-
Period: to
Why did the USSR collapse?
-
Reagan's military buildup
The SDI was the kep component that forced Gornachev to acknowledge the impossibility of matching up to a programme such as this due to the Soviet economic decline and had to seek diplomacy as a means to security. Hence, this made him willing to sign the INF Treaty which showed why Gorbachev was willing to compromise with the US. This willingness would make him highly unpopular with the hawks in the USSR as the traditionalists are not able to accept the extent that Gorbachev gave way to the US. -
Reagan's support for anti-communism abroad
US aid to the mujahideen fighting againsrt Soviet invasion of Afghanistan raised costs of Soviet occupations and may have accelerated the fall of the USSR by worsening its economic situation. -
Reagan's anti- communist rhetoric
For example; His 'evil empire' rhetoric and the Brandenburg speech that he gave- especially when he told Gorbachev to tear down the wall to show further willingness for cooperation. This could have placed further pressure on Gorbachev. -
Solidarity wins Polish elections (Pope/people power)
Marked the end of the cold war as defined by a division in Europe. Showed the direct influence of religion and the surge of nationalist feelings. The Pope even encouraged non-communist influences in the rest of Eastern Europe. Hence, the cracks in the USSR were starting to show. -
Fall of the Berlin Wall
Marked the end of the cold war as defined by the division in Europe. This caused the power held by the communist government to fall as the wall was a symbol of their control with communism. -
August Coup
Yeltsin took over and after cementing his position, it indirectly damaged all of Gorbechev's credibility. (hardliners)
