The End of the Cold War.

Kunal Shah Mr. Muratore; MYP World History; Period 5 9 May 2010 Word Count: 1367 The Cold War's Conclusion On Christmas Day 1991, at 7:35 p.m., the Soviet flag flying over the Kremlin was lowered and replaced by the new Russian Federation flag. The USSR officially ceased to exist on December 31, 1991. The fall of the Soviet Union signified the end of the Cold War (Nye 2). Obviously, this was a huge moment in our world's history; a 44-year-old tension between two of the most powerful countries in the world, which almost brought us to a combative war, was destroyed. But how did something that seemed so improbable one decade previously occur so peacefully? The reform by Mikhail Gorbachev, Ronald Reagan's coercion as well as reform, and the failures in the Soviet Union and its fall were factors that led to the end of the Cold War. First, we must analyze the decisions of Mikhail Gorbachev, who dissolved the Soviet Union and ended the Cold War. Gorbachev as a leader contributed by bringing Western ideals to Soviet Russia, ultimately thawing the conflict between the USSR and the United States and ending communism in Russia (Hogan 12). When he came to power, Gorbachev did not want to bring down the Soviet Union; he wanted to reform it while maintaining Communism (Gaddis 67). However his reforms not only made his relationship with the United States better, but his decisions

  • Word count: 2214
  • Level: International Baccalaureate
  • Subject: History
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The End of the Cold War.

The End of the Cold War By Joumanna Nasr ID no: 200401736 An essay submitted in fulfillment of PSPA 213's course requirements October 26, 2003 Never before has so terrible a threat hung over mankind as now. The only reasonable way out of the existing situation is the reaching of an agreement by the opposing forces on the immediate termination of the arms race, the nuclear arms race on earth and the prevention of arms in space. We need an agreement on an honest and equitable basis without attempts at "outplaying" the other side and dictating terms to it. We need an agreement which would help all to advance toward the cherished goal: the complete elimination and prohibition of nuclear weapons for all time, toward the complete removal of the threat of nuclear war. This is our firm conviction. -Mikhail Gorbachev, March 11, 1985 The End of the Cold War The beginning of the nineties marked the end of a bipolar global system that had spanned over 40 years- one that had started at the end of World War II when the post-war Yalta Conference laid the foundation for the ongoing divide in ideologies between a Capitalist West represented by the United Sates, and a Communist East, represented by the U.S.S.R- a multi-ethnic state, composed of fifteen republics that were held together by extremely powerful central authority exercised by a Communist Russia. It is necessary to note

  • Word count: 1799
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Historical and Philosophical studies
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Why did the Cold War end?

Why did the Cold War end? The Cold War took many twists and turns during the time it went on for, but the ending took many mad twists on both sides. Détente saw the two superpowers meet and discuss peacefully for the first time in years, especially after the hostility of the Cuban Missile Crisis. After Détente, things really took a good turn as neither side wanted a nuclear war, and Cuba came close! The end of the Cold War is broken in to three main sections. The failure of Communism is obviously a main part as it is one of the Superpowers. After the Cuban Missile Crisis, it was made out that the USSR had backed down, and Khrushchev resigned. After Khrushchev followed a series of terrible leaders. This really affected the end of the Cold War, as the Communism side couldn't function with an incompetent leader. Although treaties were signed, many things contributed to the fall of Communism. The whole idea Communism was based on meant the Communist economy was neglected, this meant that they had no means of support, especially when the USA stopped trading with them. The USSR finally decided that they did not have the technological ability to keep up with the USA, and when Reagan announced his laser defence system, the USSR decided to just give up trying and spend the little money on saving themselves from poverty. This shows that the USSR were low on money, showing a not-so

  • Word count: 843
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: History
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Why did the Cold War End?

