C old W ar The End of the

Arms Race - Mutually Assured Destruction

Berlin Wall

The USSR in the 1970’s U.S. and U.S.S.R. entered a period of “détente” or peaceful co-existence Atomic parity had been reached Soviet society had “relaxed” Soviet system was considered “stale” - the leadership was completely out of touch with the people The economy was stagnant

U.S. and U.S.S.R. entered a period of “détente” or peaceful co-existence

Atomic parity had been reached

Soviet society had “relaxed”

Soviet system was considered “stale” - the leadership was completely out of touch with the people

The economy was stagnant

“ We in no way aspire to be the bearer of ultimate truth.” Mikhail Gorbachev in a December 1988 speech to the United Nations General Assembly

Mikhail Gorbachev Became General Secretary in 1985 Recognized problems in USSR, intended to fix them while maintaining communist control

Became General Secretary in 1985

Recognized problems in USSR, intended to fix them while maintaining communist control

Mikhail Gorbachev He introduced two terms to the Russian people Perestroika - Restructuring of society, government, and economy Glasnost - Openness of discussions of the nation’s problems, got rid of lies and propaganda

He introduced two terms to the Russian people

Perestroika - Restructuring of society, government, and economy

Glasnost - Openness of discussions of the nation’s problems, got rid of lies and propaganda

Foreign Affairs Offered Olive Branch to United States - abandoned anti-west rhetoric Arms control became a top priority Held a summit with Reagan in 1985 Refused to interfere in reform movements in Eastern Europe

Offered Olive Branch to United States - abandoned anti-west rhetoric

Arms control became a top priority

Held a summit with Reagan in 1985

Refused to interfere in reform movements in Eastern Europe

Reform Cut defense budget March 1989, 1st free elections since 1917 Criticized for being too cautious Coup by hard line communists removed him Boris Yeltsin helped convince troops not to back communists, coup ends, Yeltsin wins coming election. 1991 the Soviet Union peacefully breaks up into 15 republics

Cut defense budget

March 1989, 1st free elections since 1917

Criticized for being too cautious

Coup by hard line communists removed him

Boris Yeltsin helped convince troops not to back communists, coup ends, Yeltsin wins coming election.

1991 the Soviet Union peacefully breaks up into 15 republics

Eastern Europe

Eastern Europe 1989 - Poland - Legalizes the Solidarity Party and hold free elections November 9, 1989 - Berlin Wall falls, starts the reunification process 1989 - Hungary disbands the communist party 1989 - Czechoslovakia holds free elections 1989 - Romania overthrows Ceausescu after hundreds killed

1989 - Poland - Legalizes the Solidarity Party and hold free elections

November 9, 1989 - Berlin Wall falls, starts the reunification process

1989 - Hungary disbands the communist party

1989 - Czechoslovakia holds free elections

1989 - Romania overthrows Ceausescu after hundreds killed

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