END OF THE COLD WAR, COLLAPSE OF COMMUNISM IN EASTERN EUROPE, BREAK-UP OF THE SOVIET UNION

Transcription

1 4.3 END OF THE COLD WAR, COLLAPSE OF COMMUNISM IN EASTERN EUROPE, BREAK-UP OF THE SOVIET UNION

2 DÉTENTE (PP ) created by Trevor Rowe Détente: the relaxation of international tensions, specifically between the Soviets and Americans in the 1970s US agrees to admit Communist China into UN as Security Council Member Nixon visits Moscow and Beijing SALT I, first arms limitations treaty of Cold War Both agree to admit FRG and GDR into UN Helsinki Conference (see p. 169 for details) SALT II, expansion of SALT I, never ratified by US after Soviets invade Afghanistan Voices: Two American Views of the Soviet Union

3 WAS IT ALL FOR SHOW? created by Trevor Rowe

4 DÉTENTE CONT Superpowers determined to avoid a confrontation like Cuban Missile Crisis It was an economic as well as political and military détente Soviet Bloc opened its doors to an influx of foreign products and investment Militarily the Soviets were inferior to the Americans but the perceived threat was always an argument for military spending (for more on this point read Viewpoints: Was the US responsible for the development of the Cold War?, pp )

5 CHAPTER 7. A MUST READ! The Gorbachev Revolution The Dismantling of an Empire Rivalry and Crisis in the Soviet Union Yugoslavia (Unit 6)

6 THE END OF THE COLD WAR By 1990, the communist grip in Eastern Europe had ended. After 40 years, the cold war was over. The driving force behind the end of the cold war was Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. People of Eastern Europe were free to choose their own political system. With the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe, the soviet system also began to fall apart. Countries all over Europe began to claim independence.

7 END OF THE COLD WAR CONT The West was cautious of Gorbachev s reforms. Was it an example of more détente or true change? Gorbachev represented a more progressive generation of communism. Upon taking leadership in 1985 he began a startling peace initiative.

8 POLITICAL REFORM Gorbachev believed that the one party system was destroying the Soviet Union. He decided to call for free elections with the hopes that people would see the communist party as a transformed party and it would be saved. The result was a move to sweep communist officials from office. The satellite states like Poland saw this as a destruction of the Soviet Union. Hungary, Czechoslovakia, and Poland immediately rejected communism. Romania, Bulgaria, and Albania chose to stay with communist. Yugoslavia rejected communism, but fell into civil war.

9 SOCIAL PROBLEMS IN USSR / RUSSIA With economic problems come social problems: Corruption and crime Health care system failing and standards of health fell. Mortality rate was up and life expectancy was falling. Staggering pollution levels: industrial waste, toxic waste, radio active waste-economic growth at all costs was poisoning the people. Alcohol consumption was a problem: sales rose 70% from By 1980 s third most common cause of death. Deteriorating social conditions even harder for women. It was a very traditional society(women were to stay at home) were now spending long hours in food line-ups after a long days work.

10 SOCIAL PROBLEMS IN USSR / RUSSIA Glasnost: a policy of openness and increased freedom in social and cultural matters Gorbachev s solution to make life more stimulating and rewarding. Open communication, information available, informed dialogue was possible. Removed censorship (give media right to criticize). Ended ban on western broadcasting Removed subsidies for consumer products and food products.

11 GLASNOST CONT. Changes were unsuccessful at first. There was severe opposition by hard line communists and people were not used to the magnitude of changes, People were dissatisfied with the slow reform and the soaring inflation. This led to strikes, protests, and food became an important commodity for trade.

12 GLASNOST CONT. Boris Yeltsin also in support of change However, Yeltsin wanted a much faster change He was the chief political rival of Gorbachev Yeltsin wanted a quick move to a market economy People were so desperate for food, clothing, and medical supplies they were willing to see radical change

13 PERESTROIKA The communist system itself was blamed for the economic crisis Guaranteed employment combined with lack of incentives did little to encourage technological innovation, competence or efficient management in industry or agriculture For example, people in agriculture business making decisions with no background Private plot farms were proving to be more productive: 25% or crops on 4% of land

14 PERESTROIKA CONT Remedy: Perestroika, acceleration of the country s socioeconomic development through vigorous economic restructuring. Moving away from a state socialism to free market economy.

15 ARMS AGREEMENTS Gorbachev also sent a challenge to the west to stop the arms race. At the UN, Gorbachev announced the unilateral reduction of Soviet armed forces including those in Eastern Europe. In 1988, they also began removing troops from Afghanistan. The USSR and U.S. signed a treaty to destroy all intermediate and short-range missiles.

