The end of détente and the ‘Second Cold War’ Flashcards

All 8 cards in this deck

What happened in Afghanistan in 1979, and what was its effect on détente?

The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan; this ended détente, causing renewed East–West tension, the Carter Doctrine and the US failure to ratify SALT 2.

What was the Carter Doctrine (1980)?

A US statement that military force would be used to defend US interests in the Persian Gulf, taking a tougher line against the USSR after the invasion of Afghanistan.

True or false? Both superpowers boycotted Olympic Games in the 1980s.

True. The USA led a boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics, and the USSR led a boycott of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics by communist countries.

How did Reagan change US defence policy after becoming President in 1981?

He greatly increased defence spending, including new stealth bombers, Trident nuclear submarines and the development of the neutron bomb.

What was the Strategic Defence Initiative (SDI)?

Reagan's 'Star Wars' plan for a satellite-based system to destroy incoming Soviet missiles; the USSR could not afford to match such technology.

Give one way Gorbachev acted to reduce superpower tensions in the 1980s.

He announced reductions in Soviet defence spending, because the USSR could not keep up with the arms race (he also withdrew from Afghanistan and ended the Brezhnev Doctrine).

Why did the USSR invade Afghanistan in December 1979?

To prop up Afghanistan's communist government, a Soviet ally on its southern border, which was losing a civil war against Muslim rebels. The USSR used the Brezhnev Doctrine to justify the invasion.

How did Reagan's approach to the USSR change after Gorbachev came to power in 1985?

Reagan judged Gorbachev to be a new kind of Soviet leader and moved from confrontation to negotiation. They met at Geneva in 1985, got on well, and held several further summits.