Lecture Notes: The Collapse of the Soviet Union and the End of the Cold War

Introduction

• Overview of the end of the Cold War, marked by the collapse of the Soviet Union.
• Focus on three main causes:
  1. Technological and military advancements of the United States.
  2. Failed Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
  3. Policies of Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.

1. Technological and Military Advancements of the United States

• By early 1980s, US and Soviet Union had over 12,000 nuclear missiles each.
• Mutual Assured Destruction: Deterrent against nuclear war.
• Détente Period (1970s):
  • US President Nixon and Soviet Premier Brezhnev signed SALT I (Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty) to prohibit further nuclear weapon manufacture.
• Reagan Era (1980s):
  • US President Ronald Reagan adopted a hard stance against the Soviets, ending détente.
  • Initiated the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), nicknamed "Star Wars", to defend against nuclear attacks from space using lasers.
  • SDI increased US-Soviet tensions as Soviets struggled to match US spending due to a stagnant economy.

2. Failed Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan

• 1979: Soviets invaded Afghanistan to support Communist regime against Afghan Muslim groups.
• Afghan rebels supported by US, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan.
• Soviet control limited to major cities; faced rural guerilla warfare.
• 9-year conflict further drained the Soviet economy.

3. Policies of Soviet Leader Mikhail Gorbachev

• Gorbachev rose to power in 1985.
• Soviet economy in crisis since 1960s-70s:
  • Limited foreign trade.
  • Government control stifled agricultural industry.
  • Rising discontent in Soviet Bloc (e.g., Prague Spring 1968 in Czechoslovakia).
• Gorbachev's Reforms:
  1. Perestroika: Restructuring the economy to reduce central planning.
  2. Glasnost: Openness allowing government criticism.
  3. Withdrawal from military support of Communist governments in Eastern Europe.
• Eastern European countries and Soviet states began seeking independence.

Conclusion

• 1989: Berlin Wall torn down, signaling the collapse of Soviet influence in Eastern Europe.
• 1991: Soviet legislature voted to dissolve the Soviet Union, marking the official end of the Cold War.

Additional Resources

• Mention of AP World History review guide for further study. (Includes unit review videos, practice questions, and exams.)

• Check additional resources or videos for further review and understanding.
• Reminder: The guide includes strategic study materials for AP exams.