6.4.1
Africa, Afghanistan & the Americas
Afghanistan
Afghanistan
When Gorbachev became the leader of the USSR 1985, he withdrew troops from Afghanistan.
Peace treaty 1988
Peace treaty 1988
- The Soviets signed a peace treaty in 1988 with forces completely withdrawn from the country by 1989.
- Gorbachev did this for a number of reasons:
- The financial costs of intervention in Afghanistan.
- The huge number of casualties caused by war.
- Public opinion in the USSR was against the war
- The fact that the USSR didn’t look like they could win the war
Impact on the Cold War
Impact on the Cold War
- The Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan improved American and Soviet relations.
- The withdrawal did make the USSR look week amongst its allies though.
The Americas
The Americas
The USA became less concerned with assisting right-wing regimes in Latin America as the Cold War drew to a close. Instead, it emphasised the importance of democracy and economic development.
Nicaragua
Nicaragua
- After the USA stopped funding the Contras in the late 1980s, they agreed to a ceasefire with the Sandinista regime.
- The USA still opposed the Sandinista regime and supported the pro-American Violeta Chamorro who won elections in February 1990.
- Chamorro removed the Contras and ended the 11-year war in Nicaragua.
- America withdrew its initial promise of $300 million dollars to assist Chamorro.
- It took nearly 20 years for the economy in Nicaragua to recover.
El Salvador
El Salvador
- The pro-American, Jose Napoleon Duarte was elected as president of Salvador in 1984 in the middle of the civil war.
- Duarte tried and failed to limit the power of the army.
- The FMLN (leftist guerrilla groups) battled against the army.
- Then in 1988, Cristiani became president.
- The FMLN launched a new offensive against the government.
- Peace accords were signed in 1992 after the USA relaxed its anti-communist stance and ceased training the Salvadoran army.
- El Salvador had free elections in 1994.
Cuba
Cuba
- Despite the end of the Cold War, relations between communist Cuba and the USA remained hostile.
- Since 1959, Fidel Castro remained the leader of Cuba.
- He increased trade with China, continued with social programmes and tourism returned to Cuba.
Africa
Africa
The cooling down of tensions in Africa showed that anti-communism was no longer the primary motivator in US foreign policy.
Ethiopia
Ethiopia
- In 1987 Mariam established the People’s Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and he stated that he would make the country fully communist, led by the Workers Party of Ethiopia.
- Despite opposition within their own country, the Workers Party of Ethiopia held onto power due to the support of the USSR.
- In 1991 Mariam fled the country and the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front took power.
- Despite being communist the USA supporting them showing that anti-communism was no longer the primary motivator in US foreign policy.
Angola
Angola
- In December 1986, Gorbachev stopped sending financial support (he still sent weapons) to the MPLA in a bid to improve relations with the USA.
- Then in 1987, the USSR supported a major offensive against UNITA.
- The MPLA was supported by 10,000 Cuban troops.
- In May 1988 South Africa was split into 2 nations.
- A peace agreement was reached in December 1988.
- Cuban forces withdrew.
- This resolution helped mend American and Soviet relations.
1Origins of the Cold War, 1945-9
1.1Events of 1945
1.2The Collapse of the Grand Alliance
1.3Developing Tensions
1.4US Involvement in Europe
2Widening of the Cold War
2.1US Containment in Asia
2.2The Korean War
2.3Increasing Cold War Tensions, 1949 -1953
3The Global War
3.2Cold War Rivalries
3.3Conflict in Asia
3.4Confrontation Between Superpowers
4Confrontation & Cooperation
4.2Cooperation
4.3Pressures on the USSR
5Brezhnev Era
5.1Detente
5.2Second Cold War
5.3Developments in Africa & Americas
6Ending of the Cold War
6.1Gorbachev
6.2Cooperation between US & USSR
6.3Collapse of Communism in Eastern Europe
6.4End of Tensions Across the World
Jump to other topics
1Origins of the Cold War, 1945-9
1.1Events of 1945
1.2The Collapse of the Grand Alliance
1.3Developing Tensions
1.4US Involvement in Europe
2Widening of the Cold War
2.1US Containment in Asia
2.2The Korean War
2.3Increasing Cold War Tensions, 1949 -1953
3The Global War
3.2Cold War Rivalries
3.3Conflict in Asia
3.4Confrontation Between Superpowers
4Confrontation & Cooperation
4.2Cooperation
4.3Pressures on the USSR
5Brezhnev Era
5.1Detente
5.2Second Cold War
5.3Developments in Africa & Americas
6Ending of the Cold War
6.1Gorbachev
6.2Cooperation between US & USSR
6.3Collapse of Communism in Eastern Europe
6.4End of Tensions Across the World
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