H1HistoryFallofUSSRandEndofColdWar

CollapseofCommunism
NOTE:CollapseofCommunismisNOTthesameasEndofColdWar
Some candidates still see Eastern Europe as part of the USSR. They will often write about
Poland and Ukraine and the Baltic states all in the same sentence. It is important that they know
which came within the borders of the USSR and which did not.Eastern Europe was part of the
(informal) Soviet empire but that is not the same as the USSR itself.

The causal relationship might be one of examples: the success of Eastern European dissidents in
1988-9 further encouraged fellow dissidents in the USSR, especially in the all-important Baltic
states. They looked to Poland, East Germany and Czechoslovakia in 1988-89 and were
encouraged to take their own independence.

Definitions:
CollapseofCommunism
DisintegrationofUSSR
DissolutionofCommunistParty(CPSU)

PossibleStands:
1. Gorbachevdidnotcauseforfallofcommunism,itwasthelonglastingeffectswhich
werealreadypointingtodeclineinUSSR
2. EconomicconditionsforcedGorbachevtotakeonchangestorescuepooreconomy
3. MuststillhoweverplacelargecreditonGorbachevashesawmassivereformswhich
catalyzedthefallofcommunism

H1HistoryFallofUSSRandEndofColdWar

InternalLongTerm
*SystemicWeaknessofSovietcommandeconomy
Structuralweakness
Focusedonoutputratherthanquality
Rigidandunabletoorientatepeoplewithtime

CentralPlanning Industrial

Agricultural

Overall

Dictatedprices
andquantity

Factorymanagers
forgedproduction
reportstomeetoutput,
&outputwas
substandardinquality

Stifledproductivity,poor
harvest,in1972,negative
growthof1.7%

Economicgrowth
droppedtozeroby
1970s

Noincentivesfor
qualityor
whatever
beyond
expectations

Despitethis,targetsfor Longtermdeclinefrom
outputnotmetinany
1950sto1980s
ofthe5yearplans

Weakframework,lossof
competitiveness

Over2xasmanypairs
offootwearwere
producedinUSSRthan
USA,butduetopoor
quality,manymorehad
tobeimported

Loweredstandardof
living,resultedinsocial
problemswhichfueled
publicunhappiness

Decisionstoplanting,
investment,etcweremade
bymanagersthanfarmers
themselves.

Farmerscouldntmakea
Imageofcommunist
decentprofitfromgrowing governmentdiminished,
food;&moreoftenthan
lossofpower
notitcostmoretogrowit
thantobuyproduct.

H1HistoryFallofUSSRandEndofColdWar

Internal
Longterm
Economic
NotGorbachevsfault

LooseningofstatecontrolanderosionofIdeology
PriortoGorbachev,therewasalreadylooseningofstatecontrolanderosionof
communism
Weakeningofcommunismovertime
PavedthewayforthecollapseofcommunismunderGorbachev

Stalin
Terrorwasessentialpartofcontrolprocess
DeathofStalinsignaledagraduallooseningofcontrol
Khrushchev
Therewasabandonmentofmasspoliticalterror
Reducedscopeofcontrolandcurbingofpoliticalpolice
Gradualdevelopmentofcivilrights
CaseswherepeoplewereabletogetawaywithlisteningtoWesternradiobroadcast
Brezhnev
Opennessandcandidnesswasallowed
Unprecedentedsurgeofdissidentliterature
Gorbachev
Newthinking,glasnost,perestroika

Declineinstatecontrolandideologysuggestedthatchangewasabouttotakeplace
Communistcontrolwasonadecline
Longtimepavementtowardsthedownfallofcommunist
Gorbachevmerelyfollowedthetrendandwasacatalystinthedownfall

Internal
Longterm
Ideology
Leadership
NotGorbachevsfault
SovietInitiative

H1HistoryFallofUSSRandEndofColdWar

InternalShortTerm
***GorbachevsPolicies
IntroducedGlasnostandPerestroika
Turnedtideagainstcommunism

Perestroika
Radicalreformstotheeconomy
Failedaseffectswereslow
Gorbachevthoughtthatlooseninggovernmentgrip,privateinitiativeswouldleadto
innovationandeconomicrevival,thiswasnotthecase

Economiceffectsunpredictable
Factorymanagersusednewpowertoincreasewageswhenproductivitydidnot
increasewithit,henceinvestmentontechnologydidnotincrease
LawonCooperatives1987
Within3years,32%ofcooperativeswentbankruptandmanywaryofjoining
Decliningproductionledtoinflationat79%perannumby1989
By1991,economyhadshrunkby17%
19901991alone,retailpricesincreasedby140%
Basicnecessitieslikemilk,tea,meatvanishedfromstores

Failedtoaddresstheissues,inaccurate,nonpragmatic
LostfaithinGorbachev
LedtorisingdiscontentwithGorbachev
Generatedunprecedentedwaveofpoliticaldiscontent

H1HistoryFallofUSSRandEndofColdWar

Glasnost
GorbachevsawGlasnostasanintegralpartofasocialistdemocracy;thoughtwide,
promptandfrankinformationwillinstillconfidenceinthepeopleandrespectforthe
communistparty.