16 DISMANTLING OF AN EMPIRE In 1989 Gorbachev allows free elections Communists were swept from office Eastern Bloc nations asserted their independence, see fig 7.5, maps 61 & 65 In Poland, the labour movement Solidarity holds series of strikes and eventually forms the government under Lech Walesa

17 RE-UNIFICATION OF GERMANY POLITICAL CHALLENGES Soviet had withdrawn military support for the satellites since 1985, however GDR ignored Gorbachev s calls for Glasnost and Perestroika Reform minded governments replaced hardliner Erich Honecker and borders were opened and travel restrictions eased Berlin Wall torn down on Nov. 10 th, 1989 This contained the mass emigration exodus somewhat West German Chancellor Helmut Kohl proposed a unification plan with the condition that the East hold free elections

18 MR. GORBACHEV TEAR DOWN THIS WALL RONALD REAGAN

19 RE-UNIFICATION OF GERMANY The wave of discontent grew until the communists were forced to give in to democracy FRG pledged 9.5 billion to finance the withdrawal of remaining Soviet troops Sept 12, 1990 France, Britain, US and Soviet Union signed a re-unification treaty Oct 3 rd, 1990 Re-unification complete, Germany was one nation once again after 45 years of separation

20 4.3.3 ECONOMIC CHALLENGES Huge discrepancy in standard of living After 4 decades of centralized planning: Consumer goods were in short supply Businesses were obsolete, overstaffed and mismanaged They couldn t compete in the marketplace 35% went bankrupt 30% unemployment Wages were % of the west No more guaranteed income or subsidized food prices West Germans not happy with $775 billion to be spent on improving the infrastructure in the East

21 ETHNIC TENSION Many refugees and immigrants flooded into Germany Small group of Skin-heads (neo-nazis) responsible for brutality against immigrants and refugees On the anniversary of Kristallnacht 300,000 protested in Berlin Germany was forced to tighten it s liberal immigration policies

22 RIVALRY AND CRISIS Yeltsin, Leader of the Russian Republic, asserted his authority over Soviet Law This would become the end of the USSR, see map 65 Yeltsin was elected and Gorbachev was not Gorbachev had lost popularity he was stuck between the hardliners and the reformers

23 ATTEMPTED MOSCOW COUP D ETAT Hardliners attempted to overthrow Gorbachev and the reformers August 18 th, 1991 Gorbachev was placed under arrest Ordered the army secure key bldgs. like Russia Parliament where Yeltsin had taken refuge Yeltsin emerged and climbed onto the tanks, and stared down the soldiers, they broke ranks Thousands of unarmed citizens rallied behind Yeltsin facing down heavily armed riot troops Coup leaders lost their nerve Yeltsin removed all signs of communism, reverted to traditional Russian flag When Gorbachev returned he had lost legitimate claim to power, he resigned and recommended the dissolution of the Communist Party

24 IMPACT OF THE COUP Exposed the weakness of the central gov t. Unleashed a flood of nationalism in many of the republics, by Sept most had declared independence Gorby was finished, politically Yeltsin emerged as a hero having defied communism and defended democracy The coup brought and end to Soviet communism, the Soviet Union (USSR) and Gorbachev s leadership

25 4.3.4 CHALLENGES FACED BY THE FORMER SOVIET REPUBLICS Yeltsin met w/ leaders of Ukraine and Belarus Declared the dissolution of the Soviet Union To be replaced with the Commonwealth of Independent states (CIS) This helped prevent the former Soviet Union from collapsing into complete economic and political chaos It was loose federation to maintain economic, and military relationships while permitting national groups to run their own governments Although self-determination was appealing, the sobering reality was that no longer being part of a superpower was daunting

26 WHO DO WE PLAY NOW? created by Trevor Rowe

27 3 BIG CHALLENGES Politically Led to demands for democracy and higher standards of living After 70 years of communist totalitarian control this would be difficult A huge split developed between Yeltsin and the old communist parliament

28 3 BIG CHALLENGES Economically No experience with competitive market system Sweeping changes caused economic chaos Resulted in: Spiralling inflation Escalating unemployment Widespread poverty They were used to: Subsidized prices Controlled market Guaranteed employment They had to be patient for the promises of capitalism over the longer term

29 3 BIG CHALLENGES Ethnic Diversity and Conflict The FSU consisted of: 50 nationalities, 100 different languages, 5 separate alphabets and many religions These groups were small but the cultures were ancient Although they held onto their cultures their politcal rights were repressed in the FSU Glasnost changed all this As they were allowed to and encouraged to speak up power struggles broke out between rival groups Disputes over borders and language rights In Chechnya this degenerated into civil war requiring the Russian army to intervene

30 RUSSIA TODAY Most can t afford to eat at the 57 McDonald s 40% below poverty line Alcoholism is a major problem Mafia, crime is an issue GDP is comparable to Ontario A developing nation, foreign aid Elections still taking place Free press Laws for private property and income tax Closer ties w/ west: G8, WTO, NATO? Control of Nuclear Missiles