The Cold War Thaws Chapter 17 / Section 5

The Soviets Dominate Eastern Europe After WWII the Soviet Union kept a firm grip on satellite countries. When Stalin died the Soviet Union loosened the reins on these nations with a more moderate leader in charge.

The Soviets Dominate Eastern Europe (cont’d) Nikita Khrushchev, comes to power March, 1953. Started destalinization, ridding of Stalin’s memory.

The Soviets Dominate Eastern Europe (cont’d) Goals of Khrushchev: 1) “Peaceful competition” with capitalist states. 2) Keep satellite nations part of Soviet Union; nations that try to break can’t. DO NATIONS TRY?

The Soviets Dominate Eastern Europe (cont’d) Ex: Hungary under Nagy in 1956. Czechoslovakia will try after the Cuban missile crisis. Known as Prague Spring (1968). Khrushchev seen as weak after the crisis and the Communist replace him with Leonid Brezhnev.

The Soviets Dominate Eastern Europe (cont’d) Brezhnev Goals: 1) Enforce laws to limit human rights. 2) Control media STALIN LIKE?

The Soviets Dominate Eastern Europe (cont’d) While the Soviets struggle with Communism China was committed. Mao and Stalin sign a 30-year peace treaty. But peace doesn’t last China not happy as junior partner. WHY?

From Brinkmanship to Détente Brinkmanship was something the United States stood by, but threat of a nuclear war was fear to stop the policy. To many close calls scare both superpowers.

From Brinkmanship to Détente (cont’d) John F. Kennedy, President of the United States dealt with the Bay of Pigs and the Cuban Missile Crisis. Lyndon Johnson, President of the United States comes to power and has to keep same policy as predecessor.

Kennedy / Johnson

From Brinkmanship to Détente (cont’d) These scares led to détente, a policy of lessened Cold War tensions. Policy starts in the 1970’s under President Richard M. Nixon. Huge change in his political beliefs and the countries.

From Brinkmanship to Détente (cont’d) Led to Nixon visiting Communist China in 1972. Also the SALT Treaty, limiting the number of ICBM produced.

Détente Cools Under Nixon and Ford tensions between China and the Soviet Union decrease. Ronald Regan, president of the United States much of the 1980’s. Starts program known as Star Wars, Strategic Defense Initiative. Never put in effect as Cold War ends soon after.