# The End of the Cold War & Collapse of the Soviet Union: A Last-Minute Review 🚀 Hey there, future AP World History master! Let's make sure you're totally prepped for the exam. This guide is designed to be your ultimate resource, hitting all the key points you need to know about the end of the Cold War and the fall of the Soviet Union. Let's dive in! ## The Cold War Thaws: Seeds of Change 🌱 ### U.S. Technological and Military Advances - **Arms Race:** The U.S. poured massive amounts of money into military tech, especially nuclear weapons, atom bombs, and ballistic missiles. This intense competition put a huge strain on both economies. - **Space Race:** Don't forget about the space race! It was a huge part of the Cold War rivalry, with both the U.S. and USSR competing for technological dominance. The arms race and space race were not just about technology; they were also about demonstrating ideological superiority. This competition had a massive impact on the economies of both superpowers. ### Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan (1979) 🇦🇫 - **Soviet Involvement:** The USSR got bogged down in Afghanistan, trying to prop up a communist government. This was a major turning point. - **Mujahideen Resistance:** The Afghan resistance, supported by Muslim volunteers from other countries, fought fiercely against the Soviets. This conflict became the USSR's version of the Vietnam War. - **Economic Drain:** The war in Afghanistan was a huge drain on the Soviet economy, contributing to its eventual collapse. Think of Afghanistan as the Soviet Union's 'Vietnam' - a costly, drawn-out conflict that weakened them significantly. 🇦🇫 ## The Collapse of the Soviet Union 💥 ### Gorbachev's Reforms - **Mikhail Gorbachev:** Became leader in 1989 and introduced key reforms to try and save the ailing Soviet Union. - **Perestroika:** This was the economic restructuring that introduced some free-market policies. Think of it as a move towards a more capitalist economy. - **Glasnost:** This policy of “openness” allowed for freedom of the press and assembly. It gave people a voice, but it also led to protests and demands for independence. Perestroika = Economic Restructuring, Glasnost = Openness. Remember these two terms, they are super important! 💡 ### Rise of Independence Movements - **Nationalism:** The reforms unleashed nationalist sentiments across the Soviet bloc. Countries from the Baltics to Eastern Europe and Central Asia began to seek independence. - **Fall of the Berlin Wall (1989):** This was a huge symbolic moment, showing the end of Soviet control in Eastern Europe and the beginning of the end of the Cold War. ### The Final Collapse - **Failed Coup:** Hardline communists tried to overthrow Gorbachev, but the coup failed. This further weakened the Soviet government. - **Economic and Political Strife:** The combination of economic problems and political instability led to the collapse of the USSR in 1991. - **Boris Yeltsin:** Became president of the new Russian Federation after the Soviet Union dissolved. Don't confuse Perestroika and Glasnost. Perestroika was about the economy, while Glasnost was about political openness. Also, remember that the fall of the Berlin Wall did not cause the collapse of the USSR, but it was a big symbolic moment! ![](https://zupay.blob.core.windows.net/resources/files/0baca4f69800419293b4c75aa2870acd_e6f9e9_4310.jpg) ###### Source: Britannica When analyzing images, always consider the context. What event is being depicted? What does it symbolize? How does it relate to the larger historical narrative? ## Review Game: Chronology of Collapse ⏳ Let's put these events in the correct order: 1. **Soviet invasion of Afghanistan** 🇦🇫 2. **Gorbachev introduces policies of perestroika and glasnost** 3. **States under Soviet influence revolt; Berlin Wall falls** 4. **The attempted coup against Gorbachev** 5. **Fall of the USSR; Boris Yeltsin elected** ## Final Exam Focus 🎯 ### High-Priority Topics - **The Arms Race and Space Race:** Understand the economic and ideological competition. - **Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan:** Know how this conflict weakened the USSR. - **Gorbachev's Reforms:** Perestroika and Glasnost are key terms. - **Nationalism and Independence Movements:** Understand how these contributed to the collapse of the USSR. - **The Fall of the Berlin Wall:** A major symbol of the end of the Cold War. ### Common Question Types - **Multiple Choice:** Expect questions on the causes and effects of the Cold War's end, and the