Review Which side of Germany was communist, and which side was democratic? We helped the South Koreans in the Korean War. Which communist country helped the North Koreans? How were Vietnam veterans treated when they returned home? What did the Civil Rights Act of 1964 do? What 3 people were convicted of being communist/helping the Soviet Union in America? What did Joseph McCarthy accuse people of?

Both internal and external pressures caused the collapse of the Soviet Union

The collapse of the Soviet Union brought an end to the Cold War that had dominated American foreign policy for forty years!

The Role of Ronald Reagan President Ronald Reagan turned the Cold War into a moral issue for many Americans. During speeches, he called the Soviet Union an “Evil Empire.” Reagan also increased US economic and political pressure on the USSR. “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall” was Reagan’s call to unite Germany

The Role of Ronald Reagan Reagan’s defense buildup forced the Soviet Union to try to compete, quickening its internal collapse and the end of the Cold War. Reagan’s Strategic Defense Initiative (called “Star Wars”) was to protect against a nuclear attack. Satellites would “zap” missiles before they could hit us. This plan out-spent the Soviets!

Internal problems of the Soviet Union Communism as an economic policy failed!

Internal Reasons for Soviet Collapse Nationalism of the Republics: many countries sought to break from the Soviet Union to become independent Economic inefficiency: communism did NOT work!

Internal Reasons for Soviet Collapse The Soviet Union increasingly spent too much money on the military to compete with the United States Fast-paced reforms (a market economy): the Soviet Union quickly tried to incorporate capitalism (free market) into their economy but it was too late

Mikhail Gorbachev Mikhail Gorbachev was the last leader of the Soviet Union, from 1985 to 1991. Nicknamed “Gorby,” he brought sweeping reforms to a crippled Soviet economy.

Mikhail Gorbachev’s Policies Glasnost: “openness” of government; gave Russians free speech to freely discuss the Soviet problems. Perestroika (“restructuring”): allowed some capitalism in the Soviet Union (a market economy) Previously the USSR was strictly communist Perestroika failed to fix the Soviet economy

Trends and Events Soviets stopped influencing Eastern Europe; the Warsaw Pact dissolved Democratic governments were established in Eastern Europe, first in Poland and Hungary The Berlin Wall fell in 1989, allowing the reunification of Germany the year later.

Boris Yeltsin became the first President of Russia in 1991. The End of the Cold War The Soviet Union split apart into 15 independent countries in 1991. The collapse of the Soviet Union opened the door for many more new problems! Boris Yeltsin became the first President of Russia in 1991.

Post-Cold War Problems Racial (ethnic) and religious tension Economic disparity (differences in income) What to do with nuclear weapons? Terrorism and how to combat it What role should the U.S. play in this new world order?

Foreign Policy Since 1988 With the end of the Cold War, the United States changed its goals and policies.

New U.S. Foreign Policy Goals Foreign aid: giving money to other countries Humanitarian aid: providing food, water, and other necessities to undeveloped countries Support of human rights: participating in conflicts to guarantee the protection of humans outside of America

George H.W. Bush (1989-1993) Fall of communism in Eastern Europe & Breakup of the Soviet Union Reunification of Germany: West and East Germany come together to be just Germany Collapse of Yugoslavia: Yugoslavia breaks into the independent countries of Serbia, Bosnia, Croatia, Slovenia, and Macedonia

George H.W. Bush (1989-1993) Persian Gulf War 1990– 1991: Also known as Operation Desert Storm War against Saddam Hussein of Iraq over Middle Eastern oil First war in which American women served in a combat role

William (“Bill”) J. Clinton (1993-2001) North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA): allowed Canada, USA, and Mexico to trade with each other without paying any tariffs! America regained diplomatic relations with Vietnam less than 20 years after the Vietnam War We become friends!

Bill Clinton Lifted economic sanctions (penalties) against South Africa when its government ended apartheid (Nelson Mandela) NATO fought in the former Yugoslavia country of Bosnia, where genocide was occurring

George W. Bush (2001-2009) Terrorists attacks on United States soil on 9/11/2001: 3,000 American citizens die The Wars on Terror: War in Afghanistan War in Iraq

Afghanistan

Iraq