MODULE 2

WW1 DISCUSSION There are a lot of factors that lead to the war.
The terms nationalism, imperialism,
Europe and America During WW1 militarism, and alliance system began to be
known in the 19th and 20th century which are
1.The Outbreak started with the assassination
also considered as causes of the war.
of Archduke France Ferdinand
NATIONALISM IMPERIALISM
What was the world condition before the war?
When the German Empire Even the European powers
was formed in 1871 due to had colonized most of the
Congress of Vienna (1815) the strong feelings of world territories in 15th and
European powers met to reorganize the nationalism among its 16th century, they entered a
constituents. This also new wave of imperialism in
political map of Europe and develop a system of
encouraged cooperation with the 19th century.
conflict resolution aiming at preserving peace Austria-Hungary as both
and balance of power. This is to address lapses speak the German language. In this new wave, Britain,
in French revolutionary wars and Napoleonic France and Germany were the
Another case is that of Bosnia major competitors.
Wars. Herzegovina that wanted to
gain independence from Germany under Kaiser
Austro-Hungarian empire as Wilhelm II pursued
Pax Britannica (British Peace) they are not historically, Weltpolitik international
Britain’s navy had supremacy for most of the ethnically, and culturally policy to turn his country to a
linked. world power.
century as its empire as well as Russia’s
expanded significantly and became the world’s Most of its people wanted to In 1905 and 1911, Germany
leading powers. join with Serbia to form one sent troops to take control of
nation which was also North African French colonies
supported by Russia. This also and block further French
Belle Époque expansion.
fueled Russia to join alliance
Nations experienced a sort of “golden age”. It with Britain and France.
was characterized by regional peace, economic With Britain’s support, France
prosperity, and innovations resisted Germany’s attempt
resulting to its defeat.
There were very few regime changes but
tensions between working-class socialist ALLIANCE SYSTEM
parties, bourgeois liberal parties, and landed or With the rising tension from imperialism
aristocratic conservative parties increased in and nationalism, the alliance system was
many countries. established to prevent wars with the
assumption that no one would take risk to
(This lead to the rise of nationalism, the 1848 go against a group of nations.
Revolutions, the Crimean War, the unification of
The leading nations grouped into two:
Germany, and the Eastern Question)
(1) Triple Alliance in 1882 (Germany,
Otto von Bismarcktt Austria-Hungary, and Italy) and
The prime minister of Prussia and first
chancellor of Germany. He maintained the (2) Triple Entente in 1907 (Britain, France,
and Russia)
balance of power in Europe to keep it at peace
in the 1870s and 1880s.

British colonies, Japan which signed
a treaty with Britain, Bosnia
Herzegovina supported by Russia were also
considered members of the Triple Entente.
Therefore, a conflict between Bosnia-
Herzegovina and Austria-Hungary is also a
conflict between the two alliances.
Factors that lead to the First World War
Militarism created an arms race out of
competition and fear of neighboring nations.
Germany tried to compete in a naval race with
Britain, building more and more ships.
Alliances were created to check the balance of
power between nations. In 1882, Germany,
Austria-Hungary, and Italy formed the Triple
Alliance.
France, Britain, and Russia reacted in 1907 by
creating the Triple Entente.
Imperialism caused another type of
competition and disagreement.
The British and French empires made Germany
jealous as it tried to colonize parts of Africa.
Nationalism created the feeling that countries
were better than others, and promoted the
anti-Austro-Hungarian sentiments in Serbia.
Seven young Bosnian Serbs, who were part of
the nationalist Black Hand, planned to
assassinate Franz Ferdinand, heir to the throne
of Austria-Hungary.
MILITARISM: “ARMS RACE”
One of the distinct features of the First World
War is the advancement in weaponry. Most of
the European powers in the 20 th century were
training armies and building up ships and
weapons.
Germany and Britain entered into an ‘arms race’
with Britain pouring millions into ships and
armaments.
What were the major events that lead to the
First World War?
1. 1912-1913 BALKAN WARS
Two Balkan Wars fought between major
imperial powers Austria-Hungary, Russian
Empire and the Ottoman Empire turned the
area into a crisis point.
Austria-Hungary controlled parts of the Balkans
and taken control over Bosnia Herzegovina
in 1908.
The latter as mentioned in the previous
page is not in any way linked to Austria-
Hungary.
2. ASSASSINATION OF ARCHDUKE FRANZ
FERDINAND
The emperor of Austria-Hungary, aware of the
tension in Balkans, sent his nephew and his wife
for a goodwill visit on June 28, 1914.
As people lined the streets, Archduke Franz
Ferdinand, heir to the thrones, was shot and
killed by Gavrilo Princip, a member of Serbian
nationalist group called Black Hand.
What happened after the outbreak of World
War 1?
DECLARATION OF WAR
After the assassination, Austria-Hungary issued
an ultimatum to Serbia. Failing to agree one (1)
of the ten (10) demands, Austria-Hungary
declared war on Serbia on July 28, 1914.
The one demand which was not agreed was the
involvement of Austrian Hungarian officials in
the investigation of assassination.