Why did the Cold War End? Tauseef Ahmed United States History May 13th 2004 Why did the Cold War End? One of the main events of the war-filled twentieth century was the Cold War - a state of tension between the United States of America and the Soviet Union from nineteen forty five, at the beginning of the Soviet expansion of communism in newly formed countries after Word War II, opposed by the United States to nineteen eighty nine with the fall of the Berlin Wall. The main focus of this research will be to state the reasons as to why this hugely acknowledged war comes to an end. It was the most unexpected event that happened and the credit must be given to the leaders on both sides. The Cold War eventually came to an end in 1989 as a result of Gorbachev's Glasnost (openness) and Perestroika (reconstruction) policies; the Soviet's declining communist economy, the costly arms race, and the freedom issues among Baltic Republics, Poland, and East Germany within the Soviet bloc itself. When Mikhail Gorbachev became the General Secretary of the Soviet Union in 1985, he was determined to end corruption in the Soviet economy and get the U.S.S.R. back on its feet. To achieve this goal he announced two new policies Glasnost and Perestroika. Glasnost or openness was the policy that ended the strict censorship, allowed Soviet citizens to speak openly about their society's problems

  • Word count: 2509
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: History
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The End of the Cold War and the Emergence of the Post-Cold War World

The End of the Cold War and the Emergence of the Post-Cold War World Group Report In the summer of 1991, just for a week's time, the existence of a Union, made up of fifteen Socialist Republics, remained only a fact in the history books. This dissolution, however, was not a singular event. The following report will attempt to examine the explicit and implicit causes of Soviet's Union break-up, as well as the confusion and disorder it caused, mainly by clarifying the issues surrounding it. The critical discussion provided will also present a useful insight in the formation of the emerged new World after the Cold War, referred to by historians, as the 'Post-Cold War' world, chiefly taking into consideration Gorbachev's 'novoie myslenie' and the concepts of glasnost and perestroika, plus their fundamental impact on Eastern Europe and even on present-day Russian political system (Bisley, 2004, p.75). By virtue of the long lasted era of stagnation and communist ideological values under Brezhnev's government, at the end of the 1980s, the Soviet state was evidently bleak. Moreover, the ever increasing interference of the party, in practically every aspect of people's life, was becoming to a greater extent detrimental for the effectiveness of the state in the course of the years. As a result, by the time Gorbachev acquired the post of General Secretary in 1985, he had a great

  • Word count: 2469
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
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Reasons for the end of the cold war

Reasons for the end of the cold war J. Gower Throughout the 1980s, the Soviet Union fought an increasingly frustrating war in Afghanistan. At the same time, the Soviet economy faced the continuously escalating costs of the arms race. Dissent at home grew while the stagnant economy faltered under the combined burden. Attempted reforms at home left the Soviet Union unwilling to rebuff challenges to its control in Eastern Europe. During 1989 and 1990, the Berlin Wall came down, borders opened, and free elections ousted Communist regimes everywhere in eastern Europe. In late 1991 the Soviet Union itself dissolved into its component republics. With stunning speed, the Iron Curtain was lifted and the Cold War came to an end. The most important long-term reason was communism's inability to achieve anything other than a totalitarian system that supported repression, exploitation, and often murder or imprisonment of the people by a tiny well-organized elite that enjoyed what little wealth and privilege the system produced. At worst, as in the Soviet Union, China, and Cambodia, to name a few, communism resulted in genocide. State ownership and planning of the entire economy failed, often tragically, to achieve sustained economic development. The massive industrialization efforts of communist states contributed little to development or wealth. Central planning failed to create

  • Word count: 1003
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: History
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Assess the reasons affecting the end of the Cold War.

In 1991 after years of tension the Soviet Union was dissolved and in its place the commonwealth of independent states was formed. The dissolution of the USSR effectively brought about the end of the Cold War after 46 years of tension and strife. In this essay I will assess the reasons as to why the Cold War ended and judge as to which reason contributed the most to the termination of the Cold War. The main contributor towards the Soviet Union's demise was Ronald Reagan, the US president who was in power during the waning years of the Soviet Union. However the general weakness of the communist system itself coupled with the likes of reformists such as Mikhael Gorbachev and popular discontent also ensured the dissolution of the Soviet Union and thus bringing about the end of the Soviet Union. In 1981 President Ronald Reagan a hardline anti-communist was elected, and promptly brought about the end of détente by abruptly stopping SALT II negotiations. What followed was an America bent on making it tough for the Soviet Union in any way possible, with Reagan at the helm. Reagan effectively catalysed the demise of the Soviet Union, by interfering with their economy. Reagan saw the chink within the Soviet Union's armour: "You had to wonder how long the Soviets could keep their empire intact. If they didn't make some changes, it seemed clear to me that in time Communism would

