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Chapter 9: End of Cold War

Focuses:1. What were the weaknesses of the

Communist System and the Economy in the USSR?

2. How did Gorbachev try to get the system to work again?

– What were Perestroika and Glasnost, how did they affect USSR?

– How did they affect Eastern Europe?

3. Why did the Soviet Union Collapse?

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Background

Leaders of the Soviet Union• Joseph Stalin, 1945-1953 (post-war)

– Economic transformation in the USSR’s industry and agriculture

– Suffering for the people

• Nikita Khrushchev 1953-1964 – A reformist of Stalinism (destalinisation)– Introduced reforms to improve food

production– Gave people more say in running industry &

agriculture– Proposed to end the Cold War

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Background: The Soviet Union 1953-85Leaders of the Soviet Union• Leonid Brezhnev 1964-82

– “An age of stagnation”– Wanted to reverse Khrushchev reforms

• Foreign policy under Brezhnev – Began a policy of détente with the USA

• lessening of tensions – co-existence

– Achievements of Détente – Relationship improved• Started talks known as SALT that agreed to limit

certain types of nuclear weapons• Signed the Helsinki Accords

Background

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Limitations of Détente- Maintained competition

Continuation of the arms race and the space race

- Continuation of the Cold War in the form of proxy wars

Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968 - Gave rise to the Brezhnev Doctrine

US involvement in the Vietnam War, 1960s-1973

Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, 1979

Background

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• USSR did not have an effective government for 10 years

1976 – 1982 – Brezhnev was ill1982 – 1983 – Yuri Andropov who was also

ill1984 – 1985 – Konstantin Chernenko, also

ill

Weaknesses of Communist Govt

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Weaknesses of Communist Govt

STATE BUREAUCRACY

Security (KGB)

• Censorship

• Political arrests

• Surveillance

• Passport system to control movement in USSR

Industry Gosplan

• Sets production targets

• Decides what to produce

• Provides Raw Materials

• Keeps any profits

Society

• Housing provided

• Jobs provided

• Education provided

• Healthcare provided

• Coupons for basic foods

Agriculture

• State-run farms

• Small plots for farmers’ own use

• State decides crops to grow

•State keeps surplus

•State sets production targets

Trade

• Foreign Trade Ministry controls trade

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Command Economy

In control of Eastern Europe via Comecon

State sets production targets & fixes wages

Run by those loyal to Comm Party, not those

with best skills GOSPLAN supplies raw materials

Hard for Eastern bloc to become self sufficient

Protectionist trade + Eastern bloc

Just 1 good production for convenience of

USSR

Profit into state ventures, not reinvested

No incentive to work well

Quantity, and not quality, emphasised

Coupon scamsDelays

Slow

Choices not always best

Initiative & innovation discouraged

Corruption

Weaknesses of Communist Govt

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1. Ineffective Government Politburo controlled by the Communist

Party- Dominated by the ‘old guards’ / ‘hardliners’- Refused to introduce changes- Corruption among party and governmental

officials- Officials chosen based on favouritism,

friendship and length in Communist Party

Weaknesses of Communist Govt

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2. Inefficient economy Low levels of economic growth in the

late 1970s and early 1980s Low productivity of Soviet industry

- Paid workers regardless of work quality- Gave workers lifetime employment- Problem of alcohol

Little incentive for local factories to make improvement

Weaknesses of Communist Govt

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Investment focused on heavy industry – military and defence industry

- USSR was head of Warsaw Pact – led defence of the E. European countries and supported Communist allies

- Serious shortage of basic goods- Rise of black markets – govt couldn’t collect tax

Disorganised transportation and distribution system

- Factories were located far away- Time wasted on getting the raw materials to

factories- crops sometimes rot and go to waste during

bumper crops or large harvest because of inefficient transport system

Weaknesses of Communist Govt

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Low agricultural production- insufficient workers to harvest crops

- did not use technology to improve its farms and factories- fell in output

Little contact with the world economy- unable to sell goods abroad

Weaknesses of Communist Govt

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3. External Pressure Ronald Reagan’s ‘Star Wars’ Programme

- Aimed to create a defensive shield of laser-beam firing satellites

- USSR’s economy too weak to keep up with Reagan’s new arms race, which cost US$4 trillion

- USSR worried about the new measures, pushed to improve relations with USA

Significance?

