*The Cold War 1945-1990US vs. Union of Soviet Socialist RepublicsDemocracy vs. CommunismCapitalism vs. Socialism

Chapter 29: US and Europe the Cold WarThe United States and the Soviet Union vie for superiority, and both countries extend their control over other nations.

Cold War Tensions

Understand how two sides faced off in Europe during the Cold War.Learn how nuclear weapons threatened the world.Understand how the Cold War spread globally.Compare and contrast the Soviet Union and the United States in the Cold War. Objectives

Terms and Peoplesuperpowers nations stronger than other powerful nationsanti-ballistic missiles (ABMs) missiles that can shoot down other missiles from hostile countriesRonald Reagan the president of the United States from 1980 to 1988dtente the relaxation of Cold War tensions

Fidel Castro leader of an armed rebellion in Cuba, who took power there in 1959 and allied with the Soviet Union John F. Kennedy the president of the United States from 1961 to 1963ideology a system of values and beliefsTerms and People (continued)

Nikita Khrushchev the leader of the Soviet Union after Stalins death in 1953, who called for peaceful coexistence with the WestLeonid Brezhnev the leader of the Soviet Union from the mid-1960s until 1982; reinstated the policy of imprisoning criticscontainment the policy of trying to keep communism within its existing boundaries and preventing further expansionTerms and People (continued)

After World War II ended, the United States and the Soviet Union emerged as superpowers. They engaged in a Cold War that involved most of the world for the next 40 years.What were the military and political consequences of the Cold War in the Soviet Union, Europe, and the United States?

The United States led the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in democratic Western Europe.After World War II, the United States and the Soviet Union faced off along the Iron Curtain.Both sides relied on European alliances: the United States with the West and the Soviet Union with the East.

The city of Berlin in Germany became a focus of the Cold War.West Berlin was democratic and East Berlin was communist.East Germans fled into West Berlin in droves before East Germany built a wall in 1961.The barrier of concrete and barbed wire became a symbol of the Cold War.

In 1953, 50,000 workers in East Berlin unsuccessfully stood up to the Soviet Army. Hungary tried to pull out of the Warsaw Pact in 1956. Soviet tanks overcame Hungarian freedom fighters.The leader of Czechoslovakia introduced limited democracy in 1968, but Warsaw Pact troops ended the effort.In the 1950s and 1960s, the Soviet Union crushed attempted revolts in Eastern Europe.

Both sides had nuclear weapons by 1949 and hydrogen bombs by 1953.Each side hoped that the threat of mutually assured destruction would deter the other from launching its weapons.

The Soviet Union and the United States engaged in a deadly arms race.The arms race fed a worldwide fear of nuclear doom.

One agreement limited anti-ballistic missiles (ABMs). In the 1980s, President Ronald Reagan supported a Star Wars missile defense program.Despite Cold War tension, the two sides did meet to discuss limiting nuclear weapons.

Around the world, the two superpowers confronted each other indirectly by supporting opposite sides in local conflicts.

Fidel Castro led a revolt against the corrupt dictator there in the 1950s.Castro took power in 1959, allied with the Soviet Union, and nationalized businesses.U.S. President John F. Kennedy wanted to bring down the communist regime and supported the Bay of Pigs Invasion, which failed.Cuba became a communist nation in the 1950s.

President Kennedy blockaded Soviet ships and demanded that the Soviets remove the missiles. As the threat of nuclear war loomed, Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev agreed and the crisis was over.The Soviet Union sent nuclear missiles to Cuba in 1962, sparking the Cuban missile crisis.

The Soviet Union in the Cold WarThe government controlled most of public life.Leaders wanted to spread the communist ideology around the world.Under Leonid Brezhnev, who held power from the mid-1960s until 1982, Soviets who spoke out against the government were imprisoned or silenced.

The Cold War was really a struggle between two different economic and political systems.

The United States worked to keep communism within its existing boundaries.It supported any government facing communist invasion.During the Cold War, the United States pursued a policy of containment.

Life in the United States during the Cold War was marked by a fear of both nuclear fallout and communism within.Many people built bomb shelters in their yards.Public schools conducted air-raid drills.Americans worried there were communists in the United States. This red scare led to many false accusations and ruined lives.

The Red Guards: Chinas Teenage Police ForceBetween 1966 and 1976, students in Chinas Red Guard waged a Cultural Revolution on teachers and professionals that left a million people dead and the country in chaos.

