Showdown Between the Showdown Between the SuperpowersSuperpowers

p. 615-622p. 615-622

Coexistence and TensionCoexistence and Tension

Nikita Khrushchev: Stalin dies and Nikita Khrushchev: Stalin dies and Khrushchev becomes the premier of Khrushchev becomes the premier of Soviet Union.Soviet Union.

Together, Eisenhower and Together, Eisenhower and Khrushchev seek peaceful Khrushchev seek peaceful coexistence.coexistence.

SputnikSputnik

On October 4, the On October 4, the Soviet Union launches Soviet Union launches Sputnik, the first man-Sputnik, the first man-made satellite to orbit made satellite to orbit the Earth. the Earth.

In 1958, the U.S. In 1958, the U.S. creates the National creates the National Aeronautics and Space Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the Administration, and the space race is in full space race is in full gear. gear.

1960 - The U-2 1960 - The U-2 AffairAffair

On May 1, an American high-On May 1, an American high-altitude U-2 spy plane is shot altitude U-2 spy plane is shot down on a mission over the down on a mission over the Soviet Union. Soviet Union.

After the Soviets announce After the Soviets announce the capture of pilot Francis the capture of pilot Francis Gary Powers, the United Gary Powers, the United States recants earlier States recants earlier assertions that the plane assertions that the plane was on a weather research was on a weather research mission.mission.

The U-2 AffairThe U-2 Affair

Powers was sentenced to ten years in prison, including Powers was sentenced to ten years in prison, including seven years of hard labor, following an infamous show-seven years of hard labor, following an infamous show-trial. trial.

He served less than two years, however, and was He served less than two years, however, and was released in 1962 in exchange for Soviet spy Rudolf Abelreleased in 1962 in exchange for Soviet spy Rudolf Abel. .

•Suffering major embarrassment, Eisenhower was forced to admit the truth behind the mission and the U-2 program, although he refused to publicly apologize to Khrushchev.

•This refusal caused the Paris Summit to collapse when Khrushchev stormed out of negotiations.

1962 - Cuban Missile 1962 - Cuban Missile CrisisCrisis

After Bay of Pigs invasion, After Bay of Pigs invasion, the Soviet Union installed the Soviet Union installed nuclear missiles in Cuba. nuclear missiles in Cuba.

After U-2 flights Kennedy After U-2 flights Kennedy ordered a naval blockade ordered a naval blockade of Cuba on October 22 of Cuba on October 22 until the Soviet Union until the Soviet Union removed its missiles. removed its missiles.

On October 28, the Soviets On October 28, the Soviets agreed to remove the agreed to remove the missiles, defusing one of missiles, defusing one of the most dangerous the most dangerous confrontations of the Cold confrontations of the Cold War.War.

Copyright 2007 unimaps.com, used with permission

1961 - Berlin Wall1961 - Berlin Wall

On August 15, On August 15, communist communist authorities begin authorities begin construction on the construction on the Berlin Wall to Berlin Wall to prevent East prevent East Germans from Germans from fleeing to West fleeing to West Berlin.Berlin.

1969 - Vietnamization1969 - Vietnamization

1968, Richard Nixon elected President, 1968, Richard Nixon elected President, defeating Hubert Humphreydefeating Hubert Humphrey

On June 8, 1969 U.S. President Nixon On June 8, 1969 U.S. President Nixon announced his "Vietnamization" plan, announced his "Vietnamization" plan, designed to withdraw U.S ground forces designed to withdraw U.S ground forces from Vietnam and turn control of the war from Vietnam and turn control of the war over to South Vietnamese forces.over to South Vietnamese forces.

1972 – 1972 – Nixon visits Nixon visits ChinaChina

Nixon becomes the first U.S. Nixon becomes the first U.S. president to visit China, meeting president to visit China, meeting with Mao Tse-tung on February 21. with Mao Tse-tung on February 21.

The two countries issue a The two countries issue a communique recognizing their communique recognizing their "essential differences" while "essential differences" while making it clear that "normalization making it clear that "normalization of relations" was in all nations' best of relations" was in all nations' best interests. interests.

1969 -- SALT1969 -- SALT

On November 17, On November 17, the 1st phase of the 1st phase of Strategic Arms Strategic Arms Limitation TalksLimitation Talks began in Helsinki, began in Helsinki, Finland. Finland.

The finished The finished agreement, signed agreement, signed in Moscow on May in Moscow on May 26, 1972, placed 26, 1972, placed limits on both limits on both submarine-launched submarine-launched and intercontinental and intercontinental nuclear missiles. nuclear missiles.

1979 - Afghanistan1979 - Afghanistan

December 25, 100,000 Soviet troops December 25, 100,000 Soviet troops invaded Afghanistan as communist Babrak invaded Afghanistan as communist Babrak Karmal seized control of the government. Karmal seized control of the government.

