POLS2409 Lecture Notes - Lecture 10: Strategic Arms Limitation Talks, Strategic Defense Initiative, Warsaw Pact
Lecture 10 - The Peaceful End of the Cold War
Berlin Wall = symbol of bipolarity, iron curtain
definitions of the Cold War:
1. a state of political hostility between countries characterised by threats, propaganda,
and other measures short of open warfare, in particular.
2. a clash of very different beliefs and ideology, each held with almost religious
conviction, formed the basis of an international power struggle with both sides vying
for dominance, exploiting every opportunity for expansion anywhere in the world
important elements:
lack of open warfare
differing ideologies
both had ideas of a better future for the whole world
universalistic perspective on both sides
Missing, but important: possibility of nuclear warfare
global scale
George Orwell introduced the term cold war
International issues influenced domestic policies
The Last Phase of the Cold War (1979-1991)
Early 1980s: From Détente to Escalation
Mid 1980s: Rapprochement Before the End Game
Late 1980s: The Cold War End Game
Chronological Reprise
1940s - Failed European Peace
1949: NATO
1950s - Cold War Goes Global
1955 - Warsaw Pact
meant to oppose NATO alliance
1955 - Germany becomes more split
1960s - Nuclear Crisis and Proxy Wars
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
1970s - Superpower Detente and Crisis Management
Kissinger improved US relations with China
strategically trying to peel off China from the SU
Helsinki conference - recognition on both sides that the division of Europe was
permanent and should remain
Strategic arms limitation talks between US and SU aimed at limiting nuclear missiles
Attempt at cooperation
Early 1980s: From Detente to Escalation
SU invasion of Afghanistan (1979)
a step too far
Went past traditional sphere of influence
invasions of satellite states, e.g. Hungary, were tolerated
Reagans Strategic Defence Initiative against the Evil Empire
Anti-communist rhetoric
against Carter Doctrine
get rid of Mutual part of MAD by developing capability to shoot down Soviet
missiles
more aggressive attempt to reduce influence of SU through rollback strategy
Supported Afghanistan forces through covert action and funding
begins nuclear arms race with SU
does not like principle of mutual vulnerability
Instead, Strategic Defence Initiative
aimed at intercepting and getting rid of Soviet missiles
unsuccessful - hitting a bullet with a bullet - waste of money
Weakening of the Block Unity in Eastern and Western Europe
E.g. Poland - first trade union in Warsaw Pact that wasnt controlled by Communist
actors
Moving towards soc dem policies
tensions between West and Allies
peace movements throughout Europe - fear of spiralling
Mid 1980s: Rapprochement Before the End Game
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Lecture 10 - the peaceful end of the cold war. Berlin wall = symbol of bipolarity, iron curtain definitions of the cold war: 1. a state of political hostility between countries characterised by threats, propaganda, and other measures short of open warfare, in particular. Missing, but important: possibility of nuclear warfare global scale. The last phase of the cold war (1979-1991) 1955 - warsaw pact meant to oppose nato alliance. Kissinger improved us relations with china strategically trying to (cid:1684)peel off(cid:1685) china from the su. Helsinki conference - recognition on both sides that the division of europe was permanent and should remain. Strategic arms limitation talks between us and su aimed at limiting nuclear missiles. Su invasion of afghanistan (1979) a step too far. Went past traditional sphere of influence invasions of satellite states, e. g. hungary, were tolerated. Reagan(cid:1685)s strategic defence initiative against the (cid:1684)evil empire(cid:1685)