EMPIRE MOBILIZATION
As result of the alliance system, Russia
responded to the declaration of war by
mobilizing its army.
Germany also declared war to Russia after the
latter rejected its request to stop its war
preparations.
FRONTS OF WAR
The two main scenarios of the war were its
Western and Eastern front.
 The western front was a battle between
Germany and Britain, France and later
America.
It is in the same front where soldiers dug
trenches (trench warfare) in preparation for
a long war.
 The Eastern Front was between Russia and
Germans and Austro-Hungarians.
SCHLIEFFEN PLAN
A plan devised by Germany to invade France
through Belgium (which also signed a treaty
with Britain). However, the French managed to
stop them in the Battle of Marne.
THE WAR OF ATTRITION (1915-16)
The confrontation between the two alliances
led to several casualties and development of
new weapons. German generals called some
battles “War of Attrition” like the Battle of
Verdun where more than 700,000 soldiers were
killed but the front remained immovable.
It also meant wearing down the resources of
the enemy until it does not have the capability
to continue to go to war.
How did the United States got involved in the
war?
The entry of United States turned the tide of
the war. In the early years, US remained neutral
despite supplying Entente countries.
Germans attacked not only British and French
ships but also the American ships, with the
consequent loss of lives, President Wilson
declared war on the central powers.
Russia was out of the conflict in December with
the armistice signed by Vladimir Lenin and
Central powers.
This is due to the popular discontent that
resulted to a revolution overthrowing the Tsar
and bringing the Bolsheviks (Communists) to
power.
How did the war ended?
In the summer of 1918, Germany could now
focus on the Western Front. However, most of
its allies were military and economically
exhausted.
At this point, the war is in favor of the Entente
and was further increased with the arrival of US
troops.
As result, Bulgaria, Turkey, and Austria-Hungary
asked armistice and surrendered in September,
October, and November respectively.
EFFECTS:
The war brought casualties both to the victors
and the losers. Among the effects were the
exhaustion of human and natural resources.
What happened in the aftermath of World
War 1?
In 1919, the victors of war (United States,
United Kingdom, France, and Italy) negotiated
the peace terms of the defeated nations in the
absence of such nations.
Different peace treaties were signed:

Treaty of Versailles (Germany), Treaty of

Saint-Germain (Austria), Treaty of
Trianon (Hungary), Treaty of Neuilly
(Bulgaria) and Treaty of Sevres and
Lausanne (Turkey)

1. Treaty of Versailles
 The treaty is composed of territorial
and military clauses as well as clauses
for war reparations.
 Germany lost all of its territories while
the victors annexed them.
 Navy and Army were reduced and
limited at the same time the Rhineland
region was demilitarized.
 Germany was also forced to pay a
massive war reparations bill.

Due to the harsh provisions of the treaty, it

created an unstable economy with mass
unemployment in Germany.

CREATION OF THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS

The League of Nations was established as part
of the Treaty of Versailles.

It was the idea of US President Woodrow

Wilson which he stated in his Fourteen points.