Aimatlooseningcontrolatitsextreme
DiscreditStalinanddestroyStalinistcompound
Backfiredandledtosovietscriticizingthestate

Themythssustainingthecommunistsystemupliftingandennoblingversionsof
thepastcommuniststruggle,theomnipotenceofLeninandStalindisintegratedas
aresultofGlasnost,leavingbehindastatenolongerunderthecomfortableillusion
ofitsprosperity,butthrustintotheharshreality.

Media
HighlycriticalofCPSU
AllowedthedebateonshortcomingsandillsofUSSR
PointedoutdeterioratinglivingstandardsundertheCPSUsuchasloweducation
investmentratesandhighinfantmortalityrate
GulagsandGreatPurges

ChernobylDisaster1986
985kdiedwhilemillionsdeemedtohavepermanenteffectsofradiation
Exposedthepeopletothesecretsofthegovernment
Probingbymediaexposedcrimesandinefficiencyofgovernment
PositiveimageportrayedpreviouslyofUSSRlifedismantled

LedtoRisingOpposition
Riseofbothconservativesandradicals
DiscontentwithGorbachevfrombothfronts
StrongbasetocausethefallofUSSR
Yeltsin

CalledforradicalrestructuringoftheSovietsystembeyondglasnostandperestroika
VigorouscampaignforthefulldemocratizationofSovietpoliticalsystem
Unveiledambitiousplantointroduceafreemarketeconomy

H1HistoryFallofUSSRandEndofColdWar

Eventuallyledto1991victorybyYeltsinwhoemphasizedonuniquenessofbeingRussianratherthana
USSRidentity,acueforsovietsatellitestatestoleaveUSSR

Abilitytogetridofthecommunistgovernment
Shiftincentersofpowertochallengecommunist
Spectacularblowagainstoldorder
Outlawedcommunistpartyandsystem
CausedthefallofUSSRbygoingtowardsdemocratization

ExternalShortTerm
RepudiationofBrezhnevDoctrine(SinatraDoctrine)

ExplosivepowerofNonRussianEthnicRepublicsofUSSR
Oldrestrictionsonpoliticalactivitiesdisappeared
LongsuppressedaspirationsofUSSRssubjectsboiledover
Gorbachevsunderratingofpowerofethnicnationalism
BreakawayofsatellitestatesunleashedforcesandchainofdissolutionofUSSR

Poland
PreviouslyinPoland,popularmovementsin1956,1970and1981areallsuppressed
AfterabandonmentofBrezhnevDoctrine,Polandsawpoliticalliberalizationthrough
1987multicandidateelections
Solidaritypartymovementhadamembershipof10millionwhoopposedcommunist
government
1990,nonCommunistpartySolidaritywon

Hungary
Multicandidateelectionswereallowed
Withdrawalofredarmy

Lithuania,Latvia,Estonia
GeorgiaandUkraine,longhistoryofRussiandomination

H1HistoryFallofUSSRandEndofColdWar

SlavicrepublicssignedtheCommonwealthofIndependentStateswhichmanyother
republicslaterjoined

LedtowhirlwindinEasternEuropethatspiraledMoscowscontrolofsatellitestates
Secessioneffecthadspreadquickly
IndependenceofsatellitestatessignalledendofRussiascontrol,suggestingUSSRs
breakdownanddissolution
GorbachevsreformscatalyzedtheformationofoppositioninEuropewho
demandedliberalizationbyrefrainingfromuseofforce

External
Shortterm
GorbachevsFault
SovietInitiative

Riseofopposition[EffectofGlasnost]

Riseofbothconservativesandradicals
DiscontentwithGorbachevfrombothfronts
StrongbasetocausethefallofUSSR

Yeltsin
CalledforradicalrestructuringoftheSovietsystembeyondglasnostandperestroika
VigorouscampaignforthefulldemocratizationofSovietpoliticalsystem
Unveiledambitiousplantointroduceafreemarketeconomy

Abilitytogetridofthecommunistgovernment
Shiftincentersofpowertochallengecommunist
Spectacularblowagainstoldorder
Outlawedcommunistpartyandsystem
CausedthefallofUSSRbygoingtowardsdemocratization