key figures and events involved. - **Short Answer Questions (SAQs):** Be prepared to explain the significance of specific events, like the fall of the Berlin Wall or the impact of Gorbachev's reforms. - **Long Essay Questions (LEQs) and Document-Based Questions (DBQs):** These will likely ask you to analyze the factors that led to the collapse of the Soviet Union, comparing different perspectives and using evidence to support your claims. ### Last-Minute Tips - **Time Management:** Don't spend too long on any one question. Move on if you're stuck and come back later. - **Read Carefully:** Pay close attention to the wording of the questions. Make sure you understand what they're asking before you start writing. - **Use Evidence:** Always back up your answers with specific historical details and examples. - **Stay Calm:** You've got this! Take a deep breath and trust in your preparation. For DBQs, remember to analyze the source, purpose, and historical context of each document. For LEQs, make sure you have a clear thesis statement and use evidence to support your arguments. ## Practice Questions ### Multiple Choice Questions 1. Which of the following best describes the policy of *glasnost* implemented by Mikhail Gorbachev in the Soviet Union? (A) A program of rapid industrialization and collectivization of agriculture (B) A policy of increased military spending to compete with the United States (C) A policy of political openness and freedom of expression (D) A series of economic reforms aimed at decentralizing the Soviet economy 2. The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 is often cited as a major factor contributing to the collapse of the Soviet Union because it: (A) Led to a successful expansion of Soviet influence in the Middle East. (B) Resulted in a major economic drain on the Soviet Union and a loss of prestige. (C) Strengthened the Soviet military and its global standing. (D) United the Soviet republics in a common cause against a foreign enemy. 3. Which event is considered a symbolic end to the Cold War? (A) The signing of the SALT II Treaty (B) The formation of the Warsaw Pact (C) The fall of the Berlin Wall (D) The Cuban Missile Crisis ### Free Response Question **Evaluate the extent to which political and economic factors contributed to the collapse of the Soviet Union.** **Scoring Breakdown:** * **Thesis (1 point):** A clear, historically defensible thesis that addresses the extent to which political and economic factors contributed to the collapse of the Soviet Union. * **Contextualization (1 point):** Describes a broader historical context relevant to the collapse of the Soviet Union. * **Evidence (2 points):** Provides specific examples of political and economic factors that contributed to the collapse of the Soviet Union. * **Analysis and Reasoning (2 points):** Analyzes how political and economic factors interacted to cause the collapse of the Soviet Union. * **Complexity (1 point):** Demonstrates a nuanced understanding of the topic, considering multiple perspectives or alternative arguments. **Answer Guidance:** * **Thesis:** A strong thesis might argue that while both political and economic factors were significant, economic problems played a more crucial role in the collapse of the Soviet Union, as they undermined the legitimacy of the political system and fueled discontent. * **Contextualization:** Discuss the broader context of the Cold War rivalry, the arms race, and the ideological differences between the U.S. and the USSR. * **Evidence (Political):** Discuss the impact of Gorbachev's reforms, the rise of nationalist movements, and the failed coup attempt. Also, mention the loss of control over satellite states. * **Evidence (Economic):** Discuss the economic stagnation, the drain of resources from the war in Afghanistan, and the failure of the centrally planned economy. * **Analysis:** Explain how economic problems led to political instability and how political reforms unintentionally fueled the rise of nationalism. Show how these factors combined to weaken the Soviet Union. * **Complexity:** Consider the role of external pressures from the West and the internal contradictions within the Soviet system. Address the counter-argument that political factors were more important because they allowed for the rise of independence movements. Alright, you've got this! Remember, you're well-prepared, and you have the knowledge to ace this exam. Go get 'em! 💪

End of the Cold War

Caleb Thomas

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