IB Unit IXIB Unit IX: The : The “Third Cold War” and the “Third Cold War” and the Collapse of Communism Collapse of Communism

1979-19911979-1991

The Weakening of Détente The Weakening of Détente Events begin to confirm Nixon’s Events begin to confirm Nixon’s

comment: comment: “détente does not mean “détente does not mean the end of danger … détente is not the end of danger … détente is not the same as lasting peace”. the same as lasting peace”.

USSR intensified USSR intensified its efforts to its efforts to intervene and support sympathetic intervene and support sympathetic regimes in the Middle east, Africa, regimes in the Middle east, Africa, and Asiaand Asia

Carter champions Carter champions human rights in human rights in Eastern Europe and Soviet physicist Eastern Europe and Soviet physicist Andrei SakharovAndrei Sakharov

The Weakening of Détente (cont’d) The Weakening of Détente (cont’d) 19761976: Moscow places : Moscow places SS-20 medium-SS-20 medium-

range missiles range missiles in Eastern Europein Eastern Europe NATO responds in 1979:NATO responds in 1979: US would deploy its US would deploy its Pershing and Pershing and

Cruise missilesCruise missiles in Europe by 1983 if in Europe by 1983 if no agreement with the USSR was no agreement with the USSR was reachedreached

Deployed in 1983 Deployed in 1983 despite protests despite protests from the from the GreensGreens and the and the political leftpolitical left

SS-20SS-20; ; Pershing Missile Pershing Missile ((This two-stage, surface-to-surface missile is sometimes This two-stage, surface-to-surface missile is sometimes credited with helping to win the Cold War. It was so accurate it was capable of hitting an credited with helping to win the Cold War. It was so accurate it was capable of hitting an

area the size of this missile display)area the size of this missile display)

Soviet Invasion of AfghanistanSoviet Invasion of Afghanistan 24-27 December 1979: 24-27 December 1979: 50,000 Soviet 50,000 Soviet

troops airlifted to Kabultroops airlifted to Kabul Next few weeks Next few weeks 85,000 more 85,000 more BackgroundBackground: : April 1978 a coup April 1978 a coup (by (by

the the local Afghan Communist Partylocal Afghan Communist Party) ) overthrew the overthrew the monarchymonarchy

Regime began Regime began radical reforms radical reforms which which provokedprovoked widespread opposition from widespread opposition from conservative forces in the conservative forces in the countrysidecountryside

Soviet Invasion of AfghanistanSoviet Invasion of Afghanistan

The The headquarters of the Soviet 40th Army in Kabulheadquarters of the Soviet 40th Army in Kabul, 1987. , 1987. Before the Soviet occupation, the building was Before the Soviet occupation, the building was Tajbeg Tajbeg

PalacePalace, where , where Hafizullah AminHafizullah Amin was killed. was killed.

Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan (cont’d)Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan (cont’d) USSR increasingly worried USSR increasingly worried about the about the

impact this revolt would have on impact this revolt would have on Islamic fundamentalism Islamic fundamentalism in the in the Muslim republics in southern RussiaMuslim republics in southern Russia

If successful If successful – – feared it would be feared it would be another link in the global another link in the global encirclement of the USSR encirclement of the USSR (fearful (fearful of China)of China)

Soviets argued they were acting Soviets argued they were acting defensively defensively (like East Germany ‘53; (like East Germany ‘53; Hungary ‘56 & Czechoslovakia ’68) Hungary ‘56 & Czechoslovakia ’68)

Western Response to the InvasionWestern Response to the Invasion Seen as a new and highly Seen as a new and highly

threatening development in Soviet threatening development in Soviet foreign policyforeign policy

Condemned by Condemned by 104 nations in the UN104 nations in the UN CarterCarter:: banned grain exports and banned grain exports and

high technology equipment high technology equipment USSR USSR Senate refused to ratify SALT IISenate refused to ratify SALT II US athletes boycotted the 1980 US athletes boycotted the 1980

Olympic summer games Olympic summer games Moscow Moscow

President Jimmy Carter President Jimmy Carter and Soviet General Secretary and Soviet General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev Leonid Brezhnev sign the sign the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks Strategic Arms Limitation Talks

(SALT II) treaty(SALT II) treaty, June 18, 1979, in Vienna., June 18, 1979, in Vienna.

