1. The End of the Cold War
Chapter 15.5

2. Focus Question
What were the causes and effects of the end of the Cold War.

3. The Soviet Union Declines
The Soviet command economy could not keep up with the amount needed to maintain the arms race, nor could it meet consumers’ needs.
The U.S.S.R. got mired in a guerilla war in Afghanistan that it could not find a way to win.
Mikhail Gorbachev signed arms control treaties and pulled out of Afghanistan.

4. The Soviet Union Decline
Gorbachev began a policy of openness, ending censorship, and allowed limited private enterprise.
These policies caused many to lose their jobs and some of the Soviet republics to demand independence. In 1991, the Soviet Union was dissolved.

5. Changes in Eastern Europe
Some Eastern European countries, such as Hungary and Poland, began to seek political reforms before Gorbachev came into office.
The East German Government, however, was not ready for Gorbachev’s reforms when they came. They banned Soviet publications. Communist governments soon began to fall in Eastern Europe.
Old borders changed when Czechoslovakia became two countries.

6. The U.S. is the Only Superpower
The U.S. emerged as the leading military power and has used its might in conflicts around the world.
Some people have welcomed its efforts and some have despised them.

7. The Rest of the World China pursues economic reform
Vietnam establishes diplomatic relations with the U.S. in the 1990’s
North Korea refused to deal with the U.S. and reform economically or politically.
Cuban economy declines and has yet to recover.