Gorbachev’s “New Thinking”

• Consequences of ‘new thinking’ for relations with the USA

  1.USA and USSR relations improved as Gorbachev did not seek to expand Communism.

  2. Reagan could work with Gorbachev to bring the Cold War to the end whilst maintaining his overall aim of maintaining US dominance on the world stage.

  3. A reduction in military spending would be advantageous for USA as well as the USSR.

  4. This contributed to the summit meetings of the 1980s, and the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Force (INF) Treaty of 1987, which said that both countries would abolish all land-based missiles with a range of 500-5000 miles.
• Consequences of ‘new thinking’ for Eastern Europe

  1.The removal of the Brezhnev Doctrine meant the satellite states would no longer fear violent reprisals from the USSR if they instituted economic and social reforms.

  2. Gorbachev gave a speech to the UN in 1988 where he announced that there would be a reduction 500,000 Warsaw Pact troops in Eastern Europe, further reducing Soviet control.

  3. Within twelve months of this speech, the Soviet hold over the satellite states had ended, as one by one they introduced democratic governments.
• 1.Gorbachev took over in 1985 and wanted to reform the Soviet Union and its relationship with its citizens.
• 2. Perestroika (‘reconstruction’) was a programme for reorganising and reconstructing the Soviet state and economy in order to include some capitalist practices which would bring growth.
• 3. Glasnost (‘openness’) meant there should be more transparency in government and move away from corruption. Glasnost would allow opposition to the government and freedom of speech.
• 4. Brezhnev Doctrine ended.
• 5. USSR would pull out of Afghanistan and reduce its spending on arms.
• When did Gorbachev take over the Soviet Union?

  1985
• What was Gorbachev's goal for the Soviet Union?

  To reform its relationship with citizens
• What does Perestroika mean and what was its purpose?

  • Perestroika means 'reconstruction'
  • Aimed to reorganize the Soviet state and economy
  • Included some capitalist practices for growth
• What did Glasnost promote in the Soviet Union?

  More transparency and freedom of speech
• What doctrine ended during Gorbachev's leadership?

  Brezhnev Doctrine
• What was one consequence of the USSR pulling out of Afghanistan?

  Reduced spending on arms
• How did Gorbachev's 'new thinking' affect relations with the USA?

  • Improved relations as he didn't expand Communism
  • Reagan collaborated with Gorbachev to end the Cold War
  • Reduction in military spending benefited both nations
• What was the significance of the INF Treaty of 1987?

  Abolished all land-based missiles between both countries
• What were the consequences of the removal of the Brezhnev Doctrine for Eastern Europe?

  • Satellite states no longer feared violent reprisals
  • Allowed for economic and social reforms
  • Encouraged democratic movements in Eastern Europe
• What did Gorbachev announce in his 1988 UN speech?

  Reduction of 500,000 Warsaw Pact troops
• What was the outcome within twelve months of Gorbachev's UN speech?

  Soviet hold over satellite states ended
• What were the key elements of Gorbachev's reforms?

  • Perestroika: economic restructuring
  • Glasnost: increased openness and transparency
  • End of the Brezhnev Doctrine