End Of The Cold War

• What was the Cold War?

  A period of political tension
• Why was the Cold War characterized as "cold"?

  There was no direct fighting between the US and USSR
• What role did proxy wars play in the Cold War?

  They involved US and USSR supporting opposing sides
• Who were the key figures in the decline of the Cold War?

  Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev
• What was Ronald Reagan's impact on the Cold War?

  He increased military spending to pressure the USSR
• What reforms did Mikhail Gorbachev introduce?

  He introduced reforms signaling a shift in Soviet policy
• What was the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty?

  It reduced nuclear arms between the US and USSR
• How did economic stagnation affect the Soviet Union?

  It crippled the Soviet economy and public support
• What social factors contributed to the Soviet Union's downfall?

  Shortages, lack of freedoms, and inequality
• What is Perestroika?

  Economic restructuring allowing market mechanisms
• What is Glasnost?

  Increased freedom of speech and information
• How did Gorbachev's reforms contribute to the Cold War's end?

  They exposed system failures and increased dissent
• When did the Berlin Wall fall?

  November 9, 1989
• What were the protests in East Germany about?

  Demands for more freedom
• What mistake did East Germany make regarding travel restrictions?

  They announced an immediate opening of borders
• What did the fall of the Berlin Wall symbolize?

  The collapse of Soviet influence in Eastern Europe
• What factors led to the collapse of the Soviet Union?

  Economic stagnation, nationalism, and political instability
• When did the Soviet Union officially cease to exist?

  December 26, 1991
• How can the GDP of the USSR be represented mathematically?

  \( \text{GDP}_\text{USSR} = \text{Output} - \text{Costs} \)
• What were the main economic and social factors that weakened the Soviet Union?

  • Economic Stagnation: Overspending on military, inefficient industries, lack of consumer goods
  • Social Discontent: Shortages, lack of freedoms, inequality
• What were Gorbachev's key reforms and their impacts?

  • Perestroika: Economic restructuring, aimed to boost economy but faced challenges
  • Glasnost: Increased freedom of speech, exposed problems and sparked dissent
• What were the factors leading to the fall of the Berlin Wall?

  • Protests for more freedom
  • Mistaken announcement of border opening
  • Crowds gathering to dismantle the wall
• What were the factors contributing to the collapse of the Soviet Union?

  • Economic Stagnation: Struggled to compete with the West
  • Perestroika and Glasnost: Exposed system failures
  • Nationalism: Independence movements gained momentum
  • Political Instability: Failed coup attempts weakened government