Operation CycloneOperation Cyclone July 3, 1979July 3, 1979: U.S. President Carter : U.S. President Carter

signed a presidential finding signed a presidential finding authorizing funding for authorizing funding for anticommunist guerrillas anticommunist guerrillas in in AfghanistanAfghanistan

After the invasion in December, After the invasion in December, Carter announced, Carter announced, "The Soviet "The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan is the invasion of Afghanistan is the greatest threat to peace since the greatest threat to peace since the Second World War.”Second World War.”

A mujahideen resistance fighter A mujahideen resistance fighter

MujahideenMujahideen convene outside a Soviet garrison, preparing to convene outside a Soviet garrison, preparing to launch a mortar attack.launch a mortar attack.

The Solidarity crisis in Poland 1980-1982The Solidarity crisis in Poland 1980-1982

Poland Poland was was thethe key country key country in the in the Soviet bloc:Soviet bloc:

1) militarily it provided the main 1) militarily it provided the main route to the Westroute to the West

2) it provided 2) it provided 1/3 of the combined 1/3 of the combined forcesforces of the Warsaw Pact of the Warsaw Pact

3) it had 3) it had the largest population the largest population of the of the satellite states – 36 millionsatellite states – 36 million

The Solidarity crisis in Poland 1980-1982The Solidarity crisis in Poland 1980-1982 Summer of 1980Summer of 1980: Poland faced a : Poland faced a major major

economic crisiseconomic crisis Rising oil costs; recession in the West – Rising oil costs; recession in the West –

was no market for their goods; also was no market for their goods; also failed to modernizefailed to modernize

19801980: : strikes break out strikes break out in Gdansk over in Gdansk over price increasesprice increases

Government made far-reaching Government made far-reaching concessions and recognized the concessions and recognized the Solidarity movement Solidarity movement in August as an in August as an independent trade unionindependent trade union

1980 strike at Gdańsk Shipyard, birthplace 1980 strike at Gdańsk Shipyard, birthplace of Solidarityof Solidarity

The Solidarity Movement StrengthensThe Solidarity Movement Strengthens Threat of a national strike Threat of a national strike Solidarity allowed national membership Solidarity allowed national membership – –

reaches 8 millionreaches 8 million Supported by Supported by Polish intellectuals Polish intellectuals and the and the

Roman Catholic Church Roman Catholic Church and its and its Polish Pope Polish Pope (John Paul II)(John Paul II)

Brezhnev & Warsaw Pact nations want to Brezhnev & Warsaw Pact nations want to troops troops

PM Stanislaw Kania PM Stanislaw Kania convinced Brezhnev he convinced Brezhnev he could restore order himselfcould restore order himself

US warnings US warnings were also probably a powerful were also probably a powerful deterrent deterrent

Lech WałęsaLech Wałęsa

1981: Solidarity Calls for Further Drastic 1981: Solidarity Calls for Further Drastic ChangeChange

At the At the ninth Congress of the Polish ninth Congress of the Polish Communist Party Communist Party – delegates – delegates attacked party leaders attacked party leaders and began to and began to dismantle the party organizationdismantle the party organization

Soviets agree not to invade if Soviets agree not to invade if martial martial lawlaw is imposed by is imposed by General Jaruzelski General Jaruzelski (Kania’s successor) (Kania’s successor)

US continues its call to allow Poland US continues its call to allow Poland to solve the crisis itselfto solve the crisis itself

No Soviet intervention No Soviet intervention

Polish United Polish United Workers' Party's Workers' Party's newspaper newspaper Trybuna LuduTrybuna Ludu announces the announces the declaration of declaration of martial law in martial law in PolandPoland

T-55A on the streets during Martial law in PolandT-55A on the streets during Martial law in Poland