Red Guards holding Maos Little Red Book of his sayings during the cultural revolution.

Cold War Timeline, 1946-1980

Cold War: Superpowers Face OffThe opposing economic and political philosophies of the United States and the Soviet Union lead to global competition.

Allies Become EnemiesYalta Conference: A Postwar PlanIn February 1945, British, American, and Soviet leaders meet at YaltaThey agree to divide Germany into zones of occupation when WWI endsSoviet leader Stalin agrees to allow free elections in Eastern Europe

Allies Become EnemiesCreation of the United NationsJune 1945, 50 nations form the United Nationsan international organizationAll members are represented in the General Assembly; 11 nations are on the Security CouncilFive permanent members have Security Council veto power

Allies Become EnemiesDiffering U.S. and Soviet GoalsU.S. and Soviets split sharply after WWII endsU.S. is worlds richest and most powerful country after WWII because of consumer spending.Soviets recovering from high war casualties and had many destroyed cities

Eastern Europes Iron CurtainSoviets Build a BufferSoviets control Eastern European countries after World War II to protect against attack.The US was Alarmed by soviet control of Eastern Europe because the US was worried about the spread of communismStalin installs Communist governments in several countriesTruman urges free elections; Stalin refuses to allow free electionsIn 1946, Stalin says capitalism and communism cannot co-exist

Eastern Europes Iron CurtainAn Iron Curtain Divides East and WestGermany is divided; East Germany is Communist, West Germany democraticIron CurtainWinston Churchills name for the division of EuropeRussia receives the largest share of German reparations after WWII

Churchill, Truman, and Stalin at the Potsdam Conference

Fence alone the East/West Border in Germany

The nations on the eastern side of the Iron Curtain were known as the Eastern Bloc

Preserved section of the border between East Germany and West Germany called the "Little Berlin Wall" at Mdlareuth

United States Tries to Contain SovietsContainmentContainmentU.S. plan to stop the spread of communismThe Truman DoctrineTruman DoctrineU.S. supports countries that reject communismCongress approves Trumans request for Hundreds of millions in aid to Greece and Turkey

United States Tries to Contain SovietsThe Marshall PlanMuch of Western Europe lay in ruins after World War IIMarshall PlanU.S. program of assisting Western European countries with massive economic aid let Western Europe make a rapid recoveryCongress approves plan after Communist takeover of Czechoslovakia

United States Tries to Contain SovietsThe Berlin AirliftIn 1948, U.S., Britain, and France withdraw forces from West GermanyTheir former occupation zones form one countrySoviets oppose this, stop land, rail, and water traffic into West Berlin; to force the West to leave BerlinWest Berlin, located in Soviet occupation zone, faces starvationU.S. and Britain fly in supplies for 11 months until the blockade ends

Divisions of Germany

Divisions of Berlin

Routes of Berlin Airlift

The Cold War Divides the WorldThe Cold WarCold-Warstruggle of U.S. and Soviet Union using means short of warSuperpowers Form Rival AlliancesIn 1949, U.S., Canada, and West European countries form NATONATONorth Atlantic Treaty Organizationis a defensive military allianceIn 1955, Soviets and Eastern nations sign the Warsaw Pact allianceIn 1961, Soviets build the Berlin Wall to separate East and West Berlin

NATO

Warsaw Pact

and

Non-aligned nations

Warsaw Pact NationsNote: Federal Peoples Republic of Yugoslavia is forced out of the Warsaw Pact in 1948

The Cold War Divides the WorldEffect of the Arms RaceThe Threat of Nuclear WarSoviet Union explodes its first atomic bomb in 1949U.S. and Soviet Union both develop the more powerful hydrogen bombBrinkmanshippolicy of willingness to go to the edge of warIncreasing tensions lead to military buildup by U.S. and the Soviets

The Cold War Divides the WorldThe Cold War in the SkiesIn 1957, Soviets launch Sputnik, first unmanned satellite. THE SPACE RACE BEGINS!In 1960, Soviets shoot down American spy plane (a U-2), increasing tensionsThe US and Russia base their defense strategies on the principle of deterrence because of the development of nuclear weapons.

Turn in Text BookIf you were absent on Friday: Writing prompt: Write three paragraphs, the title needs to be a thesis statement. One goal I achieved for my nation. One problem I solved for my nation. What did I learn about world politics?Thesis outline: The UN project was ____ and ____, the nation of ______ was improved by achieving a goal of______, solving the problem of______, and the most important thing I learned was __________.

