Cold War Thaws

Back
1) WHAT DOES THAW MEAN?
WHAT DOES THAW HAVE TO DO WITH THE COLD WAR?
When you get frozen meat out of your refrigerator and put it on the kitchen table, the
frozen meat begins to melt or THAW. When you put an ice cube on a table, it begins to
THAW. It begins to warm up. The Cold War begins to THAW in the 1970s. This
means that the relationship between the USSR and the USA begins to warm up. In other
words, the Cold War relations improve.

1
COLD WAR THAWS
What does Thaw mean?

1
COLD WAR THAWS
What does Thaw mean? Warming of relations

Back
2) WHAT WAS BRINKMANSHIP & DETENTE?
Two words that define the mood of Cold War diplomatic relations between the two superpowers were
Brinkmanship and Détente. Brinkmanship is an intimidation strategy to push an enemy to the point of a disaster. The
strategy is to push an enemy to the ‘brink’ or to the edge and by doing so the hope is the enemy will back down to avoid all
out disaster. Of course, this strategy runs the risk of all out nuclear war. In other words, two sides using immense pressure
to get opposing to back down can lead to one of the sides not backing down but responding militarily and thus triggering
nuclear war on the most tragic of scales. Examples of Brinkmanship are the Cuban Missile Crisis and Berlin Wall Crisis at
Check Point Charlie. Leaders often associated with Brinkmanship are John Kennedy (US) and Nikita Khrushchev (USSR).
The policy of Brinkmanship is usually associated with the early part years of the Cold War (1950s – early 60s).
Détente is a French word meaning “relaxation” and is another Cold War strategy that developed after Brinkmanship
(associated with later 60s and 1970s). It is a very different approach than Brinkmanship. Détente was formed as a result of
the intense and near disastrous Cuban Missile Crisis and Berlin Wall Crisis. Neither was likely to change the others’ mind.
Thus, Détente proposed both superpowers needed to learn how to cooperate and co-exist with each other. It was in the
interest of the 2 superpowers, humanity and the world for such an approach to be taken. Détente is often associated with
longtime Soviet Leader Brezhnev and President Richard Nixon of the late 1960s and early 1970s and Jimmy Carter of the
late 1970s. Détente was intended to warm up relations and hopefully decrease tension between super powers.

2
Reference Meaning Term Definition
COLD

WARM

2
COLD Bad


WARM Better


2
COLD Bad Brinkmanship


WARM Better Détente


2
COLD Bad Brinkmanship a) Pushing an enemy to
the point of disaster


WARM Better Détente a) Less tension
 b) Flexible to differences
c) Realist politics

2
COLD Bad Brinkmanship • Pushing an enemy to
the point of disaster

• Create immense
pressure until one
side backs down

WARM Better Détente a) Less tension
 b) Flexible to differences
c) Realist politics
d) French word for
relaxation

3 De-Stalinization Back
Back
After Stalin’s death, Khrushchev denounced many of Stalin’s actions as being harmful, wrong and against
Leninist / communist ideals. He denounced the gulag system under Stalin and allowed for the publishing of
One Day In The Life of Ivan Denisovich, a classic about the horrors of Stalin’s gulags. Under Khrushchev,
the Soviet Union was more open and less censored than under Stalin. By the time Khrushchev left power, the
Soviet Union was not the harsh totalitarian state it was under Stalin. However, more hardliner communists like
Brezhnev viewed Khrushchev as a failure that made the Soviet Union weaker. Thus, Brezhnev returned to
more harsh governmental practices.

Brezhnev

3

What was De-Stalinization?

3

De-Stalinization
After Stalin’s death, Khrushchev denounced many of
Stalin’s actions as being harmful, wrong and against
Leninist / communist ideals.

USSR Leader Chinese Leader
Nikita Khrushchev 4 China & Russia Split 4 Mao Zedong
2. Yes, Hello Comrade Back
China & Russia Split
1. Hello Mao

3. It is good to show the world communist 4. Yes, and since we are communist we
brothers together! share everything

5. Da! Da! Da! We are equal partners, 6. Since we are equal and we share… you
unlike selfish capitalists! will give us nuclear weapons, yes?