U.S.-backed Muslim guerrilla fighters U.S.-backed Muslim guerrilla fighters waged a costly war against the Soviets for waged a costly war against the Soviets for nearly a decade before Soviet troops nearly a decade before Soviet troops withdraw in 1988. withdraw in 1988.

Afghanistan—the Soviet “Vietnam”Afghanistan—the Soviet “Vietnam”

Wars of LiberationWars of Liberation

1979 The Soviet invades 1979 The Soviet invades Afghanistan.Afghanistan.

U.S. arms the Taliban to over throw U.S. arms the Taliban to over throw the Soviets.the Soviets.

Today the Taliban are using the Today the Taliban are using the weapons we gave them against us.weapons we gave them against us.

The War in Afghanistan The War in Afghanistan PptPpt Presentation Presentation

1983 - Star Wars1983 - Star Wars March 23, Reagan outlinrd his March 23, Reagan outlinrd his Strategic Strategic

Defense InitiativeDefense Initiative, or "Star Wars," a space-, or "Star Wars," a space-based defensive shield that would use based defensive shield that would use lasers and other advanced technology to lasers and other advanced technology to destroy attacking missiles far above the destroy attacking missiles far above the Earth's surface. Earth's surface.

Soviets accuse the U.S of violating the Soviets accuse the U.S of violating the 1972 Antiballistic Missile Treaty. 1972 Antiballistic Missile Treaty.

Soviets forced to spend heavily to match Soviets forced to spend heavily to match the program causing near economic the program causing near economic collapsecollapse..

Collapse of the Soviet EmpireCollapse of the Soviet Empire

Reasons for Decline:Reasons for Decline:• Growing unrest of the people of Eastern Growing unrest of the people of Eastern

Europe who suffered under the yoke of Europe who suffered under the yoke of Soviet rule.Soviet rule.

• Unsettled leadership within the Soviet Unsettled leadership within the Soviet Union.Union.

• Economic woesEconomic woes• National spending on defenseNational spending on defense

Perestroika and GlasnostPerestroika and Glasnost

Mikhail Gorbachev: new Soviet premier Mikhail Gorbachev: new Soviet premier called for a wide range of social, political, called for a wide range of social, political, and economic reforms.and economic reforms.

Perestroika or restructuringPerestroika or restructuring• Increase industrial productivityIncrease industrial productivity• Stimulate technological developmentStimulate technological development• Restructure stagnant and inefficient Restructure stagnant and inefficient

bureaucracybureaucracy• Decentralize management of the economyDecentralize management of the economy• Experiment with a free market.Experiment with a free market.

Getting SupportGetting Support

Put pressure on the “Old Guard” in the Put pressure on the “Old Guard” in the communist party.communist party.

Financial assistance from the WestFinancial assistance from the West• Glasnost: openness; he wanted to create a Glasnost: openness; he wanted to create a

more democratic atmosphere in which the more democratic atmosphere in which the Soviet government would be more forthright Soviet government would be more forthright and accountable to the people.and accountable to the people.

• People were encouraged to evaluate and People were encouraged to evaluate and criticize the government.criticize the government.

• The people did not want to reform The people did not want to reform communism, they wanted abolish it.communism, they wanted abolish it.

GorbachevGorbachev ““It is evident that force or the threat of force It is evident that force or the threat of force

neither can not should be instruments of foreign neither can not should be instruments of foreign policy.”policy.”

““The principle of freedom of choice is mandatory. The principle of freedom of choice is mandatory. Refusal to recognize this principle will have Refusal to recognize this principle will have serious consequences for world peace. To deny a serious consequences for world peace. To deny a nation the freedom of choice , regardless of the nation the freedom of choice , regardless of the pretext or the verbal guise in which it is cloaked, pretext or the verbal guise in which it is cloaked, is to upset the unstable balance that has been is to upset the unstable balance that has been achieved…Freedom of choice is a universal achieved…Freedom of choice is a universal principle. It knows no exceptions.”principle. It knows no exceptions.”

Unrest in Eastern EuropeUnrest in Eastern Europe

Poland: resisted the Communist Poland: resisted the Communist party through Solidarity, which was a party through Solidarity, which was a powerful labor union.powerful labor union.• Secured the election of the first non-Secured the election of the first non-

Communist prime minister in Poland Communist prime minister in Poland since WWII.since WWII.

• Lech Walesa: the head of the Solidarity Lech Walesa: the head of the Solidarity and leader of the movement for reform and leader of the movement for reform and resistance, was elected president.and resistance, was elected president.

Wars of LiberationWars of Liberation

1979 The Soviet invades 1979 The Soviet invades Afghanistan.Afghanistan.

U.S. arms the Taliban to over throw U.S. arms the Taliban to over throw the Soviets.the Soviets.

Today the Taliban are using the Today the Taliban are using the weapons we gave them against us.weapons we gave them against us.

