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What factors were responsible for the end of the USSR control over Easter…
What factors were responsible for the end of the USSR control over Easter Europe?
Economic Problems
The Russian economy was struggling severely. They could not commit the expenditure necessary to maintain the arms race.
Living standards in the USSR were falling, while in the West they were rising rapidly. Consumer goods were of a much poorer standard as industrial production lagged behind the West.
In 1979, NATO placed long-range missiles in Europe. This threatened the USSR. In 1983, US President Reagan announced the Strategic Defence Initiative (SDI).
The idea was to create a laser defence shield to protect the USA from nuclear attack. The USSR assumed the USA were looking for ‘First Strike’ capability. The Soviets did not have the finances or the expertise to match America's plans.
Political leaders
Ronald Reagan
Did not trust Soviet leaders and his relationship with Brezhnev was often fraught. Though the misusing the period of detente to increase Soviet power and influence. 1983, called USSR an "evil empire"
Reagan was determined to increase pressure on the Soviets and intimidate them into making concessions in the Cold War.
Gorbachev
Gorbachev wanted to radically reform how the USSR was governed, how it operated and how it co-operated with foreign countries. He introduced the policies of glasnost and perestroika in an attempt to improve relations with the West and the state of the Soviet economy.
Glasnost was an attempt to be more ‘open’ in dealing with the West. Gorbachev encouraged people to be more honest when talking about politics.
He supported greater freedom of speech and wanted communist politicians to take criticism on board, look to make changes and stamp out corruption.
Perestroika was an attempt to modernise and ‘rebuild’ the Soviet state.
Gorbachev realised military spending had to be reduced and this meant ending the arms race with the USA.
Government reports had also informed him that more small businesses were needed if the economy was to survive.
Eastern European leaders
Reagan worked closely with UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. She too was critical of the Soviet Union. Both leaders agreed US nuclear weapons could be based in the UK. This increased NATOs ability to land a ‘first strike’ in Europe and added greater pressure on the Soviet Union.
Honecker
Communism in East Germany; Was against the reform
Egon Krenz
Wanted reform
Arms Race
Reagan convinced Congress to increase military expenditure by 13 per cent in 1982. The Stategic Defense Initative was considered during this period. There was great concern in the USSR that the Soviets would fall even further behind in the arms race.
New weapons such as the stealth bomber, which could fly undetected by radar, were being developed. Development also continued on the neutron bomb, which could wipe out large numbers of people without destroying buildings and infrastructure.
Social: People Power
Solidary in Poland 1988