General Jaruzelski & General Jaruzelski & Stanislaw KaniaStanislaw Kania

The “Third Cold War” threatened OstpolitikThe “Third Cold War” threatened Ostpolitik By 1980By 1980 OstpolitikOstpolitik was beginning to was beginning to

degenerate into open appeasement degenerate into open appeasement of Moscow and Eastern Europeof Moscow and Eastern Europe

France and the FRG France and the FRG condemned the condemned the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan BUT Soviet invasion of Afghanistan BUT don’t join US & UK don’t join US & UK to criticize it to criticize it further or the further or the Polish government’s Polish government’s reaction to Solidarityreaction to Solidarity

France & FRG France & FRG “détente cannot “détente cannot take another shock like that!”take another shock like that!”

Further AppeasementFurther Appeasement Willy Brandt Willy Brandt actually actually condemned condemned

SolidaritySolidarity for threatening the stability for threatening the stability of the Polish regime!of the Polish regime!

December 1981December 1981: when martial law : when martial law was declared – was declared – Schmidt Schmidt went out of went out of his way to avoid criticizing ithis way to avoid criticizing it

By the time By the time Pershing and Cruise Pershing and Cruise missilesmissiles were deployed in were deployed in 19831983 – – Schmidt had been replaced by Kohl Schmidt had been replaced by Kohl (Kohl is also careful w/ Ostpolitik)(Kohl is also careful w/ Ostpolitik)

Cold War Alliances (1980)Cold War Alliances (1980)

The War in Afghanistan Continues – The War in Afghanistan Continues – Changes in Soviet Leadership Changes in Soviet Leadership

War of attrition War of attrition continues to the end continues to the end of Brezhnev’s rule of Brezhnev’s rule

1982 1982 BrezhnevBrezhnev dies, succeeded by dies, succeeded by AndropovAndropov

1984 1984 AndropovAndropov dies, succeeded by dies, succeeded by ChernenkoChernenko

1985 1985 ChernenkoChernenko dies, succeeded by dies, succeeded by Gorbachev Gorbachev (March) (March)

Mikhail GorbachevMikhail Gorbachev Stalin’s Legacy & the USSRStalin’s Legacy & the USSR: : meant meant

the USSR remained an authoritarian the USSR remained an authoritarian one-party stateone-party state

EconomicallyEconomically focused on focused on production of production of military hardware military hardware – – notnot housing, transport, food, consumer housing, transport, food, consumer goods, and health caregoods, and health care

Gorbachev on eve of his succession – Gorbachev on eve of his succession – “We can’t go on living like this”“We can’t go on living like this”

Mikhail GorbachevMikhail Gorbachev General Secretary to the PolitburoGeneral Secretary to the Politburo Youngest leader to have the position Youngest leader to have the position

since Stalin – also the first university-since Stalin – also the first university-educated leader since Stalineducated leader since Stalin

Problems Facing GorbachevProblems Facing Gorbachev 1) collapse of détente led to a new 1) collapse of détente led to a new

and and expensive arms race expensive arms race w/ the USw/ the US 2) 2) 19831983 – Reagan announced the – Reagan announced the

development of development of “Star Wars” “Star Wars” or SDIor SDI The USSR, like the US in the 1960s, The USSR, like the US in the 1960s,

was suffering from was suffering from global over-stretchglobal over-stretch• AfghanistanAfghanistan• AngolaAngola & the & the Horn of Africa Horn of Africa support support

left-wing regimes left-wing regimes

President Reagan delivering the March 23, President Reagan delivering the March 23, 1983 speech initiating SDI1983 speech initiating SDI

““Star Wars”Star Wars”

Problems Facing GorbachevProblems Facing Gorbachev 33) Soviet economy was stagnating ) Soviet economy was stagnating – –

needed technological and financial needed technological and financial input from the Westinput from the West

Since 1975 the USSR’s Since 1975 the USSR’s industrial industrial production rate production rate had been droppinghad been dropping