Internal
ShortTerm
Political
SomewhatGorbachevsFault
6

H1HistoryFallofUSSRandEndofColdWar

SovietInitiative

EffectofGlasnostPowerofEthnicNationalism

RepudiationofBrezhnevDoctrine
ExplosivepowerofNonRussianEthnicRepublicsofUSSR
Oldrestrictionsonpoliticalactivitiesdisappeared
LongsuppressedaspirationsofUSSRssubjectsboiledover
Gorbachevsunderratingofpowerofethnicnationalism
BreakawayofsatellitestatesunleashedforcesandchainofdissolutionofUSSR

Poland
Solidaritypartymovementhadamembershipof10millionwhoopposedcommunist
government
Hungary
Multicandidateelectionswereallowed
Withdrawalofredarmy
Lithuania,Latvia,Estonia
GeorgiaandUkraine,longhistoryofRussiandomination
SlavicrepublicssignedtheCommonwealthofIndependentStateswhichmanyother
republicslaterjoined
Estonia
Groupsof200,000organisedtosinginshiftsof48hoursinoppositiontoUSSRpolicies
Balticstates
Formedhumanchainsacrosscities
ToportraytheiroppositiontoUSSRspolicies

Secessioneffecthadspreadquickly
IndependenceofsatellitestatessignaledendofRussianscontrol,suggestingUSSRs
breakupanddissolution
GorbachevhadprovokedthedivisioninEurope
GorbachevsreformscatalyzedtheformationofoppositioninEuropewhodemanded
liberalizationbyrefrainingfromuseofforce

Internal[USSR]orExternal[OutsideRussia]
ShortTerm
7

H1HistoryFallofUSSRandEndofColdWar

Political
SomewhatGorbachevsfault
Sovietinitiative[USSR]

ExternalShortTerm[ColdWar/US]

Reagans3ProngApproach
RenewedColdWar
GetToughPolicy
TookadvantageofUSSRsstagnatingeconomy

MilitaryRearmament
Aggressiveinchallenge
AssumptionthatUSSRcouldnotoutspendtheUSgovernmentinrenewedarmsrace
CutofallWesterntechnology,preventinganyfurtherdevelopmentsofUSSR
weapons
IncreaseindefensespendingsignificantlytoalevelwhichUSSRcouldnotmatch

SDI1983
WasaprogramtomakeUSinvulnerabletonuclearweaponmissileattacks
MadeUSinvincibletoUSSRattacks
Extremelyadvancedtechnologywhichwouldrequireenormoussumsofmoney

PershingandCruisenuclearmissile
DeployedtocounterUSSRSS20nuclearmissiles

KeepingupwithUSinmilitaryspendingseverelydamagedthealreadyshakySoviet
economy
LedtoUSSRbeingforcedbacktocutandreevaluateitsexpenditureandmilitary
polices,asignalofweaknesstotheUSrearmament
LedtoappeasingtheUSAthroughthesigningofthe1987INFandSTART1991

H1HistoryFallofUSSRandEndofColdWar

ThirdWorldInvolvement
ProxyWars
HeavilyinvolvedAsian,EasternEurope,CentralAmericaandMiddleEastservedto
BankruptUSSR

ReaganDoctrine
Supportforanticommunistgroupsthroughfundingofinsurgencies

Nicaragua
USfundedtheContras
Cost$40billionannuallytotheUSSR

Afghanistan
SuppliedweaponstoMujahideentobleedUSSRthroughsustainedwar
Caused20%ofSovietGNPin1980tobespentonarms

Strainedthealreadyweakenedeconomy
Gainpoliticalcontroloverthirdworldcountriesthatwerefightingagainstthe
communist
ForcedUSSRtocompeteonalevelitcouldnotsustain
USSRneglectondomesticeconomy,social,medicalandeducationalaspect
CauseddiscontentwithinUSSR
ForcedUSSRintosubmission

H1HistoryFallofUSSRandEndofColdWar

EconomicIsolation
OPEC
USconvincedOPEC,SaudiArabiatoincreasesupplyofcrudeoiltodepress
internationaloilprices
1986OilGlut,pricesdroppedfrom$27tobelow$10perbarrel
UnderminedSovietdependenceonoilexportsastheywereonethelargest
producersofoil
GrainsaletoUSSR
Limitedagriculturalexportsby48%
BannedWesterntechnologytoUSSR

DeprivedSovietofvitalforeigncurrency
HandicappedUSSR
CrippledthematcrucialtimewhenSovietneededmoneyforAfghanistanwar
PoliciesacceleratedendofUSSR
DevastatedUSSRseconomytoandendpointthroughpressurizingit
ForcedUSSRtoreevaluatepoliceswhichimplodeditself
StoppageofvitalfoodresourcescausedUSSRtobeunabletoensurequalityoflife
forthepeople

