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The Cold War’s End Leaders, Policies, and Life After the Cuban Missile Crisis
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After Cuban Missile Crisis “Hot-line” established, linking the US and USSR governments directly Test-Ban Treaty (1963) – US, USSR, and Britain halted all nuclear testing above ground, in atmosphere and under water 1968 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty – states agree not to seek nuclear weapons or help others obtain them. 137 nations sign this
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Détente Need for a lessoning of tensions SALT Agreements – Strategic Arms Limitation Talks Both sides enter the 1970s saying they will do anything possible for détente
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Chernobyl 1986 a nuclear power plant accident occurred in the Soviet Union 31 deaths, many others exposed to radiation (by 1990’s 6-8,000 people die of radiation related illnesses) Need to prevent irresponsible development of nuclear energy
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Khrushchev After Cuban Missile Crisis Khrushchev lost prestige Soviet leaders voted to have Khrushchev removed from power in 1964 Same day China exploded its first A-Bomb Replaced by Leonid Brezhnev
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Brezhnev Policies to end domestic dissent Government censors control what is published No more freedom of speech or worship Dissidents are removed and expelled from the country
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1968 Prague Spring Czechoslovakia What kind of reforms were created? What do you think Soviet response would be? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVIp5lUJhCs&safet y_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVIp5lUJhCs&safet y_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVIp5lUJhCs&safet y_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active
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Prague Spring ends with Soviet invasion Many reforms that pushed for more democratic society are reversed Soviet troops occupy the country to keep control The USSR has the power to stop communist parties from losing power in any satellite states
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Brezhnev Doctrine Any member of the satellite countries who tried to turn away from Soviet control and Communism would be dealt with harshly and forcefully Once you are communist, you can’t turn back! See Doctrine…
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Poland Corrupt leaders in govt. and rising food prices lead to riots and strikes Workers form a union called Solidarity in 1980 1 st independent trade union in USSR history 1981: Polish communist leader plans to establish Martial Law, (backed by USSR) Take Solidarity’s right to exist away and arrest leaders
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1979 Invasion Brezhnev ordered the invasion of Afghanistan to support an unpopular Communist regime Moscow Olympics are boycotted by US in 1980 in response
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Gorbachev Brezhnev dies 1982 and his first two successors die within 3 years. In 1985 a young, educated Gorbachev is elected by Communist leaders to take over as general secretary His reforms would both help the Soviet Union and lead to its downfall
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Gorbachev’s Policies Glasnost, or openness, encouraged Soviet citizens to discuss ways to revitalize their society, could criticize the government Perestroika, economic restructuring meant to rejuvenate the Soviet economy Demokratizatsiya – democratization of system
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Glasnost Religious freedom is permitted Dissidents are released Relaxed control of literature and arts Encouraged public debate on issues Reporters actively investigated stories and exposed even some govt. officials for corruption
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Perestroika Lessen govt. control of businesses Some small businesses could be privately owned Managers have more control over their farms and factories
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Demokratizatsiya Election of new legislature – Voters actually get to vote on Communist party candidates (previously they only ratified those chosen by party leaders) Allowed political parties in addition to the Communist Party Encouraged political debate Boris Yeltsin elected, he became a rival of Gorbachev’s later as he moved to have the Communist system done away with for total reform
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Reagan Elected 1980 1983: Strategic Defense Initiative (Star Wars) – 30 billion spent with no results Massive military spending in an attempt to tip the balance of power
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Intermediate Nuclear Forces Gorbachev and Reagan sign the INF Treaty banning nuclear missiles with ranges of 300-3,400 miles Gorbachev also withdraws troops from Afghanistan in 89’ Encourages Eastern bloc leaders to try new policies to stimulate their economies, making them less dependent on Soviet aid
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August Coup – The End of the USSR Hardliners try to overthrow Gorbachev, (short-lived) Protesters rally at the Russian parliament building, led by Yeltsin Military leaders refused to attack Coup failed, but citizens were enraged at Communist party Gorbachev resigned as General Secretary that Christmas
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Eastern Republics After failed coup, Latvia, Estonia and other Baltic states declare their independence By December 1991, all 15 Republics of the former Soviet bloc were independent Yeltsin took power in Russia – 1 st elected General Secretary of USSR and then 1 st President of Russia
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Commonwealth of Independent Nations Yeltsin helped to form the Commonwealth of Independent States Symbolic organization, possessing coordinating powers in the realm of trade, finance, lawmaking, and security http://en.rian.ru/infographics/20100821/160274561.html
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