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GORBACHEVS REFORMS & ITS IMPACT ON EASTERN EUROPE & SOUTH AFRICA -…
GORBACHEVS REFORMS & ITS IMPACT ON EASTERN EUROPE & SOUTH AFRICA
BACKGROUND
Soviets in Afghanistan (late 1970s)
Economic Hardships in the USSR
USSR in financial ruin as it competes in Arms Race
Gorbachev comes to power in 1985 with a different approach to communism in the USSR.
Perestroika
Glasnost
Reforms
Perestroika
Means 'restructuring' in regards to the economy
Promotes private enterprise & free trade
Removes Govt. subsidies in an effort to promote pvt enterprise
Does NOT aim to replace Communism, but rather assist with economic hardships
Glasnost
Means 'openess' referring to a shift away from censorship
Allowed for criticisms of the govt without repercussions
Hoped to open constructive dialogue between USSR & its people.
RESPONSES TO REFORMS
Eastern
East rejected reforms as Perestroika did not have the desired impact
Exacerbated economic hardships of those in USSR
Glasnost allowed for the criticism of the USSR with people calling for an end to communism
Western
West welcomed perestroika as a compromise with Capitalism
West welcomed Glasnost as being a democratic concept
West saw these reforms as an indication that Capitalism had won the Cold War
IMPACT OF REFORMS
Eastern Europe (EE)
USSR began to disintegrate & EE opened up contact with the West
Hungary softened stance against Capitalist Austria causing a tear in the Iron Curtain
This allowed for EE's to escape the East and flee to the West
Catalyst for the breaking down of the Berlin Wall (11/89)
Poland & Solidarity Case Study
South Africa
Western Viewpoint
SA has used Communism as a scapegoat fro racist policy (Die Rooi Gevaar) - & supported by west
With the dismantling of the USSR, the Communist threat was neurtalised
West could no longer support SA policies as there was no more comm threat and policies were now just racist
West (USA & Britain) pressure SA to negotiate
Eastern Viewpoint
ANC was painted a communist group by SA Gov. ANC backed by USSR
Collapse of communism meant that ANC were not longer a 'communist threat'.
ANC has lost their backing from the East & were therefore forced to enter negotiations with SA Govt.
Cuito Canavale
Battle at CC was not a resounding success for SADF. SA was not 'invulnerable' anymore
Led to ceasefire in Angola & peaceful transition of power in Namibia
Paved the way for negotiation in SA