Why did Soviet control of eastern Europe collapse in 1989

1
Why did Soviet control of eastern Europe collapse
in 1989?

• Why did the Cold War thaw in the 1970s and freeze
  again in the 1980s?

2
Learning Objectives

• Today I will
• Learn about what happened to international
  relations during the early 1970s.
• Gain an understanding of why this period is
  referred to as the détente.
• Learn about what happened to international
  relations during the late 1970s.
• Gain an understanding of why these events led to
  increasing distrust and hostility between the
  super powers.

3
Introduction

• Détente means a relaxing of tension.
• For much of the 1970s, tension between the
  superpowers eased.
• Arms control and human rights were discussed
  openly.
• The fact that the superpowers were in contact was
  seen as a major achievement.

4
Why did the Cold War thaw during the 1970s?

• Anti-nuclear protests
• Costly arms development
• Nuclear arms limitation treaty (SALT1)
• Helsinki Conference agreed to respect human
  rights.
• Hand shake in space!
• The end of the Vietnam War

5
Why did the Cold War freeze again in the late
1970s?

• Revolution in Iran
• Civil Wars funded by the superpowers
• US criticism of Soviet Union human rights
• Development of new nuclear weapons
• Second nuclear arms limitation treaty (SALT2)
  collapsed
• Conflict in Afghanistan
• Moscow and Los Angeles Olympics boycotted
• Ronald Reagan becomes President Evil Empire

6
Your Task
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Nuclear Arms Limitation Treaty signed SALT 1
Make a copy of this graph. Mark on it four
developments that improved Superpower relations
and four developments that harmed superpower
relations.
Superpower Relations
1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 ..