Weaknesses of Communist Govt

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Pressure within the Eastern Europe Bloc- Eastern bloc not united- Rising displeasure and resentment against

USSR’s Politburo- Financial support to Warsaw pact allies,

caused strain in USSR- USSR spent US$3 billion annually on its

satellite states- Not including cost incurred from proxy wars.

Eg War in Afghanistan

Food for thought: Was the Comm Govt a total failure?

Weaknesses of Communist Govt

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Social Structure

PROVIDES JOBS

• Does not allow movement between jobs

• Does not encourage incentive & good work

PROVIDES EDUCATION

• Syllabus content controlled by state

PROVIDES BASIC FOOD VIA COUPONS

• Minimal amts of food

• State stores do not always have food to exchange for coupons

PROVIDES CHEAP TRANSPORT

• Mostly in cities

• Travel in USSR restricted, passport system in force

PROVIDES HEALTHCARE

• Hospital poorly maintained

• Few Drugs

• Staff Overworked

PROVIDES SECURITY

• Police state controls drugs & crime but also punishes ordinary citizens

• Police control many aspects of ordinary life

PROVIDES HOUSING

• Not enough housing & overcrowding common

• Poor quality

• Irregular services

Weaknesses of Communist Govt

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Weaknesses of Communist Govt

What are your conclusions about the Communist Govt in USSR?

•Political

•Ineffective gov’t that is backwards and not receptive towards any improvement as it was controlled by old guards who did not want to endanger their own position of power

•Economic

•Unable to provide for a comfortable standard of living for its people. Very inefficient system- unable to prosper. Any changes to the economic system was blocked by the old guards.

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Gorbachev’s Reforms

Perestroika“ Restructuring” of the economy

Glasnost“ Openness” for the political system

PerestroikaAim: To restructure the economy & political institutions in the USSR

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Changes in foreign policy- Cut defence budget- Withdrew Soviet troops from Afghanistan- Aimed to end Soviet competition in the

arms race- Stopped supporting communist

governments in E. Europe – let Eastern European countries go their own way (The Sinatra Doctrine 1985)

Gorbachev’s Reforms

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Social Programme continued with anti-alcohol programme

started by Andropov Increased price of Vodka Raise legal drinking age from 18-21 Reduced hours of alcohol sales Result: Unpopular campaign – Failed

Gorbachev’s Reforms

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Central Planning Ended Introduced the Law on State Enterprises

- Allowed market forces to decide type and prices of goods produced and workers’ wages

- Gave businesses more independence from govt or state ministries

Encouraged workers to form small, privately owned cooperatives

Allowed foreign companies to invest in joint ventures

Permitted business to export goods & set prices to earn foreign currency

Gorbachev’s Reforms

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Increased amount of land available for private farming

Introduced some democracy within the Communist Party

- Ended appointment of members of local Soviet by the Communist Party

- Allowed for election of members instead Result: Met with resistance from the ‘old

guards’ They felt that these changes were not

acceptable as they were not consistent with Stalin’s style of communism.