The league aims to settle disputes between

nations and prevent another world war through
imposing sanctions.
MODULE 2
WW2 DISCUSSION
What were the factors that lead to the Second
World War?
1. Paris Peace Conference
As discussed in the previous page, the Paris
Peace Conference gave not only harsh terms to
Germany but also alienated some of the Allies
in the war.
Italy and Japan were outraged of the little
benefits received in the peace conference. At
the same time, Japan failed to ensure equality
with other powers.
All of these eventually led to the rise of fascism,
nationalism and nationalism in the three
countries.
2. Economic Depressions
The whole world was hit by an economic
depression or as they call it The Great
Depression.
Many people were unemployed, businesses
were forced to close, and banks go corrupt.
Countries had exhausted its resources in the
war.
3. Failure of the League of Nations
The aims of the league sounded idealistic to its
members. The major reason for its failure is the
non-membership of its mastermind, the United
States.
The United States pursued an isolationist policy
to recover from the war and avoid being the
helper of those affected by the war.
Not all countries joined the league and the
League had no army to prevent military
aggression such as Italy’s invasion of Ethiopia in
Africa or Japan’s invasion of Manchuria in
China.
4. Militarism and Fascism
There are three (3) notable cases under this
factor: the case of Germany, Italy, and Japan.
All of which are influenced by the Paris Peace
Conference and economic depression.
There is a growing discontent among their
people and wanted strong leaders that could
create better economic and foreign policies.
Benito Mussolini (Italy) and Adolf Hitler
(Germany) were put to power.
Japan also moved to totalitarianism, and
fascism and ignored the League of Nations but
this will be discussed further in our Diplomacy
of East Asia and the Pacific subject.
5. Failure of Appeasement
In 1930s, Britain and France believed Adolf
Hitler’s actions (To be discussed later) as
understandable and justifiable given the
conditions of the Treaty of Versailles.
The Policy of Appeasement was adopted by
Britain in response to the demands of Germany
and in order to avoid further conflict.
The Munich Agreement 1938 is a result of this
policy where the two countries allowed
Germany to annex areas in Czechoslovakia
where German-speakers lived under the
condition that Germany will not invade the rest
of Czechoslovakia or any other country.
However, Germany broke this promise and
invaded the rest of rest of Czechoslovakia
(March 1939) and Poland (September 1939)
which caused Britain and France to declare war
on Germany and marked the start of World War
II in Europe.
The Rise of Hitler and the Nazi Party
Adolf Hitler took advantage of instability and
great depression in was appointed Chancellor in
1933 and to reduce unemployment, inflation,
Germany’s national pride under his
government.
The Nazi party that he is under German
nationalism, anti-communism, Semitism (idea
that Germany was not the first world war but
was betrayed socialists and Jews)
Build-up to war in Europe and Asia
The Nazi Germany violated the terms of the
Treaty of Versailles: increasing the size of
military (reintroduced conscription), air force,
and the production of weapons and
ammunition. Another violation was the invasion
of Germany in Rhineland as well as the
annexation of Austria.
These were tolerated by the British and French
as discussed in the previous pages through the
policy of appeasement but later on failed and
stemmed the declaration of war in September
1939.
Prior to the war, Japan and Italy signed the Ant-
Cominterm Pact with Germany in 1936 and
1937 respectively that will be followed later by
the 1940 Tripartite Pacts or the Axis powers’
alliance.
Japan invade Manchuria in 1937 but is not
generally considered to be part of World War 2.
Japan thought of moving southward (Southeast
Asia) in order to fuel its military machine but
was warned by the sanctions to be imposed by
United States.
What happened during the war?
The Nazi Germany proved to be successful for
the first two years in their military campaigns
which stretched from the English Channel to the
Soviet Union.
Poland
The invasion became the example of the tactic
known as Blitzkrieg or lightning war. Despite the
support of British and French, the speed of
German military made it impossible for the two
to offer military support.
Germany then, in fear that Soviet Union under
Joseph Stalin would make an alliance with the
west, entered and signed a Nazi-Soviet Non-
aggression Pact. Hitler offered eastern Poland
and the Baltic states.
Phoney War
Although war was declared, there were no
major battles after the invasion of Poland until
April 1940. During these times, British built up
strength and prepared to defend France against
German attack.
Battle of France and Britain
In May 1940, Germany continued to invade low
countries and France which made the latter
surrender and signed an armistice. They
manage to evacuate 338,000 allied troops.
After France, Germany thought of defeating
Britain. In doing so, he needed to take control
of the air. In August 1940, German air force
launched a major offensive where it bombed
British air and naval bases and other industries.
Hitler later changed his tactics to attacking
major cities but Britain remained successful in
resisting the attacks. Hitler then postponed the
invasion in Britain indefinitely.
British appealed to the United States for help
but the latter followed a strict policy of
isolationism.
Attack on Soviet Union