External[ColdWar]
Shortterm
Economic/Military
NotGorbachevsFault
WesternTriumphalist

10

H1HistoryFallofUSSRandEndofColdWar

ExternalLongTerm
LongtermEconomicStress

Arms,SpaceRaceandProxyWars
BurdenedUSSR,inabilitytosustain
Startedsinceearly1960sandescalatedin1980s
LongtermimpactonSovieteconomy

SpaceRace
Cost$10.1billiondespitealreadyfailingeconomy

Armsrace
USSRshugeallocationtoweaponsandnuclearwarheads

MarshallPlan
USSRsuseofMolotovPlantocounterit

Resultedintheeconomicstrainsincethe1960s
Continuedburden

PossibleConclusion:

Combinedeffectofsloweconomicreformsandnewrighttovoiceviewsandvote
Undesirableandunexpectedbackfiresofpoliciesledtooutingofcommunist
Gorbachevhadunderestimatedthepowerofthepeople
However,largestfactorwouldbeGorbachevduetomagnitudeofreforms

11

H1HistoryFallofUSSRandEndofColdWar

EndofColdWar
TypesofQns:
1. WhendidtheColdwarEnd?(1989vs1991)
2. CausesfortheendofcoldWar
3. WhowasmoreresponsiblefortheendofcoldWar/SchoolofThought(ReaganVS
Gorbachev;SovietInitiativeInterpretation,WesternTriumphalistInterpretation,
Peoplespower)
Definitions:
ColdWarTheColdWarisdefinedastheperiodoftensionandhostilitybetweentheUSA
andUSSRconductedthrougheconomicmeans,armsraceandproxywars.
EndofColdWar(forWhenDidColdWarEndQuestions)
1. MutualCooperationbetweensuperpowers
2. Decreasedcompetitionforspheresofinfluence
3. DisappearanceofopposingblocsinEurope
(linkwords:tensions,hostility,fosteringcooperation,goodwill,pavedwaytoeventualmutualcooperation)

EndofColdWar(forCausesofendofColdWarEndQuestions)
1. AboveDefinitions
2. OrthedirecteliminationofcompetitorintheColdWar
PossibleIntro:
Indeed,itisplausiblethatsomeofReagansactionsandpoliciescatalysedthe
eventualthawofColdwartensionsandhostility,andamutualcooperationbetween
thesuperpowersovertheissuesofnucleardisarmament,whichpavedwayforend
ofcoldwar.However,inassessingtheactionssurmountingtomutualcooperation,
Gorbachevcanbesaidtohavealargerresponsibilityduetohisinitiativenessand
persistenceinconciliationsbetweenthesuperpowers,evenastomakepeaceathis
loss.Alsoconsideringhisunprecedentedpoliciesthatledtodecreasedcompetition
forspheresofinfluenceaswellasultimatelycontributingtothedissolutionof
opposingblocs,itcanbearguedthatGorbachevheldamoresignificantrolein
settingthepathtotheendofcoldwar.

12

H1HistoryFallofUSSRandEndofColdWar

EventBased/WhendidtheColdWarEnd?
NOTE:DonotshowWHYthecoldwarended,showwhyitsuggestedendofcoldwarusing
definitionsofECW

EndtoNuclearArmsRace(1987)
Superpowersmutualwillingnessformilitaryreductions

1985GenevaSummit
P:markedthestarttothepathwayforeventualmutualcooperation
1st timethe2superpowersmetaftertheabandonmentofdetente,todiscuss

internationaldiplomaticrelationsandthearmsreductions.GorbachevandReagan
invitedeachothertoeachcountryinthenext2yearstodiscussarmsreductions.
(whilenosignificantagreementsmade,itlaidthegroundworkforsubsequenttreaties
anddiscussionsonnucleardisarmament)

P:USSRamiable,advocatingforarmsreductions,initiatingcooperation
Aug1985GorbachevdeclaredaunilateralmoratoriumtoSovietunderground
nucleartesting.

However,NOTtheendofcoldwarsince

P:USAconformational,inhibitingmutualcooperation

1.rebuffedunilateralmoratoriumonundergroundnucleartestsannouncedbyUSSR
2.refusedtogiveuponSDI
3.criticalofUSSRoverhumanrightse.g.emigrationrestrictions
4.Infact,overallrelationsbetweenthesuperpowersdeterioratedinthe1st halfof

1986

astherewasincreasedUSaggressioninLibyaandAfghanistan,andinMay,Reagan
announcedthattheUSwouldnotadherethestillunratifiedSALTIIagreement.

