DECLINE AND FALL OF THE SOVIET EMPIRE
CREATION OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL
THE BERLIN WALL
NATO AND THE WARSAW PACT
Soviets squashed all rebellions in their “puppet states”
· Warsaw pact looked to capitalism with envy.
Hottest item on the black market –Levi’s jeans!
Communism and the Satellite Nations• Prague Spring, 1968
– In 1964, the new Soviet leader, Brezhnev, started a new more repressive regime both in the USSR and the Soviet satellites.
– In 1968, Czech leader Alexander Dubcek tried to create “socialism with a human face” - and loosened controls over the people to allow more freedom.
– The USSR regarded the Prague Spring as a revolt against their control and invaded Czechoslovakia in August.
Workers had no incentive to work, farmers didn’t farm on collectives.
---Rampant alcoholism.
· Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev began a policy called glasnost, in which he allowed more freedom of speech and the press.
Ronald Reagan
• Called the Soviet Union an “Evil Empire” and increased Military spending
• Soviets could not afford this new arms race. Reagan’s actions contribute to Soviet Collapse
• “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!!!”
Mikhail Gorbachev
• Saw that the Soviet Union’s people were falling behind the West in terms of standard of living
• Ended the expensive arms race by treaty with U.S.
• Sent a clear message to Satellite countries that Russia would not use force to keep communists governments in power
• Peaceful revolutions drove the communists out and ended the cold war
• The Soviets refused to use their military to put down revolt’s in Satellite States
• East Berliners rallied and started to dismantle the Berlin wall. The East German dictator’s soldiers refused to stop them
· As a result, fifteen Soviet republics gained their independence.
Post-Soviet states in alphabetical order: 1. Armenia; 2. Azerbaijan; 3. Belarus; 4. Estonia; 5. Georgia; 6. Kazakhstan; 7. Kyrgyzstan; 8. Latvia; 9. Lithuania; 10. Moldova; 11. Russia; 12. Tajikistan; 13. Turkmenistan; 14. Ukraine; 15. Uzbekistan
Conflict in Palestine
• A movement to settle Jews into Palestine began in the late 1800’s– Jews believed that it was their home because it
had belonged to them thousands of years ago– However, Muslims had lived there for the past
thousand years
• Britain gained control of the area following WWI and stated in interest in creating a Jewish nation there.– This became known as the Balfour Declaration
• A movement to settle Jews into Palestine began in the late 1800’s– Jews believed that it was their home because it
had belonged to them thousands of years ago– However, Muslims had lived there for the past
thousand years
• Britain gained control of the area following WWI and stated in interest in creating a Jewish nation there.– This became known as the Balfour Declaration
Israel Divided
• After World War II, Britain left the area and the United Nations divided the area into two sections, one each for Jews and Palestinians– Islamic nations opposed the plan, as did the
Palestinians– In 1948, the Jews in Palestine declared the
Jewish Nation of Israel– Six neighboring Islamic nations attacked Israel
the very next day– With help from the United States, Israel was able
to fight off these Islamic nations
• After World War II, Britain left the area and the United Nations divided the area into two sections, one each for Jews and Palestinians– Islamic nations opposed the plan, as did the
Palestinians– In 1948, the Jews in Palestine declared the
Jewish Nation of Israel– Six neighboring Islamic nations attacked Israel
the very next day– With help from the United States, Israel was able
to fight off these Islamic nations
Peace is Never Truly Reached
• Despite many efforts to achieve peace, Israel and the Palestinians have failed to do so.– Palestine wants its land back– The PLO, Palestinian Liberation Organization led
by Yasir Arafat has worked to gain freedom for Palestinian people
• The struggle continues today
• Despite many efforts to achieve peace, Israel and the Palestinians have failed to do so.– Palestine wants its land back– The PLO, Palestinian Liberation Organization led
by Yasir Arafat has worked to gain freedom for Palestinian people
• The struggle continues today
Israel Today –
The Religious
Battle
Church of the Holy Sepulchre – Christians believe it is the location where Jesus was
eventually buried
Church of the Holy Sepulchre – Christians believe it is the location where Jesus was
eventually buried
Dome on the Rock – Muslim Temple - believed to be the second holiest place
on Earth and the site where Muhammad ascended into Heaven
Dome on the Rock – Muslim Temple - believed to be the second holiest place
on Earth and the site where Muhammad ascended into Heaven
Wailing Wall – The remainder of the Holy Temple for Jewish
believers.
Wailing Wall – The remainder of the Holy Temple for Jewish
believers.
The War Continues in Israel
• In 1967, the Six Day War broke out when Israel attacked Egypt and her Arab allies.– It was a pre-emptive strike as it looked as if
Arab invasion was imminent. – Israel quickly defeated the Arab states (even
with Soviet support).
• In 1973, Egyptian leader Anwar Sadat attacked Israel– During the Holy celebration of Yom Kippur– Israel Prime Minister Golda Meir responded
and Israel regained their territory
• In 1967, the Six Day War broke out when Israel attacked Egypt and her Arab allies.– It was a pre-emptive strike as it looked as if
Arab invasion was imminent. – Israel quickly defeated the Arab states (even
with Soviet support).
• In 1973, Egyptian leader Anwar Sadat attacked Israel– During the Holy celebration of Yom Kippur– Israel Prime Minister Golda Meir responded
and Israel regained their territory
Palestine Loses Their Land to Jews
Problems Solved (sort of)• In 1977, Egypt and Israel signed the Camp
David Accords– Israel gave land back to Egypt Israel-Egypt
Peace Treaty (1979)– Egypt recognized Israel, the first Islamic nation to
do so• This angered many Arabs and Sadat was assassinated
in 1981
• In 1977, Egypt and Israel signed the Camp David Accords– Israel gave land back to Egypt Israel-Egypt
Peace Treaty (1979)– Egypt recognized Israel, the first Islamic nation to
do so• This angered many Arabs and Sadat was assassinated
in 1981
Anwar Sadat, Jimmy Carter, and Menahem at the Camp David Accords
document signing
Anwar Sadat, Jimmy Carter, and Menahem at the Camp David Accords
document signing