Problems Gorbachev Faced

• Collapse of détente 


  Dec 1979: Carter postponed SALT II as the Soviets invaded Afghanistan (symbol of the collapse of détente)

  1980: Carter Doctrine strength Sino-American relations and wanted to prevent any further Soviet advance into Persian Gulf area and Southwest Asia.

  1980: Reagan becomes president, has a more aggressive approach to Soviets and called it the ‘evil empire’. Ramped up the arms race by increasing US defence spending, difficult for the Soviets to keep up.
• Global Overstretch


  Soviets launched themselves into a global overstretch (involving themselves into too many things than their economy can handle)

  • Fighting an unwinable war in Afghanistan
  • Providing military and economic support to left-wing regimes in the Horn of Africa and Angola.
• SDI Project


  1983: Reagan asked to conduct research on a project that could make the US immune to nuclear attack.

  Used lazer’s from satellites to shoot down incoming missiles.

  Costly project that they didn’t think would work. Put economic pressure on the Soviets to keep up.
• Afghan war

  Dec 1979: Soviets invade Afghanistan and conflict erupts with the Afghan rebels who despised the communist government and the Soviets supporting it.

  • 8 year war. Neither the Soviets nor the rebels could come to a conclusive victory. Costly
  • US intelligence estimated around 15,000 casualties of Russian troops
• Soviets crippling economy

  Alcoholism: losses in productivity due to workers absenteeism and frequent injuries.

  State owned businesses: little recognition of consumer demands.

  Lack of foreign investment: stifled growth and business innovation.

  Workers wages never aligned with the frequent inflation: frequent strikes, undermining productivity.