P:enduredcompetitionforspheresofinfluence(competitionintheMiddleEast
continued)+opposingblocsstillremained

1986ReykjavikSummit
P:nomutualcooperationonarmsreductions

E:USAsSDIwasthemainitemofcontention;
initiallyGorbachevinstigatedacompletenucleardisarmament,soReaganproposedcomplete
eliminationofallballisticnuclearmissileswithin10years(Zerooptionplan)towhichGorbachev
accepted;

However,ReaganrefusedtoabandonSDI,andGorbachevemphasizedfurther
reductionscouldnothappenwithoutthisstepconsequently,agreementdeadlocked
overSDI.

13

H1HistoryFallofUSSRandEndofColdWar

SustainedcompetitionforspheresofinfluenceascompetitionintheMiddleEast
persevered,opposingblocsremained
INF1987Treaty
GorbachevbrokethedeadlockfromtheReykjavikSummitbyacceptingNATOpolicy
ofthezerooptionplanonthedeploymentofSS20sandPershingIIandCruise
missilesinEurope.Hence,thisledtobothsideswithdrawingtheirmissiles.
GorbachevsacceptanceofNATOstermswasacompletereversalofSoviets10year
policy;
HugeconcessionbyUSSR,duetoasymmetricalreductionofnuclearweaponse.g.
USSR:851launchers&1836missiles;USA:283launchers&867missiles
Eliminatedallnuclearandconventionalgroundlaunchedballistic&cruiseIRMs

significantmilestone+reversaltothearmsrace:itwasthe1sttimean
armsreductiontalkledtotheeliminationofanentireclassofnuclearweapons,
mutualcooperationsincebothcompromised

HOWEVER,competitionforSOIpersistedwithcontinuedcompetitioninmiddleEast,
opposingblocsstillremained

MoscowSummit1988
BetterUSSRUSArelationswithReaganspersonaladmissionthatUSSRwasno
longerafocusofevil;SignifiedSovietAmericanconfrontationcouldbereplacedby
partnership

EndtoArmsrace
Priortothesummit,Gorbachevtookanothersteptowardseasingtensionsbetween
EastandWest

GorbachevDoctrine:policyofdisengagementfrom3rd
worldconflictsviasponsorshipofpeaceful
resolutions,wherecountriespreviouslyunderSovietrulecoulddeterminetheirowninternalaffairs

Gorbachevs1988UNspeech(announcedwithdrawalofSoviettroopsfromAfghanistan&
unilateralwithdrawalofSoviettroopsinEE)sparkedthedisintegrationofUSSRssphereof
influenceinEE,&signifiedtheabandonmentofBrezhnevDoctrine,meaningthat
USSRwillnolongerinterveneintheaffairsofitsallies.

UnilateralcompromisebyUSSR(NOTmutualcooperation),Slowedcompetitionfor
spheresofinfluenceassovietsbeganwithdrawingtroopsfromAfghanistan;
Opposingblocsstillremained

14

H1HistoryFallofUSSRandEndofColdWar

1989FallofBerlinWall,Dissolutionofsatellitestates,MaltaSummit
FallofBerlinWall
berlinwallhadbeenthemostenduringsymbolofColdWarbipolarity,anditsfall
clearlysymbolisedthefalloftheSovietbloceventualunificationofGermany=
disappearingopposingblocs

BreakawayofSatelliteStates[EthnoNationalism]
WithoutSovietbackingandlackofpopularsupport,theEEcommunistregimes
collapsedoneafteranotherin1989underthepressureofpopularrevolutionsthat
tookplaceacrossEE=lossofEEasasphereofinfluencecontributedtotheendof
competitionforSOI+disappearingopposingblocs
E.gPolandSolidarityMovement,CzechoslovakiaVelvetRevolution(Nov1989)

MaltaSummit
DeclarationofEndofColdWar1989byGorbachevandBush
SeriesofcooperationsinitiatedbyUSSRpriorto1989materialisedintomutual
cooperationinarmsreductions
BushendedcontainmentinMay+WithdrawalofSoviettroopsfromAfghanistan=
deterioratingcompetitionforSOI(putanofficialstoptoarmsrace)

Endtoideologicalstruggleforinfluence
Completeshiftfrompervasivefocusoninfluence

CollapseofUSSR(1991)

Glasnostpoliticaltransparency,opennessandfreedom
OppositionbyYeltsin
RadicalrestructuringoftheSovietsystembeyondglasnostandperestroika
1991victorybyYeltsinwhoemphasizedonuniquenessofbeingRussianratherthan
aUSSRidentity

USSRwasadirectcompetitorintheColdWar
WiththeeliminationofUSSR,ColdWarended

allmajorissueshadalreadybeenresolvedbythen.Thecollapseofcommunism
merelybroughtacertainty/conformationthatCWendedonceandforall.

