Stages of cold war
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5.2.
PERIOD OF COEXISTENCE: THE DÉTENTE (1956-1976) The USSR emerged as a nuclear
Power. Not only the USA could start a nuclear war. The possibility of Mutually
Assured Destruction (MAD) A period of dialogue and relaxed international
political tensions (the détente) started
¡
During this period there were a number of conflicts that put this period of
Dialogue in danger. In 1961 the communists built the Berlin wall, which
Physically separated West Berlin from the eastern part. In 1962 the USSR
Attempted to install military bases in Cuba and provoked the Cuban Missile
Crisis. Vietnam War. The communist government of North Vietnam tried to unify
The country and the USA intervened to help the proWestern government of the
South.
5.3.
A RETURN TO TENSION AND THE END OF THE COLD WAR (1977-1991) Tension period
(1977-1985) • The USSR: ¡ Tried to achieve military hegemony by installing
Nuclear missiles (US-20) in Asian and European territories under its control,
Some of them directly pointing towards Western Europe. ¡ The invasion of
Afghanistan in 1979 in support of the communist government ¡ USSR intervention
In some African conflicts.
Tension
Period (1977-1985) • The USA: ¡ Supported some Latin American dictatorships and
Increased its military budget. ¡ President Ronald Reagan started a Program of
Strategic Defense, known as Star Wars, to develop an anti-missile shield.
The
End of the Cold War • The URSS led by Gorbachev changed its policy (1985) ¡
Reopened the dialogue with the USA ¡ Withdrew troops from Afghanistan ¡ Gave
More autonomy to the socialist republics. ¡ The Cold War finished with the
Dissolution of the USSR in 1991. ¡ The USA then became the sole world super
Power.
6.3.
MEASURES TO SOLVE THE CRISIS
• Some
Governments such as USA (Reagan) and Britain (Thatcher) adopted neo-liberal
Policies: 1. • Reduced the intervention of the state in the economy 2. •
Privatized public companies 3. • Reduced public spending 4. • Reduced social
Services 5. • Made employment laws more flexible 6. • Reduced taxes
7.1.
REFORMS IN THE SOVIET UNION ¡ When Brezhnev died (1982) and USSR was suffering a
Political and economic crisis. ¡ Gorbachev implemented a number of reforms:
Perestroika, or “reconstruction” - series of political and economic reforms
Acceptance of private enterprise and personal economic incentives. Recognition
Of different political parties and free elections These reforms opened the USSR
Up to modernity and reduced the intervention of the state.
Glasnost,
Or “openness” allow freedom of speech, opinion and the press Tried to achieve
Transparency in politics ¡ These reforms were strongly opposed by: Traditional
Communists They believed they would destroy the communist system Radical
Reformers They believed they did not go far enough.
5.1
THE FIRST STAGE (1939-1941) ¡ Victories of the Axis Powers. ¡ Germany launched a
“blitzkrieg” or lightning war à concentrating a great force of tanks and planes
To break through enemy lines. ¡ Thanks to Russia’s neutrality, the Nazis
Conquered most of Western Europe (Denmark, Norway, Luxembourg, Belgium, the Low
Countries and France). ¡ United Kingdom managed to stop them.
Italy
Supported Germany and attacked France from the south. ¡ France was forced to
Sign an armistice and recognize the division of its territory: ¡ An occupied
Territory under German control ¡ A collaborationist government in the south
Established in the city of Vichy. ¡ The Nazis went on to conquer: ¡ North Africa
¡ The Balkans ¡ Started the invasion of Russia, reaching Moscow and Stalingrad
(1941).
5.2
THE SECOND STAGE (1941-1945) ¡ In 1941 Japan destroyed the American fleet at
Pearl Harbour, and this provoked the USA to join the war