End of the Cold War

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What event is considered the symbolic end to the Cold War?

The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.

What were the main factors leading to the end of the Cold War?

Economic stagnation in the USSR, political reforms by Mikhail Gorbachev, and increased diplomacy with the West.

Who was the Soviet leader that implemented significant reforms during the 1980s?

Mikhail Gorbachev.

What policy did Gorbachev promote that allowed more openness in Soviet society?

Glasnost.

Which treaty marked a significant step in nuclear arms reduction between the US and USSR?

The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty in 1987.

What role did the Solidarity movement in Poland play in the Cold War's conclusion?

It challenged communist rule and inspired reforms.

Which US President worked with Gorbachev to help ease Cold War tensions?

Ronald Reagan.

What economic issues did the USSR face that contributed to its decline?

Stagnation, inefficient central planning, and a costly arms race.

How did the reunification of Germany signal the Cold War's end?

It symbolized the collapse of the Iron Curtain divisions in Europe.

What significance did the Malta Summit of 1989 have?

It marked an important meeting where the Cold War's end was unofficially declared.

What was the goal of Gorbachev’s policy of perestroika?

To reform the Soviet economy through limited market-like reforms.

Which Eastern European country peacefully transitioned from communism in the Velvet Revolution?

Czechoslovakia.

What role did the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) play in the Cold War?

It increased pressure on the USSR's economy due to potential new arms competition.

What was the outcome of the Eastern European revolutions in 1989?

They led to the fall of communist governments across Eastern Europe.

How did Gorbachev’s foreign policy differ from his predecessors?

He promoted cooperation and openness with the West.

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