Hitler’s failure in invading Britain led to the
assumption that Britain remained as it expects
Soviet Support. Therefore, this support must be
defeated.
Hitler, convinced that the country had pitiful
army, invaded Soviet Union in June 22, 1941.
Yet, for the first time in the war, German armies
had been stopped due to the large area and
climate in Russia. The Germans had no winter
uniforms.
A counterattack in December 1941 by the Soviet
army came as an ominous ending to the year
for the Germans.
When did United States entered the war?
On December 7, 1941, one of US Naval bases at
Pearl Harbor was attacked by a Japanese
aircraft.
This fueled public opinion in America to end
isolationist policy and join the war, The United
States now joined European nations and
Nationalist China in combined efforts to defeat
Japan. Four days after the bombing, Hitler
declared war on the United States.
This created a new coalition called the grand
alliance of Great Britain, United States, and
Soviet Union
When did the war end?
ALLIED VS AXIS POWERS
At the beginning of 1943, the allies agreed to
fight the Axis powers until they surrender
unconditionally. At this point, the tide of battle
had turned against the Axis powers.
Most of the Axis powers surrendered in Tunisia
and the battle was brought to Italy where
Germans had successfully occupied.
The Allied advance up the Italian peninsula
resulting to heavy casualties.
On June 6, 1944 also called D-Day, Allied forces
under U.S. general Dwight D. Eisenhower lead
the greatest naval invasion on Normandy
beaches resisted by Germans.
Within three months, the allied forces pushed
inland and broke through German defensive
lines.
By January 1945, Adolf Hitler hid in his bunker
55 feet (almost 17 m) under the city of Berlin
and committed Suicide on April 30 followed by
the shooting of Mussolini and the surrender of
German Commanders. This finally ended the
war in Europe.
United States at the Asian theater was faced by
a difficult decision – the use of atomic weapon
against Japan.
Harry S. Truman permitted the use of the
bombs – one in Hiroshima (August 6) and
another in Nagasaki (August 9).
This resulted to major casualties but forced
the Japanese military to surrender on August
14 and marked the end of World War II in
Asia.
The official end of the war was in September
1945.
What were the significant events of World War
II?
World War II, in some ways, was similar to the
previous war. However, there were significant
changes in how the wars were fought. Two of
the most significant events were the use of
Genocide (The Holocaust) and Atomic weapons.
THE HOLOCAUST
As part of the ideals of the Nazi Party and under
the command of Adolf Hitler, the systemic,
government-endorsed persecution and murder
of Jews took place throughout Nazi-occupied
territories.
Around 6M Jews out of the 11M before the war
had died and suffered in the hands of the Nazis.
The early development of the holocaust is
embodied in Hitler’s manifesto, declaring that
evil assumes the living shape of the Jews. Out of
fear, many Jews flew to other non-Nazi nations.
The spread of Anti-Semitism led to the
formation of ghettos, areas to contain Jews, and
concentration camps.
Other policies against the Jews include mass
shootings and the institution of the Final
solution.
The final solution is combines forced
deportation and transportation of Jews to labor
camps before extermination.
THE ATOMIC BOMBINGS
Before the use of these weapons, Japan was put
in an ultimatum issued in the Potsdam
Declaration. On August 6, 1945, the atomic
bomb nicknamed Littler boy was dropped in
Hiroshima. Still, Japan did not respond to the
declaration. Three days later, the atomic bomb
“Fat man” was dropped on Nagasaki. Both
caused the lives of around 80,000. Japan was
forced to surrender on August 14.
Europe and America during World War
The War in Europe began in September 1939,
when Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler invaded
Poland. Using blitzkrieg tactics, the country was
quickly over taken. The world was shocked.
Britain and France responded by declaring war
on Germany, but took little action. This became
known as the Phony War.
But in 1940, German offensives rapidly defeated
Denmark, Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands
and France. The British Army meanwhile, was
on the retreat being evacuated from Dunkirk.
Britain alone was attacked by Germany during
the battle of Britain and the Blitz, however, the
Luftwaffe failed to defeat the RAF.
In June, 1941, Hitler invaded Russia under the
Codename Operation Barbarossa. In December
1941, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor
bringing the USA into the war. Germany, Italy,
and Japan Formed the axis powers while Britain,
Russia and the USA made up the major
combatants on the allied side.
In 1942 , the Nazis implemented their final
solution a plan to exterminate all Jewish people.
Critical battles followed that would dramatically
change the course of the war. These were:
midway in the Pacific theatre June 1942, El
Alamein in Egypt November 1942, Stalingrad in
Russia January 1943. On June 6th1944 D-Day,
the Allies launched operation overlord invading
Normandy France. The red Army Advanced in
the East and was the first to reach the German
capital of Berlin.
Germany surrendered in May 1945 shortly after
Adolf Hitler Committed suicide. On 6th of
August 1945, the Americans dropped an atomic
bomb on Hiroshima. Japan surrendered on V-J
day 15 August 1945 and the war was over.
WW2 lasted from 1939 - 1945 and remains the
most geographically widespread military
conflict the world has ever seen.

