All Flashcards
When did Stalin die?
- His death created a power vacuum.
What was the significance of the 'Secret Speech'?
Marked the beginning of De-Stalinization and criticized Stalin's regime.
What was the Cuban Missile Crisis?
A major Cold War confrontation between the US and the Soviet Union in 1962 over Soviet missiles in Cuba.
What was the Soviet-Afghan War?
A conflict fought from 1979 to 1989 between Soviet forces and Afghan mujahideen, contributing to the USSR's decline.
When did the Berlin Wall fall?
- Symbolized the end of the Cold War.
When did the Soviet Union dissolve?
- Led to significant geopolitical changes.
What was the effect of renaming Stalingrad to Volgograd?
Symbolized the rejection of Stalin's legacy during De-Stalinization.
What was the effect of closing gulags?
A key aspect of De-Stalinization, reducing political repression.
What was the effect of prioritizing party unity and minimizing dissent?
A hallmark of the Brezhnev era, leading to political and economic stagnation.
What was the effect of the end of the Cold War?
Marked a significant shift in global power dynamics.
Compare Khrushchev and Brezhnev's leadership styles.
Khrushchev: Reformist, De-Stalinization. Brezhnev: Conservative, prioritized stability.
Compare Glasnost and Perestroika.
Glasnost: Openness, freedom of speech. Perestroika: Economic restructuring.
Compare Stalin's rule and Brezhnev's rule.
Stalin: Repressive, rapid industrialization. Brezhnev: Stagnation, stability.
Compare the impacts of the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Soviet-Afghan War.
Cuban Missile Crisis: Brink of nuclear war, increased tensions. Soviet-Afghan War: Drain on Soviet resources, contributed to decline.
Compare the goals of De-Stalinization and Perestroika.
De-Stalinization: To dismantle Stalin's legacy. Perestroika: To restructure the Soviet economy.
Compare the effects of Glasnost and Perestroika.
Glasnost: Increased freedom but also criticism. Perestroika: Decentralization but also economic problems.
Compare the leadership of Khrushchev and Gorbachev.
Khrushchev: De-Stalinization, but still authoritarian. Gorbachev: More democratic, Glasnost and Perestroika.
Compare the economic policies of Stalin and Brezhnev.
Stalin: Rapid industrialization, collectivization. Brezhnev: Stagnation, lack of reform.
Compare the foreign policies of Brezhnev and Gorbachev.
Brezhnev: Détente, intervention in Afghanistan. Gorbachev: End of the Cold War, arms control.
Compare the outcomes of Khrushchev's reforms and Gorbachev's reforms.
Khrushchev: Limited success, resistance. Gorbachev: Led to the collapse of the USSR.
Define De-Stalinization.
Political reform in the Soviet Union after Stalin's death involving the condemnation of his crimes and the dismantling of his cult of personality.
What is Brezhnev Stagnation?
Period of economic, political, and social stagnation in the Soviet Union during Brezhnev's rule, characterized by a lack of reform and innovation.
Define Glasnost.
Policy of openness and transparency introduced by Gorbachev, allowing for increased freedom of speech and press in the Soviet Union.
What is Perestroika?
Economic restructuring policy implemented by Gorbachev, aiming to decentralize economic decision-making and introduce market-oriented reforms.
Define Détente.
The easing of hostility or strained relations, especially between countries, during the Cold War.
What was the Holodomor?
A man-made famine in Soviet Ukraine from 1932 to 1933 that killed millions of Ukrainians.
What was the 'Secret Speech'?
Khrushchev's speech denouncing Stalin's purges and cult of personality.
Define 'cult of personality'.
Arises when an individual uses mass media, propaganda, or other methods to create an idealized, heroic, and at times worshipful public image.
What was the Eastern Bloc?
The former communist states of Eastern and Central Europe.
What was the Soviet Union?
A socialist state on the Eurasian continent that existed from 1922 to 1991.