  • Word count: 1596
  • Level: International Baccalaureate
  • Subject: History
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Why Did the Cold War End In 1990?

Why did the Cold War end in 1990? From 1947 the U.S.A and the U.S.S.R were involved in a cold war largely the result of conflicting ideologies and immensely different ways of life. However, in 1990 the Cold war ended and the threat of a hot war was no longer present between the two countries. This conflict ended after nearly half a century with Gorbachev and President Bush both agreeing to end the antagonism between the two countries. Although the conflict never became a hot war and, therefore, the cost of the war was not as draining as if it had been, there were still a great deal of expense for both countries. Instead of competing militarily the main aim of the war became trying to prove to the other country that it was stronger through it's technological advances and size if it's militia. The U.S.A hoped that if they increased their stockpile of arms the U.S.S.R would try and compete and this would eventually push them so they would have to back down because they would not be able to support this 'Arms Race' financially. The expense if the war had also been unpopular with the majority of Russian and American people. The huge sums of money spent on 'the Arms race' and 'the space race' were regarded as a waste, especially in the U.S.S.R where the quality of life was poor and the economy was in a state of degradation. There was, therefore, pressure from the people to

  • Word count: 622
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: History
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What factors helped bring an end to the Cold War?

Q. What factors helped bring an end to the Cold War? In this essay I will argue about the end of the Cold War, why and how did the Cold War end?. Actually, in the late 1980s, the Cold War came to a dramatic end. Essay outlines the approaches followed in this essay. During this essay I would explain the end of the Cold War and who helped to bring an end to the Cold war. Politically, I used to put the question with which people are concerned as: Which factors did more to bring about the end of the Cold War, the actions and decisions of individual statesmen, or long term impersonal factors? The aim of this essay, first of all is to explain what is Cold War and between whom and when did it end?, did the Cold War ended by Reagan?. Secondly, I would highlight my understanding of his points about taxes and military. This essay will also address the following issues; Did Reagan and Gorbachev played an important role in the end of the Cold War?; what factors bring about the end of the Cold War, the actions and decisions of individual statesmen, or long term impersonal factors or Berlin Wall in Germany from 1981-1991? While the actions of Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev played important roles in this process, impersonal factors such as the inherent inefficiencies of the Soviet system and the continued Western policy of containment had a greater impact in ending the Cold War.

  • Word count: 4026
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Historical and Philosophical studies
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What was the Cold War and why did it end?

Name: Elsa Marques e Sousa Module: International Politics PIED-1512 Student ID: 200357860 Programme of Study: International Relations Home Dept: POLIS Seminar's Leader: Alam Salem Seminar class day: Monday ESSAY TITLE: What was the Cold War and why did it end? The Second World War was a global military conflict, the joining of what had initially been two separate conflicts. The first began in Asia in 1937 as the Second Sino-Japanese War (Japanese invasion of China); the other began in Europe in 1939 with the German invasion of Poland. This global conflict divided the majority of the world's nations into two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis Powers. Spreading much of the globe, World War II resulted in the death of over 60 million people. It was by far the most "deadly and destructive war in human history"1. Hence, World War II is no doubt the starting point of recent world history and its enormous consequences gave shape to the post war world: the end of the "European Age", the rise of the United States and the Soviet Union to superpowers status, the beginning of the nuclear age, the rise of nationalism and independence in Asia and Africa and a renewed effort to secure peace through international organisation, the United Nations.2 In other words, the changes in the global distribution of power, weapons technology, the balance of political forces

  • Word count: 4211
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Social studies
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