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The end of the Cold War, 1985 to 91

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Mikhail Gorbachev's reforms and his relationship with Reagan ended the Cold War. By 1991 Soviet control of Eastern Europe, and the USSR itself, had collapsed.

Gorbachev and Reagan

Gorbachev became Soviet leader in 1985. His 'new thinking' included glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring the economy).
He and Reagan held summits: Geneva (1985), Reykjavik (1986) and Washington (1987), where they signed the INF Treaty, removing a whole class of intermediate-range nuclear missiles.
Soviet troops left Afghanistan by 1989.

Collapse in Eastern Europe

Gorbachev made clear the USSR would not use force to keep communist governments in power in Eastern Europe.
In 1989 communist rule collapsed: Poland held partly free elections, and Hungary opened its border with Austria.
On 9 November 1989 the Berlin Wall was opened. Germany reunified in October 1990.

The end of the USSR

The Warsaw Pact was dissolved in 1991.
In August 1991 hardliners attempted a coup against Gorbachev, which failed.
In December 1991 Gorbachev resigned and the Soviet Union broke up into separate states. The Cold War was over.
Worked example

Explain the importance of the fall of the Berlin Wall (1989) for the Cold War.

  1. The Wall had been the symbol of a divided Europe.
  2. Its opening showed Soviet control of Eastern Europe was ending.
  3. It led to German reunification in 1990, removing a key Cold War division.

Answer: It symbolised the end of Soviet control and led to a united Germany.

Key idea

Gorbachev 1985: glasnost and perestroika. Summits; INF Treaty 1987. No force in Eastern Europe; 1989 revolutions; Berlin Wall falls 9 November 1989; reunification 1990. Warsaw Pact dissolved 1991; USSR breaks up December 1991.

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