7. Nyet! I mean… well, We will share our 8. But we are equals...We should share…
nuclear missiles by protecting you Are you a true communist?
from imperialist Americans.
10. How could they be our missiles if you
9. How dare you question our Communism! wont give them to us?
You Chinese should just follow our
lead… our missiles are your missiles 12. No, I think we will go our own way.
in that they will protect you.
14. Yes!
11. Our position is clear and right… you
Chinese should follow it! 16. Yes!
18. Sneaky stubborn Russians
13. Nyet!

15. Nyet!
19. We Americans should cause
17. Stupid stubborn further division between the
Chinese!
communists in China and the USSR

7 Years later
New leader
USA Leader
Richard Nixon

Chinese Leader
7 Years later Mao ZeDong
New leader 21. Hi, Nixon and America!
Yes, let’s hang out.
USSR Leader
Brezhnev Back
22. I no like! Maybe I talk Nixon too, yes!

23. Yes, now I can apply 20. Hi Mao, want to hang out?
the idea of DETENTE Them Russians are treating
to the Cold War China & Russia Split you wrong. The US won’t!

24. What is DÉTENTE:
1. Associated more with Nixon and Carter
2. Not associated with Truman, Eisenhower, JFK and Reagan
3. “ Warming” of the Cold War
4. Opposite of Brinkmanship
5. General reduction of tension between Soviet Union & USA

4
What caused the Russian &
Chinese Communist Split?


Nikita Khruschev Mao ZeDong


Hello Comrade



Yes, Hello Comrade



It is good to show the
world communist
brothers together!



Yes, and since we
are communist we
share everything



Da! Da! Da! We are
equal partners, unlike
selfish capitalists!



Since we are equal and
we share… you will give
up nuclears weapons,
yes?



Nyet! I mean… well, We
will share our nuclear
missiles by protecting you
from imperialist Americans.



But we are equals...
We should share…
Are you a true communist?



How dare you question our
Communism! You Chinese
should just follow our
lead… our missiles are
your missiles in that they
will protect you.



How could they be our
missiles if you wont give
them to us?


Stupid
stubborn
Chinese!

How could they be our
missiles if you wont give
them to us?


Stupid
stubborn
Chinese!

Our position is clear and
right… you Chinese should
follow it!


Sneaky
stubborn
Russians

No, I think we
will go our own
way.


We Americans should
cause further division
between China and the
USSR

No, I think we
will go our own
way.



Nyet
!



Yes!


Let’s step in and play the
“China Card”

Yes!


Hi Mao, want to hang out?
Them Russians are treating
you wrong. The US won’t!

Brezhnev Mao ZeDong

Them Russians are treating you
wrong. We, Americans won’t!

Hi, Nixon and America!
Brezhnev Mao ZeDong

Them Russians are treating
you wrong. We won’t!

I no like! Maybe I talk
Nixon too, yes!

Hi, Nixon and America!
Brezhnev Mao ZeDong

Yes, now I can apply the idea
of _______ to the Cold
War

Brezhnev Mao ZeDong

H2)
Guess the Term
5)
4)
3)
2)
1)

H2)
Guess the Term
5) Associated more with Nixon and Carter
4)
3)
2)
1)

H2)
Guess the Term
4) Not associated with Truman, Eisenhower, JFK and Reagan
3)
2)
1)

H2)
Guess the Term
3) “ Warming” of the Cold War
2)
1)

H2)
Guess the Term
2) Opposite of Brinkmanship
1)

H2)
Guess the Term
2) Opposite of Brinkmanship
1) General reduction of tension between Soviet Union & USA

DÉTENTE H2)
2) Opposite of Brinkmanship Back
1) General reduction of tension between Soviet Union and USA

Yes, now I can apply the idea
of DETENTE to the Cold
War

Brezhnev Mao ZeDong

4
What caused the Russian &
Chinese Communist Split?
a) Mao asked for Russian bomb plans
since both are communist and they
should share, even bomb plans.
b) Russian said they would protect their
fellow communists and there was no
need for China to have a bomb.

