collapse of the soviet union
End of Warsaw Pact
new leader - Mikhail Gorbachev: 1985-1991
President Ronald Reagan: 1981-89
Perestroika (restructuring): 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. The policy therefore:
1985 new leader of USSR
Energised USSR’s politics
Realist (economy, arms race & Afghanistan)
Idealist (communism)
Optimist (reform could work)
Allowed private ownership
Reduced control over imports and exports
Allowing trade with non-eastern bloc countries
Allowing foreign investment in Russian business
Allowing an increase in the production and trade in consumer goods.
Background: Détente or "relaxation of tension” characterised US Soviet relations in the late 60s and 70s.
BUT Eastern Europe, USSR’s harsh actions against popular protests (Poland).
1981- lead to aggressive foreign policy.
‘bad guys and good guys’
Anti-communist –tensions (e.g. where? )
Increased US defense budget A LOT
By $32.6 billion in his first 2 weeks!
Introduced new weapons – Star Wars
USSR: the changing attitude towards Eastern Europe
March 1985, Warsaw Pact countries met Gorbachev who explained that the USSR would no longer protect and fund the governments.
December 1988, Gorbachev announced that Russia’s communist ideology should play a smaller role in foreign affairs e.g. The USSR would no longer trade with Communist States over Capitalist States.
December 1988, Gorbachev announced to the United Nations that the USSR would be withdrawing a significant part of its Soviet forces from Eastern Europe.
Gorbachev encouraged Eastern European states to embrace glasnost and perestroika.
March 1989, Gorbachev repeats Soviet troops will not intervene in politics of E. Europe
The Fall of the Eastern Bloc 1989-90
Poland - 1988 sees strikes throughout the country & by June 1989 the communist government is defeated in free elections
Hungary - Although in May 1989 Hungary opens its borders with Austria, the Communist government is not defeated until early 1990.
East Germany - In September 1989 thousands of East Germans escape through Hungary to West Germany & by November the Berlin Wall comes down. In 1991 Germany is reunited.
Czechoslovakia - Following huge Demonstrations from against communism, the government resigns in November 1989 & a non-communist becomes President in December.
Bulgaria - Early 1990 democratic elections are held & the renamed Communist Party wins.
Romania - (the most brutal government in Eastern Europe) Following huge Demonstrations from December 1989 & a very violent response from the secret police, democratic elections are eventually held in 1990.
Glasnost - (openness / freedom of choice): Less state control of media: 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
The pact had united the communist states of Eastern Europe against the capitalist states in the West.
As the states rejected communism, the pact became null and void.
Military co-operation between Eastern European states ended early 1990
Formal dissolving of Warsaw Pact July 91
The Fall of the Soviet Union
Gorbachev was widely respected in the West for his willingness to reform and the fact that his policies had led to the break-up of Eastern Europe.
Leading members of the communist party believed Gorbachev had severely weakened communism. They organised a coup on 19 August 1991 which removed him from power.
Gorbachev was away from the capital at the time and was prevented from returning. The new gvt declared a state of emergency and aimed to restore the power of the Soviet Union.
The new gvt lasted 3 days. Boris Yeltsin, played a crucial role in defeating the coup. he called upon the people to resist the new regime.
21 Aug Gorbachev returned and resumed his position as Soviet leader, and announced it was his goal to save communism. But the coup had damaged his authority.
Gorbachev’s final attempt to save the Soviet Union was a new constitution which gave Soviet republics greater independence. However the leaders of these countries did not accept as they wanted full independence.
As a result, Gorbachev officially announced the dissolution of the Soviet Union and his resignation as President on 25 December 1991