Gorbachev’s Reforms

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Market Economy introduced Economic change – Allowed groups of

farmers to lease land for a fixed price- sold surplus on the open market (capitalism)

Political changes Aim: To introduce political institutions to

bypass existing ones that were resisting perestroika

- Replaced old parliament (Supreme Soviet) with the Congress of People’s Deputies (CPD)

Gorbachev’s Reforms

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Formed new Supreme Soviet (an organisation that make laws in USSR)

- Results:- Elected Gorbachev as President of the

USSR – could operate independently of the Communist Party

- Rise of open political debate and discussion

- Gave people a choice of candidates to vote for

Gorbachev’s Reforms

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Glasnost (openness) Reasons

- To restore faith in the government- To end corruption- To reform the Communist Party in order to carry

out Perestroika reforms

Reforms (pg 241)- Relaxed censorship- Allowed for the press and the TV to criticise the

govt- Permitted for open discussion & reduced

suppression of information- Allowed for publication of previously-banned books

and publications

Gorbachev’s Reforms

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Glasnost (openness) Reforms

- Set up independent media agencies outside control of Communist Party

- Gave religious freedom- Allowed for spread of western idea, music

and businesses- Encouraged workers to voice opinions,

criticise corrupt/incompetent bosses & suggest improvements

Gorbachev hoped that these reforms would make CPSU more open to new ideas, more democratic and uncorrupted.

Gorbachev’s Reforms

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The Result of Perestroika Economic growth did not improve

- 1988-1989: Pre-Perestroika level- 1990 & 1991: Fall of national income- 1991: Serious crisis

Severe shortages of basic consumer goods Revival of black markets Rationing of goods Govt printed money to pay workers’ increased

wages Increase in number of people living in poverty Rise of strikes against the govt.

How Gorbachev’s refoms affected USSR

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The Result of Glasnost Rise of criticism against the govt

- Gorbachev & his failure to improve the economy

- Military defeat in Afghanistan Discoveries of corruption among leaders

- Loss in confidence in the Communist Party- Weakened appeal of communism

Re-examination of Soviet History – discredited the Communist regime

Eg: Stalin’s atrocities

How Gorbachev’s refoms affected USSR

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Impact of Glasnost & Perestroika on Eastern Bloc

Gorbachev’s actions: Encouraged E. European govts to adopt

reforms Allowed Communist hardliners to be

replaced by more reformist leaders Refused to use the Red Army to support the

Communist govt in E. Europe Result:

Growing expression of discontent Rising expectation of significant changes

within the country Weakening of Communism – Led to fall of

communism in E. Europe

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Impact of Glasnost & Perestroika on Eastern Bloc

Poland The trade union, Solidarity, had won support

from Polish Workers Outlawed in 1981 Remained influential

The Polish Communist govt started talks with Solidarity leaders

Allowed for free elections in June 1989 Solidarity won most of the seats – formed a

solidarity coalition govt Was first non-communist govt in E. Europe Renamed as the Republic of Poland with Lech

Walesa (Leader of Solidarity) as President

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Hungary Changes started in early 1980s

Eg. : Allowed for independent candidates to stand against Communist Party candidates

Talks took place between the Communist govt & opposition groups

The barbed wires separating Hungary & Austria were removed in May 1989 – opened first chink in the Iron Curtain

Free elections held in March 1990 – The Communist Party was defeated and the state was renamed the Hungarian Republic

Started reforms Introduced market economy, set up many political

parties

Impact of Glasnost & Perestroika on Eastern Bloc

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East GermanyBackground- Divided into West Germany (GFR) and East

Germany (GDR)- Built Berlin Wall in August 1961- Leader: Eric Honecker – resistant to change- Rise of protest- May 1989 – Removal of barbed wires between

Hungary & Austria- East Germans escaped to the West via Austria

- Honecker tried to get Hungary to close its borders.

- It accelerated the exodus of Germans to Hungary

Impact of Glasnost & Perestroika on Eastern Bloc

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East Germany- Oct 1989: Gorbachev visited East

Germany- Told Honecker that USSR would not provide

military help to put down the demonstrations

- Wanted political changes to take place in E Germany

- Honecker resigned- 9 Nov 1989: The Berlin Wall was opened- 1990: The Berlin Wall was demolished

Impact of Glasnost & Perestroika on Eastern Bloc

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Impact of Glasnost & Perestroika on Eastern Bloc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnYXbJ_bcLc

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East Germany- Significance of the fall

- 3 million East Berliners crossed to W Berlin- Berlin Wall was a symbol of the Iron Curtain

–- Symbol of the collapse of Communism –

Inspired other E European countries to end Comm rule

- Eg: Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Romania and Yugoslavia

- Re-unification of Germany became possible in Oct 1990.

