Cold War Ends

Collapse of the Soviet Union

The Soviet economy was stagnate: very slow economic growth, high unemployment

This was due to poor economic planning, and an expensive Arms Race with the US

Economic Reform

• 1980s Mikhail Gorbachov institutes two knew reforms in USSR
• Glasnost: Freedom of Press, assembly (also opened churches, published banned books, etc.)
• Perestroika: Transition from Communism to Socialissm; allows to capitalism within the country

Depressions in USSR caused revolutions; many Eastern Europeans called for independence from Russia

The Communist party also tried assassinating Gorbochov for his "western/capitalist" reforms; coup stopped by huge protests

Protests lead to a collapse of the Soviet Union: "Satellite States" no longer part of the USSR

November 9, 1989: Berlin Wall is torn down

Other Cold War leaders the SOL needs you to know for some reason

Indira Ghandi

• 2nd Prime minister of India
• *Supported by the USSR
• began nuclear testing
• increased grain supplies for Indian people
• Assasinated in 1984

Mikhail Gorbochov

• Russian President; Actually important
• Represented younger generation of Russians
• Democratic reforms to government and economy (Glastnost and Peristroika)
• Oversaw collapse of Soviet Union
• 1990 given Nobel Peace Prize

Margaret Thatcher

• British Prime Minister
• "Iron Lady"
• Very Conservative; hated Communism
• Tripled UK's nuclear forces
• BFFs with United States/President Reagan

Deng Zioping

• Chinese President
• Changes from Communist to Capitalist economy after Mao Zedong
• Opened China to foreign investment
• Communist party maintains power