The War in Afghanistan The War in Afghanistan PptPpt Presentation Presentation

Berlin WallBerlin Wall

Hungary and Czechoslovakia opened Hungary and Czechoslovakia opened their borders to the West.their borders to the West.• East Germany used the countries as an East Germany used the countries as an

escape route. Hundreds and then escape route. Hundreds and then thousands escaped.thousands escaped.

• It was too late for the Communist to It was too late for the Communist to react.react.

• Berlin Wall fell in 1989Berlin Wall fell in 1989• East and West Germany are united in East and West Germany are united in

1990.1990.

Unrest in the USSRUnrest in the USSR The Baltic republics of Latvia, Lithuania, and The Baltic republics of Latvia, Lithuania, and

Estonia began seeking separation.Estonia began seeking separation. Reformers are not satisfied with Gorbachev’s Reformers are not satisfied with Gorbachev’s

progress.progress. The Communist Party force him to resign (say he The Communist Party force him to resign (say he

is “ill”).is “ill”). Boris Yeltsin an ex-Communist is elected Boris Yeltsin an ex-Communist is elected

president of Russia (the largest of the Soviet president of Russia (the largest of the Soviet Republics).Republics).• Communist party order a six month state of emergency.Communist party order a six month state of emergency.• Resistance led by Yeltsin, have a strike, the army Resistance led by Yeltsin, have a strike, the army

refuses to obey orders to fire on the crowds and the refuses to obey orders to fire on the crowds and the Communist party collapesCommunist party collapes

Commonwealth of Independent Commonwealth of Independent StatesStates

In December 1991, eleven Soviet In December 1991, eleven Soviet republics declared independence republics declared independence from the Soviet Union.from the Soviet Union.

Commonwealth of Independent Commonwealth of Independent States was established. It is an States was established. It is an organization of former countries of organization of former countries of the USSR.the USSR.

Aftermath of the Cold WarAftermath of the Cold War

Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania wanted nothing to do with the Lithuania wanted nothing to do with the USSR or the Commonwealth of USSR or the Commonwealth of Independent States.Independent States.

Three republics dominated the new Three republics dominated the new Commonwealth:Commonwealth:• Belarus and Ukraine: Most populous, most Belarus and Ukraine: Most populous, most

prosperous, and most industrialized.prosperous, and most industrialized.• Russia: more than ½ of population and more Russia: more than ½ of population and more

than ¾ of the land mass.than ¾ of the land mass.

RussiaRussia

Greater freedomGreater freedom InflationInflation UnemploymentUnemployment Why?Why?

• Antiquated technologyAntiquated technology• Inefficient management policies, poor Inefficient management policies, poor

system of transportation, worthless system of transportation, worthless currency.currency.

Eastern EuropeEastern Europe

Poland and Hungary made the Poland and Hungary made the transition without violencetransition without violence

Romania overthrew its Communist Romania overthrew its Communist leader in violent revolution, leader in violent revolution, executing dictator Nicolae Ceausesca executing dictator Nicolae Ceausesca and his wife on Christmas Dayand his wife on Christmas Day

Czechoslovakia: divided into two Czechoslovakia: divided into two halves; Czech Republic and Slovak halves; Czech Republic and Slovak Republic. Republic.

YugoslaviaYugoslavia Different ethnic groups:Different ethnic groups:

• Serbs, Croats, and SlovenesSerbs, Croats, and Slovenes Different religious groups:Different religious groups:

• Eastern OrthodoxEastern Orthodox• CatholicCatholic• MuslimMuslim

Slovenia, Croatia, Macedonia, and Bosnia Slovenia, Croatia, Macedonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina claimed independence in and Herzegovina claimed independence in 1991.1991.

Serbia and Montenegro remained together Serbia and Montenegro remained together under the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. under the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

ChinaChina 1949 Mao Zedong ordered all those who were 1949 Mao Zedong ordered all those who were

considered dangers to the Communist state considered dangers to the Communist state ( former Nationalists, businessmen, Christians) to ( former Nationalists, businessmen, Christians) to prison camps.prison camps.

Great Leap Forward: Mao’s attempt to modernize Great Leap Forward: Mao’s attempt to modernize Chinese agriculture; wrecked the Chinese steel Chinese agriculture; wrecked the Chinese steel industry and caused famine.industry and caused famine.

Cultural Revolution: Communist China’s attempt Cultural Revolution: Communist China’s attempt to stir up zeal for radical communism; resulted in to stir up zeal for radical communism; resulted in civil chaos and economic decline.civil chaos and economic decline.

Tiananmen Square: Plaza in Beijing, China; site Tiananmen Square: Plaza in Beijing, China; site of deadly confrontation between the Chinese of deadly confrontation between the Chinese army and college-aged dissidents.army and college-aged dissidents.