soviet Union, signs SALT I Treaty
SALT—Strategic Arms Limitation Talks—limit nuclear weapons
Limiting # of ICBMs

6. The Collapse of Détente
Policy Changes
Nixon and Gerald Ford improve relations with Soviets and China
Jimmy Carter has concerns about Soviet policies but signs SALT II
Congress will not ratify SALT II due to Soviet invasion of Afghanistan
Reagan Takes an Anti-Communist Stance
Ronald Reagan—anti-Communist U.S. president takes office in 1981
Increases military defense spending, proposes a missile defense program called “STAR WARS” – SDI – Strategic Defense Initiative
In 1985, new Soviet leadership allows easing of Cold War tensions via Mikhael Gorbachev

7. PART 2

9. Germany Reunifies Fall of the Berlin Wall
1989 East Germany completely closes borders
Protestors demand free travel and elections

10. The Collapse of the Soviet Union

11. A Younger Leader Mikhail Gorbachev
Glasnost – “openness” (transparency)
Churches reopen
Political prisoners released
Freedom of speech

12. Reforming Economy and Politics
Issues
Inefficient system of central planning
No motivation

13. To solve issue
Perestroika – economic restructuring
Small businesses allowed
Democratization – gradual opening of the political system
Election of a new legislative body

14. Soviet Union Faces Turmoil
Glasnost, Perestroika, and Democratization reform leads to Soviet Union Break up
Minority groups demand self-rule
In 1987 Reagan and Gorbachev sign the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty.
Banned nuclear missiles with ranges of 300 to 3,400 miles.

15. End of Soviet Union Gorbachev resigns on Dec. 25, 1991
The Soviet Union collapses
Republics declare independence