A replica of Sputnik 1

U-2 spy plane similar to the one shot down over the U.S.S.R.

Francis Gary Powers with a model of a U-2 spy plane.

Wreckage of Gary Powers U-2

Communists Take Power in ChinaAfter World War II, Chinese Communists defeat Nationalist forces and two separate Chinas emerge.

Communists vs. NationalistsWorld War II in ChinaMao Zedongleads Chinese Communists against Japanese invadersJiang Jieshi (a.k.a. Chiang Kai-shek)leads of Chinese Nationalists in World War IINationalist and Communist Chinese resume civil war after WWII ends

Communists vs. NationalistsMao ZedongJiang Jieshi (a.k.a. Chiang Kai-shek)

Communists vs. NationalistsCivil War ResumesEconomic problems cause Nationalist soldiers to desert to CommunistsMaos troops take control of Chinas major citiesIn 1949, Peoples Republic of China is createdNationalists flee to Taiwan

The Two Chinas Affect the Cold WarThe Superpowers ReactU.S. supports Nationalist state in Taiwan, called Republic of ChinaSoviets and China agree to help each other in event of attackU.S. tries to stop Soviet expansion and spread of communism in China

The Two Chinas Affect the Cold WarChina Expands under the CommunistsChina takes control of Tibet and southern MongoliaIndia welcomes Tibetan refugees fleeing revolt against ChineseChina and India clash over border; fighting stops but tensions remain

The Communists Transform ChinaCommunists Claim a New Mandate of HeavenChinese Communists organize national government and Communist PartyMaos Brand of Marxist SocialismMao takes property from landowners and divides it among peasantsGovernment seizes private companies and plans production increase

The Communists Transform ChinaThe Great Leap ForwardCommuneslarge collective farms often supporting over 25,000 peopleProgram is ended after inefficiency leads to crop failures and famines

The Communists Transform ChinaNew Policies and Maos ResponseChina and Soviet Union clash over leadership of communist movementStrict socialist ideas are moderated, Mao reduces his role in governmentRed Guardsmilitia units formed to enforce strict communism in China

The Communists Transform ChinaThe Cultural RevolutionCultural Revolutionmovement to build society of peasants and workersRed Guardsgroups of violent and radical youthclose schools and execute or imprison many intellectualsIn 1968, Chinese army imprisons, executes, or exiles most Red Guards who have been labeled by the government Counter Revolutionary.However, the Cultural Revolution continues until Maos death in 1976.

Gang of FourAfter Maos death, the Gang of Fourthe radical group that controlled the power organs of the Chinese Communist Party throughout the Cultural Revolutionis arrested and judged responsible for the excesses and chaos that occurred in China as a result of this revolution.

Life and Death in Shanghaiby Nien ChengBorn in Beijing, Cheng became a target of attack by Red Guards in 1966 due to her management of a foreign firm in Shanghai, Shell. Maoist revolutionaries used this fact to claim that Cheng was a British spy in order to strike at Communist Party moderates for allowing the firm to operate in China after 1949. Her book documents her amazing courage and fortitude that enabled her to survive her 6 year imprisonment.

Wars in Korea and VietnamIn Asia, the Cold War flares into actual wars supported mainly by the superpowers.

War in KoreaA Divided Land38th parallelline dividing Korea into North Korea and South Korea

War in KoreaStandoff at the 38th ParallelThe goal of the Korean War was to contain communist expansionIn 1950, North Koreans invade South Korea with Soviet supportSouth Korea requests UN assistance; 15 nations send troopsDouglas MacArthurleads UN forces against North KoreansNorth Koreans controls most of the peninsula when MacArthur attacksHalf of North Koreas army surrenders, the rest retreat

War in KoreaThe Fighting ContinuesUN troops push North Koreans almost to Chinese borderChinese send 300,000 troops against UN forces and capture SeoulMacArthur calls for nuclear attack and is removed from commandIn 1953, cease fire signed and border established at 38th parallel

War in KoreaAftermath of the WarNorth Korea builds collective farms, heavy industry, nuclear weaponsSouth Korea establishes democracy, growing economy with U.S. aid

War Breaks Out in VietnamThe Road to WarHo Chi MinhNorth Vietnamese nationalist, later Communist leaderThe Fighting BeginsIn 1954, French surrender to Vietnamese after major defeatDomino theoryU.S. theory of Communist expansion in Southeast AsiaHo Chi Minh

