The End of the Cold War: 1985-1991

• Who became the General Secretary of the Soviet Union in March 1985?

  Mikhail Gorbachev
• What was one of Gorbachev's main goals as General Secretary?

  To reform and improve the Soviet Union
• How did Gorbachev's reforms affect citizens in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe?

  They empowered citizens to speak out against their governments
• What was the impact of Gorbachev's 'new thinking' on US-Soviet relations?

  It led to increased collaboration between the USA and the Soviet Union
• What treaty did Gorbachev and Reagan agree upon?

  The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Force (INF) Treaty

  
• What was the significance of the summits between 1985 and 1989?

  They moved the USA and the Soviet Union towards peace
• What event marked the end of Leonid Brezhnev's leadership?

  His death on 10th November 1982
• What was the state of leadership in the Soviet Union between 1982 and 1985?

  It was unstable
• Who succeeded Brezhnev as General Secretary?

  Yuri Andropov
• What did Gorbachev argue was necessary for the Soviet Union?

  To introduce democratic reforms
• What were the economic and social issues facing the Soviet Union by 1985?

  Serious economic and social problems

  
• What were the main components of Gorbachev's reforms?

  • Perestroika (restructuring)
  • Glasnost (openness)
• What does the term 'perestroika' mean?

  'Restructuring'
• What were some policies involved in perestroika?

  Reduction of military spending and introduction of capitalist elements
• What does the term 'glasnost' mean?

  'Openness'
• What policies were involved in glasnost?

  Less censorship and more freedom of speech
• How did the Soviet Union acknowledge its past repression under glasnost?

  By admitting the peaceful attempts at reform like the Hungarian Uprising
• What was the USA's initial reaction to Gorbachev's leadership?

  US-Soviet relations began to change positively
• What doctrine did Gorbachev abandon?

  The Brezhnev Doctrine
• What was the significance of Gorbachev's speech at the UN in 1988?

  It confirmed the Soviet Union's commitment to reforms
• What were the key summit meetings between the USA and the Soviet Union from 1985 to 1989?

  1. Geneva, November 1985: Established a positive working relationship
  2. Reykjavik, October 1986: No formal agreements, improved relationship
  3. Washington, December 1987: Signed the INF Treaty
  4. Moscow, May-June 1988: Clarified INF treaty details
  5. Malta, December 1989: Marked the end of the Cold War

  
• What was the outcome of the Washington Summit in December 1987?

  Signed the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Force (INF) treaty
• What did the INF treaty agree to abolish?

  All land missiles with a range of between 500km and 5,500km
• What were the consequences of the Washington Summit?

  It was a move towards nuclear disarmament
• By what year was Soviet control weakening over Eastern Europe?

  By 1989

  
• What did Gorbachev's reforms lead to in Eastern Europe?

  The collapse of the Eastern Bloc
• What were the push and pull factors that caused the collapse of Soviet influence in Eastern Europe?

  Poor living standards and repression by communist governments
• Which was the first Eastern Bloc country to break away from the Soviet Union?

  Hungary
• What was the effect of abandoning the Brezhnev Doctrine on Eastern Europe?

  Eastern Europe no longer feared armed intervention from the Soviet Union
• What did the Soviet Union acknowledge under glasnost?

  Their past repression
• How did the admission of past repression affect Soviet citizens?

  It made many citizens determined to pull away from Soviet control
• What did perestroika reveal about the communist economy?

  It showed that the communist economy was ineffective
• What did Eastern Europeans demand as a result of economic issues?

  A better standard of living and more capitalist influence
• Was it Gorbachev's intention to collapse the Eastern Bloc?

  No, it was not his intention
• What allowed people in the Eastern Bloc to act on their discontent?

  Gorbachev's reforms
• What was the first Eastern Bloc country to break away from the Soviet Union?

  Hungary
• When did the change in the communist government of Hungary begin?

  In 1988
• Who retired on 22nd May 1988 in Hungary?

  János Kádár
• What was introduced by the Hungarian government in 1988?

  A 'democracy package'
• What did the 'democracy package' legalize in Hungary?

  Trade unions, reduced censorship, and freedom to vote and assemble