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Alcohol, Oil, and the End of the Cold War LCDR Luke Lazzari
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Thesis Gorbachev’s anti-alcohol campaign and the steep drop in oil prices created an economic crisis for the Soviet Union. This economic crisis was a key factor influencing Gorbachev’s decision to exit the Cold War
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Introduction What was the Cold War? When did it end? Timeline of events Effects of anti-alcohol campaign and drop in oil prices Conclusion
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The End of the Cold War Disintegration of USSR in December 1991? Sometime in 1989? Mikhail Gorbachev’s 1988 speech to the UN? December 1987: Washington Summit and signing of the Intermediate Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty –Abandonment of –Marxist/Leninist idea of class struggle –Elimination of entire class of missiles (really two). –First time Soviets agreed to intrusive verification of a treaty
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Timeline of Talks and Some Key Events 19721981-19821983-1984198519861987 1977-1980 ABM Treaty and SALT Enter Detente Nov 82: Leonid Brezhnev dies. Enter Yuri Andropov 1981: Enter Ronald Reagan Mar 83: Reagan announces SDI Nov 83: Soviets walk out of INF talks Feb 84: Andropov dies. Enter Konstantin Chernenko Mar: Chernenko dies. Enter Mikhail Gorbachev 1977: Soviets begin deployment of SS-20’s in E. Eur. 1979: Invasion of Afghanistan 1979: Jimmy Carter signs and then abandons SALT II ratification efforts Nov: Geneva Summit. Oct: Reykjavik Summit stalls on SDI Dec: Washington Summit, INF Treaty signed Détente in tatters By late 1970s Soviets believe “correlation of forces” moving against them May: Rust lands Cessna in Red Square Feb: International Disarmament Forum in Moscow Feb: Yakovlev Memo to Gorbachev Apr: Anti- Alcohol Campaign decision made Sep: Gorbachev backs away from INF Treaty Nov 84: Reagan reelected Jan: SECSTATE Shultz and Foreign Minister Gromyko create framework for future talks Reagan proposes “zero option,” START Jan 83: Reagan signs NSDD 75 Apr: Chernobyl
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Anti-Alcohol Campaign Begun in April 1985 –Cut Vodka production by half by 1987 Reasoning: –Part of the “struggle for communism” Advice against 1984198519861987 Tax Revenue (B Rubles) 36.733.32729.1 Tax Revenue (% of GDP) 4.84.33.43.5 Retail Sales (% of GDP) 6.96.14.64.4
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Oil Prices 1977-1989 August 1985: Saudi Arabia doubles oil production from 2MBPD to 5MBPD Iran-Iraq War begins
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Oil and the Soviet Union and perestroika Oil was the number one source of hard currency –West bought only 6% of Soviet produced equipment USSR was the world's largest importer of grain, which was bought with hard currency. Total Oil Sale Revenue 1984198519861987 % of GDP 4.043.632.822.76 In B Rubles 30.928.222.522.8
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Aleksandr Yakovlev Anatoly Chernyaev
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Conclusion The overall state of the Soviet economy was the major reason behind perestroika and Gorbachev’s desire to exit the Cold War. The anti-alcohol campaigns and drop in oil prices exacerbated the structural flaws of the Soviet economy and made negotiating an end to the Cold War imperative.
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References Gaidar, Yegor. Collapse of an Empire: Lessons for Modern Russia. Washington, D.C.: Brookings Institution Press, 2007. Malia, Martin E. The Soviet Tragedy: A History of Socialism in Russia, 1917-1991. New York: NY: Free Press, 1994. Matlock, Jack F. Reagan and Gorbachev: How the Cold War Ended. 1st ed. New York: Random House, 2004. Norman A. Graebner, The National Security: Its Theory And Practice, 1945-1960 (New York: Oxford University Press, 1986), p. 55. Reed, At the Abyss, p. 227. Phillip Tauban “Gorbachev Is Feeling the Heat From the South,” March 6, 1988 http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE4D61539F935A35750C0A96E948260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE4D61539F935A35750C0A96E948260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all NIAA: http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/Resources/DatabaseResources/QuickFacts/AlcoholSales/consum02.htmhttp://www.niaaa.nih.gov/Resources/DatabaseResources/QuickFacts/AlcoholSales/consum02.htm InvestorWords.com. http://www.investorwords.com/2280/hard_currency.html "Soviet Spending for Defense: Trends Since 1951 and Prospects for the 1980s," http://www.foia.cia.gov/browse_docs.asp?doc_no=0000496806&title=SOVIET+SPENDING+FOR+DEFENSE:+TRENDS+SINCE+1951+ AND+PROSPECTS+FOR+THE+1980S+(SOV&abstract=&no_pages=0052&pub_date=4/1/1982&release_date=1/29/2001&keywords=S OVIET+ANALYSIS|SOVIET+MILITARY+ANALYSIS|SOVIET+ECONOMIC+ANALYSIS|ECONOMIC+MILITARY&case_no=CSI-2001- 00002©right=0&release_dec=RIPPUB&classification=U&showPage=0001 http://www.foia.cia.gov/browse_docs.asp?doc_no=0000496806&title=SOVIET+SPENDING+FOR+DEFENSE:+TRENDS+SINCE+1951+ AND+PROSPECTS+FOR+THE+1980S+(SOV&abstract=&no_pages=0052&pub_date=4/1/1982&release_date=1/29/2001&keywords=S OVIET+ANALYSIS|SOVIET+MILITARY+ANALYSIS|SOVIET+ECONOMIC+ANALYSIS|ECONOMIC+MILITARY&case_no=CSI-2001- 00002©right=0&release_dec=RIPPUB&classification=U&showPage=0001
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