The War in Vietnam, 1957-1973

Note the Ho Chi Minh Trail through Laos and Cambodia

War Breaks Out in VietnamVietnamA Divided CountryInternational peace conference agrees on a divided VietnamNgo Dinh Diemleads anti-Communist government in South VietnamVietcongSouth Vietnamese Communist guerillas fighting against DiemNgo Dinh Diem

Ngo Dinh Diem (1901-1963), President of South Vietnam 1955-1963, with U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower at National Airport, Washington, 1957. Direct U.S. involvement in the Vietnam war began in the mid-1950s, when the U.S. took over the struggle from the French. The Eisenhower administration began by supporting the Diem regime, and then providing military advisors and increased support. However, by the end of the Eisenhower term, the U.S. had fewer than 2000 troops in Vietnam. Diem was murdered in a military coup in 1963.

Lyndon B. Johnson, the President of the United States from 1963 to 1970, makes a public statement on the Tonkin Gulf incident, August 4, 1964. When North Vietnam was said to have attacked two U.S. destroyers, Congress hastily passed the Tonkin Gulf Resolution, giving the president blanket authority to take necessary actions to protect U.S. forces.

Subsequently, there have been serious questions as to what actually occurred in the Tonkin Gulf, but with vastly increased U.S. expenditures, the war quickly escalated; by 1969 the U.S. forces totaled almost 550,000 individuals. There was much opposition to the war in the Congress and among the U.S. people, and Johnson's very considerable domestic policy achievements were overshadowed by the criticism of his war policy.

General William C. Westmoreland, McGeorge Bundy and General Kanh of South Vietnam, photographed at Camp Holloway, South Vietnam, in February 1965. Gen. Westmoreland commanded the U.S. troops in Vietnam 1964-68; Bundy was special assistant for national security to President Johnson from 1961 to 1966, and a key supporter of the Vietnam war.

The United States Gets InvolvedU.S. Troops Enter the FightIn 1964, U.S. sends troops to fight Viet Cong and North VietnameseU.S. fights guerilla war defending increasingly unpopular governmentVietcong gains support from Ho Chi Minh, China, and Soviet Union

The United States Gets InvolvedThe United States WithdrawsWar grows unpopular in the U.S.; in 1969, Nixon starts withdrawing troopsVietnamizationNixons plan to withdraw U.S. from war graduallyLast U.S. troops leave in 1973; South Vietnam overrun in 1975

Nixon appeared on television January 23, 1973, to announce the ceasefire. The agreement ended nearly 12 years of warfare in which 58,000 Americans had lost their lives. It did not contain an enforceable plan for the peaceable settlement of Vietnam's internal problems; within a year, fighting there had resumed. Eventually, the South Vietnamese government of Thieu was defeated by the Provisional Revolutionary Government (PRG) of South Vietnamese communist rebels and North Vietnamese troops. Even had Nixon wished to intervene, Congress passed, over his veto, a ''War Powers Act'' that gave Congress the power to prevent him from acting without its consent - a consent that Congress would have been unwilling to extend in 1974 or 1975.

Postwar Southeast AsiaCambodia in TurmoilKhmer RougeCommunist rebels who take control of Cambodia in 1975They slaughter 2 million people; overthrown by Vietnamese invadersIn 1993, Cambodia adopts democracy, holds elections with UN helpPol Pot, leader of the Khmer Rouge (Cambodian Communist Party, literally Red Khmers) in 1977 at the height of his power

Eddie Adams (photographer)It was while covering the Vietnam War for the Associated Press that he took his best-known photograph the picture of police chief General Nguyn Ngc Loan executing a Vietcong prisoner, Nguyn Vn Lm, on a Saigon street, on February 1, 1968, during the opening stages of the Tet Offensive.

Postwar Southeast AsiaThe Killing Fields were a number of sites in Cambodia where large numbers of people were killed and buried by the Khmer Rouge regime, during its rule of the country from 1975 to 1979, immediately after the end of the Vietnam War.

Postwar Southeast AsiaAt least 200,000 people were executed by the Khmer Rouge (while estimates of the total number of deaths resulting from Khmer Rouge policies, including disease and starvation, range from 1.4 to 2.2 million out of a population of around 7 million).A commemorative stupa filled with the skulls of the victims.

Choung Ek Killing Field: The bones of young children who were killed by Khmer Rouge soldiers.

