Higher Migration and Empire - Push factors (Highlands)
Changing Cold War Relations - reasons the cold war ended
1.
2.
3. LEARNING INTENTIONS
• Describe the main factors which led to
the end of the Cold War
• Explain which factor you feel is most
important and why
4. The collapse of the Soviet Union and end of the
Cold War are huge events in history. However what
caused the downfall of such a powerful empire?
5. Historians who discuss
the end of the Cold War
tend to focus on three
main themes:
• Events inside the
Soviet Union
• Events outside the
Soviet Union
• Key people
6.
7. Many people argue
that events within
the Soviet Union were
ultimately what
caused it to
collapse.
This includes issues
relating to politics,
people and money.
8. The 1980s saw huge
political change in the
Soviet Union.
New leader Mikhail
Gorbachev’s decision to
introduce reforms began
to undermine the way
that the USSR had
previously been run.
9. These changes included a
greater openness and
also a decision not to
use military force on
other Soviet countries.
All of this inspired
people in the USSR to
seek greater control.
They were also tired of
living poor lives.
10. Money may have played an
important role too.
The USSR had committed too
many resources to the
military and other
countries such as
Afghanistan.
Essentially they could not
afford to continue.
11.
12. Many people credit
issues outside the
Soviet Union, including
the USA’s actions.
Also, the revolutions
led by people in the
Eastern Bloc had a big
influence too.
13. During the 1980s, the
USA built a range of new
weapons, which the USSR
could not afford to
match.
US President Ronald
Reagan also made it
clear that he aimed to
end the ‘evil empire’.
14. There is also a belief
that people within the
USSR grew tired of the
lives they led.
As more and more people
protested and demanded
change, it became hard
to stop this. Some
people say TV did it!
17. One of the most obvious
people to link with the
end was Mikhail
Gorbachev.
As USSR leader he
introduced many reforms
which significantly
changed it.
18. A greater openness, more
democracy, changing the
economy; all of these
massively changed the
Soviet Union.
Others however argue
that he did not choose
to do these but was
forced by events
elsewhere.
19. US President Ronald
Reagan is sometimes
given credit too.
Reagan was very antiCommunist. He gave
support to Afghanistan
and had an influence in
Poland too. These issues
hurt the USSR.
20. However many argue that
Reagan might have
actually delayed the
Cold War’s end.
By being so aggressive
he forced the USSR to
carry on. He also
supported many
undemocratic regimes.
21. UK Prime Minister
Margaret Thatcher was a
big supporter and friend
of Ronald Reagan.
She had good relations
with Gorbachev. Thatcher
also helped by allowing
the USA to base nuclear
missiles in the UK.
22. However Thatcher’s
influence is largely
limited.
Her main power came
from her friendship
with Ronald Reagan,
suggesting he has a
major role.
23. Another key person
might have been Pope
John Paul II.
John Paul II, from
Poland, gave many
speeches which hugely
influenced mostly
Catholic Poland. He
was very helpful to
Solidarity.
24. The Pope’s role in
Poland was very
important in changing
the country. This had a
knock-on effect
elsewhere.
However his influence is
limited in other
countries, reducing his
overall role.
