Glossary
Arms Race
A competition between two or more parties to have the best armed forces, particularly in the development and accumulation of weapons, especially nuclear weapons.
Example:
During the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union engaged in a relentless Arms Race, constantly developing more powerful nuclear bombs and delivery systems, like intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Boris Yeltsin
The first President of the Russian Federation, who played a key role in the dissolution of the Soviet Union and led Russia through its initial post-Soviet transition.
Example:
Boris Yeltsin famously stood on a tank to defy the hardline coup attempt against Gorbachev, solidifying his image as a champion of democratic reform.
Fall of the Berlin Wall
The dismantling of the barrier separating East and West Berlin in November 1989, symbolizing the collapse of communist regimes in Eastern Europe and the end of the Cold War.
Example:
The joyous scenes of citizens chipping away at the Fall of the Berlin Wall captured global attention, signaling a dramatic shift in the geopolitical landscape.
Glasnost
A policy of 'openness' introduced by Mikhail Gorbachev in the Soviet Union, promoting greater transparency in government activities and allowing for increased freedom of speech and press.
Example:
Glasnost led to public discussions of previously taboo subjects, such as historical atrocities and economic failures, which fueled public discontent and demands for change.
Mikhail Gorbachev
The last leader of the Soviet Union, who implemented significant reforms like Perestroika and Glasnost in an attempt to revitalize the ailing Soviet system.
Example:
Mikhail Gorbachev's attempts to reform the Soviet Union ultimately led to its dissolution, as his policies unleashed forces he could not control.
Mujahideen
Various guerrilla groups of Afghan Islamic warriors who fought against the Soviet invasion and the communist Afghan government during the Soviet-Afghan War.
Example:
The Mujahideen, supported by foreign aid, employed effective guerrilla tactics against the technologically superior Soviet forces, making the occupation incredibly difficult.
Nationalism
A political ideology that involves an individual's identification with, or devotion to, their nation, often leading to movements for self-determination and independence.
Example:
The weakening of Soviet control allowed long-suppressed Nationalism to surge in republics like Lithuania and Ukraine, leading to widespread demands for independence.
Perestroika
An economic restructuring policy introduced by Mikhail Gorbachev in the Soviet Union, aiming to decentralize economic decision-making and introduce some market-like reforms.
Example:
Under Perestroika, some state-owned enterprises were allowed more autonomy, and limited private businesses began to emerge, a stark contrast to the traditional Soviet command economy.
Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan
A nine-year conflict (1979-1989) in which the Soviet Union intervened to support the communist government of Afghanistan against anti-communist insurgent groups.
Example:
The Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan proved to be a costly and protracted conflict, often compared to America's experience in Vietnam, draining Soviet resources and morale.
Space Race
A 20th-century competition between two Cold War rivals, the United States and the Soviet Union, for supremacy in spaceflight capability.
Example:
The launch of Sputnik by the USSR in 1957 ignited the Space Race, pushing the U.S. to accelerate its own space program, ultimately leading to the moon landing.