 starter activity What has this got to do with Cold War? Why would the Soviet’s feel especially threatened? Read Sources F-H on p.162 to support your views.

Threat posed by Star Wars Violated previous agreements – Limited Test Ban Treaty (1963), Outer Space Treaty (1967), ABM Treaty (1972) Violated previous agreements – Limited Test Ban Treaty (1963), Outer Space Treaty (1967), ABM Treaty (1972) Destabilised mutual deterrence – undermined MAD Destabilised mutual deterrence – undermined MAD Placed strain on Soviet economy – restarting and expensive arms race Placed strain on Soviet economy – restarting and expensive arms race Placed strains on Soviet negotiators – didn’t understand the new technology Placed strains on Soviet negotiators – didn’t understand the new technology

Why did the USSR lose its grip over Eastern Europe? To identify reasons why Soviet control over Eastern bloc countries weakened in the 1980s  Aims

How strong were relations between USSR and E Europe by the early 1980s?

Cracks emerging Romania developing own foreign policy Romania developing own foreign policy Marshal Tito pursued independent brand of Communism in Yugoslavia Marshal Tito pursued independent brand of Communism in Yugoslavia Hungarian Uprising (1956), Czechoslovakian Crisis (1968) aka ‘Prague Spring’ Hungarian Uprising (1956), Czechoslovakian Crisis (1968) aka ‘Prague Spring’ Strikes in Gdansk, Poland Strikes in Gdansk, Poland Ostpolitik Ostpolitik

 Your task Read p and list the factors that were weakening Soviet control over Europe. You may wish to group them under ‘political’ & ‘economic’ Read p and list the factors that were weakening Soviet control over Europe. You may wish to group them under ‘political’ & ‘economic’  Which factor in your opinion was the most important? Write a brief judgement paragraph  Which factor in your opinion was the most important? Write a brief judgement paragraph Nicolai Ceausescu, Communist Leader of Romania until 1989 Janos Kadar, Hungary Honecker, East Germany (GDR)

Economic factors State-run industries ineffective – shrotages of food & consumer goods State-run industries ineffective – shrotages of food & consumer goods Environmental problems Environmental problems Poor management Poor management Lack of credit & capital investment Lack of credit & capital investment Slow to develop new technologies Slow to develop new technologies Differences in living standards Differences in living standards

Political factors Conflict between reformers and hard-line Communists Conflict between reformers and hard-line Communists Repression & surveillance soiety –Stasi, Securitate Repression & surveillance soiety –Stasi, Securitate Lack of national unity Lack of national unity Growth of opposition, e.g. Solidarity in Poland Growth of opposition, e.g. Solidarity in Poland International criticism – John Paul II International criticism – John Paul II

 Your task You will be given a series of cards explaining reasons why their was growing resistance to the USSR in many Eastern Bloc countries at this time. Sort them into a ‘Diamond 9’ formation. You will be given a series of cards explaining reasons why their was growing resistance to the USSR in many Eastern Bloc countries at this time. Sort them into a ‘Diamond 9’ formation.

 Your task Complete the skills builder task on p.166. Complete the skills builder task on p.166. George Bush regales the Pope with a witty speech during high level Vatican talks

 Your task Read p.167 and list the reasons why the Soviet leadership was so weak in the early 80s Read p.167 and list the reasons why the Soviet leadership was so weak in the early 80s Name the Soviet leaders

Weakening Soviet leadership Gerontocracy – rule by the elderly, in particular Brezhnev Gerontocracy – rule by the elderly, in particular Brezhnev Conservatism within Politburo Conservatism within Politburo Poor communication & inflexibility – demonstrated by Korean airliner incident (1983) Poor communication & inflexibility – demonstrated by Korean airliner incident (1983)

 Extension task Read p on conditions in the USSR and the impact of the arrival of Gorbachev on the conduct of domestic and foreign politics. Read p on conditions in the USSR and the impact of the arrival of Gorbachev on the conduct of domestic and foreign politics.

Plenary Plenary List 3 political & 3 economic factors which were weakening Soviet control over Eastern Europe List 3 political & 3 economic factors which were weakening Soviet control over Eastern Europe Why is Poland so significant? Why is Poland so significant? What impact did changes in leadership have on Soviet foreign policy (positive & negative) What impact did changes in leadership have on Soviet foreign policy (positive & negative)

 Homework Read about Gorbachev’s new approach to foreign and domestic policy on p Read about Gorbachev’s new approach to foreign and domestic policy on p Make a chart in your notes. On one side note down the characteristics of Gorbachev’s New Political Thinking and on the other the impact of his ideas. Draw lines between the 2 columns to show any links. Make a chart in your notes. On one side note down the characteristics of Gorbachev’s New Political Thinking and on the other the impact of his ideas. Draw lines between the 2 columns to show any links.