"New Thinking"

• GORBACHEV’S REFORMS : “NEW THINKING”

  • Gorbachev wanted to solve global problems based on shared principles like international trust and cooperation rather than “capitalism vs communism”

  • Aimed to cultivate friendly relations with the West

  • This was realistic – USSR could not outspend USA in the arms race and needed to cut defence spending.
• REAGAN-GORBACHEV SUMMITS

  • Gorbachev started with new attitude to foreign affairs, Reagan had change in attitude towards USSR

  • Reagan & Gorbachev engaged in negotiations for nuclear disarmament

  • They met for the first time in November 1985 at the Geneva Summit to discuss disarmament issues

  • Met during 5 summit meetings between 1985-88

  • Established a friendly and personal friendship between the 2 leaders

  • 1987, the Intermediate Nuclear Treaty (INF Treaty) was signed. All short/medium range missiles to be dismantled - a significant milestone that shows thawing of Cold War relations
• GORBACHEV’S REFORMS : "NEW THINKING" - DE-IDEOLOGISATION OF FOREIGN POLICY

  • Gorbachev also wanted to stop ideologically-driven foreign policy

  • Meant he would stop Soviet intervention in other countries to support communist revolutions

  • This would allow him to reduce the large economic burden of the USSR and reduce the military expenditure.

  • Withdrew Soviet troops from Afghanistan in 1988-89

  • Reduced Soviet support for communist governments in Cuba and Vietnam
• GORBACHEV’S REFORMS : "NEW THINKING" - DE-IDEOLOGISATION OF FOREIGN POLICY EXAMPLE

  • 1988: Gorbachev announced at a UN meeting that USSR respect the right of people to choose their desired form of government

  • USSR would respect human rights

  • 1988: Gorbachev announced withdrawal of 50,000 Soviet troops from Eastern Europe

  • 1989: Gorbachev told leaders of Warsaw Pact that he would not intervene in their countries’ affairs.