Also Also far behind the West far behind the West in in developing new technologiesdeveloping new technologies

Gorbachev’s PlansGorbachev’s Plans Wanted to Wanted to restore détente restore détente and and

resume arms negotiations – BUTresume arms negotiations – BUT Wanted to end the Cold WarWanted to end the Cold War because because

it was too costly and impeded his it was too costly and impeded his domestic programsdomestic programs

He did not follow He did not follow the Marxist-Leninist the Marxist-Leninist revolutionary ideologyrevolutionary ideology

He He no longer believed Communism no longer believed Communism would eventually triumph over the would eventually triumph over the WestWest

Gorbachev’s PlansGorbachev’s Plans He worked He worked towards international towards international

cooperation cooperation and a real co-existence and a real co-existence between the two rival systemsbetween the two rival systems

BelievedBelieved time the principles and time the principles and values of each system would values of each system would converge rather than conflictconverge rather than conflict

Perestroika and GlasnostPerestroika and Glasnost 1) Perestroika: 1) Perestroika: (restructuring) Aimed at (restructuring) Aimed at

restructuring the economyrestructuring the economy 2) Glasnost: 2) Glasnost: (openness) was the (openness) was the

principle that every area of the regime principle that every area of the regime should be open to public scrutinyshould be open to public scrutiny

Involved greater “democratization” Involved greater “democratization” with more people involved in the with more people involved in the Communist Party and political debateCommunist Party and political debate

Perestroika and Glasnost (cont’d) Perestroika and Glasnost (cont’d) Gorbachev intended to use these Gorbachev intended to use these

strategies to strategies to make the Soviet system more make the Soviet system more productive and responsiveproductive and responsive

Decided to abandon the arms race Decided to abandon the arms race and and negotiate reductions (knew USSR couldn’t negotiate reductions (knew USSR couldn’t match SDI)match SDI)

He also called for a He also called for a “new thinking” in “new thinking” in international affairs international affairs – said there would be – said there would be “no winners” in a nuclear war (like “no winners” in a nuclear war (like climbers roped together on a climbers roped together on a mountainside) mountainside)

Reagan-Gorbachev SummitsReagan-Gorbachev Summits 1) Geneva Summit (Nov. 1985) 1) Geneva Summit (Nov. 1985) 11stst meeting meeting No substantial progress – but the two No substantial progress – but the two

did agree that did agree that “a nuclear war cannot “a nuclear war cannot be won and must not be fought”be won and must not be fought”

Geneva Summit (Nov. 1985)Geneva Summit (Nov. 1985)

Geneva Summit (Nov. 1985)Geneva Summit (Nov. 1985)

Reagan-Gorbachev SummitsReagan-Gorbachev Summits 2) Reykjavik Summit (Oct. 1986)2) Reykjavik Summit (Oct. 1986) Discussions of the Discussions of the “Zero Option” “Zero Option” & & SDISDI Gorbachev wants SDI “confined to the Gorbachev wants SDI “confined to the

laboratory” – Reagan refused to laboratory” – Reagan refused to concessionsconcessions

Talks Talks end w/out agreement end w/out agreement BUT BUT covered the most sweeping arms covered the most sweeping arms control proposals in historycontrol proposals in history

Gorbachev declared it “an intellectual Gorbachev declared it “an intellectual breakthrough” breakthrough” in US-Soviet relationsin US-Soviet relations

2) Reykjavik Summit (Oct. 2) Reykjavik Summit (Oct. 1986)1986)

Reagan-Gorbachev SummitsReagan-Gorbachev Summits 3) Washington Summit (Dec. 1987)3) Washington Summit (Dec. 1987) An An Intermediate-Range Nuclear Force Intermediate-Range Nuclear Force

(INF) Treaty (INF) Treaty was signed – was signed – actually actually abolished weapons abolished weapons land-based land-based missiles of intermediate and shorter missiles of intermediate and shorter rangerange

Important 1Important 1stst step in reducing step in reducing stockpiles – stockpiles – 11stst time agreement was time agreement was reached on inspectionreached on inspection of the of the destruction of missilesdestruction of missiles