Mass grave in Choeung Ek.

History in Film: The Killing Fields (1984)The Killing Fields is a 1984 British drama film about the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia, which is based on the experiences of three journalists:Cambodian Dith PranAmerican Sydney SchanbergBritish Jon Swain.The film won three Academy Awards, includingBest Supporting Actor for Haing S. Ngor as Dith Pran.Sam Waterston from Law and Order stars in the film as Sydney Schanberg

Postwar Southeast AsiaVietnam after the WarSaigon renamed Ho Chi Minh City; Vietnam united as Communist nationAbout 1.5 million people flee Vietnam, some settling in the U.S. and CanadaIn 1995, United States normalizes relations with Vietnam

The Cold War Divides the WorldThe superpowers support opposing sides in Latin American and Middle Eastern conflicts

Fighting for the Third WorldMore Than One WorldThird Worlddeveloping nations; often newly independent, nonalignedCold War StrategiesU.S., Soviet Union, and China compete for influence over the Third WorldThey back revolutions and give economic , military and technical aid

Fighting for the Third WorldAssociation of Nonaligned NationsMany countries, like India, want to avoid involvement in the Cold WarIn 1955, Indonesia hosts Asian and African leaders who want neutralityNonaligned nationsindependent countries not involved in the Cold War

Confrontations in Latin AmericaFidel Castro and the Cuban RevolutionFidel Castroleads revolt in Cuba against dictator supported by the U.S.By 1959, Castro in power, nationalizes economy, takes U.S. propertyIn 1961, Castro defeats U.S. trained Cuban exiles at the Bay of Pigs

Fidel Castro

Confrontations in Latin AmericaNuclear Face-off: the Cuban Missile CrisisIn 1962, U.S. demands removal of Soviet missiles in CubaSoviets withdraw missiles; U.S. promises not to invade CubaCuban economy is left dependent on Soviet support

Confrontations in Latin AmericaCivil War in NicaraguaAnastasio Somoza DebayleNicaraguan dictator supported by the U.S.Daniel Ortegaleads Sandinista rebels who take power in NicaraguaU.S. and Soviet Union both initially support SandinistasSandinistas aid Communist rebels in El SalvadorU.S. helps anti-Communist Contras in Nicaragua to assist El SalvadorIn 1990, Nicaragua holds first free elections, Sandinistas lose

Daniel Ortega on Time magazine, March 31, 1986Anastasio Somoza Debayle (U.S. supported president of Nicaragua from 1967-1980)

Confrontations in the Middle EastReligious and Secular Values Clash in IranShah Reza Pahlavi embraces Western governments and oil companiesIranian nationalists overthrow shah, seize British oil companyU.S. restores shah to power, fearing Soviet encroachmentShah Reza Pahlavi

Confrontations in the Middle EastThe United States Supports Secular RuleShah Reza Pahlavi westernizes Iran with U.S. supportAyatollah Ruholla KhomeiniIranian Muslim leader; lives in exileIn 1978, Khomeini sparks riots in Iran, Shah flees

Confrontations in the Middle EastKhomeinis Anti-U.S. PoliciesIslamic revolutionaries hold American hostages in Tehran (1979-1981) for 444 daysMuslim radicals take control in Iran, increasing tensions with IraqSaddam Hussein, fearing the spread of the Iranian Revolution into Iraq, attacks Iran.Iran and Iraq fight an 8-year war; U.S. aids both sides, Soviets help Iraq

Blindfolded American hostages in Iran in 1979.

Confrontations in the Middle EastThe Superpowers Face Off in AfghanistanSoviets invade Afghanistan to help Communist government against rebelsMuslim rebels fight guerilla war against Soviets with U.S. weaponsU.S. stops grain shipments to Soviet UnionSoviets eventually withdraw in 1989

The Cold War ThawsThe Cold War begins to thaw as the superpowers enter an era of uneasy diplomacy

Soviet Policy in Eastern Europe and ChinaDestalinization and Rumblings of ProtestNikita Khrushchevleader of Soviet Union after Stalin dies (1953)Khrushchev condemns Stalin; Soviets and West can peacefully competeCitizens of Soviet-controlled governments begin protesting communismKhrushchev sends Soviet military to put down Hungarian protesters.

