The END of the COLD WAR [AP World History Review—Unit 8 Topic 8]

Summary

This video discusses the key causes of the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. It highlights three major factors: the technological and military advancements of the U.S., particularly the Strategic Defense Initiative; the failed Soviet invasion of Afghanistan that drained the Soviet economy; and the reforms of Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, including perestroika and glasnost, which allowed dissent and weakened Soviet control. These factors, along with the growing independence movements within Eastern Europe, led to the eventual dissolution of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Cold War ended quickly due to the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.
• 😀 The United States' technological and military advancements played a crucial role in the end of the Cold War, especially the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), which sought to neutralize nuclear missile threats using space-based defense systems.
• 😀 The Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) was nicknamed 'Star Wars' due to its plan to shoot down nuclear missiles with lasers from space.
• 😀 The Soviet Union's inability to keep up with the U.S. military spending and technological advancements led to further economic decline, exacerbating the collapse of the Soviet system.
• 😀 The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 significantly weakened the Soviet Union, as it faced a prolonged and costly guerrilla war against Afghan rebels, supported by the U.S., Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan.
• 😀 The Soviet Union's prolonged involvement in Afghanistan strained its resources and further deepened its economic crisis, contributing to the eventual collapse.
• 😀 Mikhail Gorbachev's leadership in 1985 marked a turning point with policies like Perestroika (economic restructuring) and Glasnost (openness), which aimed to reform the Soviet economy and allow criticism of the government.
• 😀 The Soviet economy had been stagnating since the 1970s, hindered by inefficient central planning and government control over agriculture.
• 😀 Gorbachev's policies allowed for democratic reforms across Eastern Europe, which led to the rise of independence movements and the collapse of the Soviet bloc.
• 😀 The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 symbolized the end of Soviet control in Eastern Europe, and the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 marked the official end of the Cold War.

Q & A

What were the main causes for the end of the Cold War according to the video?

The video identifies three main causes for the end of the Cold War: technological and military advancements of the United States, the failed Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, and the policies of Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.

What was the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) and how did it impact the Cold War?

The Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) was a missile defense system proposed by U.S. President Ronald Reagan, which aimed to shoot down nuclear missiles from space using lasers. Though it never came to fruition, it symbolized a technological and military divide between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, putting pressure on the Soviet economy.

Why did the Soviet Union struggle economically in the 1970s and 1980s?

The Soviet economy struggled due to stagnation in foreign trade, inefficient government control of agriculture, and the cost of maintaining military and political control over its satellite states. This led to a lack of resources and growing discontent.

How did the U.S. respond to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan?

The U.S. supported Afghan rebel groups, such as the Mujahideen, with military aid and resources, which prolonged the Soviet's conflict in Afghanistan. The Soviet Union's inability to win the war significantly weakened its economy and contributed to its eventual collapse.

What was the significance of the U.S.-Soviet nuclear arms race?

The nuclear arms race, particularly in the 1980s, involved both superpowers amassing massive nuclear arsenals. This mutual buildup of nuclear weapons created a climate of constant tension, with both sides aware that any nuclear war would lead to mutual assured destruction, which acted as a deterrent but also drained resources.

What was 'Glasnost' and how did it contribute to the Soviet Union's downfall?

'Glasnost' was a policy of openness introduced by Mikhail Gorbachev that allowed public criticism and discussions about the government. It exposed deep dissatisfaction with the Soviet system and contributed to growing political unrest, leading to calls for reform and eventual independence movements within the Soviet Union.

How did Mikhail Gorbachev’s leadership differ from previous Soviet leaders?

Mikhail Gorbachev differed from previous leaders by introducing significant reforms, including 'Perestroika' (economic restructuring) and 'Glasnost' (openness). He also decided to stop using military force to maintain control over Eastern Europe, which weakened the Soviet Union's hold on its satellite states.

What was the result of Gorbachev's decision to stop military intervention in Eastern Europe?

Gorbachev's decision to end military intervention allowed democratic reform movements to grow across Eastern Europe, which led to the fall of Communist governments in countries like East Germany, Poland, and Czechoslovakia, and eventually contributed to the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

What role did the Berlin Wall play in the end of the Cold War?

The Berlin Wall was symbolic of the division between East and West during the Cold War. Its fall in 1989, followed by the reunification of Germany, was a key event that demonstrated the collapse of Communist control in Eastern Europe and signaled the end of the Cold War.

How did the Soviet Union's attempts to keep up with U.S. military spending contribute to its collapse?

The Soviet Union's attempts to match the U.S. military spending, particularly in areas like the SDI, drained resources from its already struggling economy. This overextension contributed to economic decline, which ultimately played a significant role in the dissolution of the Soviet Union.