3) Washington Summit (Dec. 1987)3) Washington Summit (Dec. 1987)

3) Washington Summit (Dec. 1987)3) Washington Summit (Dec. 1987)

INF TreatyINF Treaty Specific missiles destroyed:Specific missiles destroyed: United States United States

• Pershing Ib Pershing Ib and and Pershing IIPershing II• BGM-109G GryphonBGM-109G Gryphon

Soviet Union Soviet Union • SS-4 'Sandal'SS-4 'Sandal'• SS-5 'Skean'SS-5 'Skean'• SS-12 'Scaleboard'SS-12 'Scaleboard'• SS-23 'Spider'SS-23 'Spider'• SS-20 'Saber'SS-20 'Saber'• SSC-X-4SSC-X-4

Reagan-Gorbachev SummitsReagan-Gorbachev Summits 4) Moscow Summit (May 1988)4) Moscow Summit (May 1988) Last Gorbachev-Reagan SummitLast Gorbachev-Reagan Summit Marked by the Marked by the June 1 exchange June 1 exchange of of

the the instruments of ratification instruments of ratification which which implemented the INF Treatyimplemented the INF Treaty

Arms reduction negotiations Arms reduction negotiations continue; still SDI disagreementcontinue; still SDI disagreement

Red SquareRed Square, Reagan & the , Reagan & the “evil “evil empire”empire”

4) Moscow Summit (May 1988)4) Moscow Summit (May 1988)

4) Moscow Summit (May 1988)4) Moscow Summit (May 1988)

Other Elements of Gorbachev’s Other Elements of Gorbachev’s Foreign PolicyForeign Policy

By 1988By 1988 he he announced his plans to announced his plans to withdraw from Afghanistan withdraw from Afghanistan & he & he pulled back Soviet aid to its “allies”pulled back Soviet aid to its “allies”

The “thawing” of the Cold War The “thawing” of the Cold War continued under the new president continued under the new president George H.W. BushGeorge H.W. Bush

Soviet withdrawal from Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan in 1988 & 1989Afghanistan in 1988 & 1989

President President ReaganReagan, , Vice-Vice-President Bush President Bush

meet with Soviet meet with Soviet General General

Secretary Secretary Gorbachev Gorbachev on on

Governor's Governor's Island, New York. Island, New York.

12/7/88.12/7/88.

Gorbachev Rejects the Brezhnev Gorbachev Rejects the Brezhnev DoctrineDoctrine

July 6, 1989July 6, 1989: : GorbachevGorbachev addresses addresses the the Council of EuropeCouncil of Europe

““the common European home … the common European home … excludes all possibility of armed excludes all possibility of armed confrontation, all possibility of confrontation, all possibility of resorting to the threat or use of resorting to the threat or use of force, and notable military force force, and notable military force employed by one alliance against employed by one alliance against another, within an alliance, or another, within an alliance, or whatever it might be.”whatever it might be.”

Gorbachev and Eastern EuropeGorbachev and Eastern Europe He encouraged the former satellite He encouraged the former satellite

states to reform and liberalizestates to reform and liberalize USSR – March 1989 USSR – March 1989 1 1stst time time

multicandidate elections held for the multicandidate elections held for the Congress of People’s DeputiesCongress of People’s Deputies

Poland (1989) Poland (1989) – Solidarity was – Solidarity was legalized; free elections held in June; legalized; free elections held in June; non-Communist PM took power in non-Communist PM took power in AugustAugust

Gorbachev and Eastern EuropeGorbachev and Eastern Europe Hungary (Aug. 1989) Hungary (Aug. 1989) – the – the

Communists Communists agreed to multiparty agreed to multiparty electionselections; the same demand that led ; the same demand that led to a Soviet invasion in 1956to a Soviet invasion in 1956

Initially, the Initially, the other satellite states other satellite states (Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, the GDR, (Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, the GDR, & Romania) & Romania) tried to insulate tried to insulate themselves themselves

