End of the Cold War - AP World History
- What was the significance of the Malta Summit in 1989?
- Marked the end of Cold War tensions. Bush and Gorbachev declared the Cold War over.
- Which policy did the Soviet Union abandon leading to greater autonomy in Eastern Europe?
- Brezhnev Doctrine. Ended Soviet military intervention in satellite states.
- Which policy did the Soviet Union adopt to reduce its influence in Eastern Europe?
- Non-intervention. Allowed Eastern European independence without military force.
- What was the primary goal of the Strategic Defense Initiative proposed by Reagan?
- Missile defense system. Space-based system to intercept incoming nuclear missiles.
- Which U.S. President is credited with playing a significant role in ending the Cold War?
- Ronald Reagan. His aggressive stance and military buildup pressured Soviet reforms.
- What was the main challenge to Soviet control in Afghanistan during the 1980s?
- Mujahideen resistance. Islamic fighters defeated Soviet occupation forces.
- In which year did the Berlin Wall fall, symbolizing the end of the Cold War?
- 1989. Marked the collapse of communist control in Eastern Europe.
- What was the name of the Polish trade union that challenged communist rule in the 1980s?
- Solidarity. First independent trade union in communist Eastern Europe.
- Which U.S. Secretary of State played a key role in the policy of détente?
- Henry Kissinger. Architect of détente policy with the Soviet Union.
- Which 1986 nuclear disaster highlighted the need for reform in the Soviet Union?
- Chernobyl disaster. Nuclear accident exposed Soviet system's technological failures.
- What was the economic policy shift in Eastern Europe post-Cold War?
- Shift to market economies. Former communist states adopted Western economic models.
- What was the main purpose of the Helsinki Accords of 1975?
- Improving relations between the West and the Soviet bloc. Promoted human rights and reduced East-West tensions.
- What does the term 'glasnost' refer to in the context of Soviet reforms?
- Political openness. Allowed greater freedom of speech and transparency in government.
- Which country was reunified in 1990 following the end of the Cold War?
- Germany. East and West Germany united after communist collapse.
- Which economic theory was discredited due to the failure of the Soviet economy?
- Central planning. Soviet economic collapse proved free markets superior.
- Which Eastern European country experienced a violent overthrow of its communist regime in 1989?
- Romania. Ceaușescu's brutal regime ended with his execution.
- What was a major factor in the decline of Soviet influence in the Third World?
- Economic strain. Military spending burden exceeded Soviet economic capacity.
- What was the primary cause of economic stagnation in the Soviet Union during the 1980s?
- Centralized planning. Inefficient state control stifled innovation and productivity.
- What does the term 'Iron Curtain' refer to?
- Division between East and West Europe. Churchill's metaphor for Soviet control over Eastern Europe.
- What was the result of the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests in China?
- Suppression by the government. Communist Party maintained control through violent crackdown.
- Identify the 1987 treaty that eliminated intermediate-range nuclear missiles.
- INF Treaty. Eliminated entire class of nuclear weapons systems.
- Identify the event that marked the official dissolution of the Soviet Union.
- December 25, 1991. Gorbachev's resignation ended the Soviet Union's existence.
- What was the key factor in the disintegration of Soviet satellite states?
- Nationalist movements. Ethnic groups sought independence from Soviet control.
- Which military alliance dissolved following the end of the Cold War in 1991?
- Warsaw Pact. Soviet military alliance ended with communist collapse.
- What was 'perestroika' aimed at reforming in the Soviet Union?
- Economic restructuring. Reformed the inefficient Soviet command economy system.
- Identify the policy of reducing tensions between the U.S. and the Soviet Union during the 1970s.
- Détente. Period of improved diplomatic relations and arms control.
- Identify the U.S. policy that aimed to contain the spread of communism during the Cold War.
- Containment. Strategy to prevent communist expansion worldwide.
- Which treaty between the U.S. and Soviet Union aimed to reduce nuclear arsenals?
- Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF). First major nuclear disarmament agreement between superpowers.
- Which Eastern European country's revolution in 1989 was known as the Velvet Revolution?
- Czechoslovakia. Peaceful overthrow of communist government without violence.
- Identify the Soviet leader who introduced reforms like glasnost and perestroika.
- Mikhail Gorbachev. His reforms of openness and restructuring transformed Soviet society.
- What was the primary political ideology of the Soviet Union during the Cold War?
- Communism. State-controlled economic and social system opposing Western capitalism.
- Which Soviet policy was aimed at reducing military expenditures?
- New Thinking. Gorbachev's policy to reduce defense spending burden.
- Which leader's visit to China in 1989 symbolized warming Sino-Soviet relations?
- Mikhail Gorbachev. Historic visit ended decades of Sino-Soviet hostility.
- What was the primary ideological conflict during the Cold War?
- Capitalism vs. Communism. Fundamental dispute over economic and political systems.
- Which summit in 1986 failed initially but paved the way for future arms reduction talks?
- Reykjavik Summit. Despite failure, it built trust for future agreements.
- Which agreement in 1991 marked the formal end of the Soviet Union?
- Belavezha Accords. Three republic leaders officially dissolved the USSR.
- Identify the key event in 1991 that led to the independence of Baltic states.
- Soviet coup attempt. Failed coup weakened central Soviet control permanently.
- Who was the last leader of the Soviet Union before its dissolution?
- Mikhail Gorbachev. Resigned on December 25, 1991, ending Soviet rule.