6.4.1

Africa, Afghanistan & the Americas

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Afghanistan

When Gorbachev became the leader of the USSR 1985, he withdrew troops from Afghanistan.

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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  • The Soviets signed a peace treaty in 1988 with forces completely withdrawn from the country by 1989.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
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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 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.

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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.
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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.
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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

The cooling down of tensions in Africa showed that anti-communism was no longer the primary motivator in US foreign policy.

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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.
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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.

Jump to other topics

1Origins of the Cold War, 1945-9

2Widening of the Cold War

3The Global War

4Confrontation & Cooperation

5Brezhnev Era

6Ending of the Cold War

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