The end of the Cold War, 1970-91
I can explain the key events in the period 1970-91 that led to the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War.
The end of the Cold War, 1970-91
I can explain the key events in the period 1970-91 that led to the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- In the 1970s, the USA and the USSR followed a policy of Détente, which led to reduced tensions and greater cooperation.
- Détente had ended by the end of the 1970s; events like the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan led to increased tensions.
- Reagan's confrontational approach led to a period of increased hostility known as the Second Cold War.
- Gorbachev's 'new thinking' encouraged a positive response from the USA and led to an improvement in US-Soviet relations.
- By the end of 1991, the USSR had collapsed due to economic problems and demands for independence from its republics.
Common misconception
US-Soviet relations only began to decline when Reagan became US President in January 1981.
There had been a significant decline in superpower relations before Reagan became US President. For example, in 1979, the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and Carter’s response led to a serious increase in tension.
Keywords
Détente - the relaxation of tensions between states which were previously hostile towards one another
Cold War - a period between c. 1945 and c. 1991 of intense rivalry and tension between the USA and the USSR
Reform - a change introduced to improve something, often a system or law
Dissolution - when a country or organisation officially ends or breaks apart
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
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