15

H1HistoryFallofUSSRandEndofColdWar

SchoolsofThought
SovietInitiative
Thisschoolofthoughtarguesthatitwas
1. Gorbachevsshorttermpolitical&economicpoliciesthathadhelpedto
2. reconcileeconomic,ideologicalandmilitarydifferencesandtensionsbetweentheSoviet
UnionandtheUSA.
3. Thedecreaseinsuchtensionshadultimatelyledtomutualcooperation,decreased
competitionforspheresofinfluenceaswellasdisappearanceofopposingblocsthat
characterisedtheendoftheColdWar.

GorbachevspoliciesandwillingnesstocooperatewiththeWestshowedachangein
Moscowsintentionsthatendedthecycleoffearandtensions.
P:Therewasmountingeconomic,political&militaryproblemsthatoverstretchedUSSRsempire
andoverburdeneditseconomy;
a.

ArisingfrominterventioninEE&3rd
Worlde.g.provided$5.5billiontoCuba+$40billionannuallyto
assistothercommunisteconomiesduringBrezhnevera,

b.

&cripplingcostsofAfghanwar,armsrace,deploymentofSS20s,

P:aswellasrisingresentmentwithinthepopulaceduetothedepressinglylowstandardsof
livings,arisingfromafalteringeconomy

Thefocusonmilitaryspending,forming1518%ofUSSRsGNP,

suchastoneglectdomesticconsumergoodscontributedtothelowstandardsofliving,

andcontributedtosocialproblemssuchasalcoholism,absenteeism,crimesandillegitimacy

P:Unlikepreviousleaderswhoallowedthedireeconomicandsocialproblemstosnowball,
Gorbachevtriedtosalvagetheseproblemsbymakingunprecedentedchangestosovietforeign
policywithhisNewPoliticalThinking.
E:HescaledbackonUSSRsforeignengagementswiththeconceptofReasonableSufficiency
E.g.advocatingDefensiveDefence,whichdeemphasizedneedformilitarybuilduptomilitary
parityandcalledforlessnuclearweaponsneeded

assecuritywouldbesafeguardedprimarilybypoliticalcooperationandnegotiations,NOTmilitarymight

HealsoforfeitedtheColdWararmsracebymakingpeacewiththeWest,accommodating
withtheWestonissuesofmilitaryreductions

a.

1986ReykjavikSummitcalledforeventualabolitionofallnuclearweapons(initiative)

b.

1987INFtreatyeliminatedawholecategoryofnuclearweapons

c.

1988GorbachevsUNspeech:UnilateralreductioninmilitaryforcesinEEandwesternpartofUSSR

16

H1HistoryFallofUSSRandEndofColdWar

Hencehisconciliatoryactionstopursueanendtomilitarycompetitionbetweenthe
superpowers,inlinewithUSSRseconomicconstraints,pavedthewaytowardsendofcold
war.

2.GorbachevalsomadesignificantchangestoSovietpolicytowardsEE,replacingBrezhnev
Doctrine(calledforWorlddomination)withSinatradoctrinethatsubsequentlydecreased
competitionforSOI.
Herealisedthatthatthesecurityofonestateisnotenhancedifitisattainedatthe
expenseofanother,

AndsoheimplementedSinatradoctrinethatpreventedinterventionwithautomacyofformersatellite
states+allowedformorefreedombyallowingfreeelectionswithoutfearofreprisals

WhichresultedinwavesofreformspropagatedthroughEasternblocanddissolutionofEasternBloce.g
PolandsSolidarityMovement,CzechoslovakiasVelvetRevolution+Pulledoutof3rdWorldcountries
likeAfghanistansignifyingdisappearingsovietblocthatwouldledtodissolutionof

opposingblocs

Hence,hispoliciessignalledanendtoproxywarsandbattleforstrategicandpolitical
interests,haltingcompetitionforSOIandcreatingapathwaytotheendofcoldwar.

Evaluation/Limitation
However,toholdGorbachevsolelyresponsiblefortheendofcoldwaristoignorethe
multicausalfactorsinvolvedintheprocess.PoliciesofbothBushandReagandidprovided
theshorttermimpulsestoendColdwar,asbothpartieswereessentialtomutuallyend
conflict.

