End of CW 1985-91

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

  Mikhail Gorbachev
• What was one of Gorbachev's main approaches to reforming the Soviet Union?

  Admitting the fault of the Soviet Union in past repressive actions
• How did Gorbachev's reforms affect the citizens of the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe?

  They empowered citizens to speak out against their communist governments
• What was the outcome of Gorbachev's reforms on the Eastern Bloc?

  It resulted in the collapse of the Eastern Bloc in 1989−90
• What significant change occurred in US-Soviet relations in 1985?

  The USA became more open to collaborating with the Soviet Union
• What treaty did Gorbachev and Reagan agree upon?

  The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Force (INF) Treaty
• What was the first meeting between Gorbachev and Reagan?

  The Geneva Summit in November 1985
• What was the aim of the Reykjavik Summit in October 1986?

  To discuss reducing the Soviet Union's nuclear stockpile
• What was a significant outcome of the Washington Summit in December 1987?

  The signing of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Force (INF) Treaty
• What was the first Eastern Bloc country to break away from the Soviet Union?

  Hungary
• What significant action did the Hungarian government take in 1988?

  They introduced a 'democracy package'
• Who created the independent trade union Solidarity in Poland?

  Lech Wałęsa
• What was the outcome of the elections in Poland in June 1989?

  Solidarity won a landslide victory
• What was the Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia?

  A peaceful protest that led to the overthrow of the communist government
• What happened to Romanian president Ceaușescu on Christmas Day 1989?

  He and his family were executed
• What was the impact of the fall of the Berlin Wall on Bulgaria?

  It led to mass protests against the communist government
• What happened to Yugoslavia after Tito's death in 1980?

  It resulted in more freedom for the different nationalities within Yugoslavia
• What was the sequence of events that led to the end of communism in Eastern Europe?

  Countries removed their communist governments from December 1989 to December 1990

  
• What was the significance of the end of the Warsaw Pact?

  It marked the end of Soviet influence over Eastern Europe
• What were the key policies involved in Gorbachev's perestroika?

  • Reduction of military spending
  • Ending the arms race with the USA
  • Introduction of more capitalist elements in the economy
  • Establishment of small, privately-owned businesses
  • Removal of restrictions on foreign trade
  • Reduction of Soviet control of businesses

  
• What were the key policies involved in Gorbachev's glasnost?

  • Less restrictions on censorship and freedom of speech
  • Citizens could discuss and criticize the government
  • Reduced Soviet control of the media
  • Acknowledgment of past repression
  • Discussions about allowing elections in 1988
  • Commitment to tackle corruption within the Soviet government

  
• What were the push and pull factors that caused the collapse of the Eastern Bloc?

  Push factors:

  • Poor living standards
  • Repression by communist governments
  • Acknowledgment of past repression by the Soviet Union

  
  

  Pull factors:

  • Desire for a better standard of living
  • Demand for more capitalist influence

  
• What were the significant outcomes of the summits between Gorbachev and Reagan from 1985 to 1989?

  • Established a positive working relationship
  • Improved US-Soviet relations
  • Signed the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Force (INF) Treaty
  • Confirmed commitment to reforms and better relations

  
• How did the reforms in Hungary influence other Eastern Bloc countries?

  • Opened borders allowed access to Western goods
  • Encouraged other countries to pursue reform
  • Set a precedent for democratic changes in the region

  
• What were the consequences of the Washington Summit in December 1987?

  • Move towards nuclear disarmament
  • Signing of the INF Treaty
  • First agreement to restrict weapons since SALT I in 1972
• What were the main events leading to the end of communism in Romania?

  • Protests against Ceaușescu's government
  • Loss of army support
  • Execution of Ceaușescu and his family
  • Announcement of free elections
• What were the main events leading to the end of communism in Yugoslavia?

  • Increased pressure for reform after Tito's death
  • Emergence of anti-communist political parties
  • Slovenia's vote to break away in 1990
  • Yugoslavia's split into seven separate states between 1991 and 1992

  
• What reforms did the government allow Slovenia to introduce?

  Reforms related to breaking away from Yugoslavia.
• What was the situation in Yugoslavia by the late 1980s?

  Yugoslavia experienced increased pressure to reform.
• What significant political development occurred by early 1989 in Yugoslavia?

  Numerous anti-communist political parties appeared.
• What decision did Slovenia make in 1990?

  Slovenia voted to break away from Yugoslavia.
• What was the outcome of Yugoslavia between June 1991 and April 1992?

  Yugoslavia split into seven separate states.
• What were the seven separate states that emerged from the split of Yugoslavia?

  • Serbia
  • Croatia
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Macedonia
  • Slovenia
  • Montenegro
  • Kosovo
• What was the significance of the end of the Warsaw Pact?

  It resulted in the collapse of the Eastern Bloc and reduced Cold War tensions.
• When did the Soviet Union end the Warsaw Pact?

  In July 1991.
• How did the end of the Warsaw Pact affect military alliances?

  There no longer existed two rival military alliances.
• What was the impact of the Soviet Union's reduced military threat by 1991?

  It increased collaboration between East and West.
• What was a common confusion among students regarding the collapse of the Eastern Bloc?

  Students often confused the order of the collapse between 1989 and 1990.
• Why is it important to know the order of the collapse of the Eastern Bloc?

  It is assessed in the Superpower Relations exam regarding the narrative of the Cold War.
• What was the significance of the Berlin Wall's fall in 1989?

  It symbolized the end of Cold War tensions and the division between East and West.