Soviet Policy in Eastern Europe and ChinaThe Revolt in CzechoslovakiaLeonid BrezhnevSoviet leader after Khrushchevrepresses dissentIn 1968, Warsaw Pact troops block reforms in Czechoslovakia

Soviet Policy in Eastern Europe and ChinaThe Soviet-Chinese SplitIn 1950, Mao and Stalin sign friendship treaty, but tensions growChinese and Soviets each want to lead world communismKhrushchev ends economic aid and refuses to share nuclear secretsSoviets and Chinese fight small skirmishes across border

From Brinkmanship to DtenteBrinkmanship Breaks DownBrinkmanship cause repeated crises; nuclear war a constant threatJohn F. KennedyU.S. president during the Cuban Missile CrisisLyndon Johnsonpresident who increases U.S. involvement in Vietnam

From Brinkmanship to DtenteThe United States Turns to DtenteVietnam-era turmoil fuels desire for less confrontational policyDtentepolicy of reducing Cold War tensions to avoid conflictRichard M. NixonU.S. president who launches dtenteDtente grows out of philosophy known as realpolitikrealistic politicsrecognizes need to be practical and flexible

From Brinkmanship to DtenteNixon Visits Communist PowersNixon visits Communist China and Soviet Union, signs SALT I TreatySALTStrategic Arms Limitation Talkslimits nuclear weapons

Nixon visiting China

The Collapse of DtentePolicy ChangesNixon and Gerald Ford improve relations with Soviets and ChinaJimmy Carter has concerns about Soviet policies but signs SALT IICongress will not ratify SALT II due to Soviet invasion of Afghanistan

The Collapse of DtenteReagan Takes an Anti-Communist StanceRonald Reagananti-Communist U.S. president takes office in 1981Reagan increases military spending and proposes a missile defense programIn 1985, new Soviet leadership allows easing of Cold War tensionsIn 1989 USSR leader Mikhail Gorbachev loosened soviet control in Eastern Europe, which led to many revolutions.

President Ronald Reagan at desk. George H.W. Bush behind him along with several advisors.

The End of the Cold WarIn 1991 the Soviet Union collapsed because of severe economic problemsAfter the fall of communism and the introduction of market reforms in Eastern Europe lead to rising immigration from Eastern Europe to western Europe.

*Reagans Star Wars Interrupts ThawThe Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) was a proposal by President Reagan on in 1983 to use ground and space-based systems to protect the US from attack by nuclear ballistic missiles. It focused on strategic defense rather than doctrine of mutual assured destruction (MAD). It was quickly nicknamed Star Wars.Criticism of SDI: It would require the US to change, withdraw from, or break earlier treaties. The Outer Space Treaty of 1967, which requires "States Parties to the Treaty undertake not to place in orbit around the Earth any objects carrying nuclear weapons or any other kinds of weapons of mass destruction, install such weapons on celestial bodies, or station such weapons in outer space in any other manner" and would forbid the US from pre-positioning in Earth orbit any devices powered by nuclear weapons and any devices capable of "mass destruction.The program proposed to use unproven technology.The program would cost many billions of dollars. It would start a new arms race with the Soviets.Artist rendering of satellites and lasers to be used in SDI

*Cold War Thaw ContinuesGorbachev becomes Soviet premier and understands that the Soviet economy cannot compete with the West, partly because of Afghanistan and partly because of the costs of keeping up militarily. Gorbachev recognizes there is increasing unrest in the country. He tries to reform the USSR with glasnost (= openness: think glass because you can see through it) and perestroika (=restructuring: think structure/stroika).Gorbachev is further pressured to reform the USSR when Reagan gives his speech in Germany challenging Gorbachev to tear down this wall.

*The Wall Falls, 1989 A wave of rebellion against Soviet influence occurs throughout its European allies. Polands Solidarity movement breaks the Soviet hold on that country Hungary removed its border restrictions with Austria.Riots and protests break out in East Germany. East Germans storm the wall. Confused and outnumbered, border guards do not fight back. The wall is breached. Eventually East and West Germany are reunited in 1990.

*The USSR Dissolves On December 21, 1991, the presidents of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus signed the Belavezha Accords declaring the USSR dissolved and established the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in its place. On December 25, 1991, Gorbachev yielded as the president of the USSR, declaring the office extinct. He turned the powers that until then were vested in him over to Boris Yeltsin, president of Russia. The following day, the Supreme Soviet, the highest governmental body of the Soviet Union, recognized the collapse of the Soviet Union and dissolved itself. This is generally recognized as the official, final dissolution of the Soviet Union as a functioning state.

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