This document goes over the following concepts:
How has the world changed since the 1960s?
• What events led to the end of the Cold War?
An in-depth analysis of what factors contributed to the collapse of the USSR and ending of the Cold War.
− Challenges facing the USSR by the early 1980...
The End of the Cold War
The collapse of communism in the USSR
Mikhail Gorbachev becomes the leader of the USSR in March 1985. USSR Faces many problems:
● Ronald Reagan in the USA wants to increase arms: “Star Wars”.USSR does not have the funds to
complete
● USSR involved in costly proxy wars such as the war in Afghanistan - ‘Soviet’s Vietnam.”
● The Soviet economy in dire straits after 40 years of communism. People tired of low wages, food
queues and lack of basic commodities
● Soviet citizens were tired of the regime which is characterized by a lack of rights.
● Rising nationalism in satellite states. Protest action in Eastern Europe.
● The embarrassment of the Chernobyl explosion(April 1986)
Reforms
Perestroika: Economic Reform (‘Restructuring”):
● Aimed to grow the economy without freeing it from state control.
● Investment from the capitalist West encouraged Private ownership.
● People were given permission to buy and sell goods for profit.
● Workers and managers allowed to make decisions about how to run enterprises.
● Economic conditions get worse!
● Hardiness says this is capitalism. People say “Why not just change to capitalism.”
Glasnost: Social reform - ‘Openness’ (a ‘culture of debate’):
● Lifted censorship
● Travelled around the country listening to grievances
● Allowed formation of political parties other than the CCP (Democratisation.)
Gorbachev is faced with a backlash of anger and criticism.
● The truth of the USSR’s repressive leader revealed. Makes people even more determined to get
complete change!
Change in Policy towards the Satellite States:
● Gorbachev makes it clear that the Soviet Union and the Red Army will no longer intervene in the
Satellite States to uphold communism.
Mass protest in satellite states 1989. One by one the satellite states throw off their communist
governments.
(Poland - Solidarity. Czechoslovakia- Velvet Revolution)
Berlin wall falls! 9 Nov 1989
, 2
Why was the collapse of
communism the turning point for
South Africa
The situation in SA at the end of the 1980s:
● Apartheid rule under the leadership of PW Botha and the National Party.
● The country faces an internal crisis: mass protests, MK sabotage, financial crisis.
● The country is on the brink of a civil war
● External pressure to reform: South Africa becoming increasingly isolated from the international
community. South Africa deals with sanctions.
● Botha refuses to listen to advice or admit the needs for drastic change.
● Secret negotiations happening between ANC and influential South Africans.
● Botha suffers a stroke. When he returns to the office, his cabinet tells him that he must resign.
● FW de Klerk becomes president of South Africa in September 1989.
● de Klerk news the only way to save South Africa from Disaster is to reform ( must negotiate with
ANC).
BUT THEN
Superpowers grow weary of endless involvement in proxy wars - an end to their involvement in the Angolan
Civil War.
● In 1988 the New York agreement: as part of the Peace treaty for Angola, South Africa agrees to the
Independence of South Africa ( Namibia).
● In 1989 peaceful, democratic elections Warehouse in South West Africa.
● Namibia transition smoothly into a SWAPO ( similar in ideology to ANC) led the country.
November 1989: The unexpected fall of the Berlin Wall
This symbolises:
● The collapse of communism
● The end of the Cold War
USA and UK no longer have any reason to support an apartheid government in SA.
ANC can no longer be seen as the enemy because of their socialist policies ( no more ‘Total Onslaught’0
SA can no longer justify its political prisoners
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