5-8) What are the USSR Satellites Nations? Back
The USSR Satellites were Eastern European nations behind the Iron Curtain that were
under the sphere of influence of the USSR. While these nations, also known as the
Eastern Bloc, did have their own communist governments, they were under direct
control from Moscow. They nations included Poland, East Germany, Czechoslovakia,
Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria.
During the Cold War, populations in these nations did rise up to defy Soviet control.
Most noticeably was the Hungarian Revolt of 1956 and the 1968 Czech Uprising. The
Hungarians were demanding free elections and Soviet troops out. The Czechs sought
loosen censorship and openness to new ideas.
(Ask Mr P about how he was almost killed Budapest in 1996 b/c of the Hungarian Revolt of 1956 but was saved by some Korean )

Both movements were severely crushed. Soviet leader Brezhnev ordered tanks to roll in
and crush these mass democratic street protests by the native people. Unlike his
predecessor Khrushchev, Brezhnev went back to more Stalinistic treatment of people.
Under Brezhnev, nothing will harm communism, revolts will be crushed, human rights
will be violated and free speech will not exist.

5
USSR Satellite Countries
What?

Who?
Where?

Want?

USSR
Reaction?
(Brezhnev)

5
What? “Independent” eastern European countries really
dominated and controlled by Moscow, USSR

Who?
Where?

Want?

USSR
Reaction?
(Brezhnev)

6

Who? GROUP 6 tell CLASS THE ANSWER TO THIS.
Where? USE MAPS ON NEXT FEW SLIDES

Want?

USSR
Reaction?
(Brezhnev)

6

Who? Poland, Hungary, East Germany,
Where? Czechoslovakia, Romania, Bulgaria

Want?
Group 7 – Tell class the answers

USSR
Reaction?
(Brezhnev)

7


Want? Hungary – 1956
Czech -1968

USSR
Reaction?
(Brezhnev)

8


Want? Hungary – 1956 Free elections & Soviet troops out
Czech -1968 Loosen censorship & openness to new ideas

USSR
Reaction? Group 8 – Tell class the answers
(Brezhnev)

8



USSR a) crushed revolts
Reaction?
(Brezhnev)

8



Reaction? b) violation of basic human rights
(Brezhnev)

8



Reaction? b) violation of basic human rights
(Brezhnev)
c) no freedom of speech

8
Czech -1968 Loosen censorship & openness to new
ideas

USSR • crushed revolts
Reaction • violation of basic human rights
? • no freedom of speech
(Brezhnev)
• NOTHING will harm communism.

9-10) TWO ANTI-COMMUNIST APPROACHES Back
The US presidents did not keep one consistent anti-communist approach throughout the Cold War. Two very outspoken
anti-communist Republican Presidents were Richard Nixon (1968 – 1974) and Ronald Reagan (1980-1988).