17

H1HistoryFallofUSSRandEndofColdWar

WesternTriumphalist
Theschoolofthoughtassertsthat
Reagansshorttermpoliciesnamelythe3prongedapproach,wasthemainfactor
thatledtotheendoftheColdwar
duetotherelentlessapplicationoftheWestsmilitarysuperiorityanddynamismof
itseconomicsystem,
thateventuallyforcedUSSRintoseekingmutualcooperationwiththewest

1. LongtermEconomicPressureonUSSRviaPolicyofContainmentthrough
MarshallPlan$11.8billionintoW.Erp,Japan&countrieswillingtoresist
communismthwartedUSSRexpansion
CompelledtheSovietstocomeupwithMolotovPlanwhichstrainedUSSRs
economy(1988:$300billiononmilitary),andforcedthemintopursuing
negotiationswiththeWest

2. Reagans1stterm3ProngedApproachindealingwithcommunism
Militarisation:
a. unprecedentedmilitaryspending($1.5trilliondefenceprogram+increaseof53%
frompeacetimein1981)
b. revivalofthearmsrace(revivedtheB1Lancerprogram,productionoftheMX
missile,oversawNATOsdeploymentofPershingIImissileinWestGermany)
c. the1983SDI(groundandspacebasedsystemstoprotectUSfromattackby
strategicnuclearballisticmissiles)
d. sabotagingarmscontroltalks:SALT,GenevaTalksin1981and1983+weakening
USSRbydenyingthemaccesstowesterntechnology
IdeologicaloffensiveandmilitarybuildupofReaganerapavedwayforpeacenegotiated
fromapositionofstrength

Reagansuseofmoralpolitik,namingUSSRtheevilempireandthusjustifyingrolling
backcommunisminsteadofcontainingit,asinitsthirdworldintervention,exacerbated
Sovietsfalteringeconomyasitwasbelievedtoforcesovietstocontributemoreresources
towardssupportingcommunistsinthirdworldstates.
E.g.supportedContrasRebelsinNicaragua,MujahideenRebelsin
Afghanistan
Caused20%ofSovietGNPin1980tobespentonarms,strainingUSSRs
alreadyweakenedeconomy
USSRneglecteddomesticeconomy,social,medicalandeducationalaspects
18

H1HistoryFallofUSSRandEndofColdWar

CauseddiscontentwithinUSSR

EconomicWarfareUSconvincedOPEC,SaudiArabiatoincreasesupplyofcrudeoilto
depressinternationaloilprices
1986OilGlut,pricesdroppedfrom$27tobelow$10perbarrel
UnderminedSovietdependenceonoilexportsastheywereonethelargest
producersofoil

DeprivedSovietofvitalforeigncurrency
CrippledthematcrucialtimewhenUSSRneededmoneyforAfghanistanwar
PoliciesacceleratedendofUSSR
DevastatedUSSRseconomytoanendpointthroughpressurizingit
ForcedUSSRtoreevaluatepolicieswhichimplodeditself
StoppageofvitalfoodresourcescausedUSSRtobeunabletoensurequalityoflife
forthepeople
WesternpowerwasabletopressureUSSRintosubmission
Evaluation/Limitation

DownplaystheimportanceofGorbachevinendofColdWar
Reaganspoliciestowardsthesesmallstateswerenotalwaysconsistentwiththe
moralclarityofhisvision,whichcastsdoubtontheimportanceofhisclearmoral
stance.ReagansupportedtheNicaraguanContras,thoughtheywereacoalition
whichincludedformerleadersoftheNationalGuardthathadrepressedopposition
totheNicaraguandictator.Morallyobtusetosupportthosewhooppressed
democracyandcarriedouthumanrightsviolations.
ReaganwasnotconsistentwithinfollowingthispolicytobankruptUSSRvia
increasedUSdefencespending.In1981,Reaganliftedthegrainembargoimposed
byCarterasaprotestoverAfghanistan,therebybowingtodemocraticconstituency
AmericanfarmersratherthancontinuingthesinglemostimportantinstrumentofUS
economicleverageagainsttheUSSR.
Furthermore,USSRneverincreaseditsmilitaryspendingtomatchwithReagan
buildup,hencealbeitapressurizingforce,itdidnotwreaksignificantdamageonthe
USSReconomy.From197788,thepeakyearsofUSdefencespending,USSRmilitary
spendingincreasedonly12%peryear,notnearlyenoughtomatchUSgrowthrate.
After1988,theSovietsactuallycuttheirdefencespending.ThisshowstheReagan
buildupdidnotluretheSovietsintomakingthemilitarydrainontheireconomy
worse.