BUT in September 1989BUT in September 1989 a major crisis in a major crisis in the GDR the GDR helped lead to the end of the Cold helped lead to the end of the Cold War & German reunificationWar & German reunification

Collapse of the GDRCollapse of the GDR GDR GDR unable to rely on Soviet power unable to rely on Soviet power

for survival for survival – so it needed to win the – so it needed to win the loyalty of its population – unlikely loyalty of its population – unlikely

GDR economy suffering GDR economy suffering 19891989 Hungary Hungary opens its border with opens its border with

Austria; 150,000 Germans poured Austria; 150,000 Germans poured across the border on their way to the across the border on their way to the FRG – FRG – exit visa crisisexit visa crisis

HoneckerHonecker sacked by the GDR sacked by the GDR Politburo – Nov. 9 Politburo – Nov. 9 Berlin Wall Berlin Wall was was openedopened

Hungary began dismantling the installations on the Hungary began dismantling the installations on the border to Austria on 2 May 1989.border to Austria on 2 May 1989.

East Germans who wanted to East Germans who wanted to emigrate used every possible emigrate used every possible route to get out of the GDR route to get out of the GDR and into West Germany. The and into West Germany. The pictures of the fences pictures of the fences between Hungary and Austria between Hungary and Austria being cut went around the being cut went around the world in May 1989, prompting world in May 1989, prompting thousands of East Germans to thousands of East Germans to make their way to Hungary. make their way to Hungary. Many sought refuge in the Many sought refuge in the West German embassy in West German embassy in Budapest, while others waited Budapest, while others waited near the border for an near the border for an opportunity to escape.opportunity to escape.

View, from the View, from the West Berlin sideWest Berlin side, of graffiti art on the wall in 1986. The , of graffiti art on the wall in 1986. The wall's infamous "death strip"wall's infamous "death strip", on the east side of the wall, here follows , on the east side of the wall, here follows

the curve of the long closed Luisenstadt Canalthe curve of the long closed Luisenstadt Canal

Ronald Reagan at the Berlin Wall, June Ronald Reagan at the Berlin Wall, June 1987: “Tear down this wall!”1987: “Tear down this wall!”

Berlin Wall Berlin Wall at the at the Brandenburg GateBrandenburg Gate, , 10 November 198910 November 1989

Collapse of the GDRCollapse of the GDR The GDR follows Poland’s example The GDR follows Poland’s example

free elections held in March 1990free elections held in March 1990 ““Alliance for Germany” Alliance for Germany” coalition wins coalition wins

a majority – a majority – 12 April 12 April the new the new government announced it government announced it wished to wished to join the FRG join the FRG

Other EventsOther Events BulgariaBulgaria & & CzechoslovakiaCzechoslovakia followed a followed a

similar pattern as the GDR (peaceful similar pattern as the GDR (peaceful demonstrationsdemonstrations forced the creation forced the creation of a multiparty systemof a multiparty system

Soviet bloc was disintegrating Soviet bloc was disintegrating – – Gorbachev refused to interveneGorbachev refused to intervene

RomaniaRomania under under CeausescuCeausescu attempted attempted to resist the tide of to resist the tide of glasnost – glasnost – violence erupted violence erupted

By DecBy Dec. . CeausescuCeausescu was arrested and was arrested and executedexecuted

The Velvet Revolution in CzechoslovakiaThe Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia

Revolution in RomaniaRevolution in Romania

Revolution in RomaniaRevolution in Romania

Capture, Trial, and Execution of Nicolae Capture, Trial, and Execution of Nicolae Ceaușescu and his WifeCeaușescu and his Wife

Summit in Malta (Dec. 1989)Summit in Malta (Dec. 1989) The Revolutions of 1989 The Revolutions of 1989 led Bush led Bush

and Gorbachev to declare that the and Gorbachev to declare that the Cold War was overCold War was over

Soviet FM Shevardnadze Soviet FM Shevardnadze announced announced that the superpowers had that the superpowers had “buried the “buried the Cold War at the bottom of the Cold War at the bottom of the Mediterranean”Mediterranean”

