Summary of key topic 3 of GCSE Edexcel History course, Paper Reference 1HI0/P4. Provides in depth detail on the entire key topic 3: The end of the Cold War including: détente in the 70s and the end of détente, Reagan's second Cold War, Gorbachev, collapse of the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact.
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Key topic 3 - The end of the Cold
War 1970-91
USA leadership:
1969-74 Richard Nixon
1974-77 Gerald R Ford
1977-81 Jimmy Carter
1981-89 Ronald Reagan
1989-93 George H.W Bush
Soviet leadership:
1964-82 Brezhnev
1982-84 Yuri Andropov
1984-85 Konstantin Chernenko
1985-91 Gorbachev
Détente in the 70s
Détente - easing of hostility and strained relations
Attempts to maintain sound relations was evident in the 60s but disrupted by emerging crisis
The Cuban Missile Crisis had a sobering effect so there was détente
From that, the hotline from the Kremlin to The White House was established and Test Ban
Treaty of 1963 showed a willingness to look at the issue of nuclear weapons
But the Cold War continued
especially in the Middle East. After Israeli victory in the Six Day War of 1967, Arab
countries were drawn to the Soviet Union because the USA supplied the Israelis.
In a quest to stop spread of communism, USA sent military to Vietnam in 1965 but
could not defeat the Viet Cong and the US casualties were high making the war
unpopular.
Nixon visits Moscow, 1972
By 1968, USA wanted to end the war and peace talks started. Nixon hoped that if the USA
improved trade/technology links and offered arms reduction (referred to as linkage),
Key topic 3 - The end of the Cold War 1970-91 1
, Brezhnev would convince the allies, Viet Cong to end the war. Brezhnev made peace in
1973.
Nixon had recently visited China and Brezhnev did not want any US-China alliance.
Brezhnev wanted access to US technology, grain and reduced arms spending.
Nixon agreed to take part in a European Security Conference from which came the
Helsinki Agreements. Nixon wanted détente so made a public declaration with the Soviet
Union.
SALT I, May 1972
Talks held in Helsinki and Vienna over three years between the Soviet Union and the USA
produced the first agreements, Strategic Arms Limitation Talks I.
AGREEMENTS
Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty - ABM systems only allowed at 2 sites with a max. of 100.
(ABMs designed to counter intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Interim Agreement on offensive arms - 5 year freeze on number of ICBM and submarine
missile launchers.
LIMITATIONS
Did not limit number of strategic bombers
Each side allowed to use satellites to check
Yom Kippur War, 24 October 1973
Syria and Egypt (Soviet Union) made surprised attacks on Israel (USA). After Israel recovered
the USA were sent military equipment.
Brezhnev proposed a joint USA-Soviet force to be on hand to save the Egyptian army from the
Israelis. If USA refused Soviet forces would go separately. Nixon refused and put all US forces
on alert.
Instead, the USA suggested a UN peacekeeping force of non-nuclear countries. Brezhnev
accepted and the Yom Kippur War ended with a ceasefire on 24 October 1973.
Nixon visits Moscow, July 1974
The leaders agreed:
continue to removed danger of war involving nuclear weapons
limit and end the arms race - complete disarmament
contribute to eliminate sources of international tension and military conflict
Key topic 3 - The end of the Cold War 1970-91 2
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