Impact of Glasnost & Perestroika on Eastern Bloc

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Czechoslovakia- Gorbachev encouraged the Czech

leaders to reform Communism – Resisted

- Nov 1989: a huge anti-govt demonstration in Prague was put down harshly – triggered off larger demonstration

- The comm govt overwhelmed – Resigned

- Democratic elections held – A non-communist govt formed

Impact of Glasnost & Perestroika on Eastern Bloc

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Impact of Glasnost & Perestroika on Eastern Bloc

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Romania- Rule of Nicolae Ceausescu since 1965

(one of the most ruthless rule in Europe)- Ceausescu refused to implement reforms- An anti-govt demonstration started in Dec

1989 – harshly put down- Rise of bloody battles between the secret

police, the army and the demonstrators- Ceausescu fled Bucharest – later captured &

then sentenced to death- May 1990: Elections held & new govt

dominated by former communists, was formed

Impact of Glasnost & Perestroika on Eastern Bloc

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Impact of Glasnost & Perestroika on Eastern Bloc

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1. The speed of reform Inherited problems from Stalin’s era Had a govt machinery that could not cope

with so many changes so quickly

2. The size of the USSR’s problem Inherited problems from Stalin’s era Had to deal with corruption and inefficiency

3. Lack of support from the West Welcomed the reforms Refused to give huge loans needed to

finance them

The End of the Soviet Empire

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4. Opposition from Communist hardliners Felt the reforms went against Communist

principles Believed the security of the USSR was

endangered through reducing armaments Felt the USSR was threatened when it

withdrew from Eastern European countries and let them decide their own future

5. Opposition from the Soviet people Caused people to see problem with the

Communist govt Led to demand for more extensive reforms

at a quicker pace

The End of the Soviet Empire

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6. The multi-ethnic nature of the Soviet Union

USSR was made up of different people and nationalities – could no longer be held together by the central govt and the Red Army

1989: Red Army was in disarray Heavy losses in Afghanistan Soviet govt struggled to pay wages of the

soldiers

The End of the Soviet Empire

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIyP7Ji-TWk&feature=related

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The End of the Soviet Empire

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The collapse of USSR Background

USSR was a union of 15 Republics Russia was the largest & most powerful 270 different nationalities speaking different

languages Impact of Perestroika & Glasnost: Re-

emergence of nationalism in Soviet Union

The Baltic states demanded for separation from the USSR

The End of the Soviet Empire

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The collapse of USSR March 1990: Lithuania declared

independence – Occupied by the Soviet army

Rise of similar demands for independence in other Republics

The stability & unity of the USSR threatened

Used force (eg. Baltic States) Gave concessions

By 1991: The USSR was on the verge of breaking up

The End of the Soviet Empire

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The Trigger: The August Coup By 1990: Gorbachev had lost support within

Central govt Blamed by hardliners for the breakup of USSR Criticised by pro-democratic group by Boris Yeltsin

18 Aug 1991: The hardliners launched a coup to seize power

Put Gorbachev under house arrest & ruled the USSR by emergency decree

Yeltsin gathered supporters to condemn coup & get pp to resist the coup leaders

The coup leaders asked the military to stop the demonstrations – refused to open fire

21 Aug 1991 – coup collapsed

The End of the Soviet Empire

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Aftermath Gorbachev’s reputation was destroyed –

resigned on 25 Dec 1991 Fall in support of communism The collapse of the USSR sped up The Commonwealth of Independent

States was formed in Jan 1992 Boris Yeltsin became president of the

new Russia

The End of the Soviet Empire

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Boris Yeltsin became president of the new Russia

The End of the Soviet Empire