Gorbachev and Bush about to share a meal on board the Gorbachev and Bush about to share a meal on board the Soviet cruise ship Soviet cruise ship Maxim GorkyMaxim Gorky, Marsaxlokk Harbour, , Marsaxlokk Harbour,

Malta Malta (December 2-3 1989)(December 2-3 1989)

Summit in Summit in MaltaMalta

Reunification of GermanyReunification of Germany Chancellor Kohl Chancellor Kohl needed the US and needed the US and

USSR to permit reunificationUSSR to permit reunification Summer of 1990 – German unity was Summer of 1990 – German unity was

brokeredbrokered 1) FRG 1) FRG USSR generous loansUSSR generous loans 2) United Germany formed & 2) United Germany formed & NATONATO 12 Sept. 199012 Sept. 1990 Two-Plus-Four TreatyTwo-Plus-Four Treaty

signed signed 2 October 19902 October 1990 GDR was integrated GDR was integrated

into the FRGinto the FRG

Hundreds of thousands were present when the Hundreds of thousands were present when the flag was hoisted in front of the Reichstag on flag was hoisted in front of the Reichstag on

reunion dayreunion day

The Brandenburg Gate TodayThe Brandenburg Gate Today

The End of the USSRThe End of the USSR Gorbachev became increasingly Gorbachev became increasingly

unpopular at home unpopular at home – failed to improve – failed to improve the the economyeconomy

Events in Eastern EuropeEvents in Eastern Europe brought brought about about calls for independence from the calls for independence from the republicsrepublics of the Soviet Union of the Soviet Union

August 1991August 1991: : Baltic States Baltic States and other and other soviet republics declare independencesoviet republics declare independence

This intensified hostility This intensified hostility Gorbachev Gorbachev

The End of the USSRThe End of the USSR August 1991August 1991 – – attempted coup attempted coup

against Gorbachev by Communist against Gorbachev by Communist hardliners hardliners

Coup defeated by Coup defeated by Boris Yeltsin Boris Yeltsin – – Gorbachev was restored but he had Gorbachev was restored but he had lost his authoritylost his authority

25 December 199125 December 1991 – Gorbachev – Gorbachev resigned as presidentresigned as president

The CIS The CIS was established and the was established and the USSR ceased to existUSSR ceased to exist

Tanks on Red Square during the 1991 coup Tanks on Red Square during the 1991 coup attemptattempt

Mass demonstration in Moscow against the 1991 coup Mass demonstration in Moscow against the 1991 coup attemptattempt

Yeltsin stands on a tank to defy the August Coup in Yeltsin stands on a tank to defy the August Coup in 19911991

Five double-headed Five double-headed Russian coat-of-arms Russian coat-of-arms eagles eagles (below) (below) substituting the substituting the former state emblem former state emblem of the Soviet Union of the Soviet Union and the “CCCP” letters and the “CCCP” letters (above) in the facade (above) in the facade of the of the Grand Kremlin Grand Kremlin PalacePalace after the after the dissolution of the dissolution of the Soviet Union.Soviet Union.

The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Founded on 8 December 1991 Founded on 8 December 1991 Current Full MembersCurrent Full Members:: the Russian Federation the Russian Federation Republic of BelarusRepublic of Belarus Armenia Armenia AzerbaijanAzerbaijan Kazakhstan Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan Moldova Moldova Turkmenistan Turkmenistan Tajikistan Tajikistan UzbekistanUzbekistan Participating MemberParticipating Member: : Ukraine Ukraine Associate MemberAssociate Member: : TurkmenistanTurkmenistan Former MembersFormer Members: : GeorgiaGeorgia

The The Commonwealth of Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)Independent States (CIS) and and

the the European UnionEuropean Union

Meeting of CIS leaders in Meeting of CIS leaders in Bishkek in 2008Bishkek in 2008

NATONATO and and CSTOCSTO (Collective (Collective Security Treaty Organization) Security Treaty Organization)

TodayToday