Nixon had become President after the policy of Brinkmanship Originally a Hollywood actor, Reagan portrayed himself as a hardcore anti-
saw near nuclear war take place with both the Cuban Missile communist tough leader. Unlike Nixon, Reagan felt peace could be achieved
Crisis and Berlin Wall under the leadership of Democratic not through cooperation, but competition with the Soviet Union. This led to
President Kennedy. In addition, the mood of the nation was more tension and mistrust between the two superpowers. The Reagan
very much turned off by the chaotic conflict in Vietnam. Administration’s Theory proposed if the US spent more money on weapons,
then the Soviet Union would do the same. The Soviet Union would have lots of
Thus, Détente was developed as a policy to create less tension
weapons but even less food and supplies for the economically limited Soviet
between the US and USSR. Nixon’s Administration
people. Thus, do to ever increasing poor conditions of the Soviet people, the
concluded that the two superpowers had to become open to
communism system would collapse and the US would be the victors of the
each others’ differences. They had to recognize each other as
Cold War.
they were and learn how to co-exist together. Furthermore,
under Détente Nixon pushed to have peace talks to improve Reagan’s plan was criticized for many reasons. Even if Reagan’s theory
relations. During this time, SALT (Strategic Arms Limitation worked, it might result in an unstable Russia with lots of nuclear weapons,
Talks) were held and the superpowers took steps to lower the which might make the world more dangerous. Another problem with Reagan’s
amount of missiles aimed at each other. plan was in order to bankrupt the Soviet system the US would have to borrow
billions upon billions of dollars for weapons. Thus began the massive debt
It also was during this time, the USSR was showing serious
problem the US suffers from today.
systematic problems. Its future did not look good. Keeping a
friendly relation with USSR while it rotted from within Undoubtedly, it was during the Reagan years that Soviet leader Gorbachev
seemed like a good course for the US to take. After Nixon began to negotiate an ending to the Cold War. Whether Reagan’s deficit
resigned as President, the policy of Détente continued under spending made the USSR collapse or was collapse coming on its own is
Democratic President Jimmy Carter. The 1970s saw a uncertain. What is certain is that the Cold War headed towards a quick ending
movement towards trust and cooperation take place under the under Gorbachev (USSR) and Reagan (US) which resulted in a Soviet Union
Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. no longer in existence and the US debt problems here to stay and middle class
American economic life gone for good. Which should make Americans ask:
Was all the borrowing? debt? weapons? Was it all worth it to ‘win’ the Cold
War?

9

Two Anti-Communist Approaches
NIXON REAGAN
1968 -1974 1980 - 1988

A) A)

B) B)

C) C)

9

NIXON REAGAN
1968 -1974 1980 - 1988

A) Détente = Less Tension A)

B) B)

C) C)

NIXON REAGAN
1968 -1974 1980 - 1988

B) Open to USSR differences B)

C) C)

9

NIXON REAGAN
1968 -1974 1980 - 1988


C) Peace talks & S.A.L.T. C)

NIXON REAGAN
1968 -1974 1980 - 1988
A) Détente = Less Tension A) Star Wars = More Tension



9

NIXON REAGAN
1968 -1974 1980 - 1988

B) Open to USSR differences B) Compete with USSR


9

NIXON REAGAN
1968 -1974 1980 - 1988

B) Open to USSR differences B) Compete with USSR

C) Peace = talks & S.A.L.T. C) Peace = Competition

10 Back
Reagan’s Theory
A) US = spend more $ on ___________.
B) _____ does the same.
C) Make _____ spend $ on ___________.
D) USSR has lots of ___________.
E) Lots of Soviet ___________ equals little _____ &
___________ for ____________.
F) _____ conditions for _____ people.
G) ____________ will end.

10 Reagan’s Theory
A) US = spend more $ on weapons.
B) _____ does the same.
C) Make _____ spend $ on ___________.
___________ for ____________.
G) ____________ will end.

10
Reagan’s Theory
B) USSR does the same.
C) Make _____ spend $ on ___________.
___________ for ____________.
G) ____________ will end.

C) Make USSR spend $ on weapons.
___________ for ____________.
G) ____________ will end.

D) USSR has lots of missiles.
___________ for ____________.
G) ____________ will end.

E) Lots of Soviet missiles equals little _____ &
___________ for ____________.
G) ____________ will end.

E) Lots of Soviet missiles equals little food &
supplies for Soviet people.
G) ____________ will end.

E) Lots of Soviet missiles equals little food & supplies
for Soviet people.
F) Poor conditions for Soviet people.
G) ____________ will end.

E) Lots of Soviet missiles equals little food &
supplies for Soviet people.
G) Communism will end.

10 Reagan’s Theory Back
Back

E) Lots of Soviet missiles equals little food & supplies for Soviet people.
G) Communism will end.

??????????????????

11 YOUR OPINION Back

1) What is your opinion of the Reagan Theory? 2) Pick & Explain the best way to stop
Is it the best way to end communism? What are communism.
the good and bad aspects of it? A) Reagan B) Nixon c) Your own

Fill in the boxes.
If you write big, write on a separate piece of paper &
attach to this sheet.
EXPLAIN YOUR CHOICE (1/2 page)

Cold War Thaws

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