late Cold War, 1973-1991
SALT - 1973,
détente’
are significant currents of 1970’s (Nixon/Breshnev)
Soviet invasion of Afghanistan (1979) - escalates caution
1980’s: first renewed tension, then a new wave of
détente’
Reagan-USSR: "evil empire" - increases US defense spending, Cold War rhetoric
Gorbachev: spurred by deterioration of USSR -launches
glasnost
&
perestroika
1991-Cold War ends w/collapse of the Soviet Union
Collapse of European communism, 1988-1991
Glasnost, perestroika
lead to a wave of free expression, market proliferation in late 80’s
East European nations move towards independence from USSR: 1988-1990
German re-unification, popular destruction of the Berlin Wall is key moment (11/1989)
USSR-officially ends, 1991--B. Yeltsin
Ý
Why did communism collapse?
Bankrupt ideas, systems (Marxism, Stalinism)
Cold War pressures
desire for free expression & consumer choice
Western society, 1945-1990’s
W. European unification: EEC, EC, EU - Euro (to be launched-1999)
creation of a consumer, market society-with a healthy dose of Socialism
modern ideas have greatly impacted culture: women’s equality, sexual revolution
Old conflicts are still around, ex. ethnic tension (Balkans & neo-Nazis)
the environment? - disproportionate western output of pollutants
How will global telecommunications affect the 21st century?