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H1HistoryFallofUSSRandEndofColdWar

PeoplesPower
RoleofcitizenactivismandpeacemovementsinpressuringtheendofColdWar
EndedtheColdwarpeacefullyanddemocratically
USA

USSR

ActivismintheUS
Massivewaveofoppositiontonuclear
weaponsingeneration(Undergone
Vietnamwar,hadlostkinsandkith,fearof
mutuallyassureddestruction)

12June1982,750000peoplethronged
NewYorkCentralParkforgreatnuclear
freeze,widespreadoppositiontoMX
missiles
Congressionalandpublicoppositionto
ReaganscentralAmericanpolicyby
variousgroupssuchasenvironmentalists,
religiousgroups
IntenseoppositionagainstSDI

Impetusforchangescamefrom
peoplesmovements
Revolutionfrompeopleunhappiness
fromthepoorstandardsofliving,
poverty,resourcesdirectedtomilitary
competitioninstead

SolidarityMovementinPoland
Acquired10millionmemberswhich
challengedthecommunist
government

VelvetRevolutioninCzechoslovakia

EstoniaGroupsof200,000were
organizedtosinginshiftsof48hours
toopposetheUSSRspolicies

Ledtozerooptionproposal
StalemateinMXmissiles
PreventedReaganpolicyofoverthrowing
thegovernmentinNicaragua

Abilitytochangegovernmentpolicy
Essentially,governmentisbuiltonthe
supportofpeople
DomesticpressureresultedinReagan
becomingmoreopentonegotiationsto
appeasepeople

BalticStatesPeopleformedhuman
chainsacrosscities

LedtosigningofINF

Ledtoindependence[Referto
EthnoNationalism]

Bandedtogetherprovidedstaunch
resistanceagainstgovernment
Uprisingsdisplayedfrustrationsfor
presstoendwar

Evaluation/Limitation
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H1HistoryFallofUSSRandEndofColdWar

ImpetusforchangescamefromthefactthatUSSRwasundergoingradicalchanges
(glasnost,newthinking,etc)
Previously,therewerealsouprisingsagainstthecommunistgovernmentbutwere
suppressedharshlymeaningUSSRtoleratedit
DemonstratesthatitwaslargelyduetoGorbachev/Sovietsinitiative

LongTerm
USA

USSR

Stressoneconomy
Longdrawnpoliciesofcontainment
thatbledtheUSA

KoreanWar
14.4%ofGNP
AnnualDeficitof$6billionin1960s
VietnamWar
Financialburdenestimatedat$150
billionwithanother$200billion
earmarkedforthefutureintheform
ofVeteransbenefits

Hugedeficits
Neglectofothersectorsofeconomy
andsociety
Affectedlivesofpeople

EconomicFailure
LongdrawnSovieteconomic
problems

SystemicProblemsinUSSR
Economy[RefertoLongTerm
InternalCausesofFallofUSSR]

LongtermEconomicStress[Refer
AboveFallofCommunism]
PolicyofContainment
MarshallPlan
11.8BillionintoWesternEurope,
Japanandcountrieswillingto
resistcommunism
FuelledparanoiainUSSRwho
wantedtomatchfinancial
capabilities
DonethroughMolotovPlan
whichbledUSSR

CauseofmakingGorbachevhaving
toimplementreforms
Affectedlivesofpeople

[View]
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H1HistoryFallofUSSRandEndofColdWar

PossibleConclusion:
BothamixtureofSovietInitiativeandWesternSuperiority

Moreaccuratetoattributebothfactorswherebyentrenchedlongrunimpactsledto
ECW

However,weighmoreimpactonUSSR/Gorbachevduetomagnitudeofreforms

SummaryofFactors
FallofCommunism
Definition:

EndofColdWar
Definition:

DisintegrationofUSSR
DissolutionofCommunistParty
(CPSU)

MutualCooperationbetween
superpowers
Decreasedcompetitionforspheres
ofinfluence
Disappearanceofopposingblocs
Ordirecteliminationofcompetitor
intheColdWar(OnlyforCausesof
EndofCWqns,notforWhendid
CWend?

InternalLongTerm
*SystemicWeaknessofSoviet
commandeconomy
~Looseningofstatecontroland
erosionofIdeology

SovietInitiative
GorbachevsPoliciesPerestroika
*GorbachevsPoliciesGlasnost
*SinatraDoctrine
WesternTriumphalist

InternalShortTerm
*GorbachevsPoliciesPerestroika
*GorbachevsPoliciesGlasnost

LongtermEconomicStress
*Reagans3ProngApproach
PeoplesPower

ExternalShortTerm

*PeoplesPower

*SinatraDoctrine
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H1HistoryFallofUSSRandEndofColdWar

ExternalShortTerm[ColdWar/US]
*Reagans3ProngApproach
*LongtermEconomicStress

LongTerm
*LongTermedEconomicStrain

NotetimemanagementduetolengthyindividualfactorsofFallofCommunism+EndofCold
War
CombinebothGorbachevspolicyas1iftimeislacking
NOTE:Definitionisveryimportantforthisquestion

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