MODULE 2
COLD WAR DISCUSSION
After World War two, humanity went from a
global military confrontation to another type of
war called a cold war. Instead of transitioning to
a peacetime economy specifically to a conflict
which didn't involve direct military
confrontations between the main participants
but rather an extensive arms race, continuous,
tensions and occasional proxy wars.
What happened in the aftermath of World War
II?
Major European powers were left exhausted
which created the opportunity for the
emergence of new superpowers. Two blocs
developed, the Soviet Union and the United
States. The Soviet would accuse the other of
attempting a new wave of imperialist expansion
and the US then was concerned of the Soviet’s
communist expansion.
The world now enters a bipolar world and
countries were forced to choose between the
two.
Tehran and Yalta Conference
The big three (Stalin, Roosevelt, and Churchill)
met at Tehran to address concern on the future
course of the war. This mistrust developed at
the thought that Eastern Europe would be
liberated by Soviet forces and the west by the
BritishAmerican forces.
After the war, they meet again in Yalta to
discuss re-establishment of nations of war-torn
Europe. Each had an agenda: US to gain Soviet
support in the war against Japan, UK
under Churchill pressed for free
elections and democratic governments in
Eastern and Central Europe, and USSR to have a
soviet sphere of influence in Eastern and
Central Europe.
The western powers were obliged to accept
Stalin’s role.
Potsdam conference
The mistrust grew between the Big Three
Alliance due to their contradictory viewpoints.
Roosevelt had died in April and was succeeded
by Harry Truman. The latter demanded free
elections in Eastern Europe which the Soviet
occupied. Stalin declined to the demand as it
would be anti-Soviet.
What were the two blocs during the cold war?
The United States and the Western Bloc
From 1947 onwards, the western bloc raised
concerns on the spread of communism as
Communist parties entered and played
significant roles in governments.
Truman Doctrine
Harry Truman provided in his doctrine a policy
of containment which aimed to provide
financial and military aid to countries
threatened by Soviet expansion.
Marshall Plan and Establishment of OEEC
George C. Marshall, proposed the granting of
economic and financial assistance to all
countries of Europe. One of the decisive factors
was the fear of communist expansion in
Western Europe. Only 16 countries signed up
leading to the creation of the Organization for
European Economic Cooperation. The policy
paid off in stopping communism from these
countries.
The USSR and the Eastern Bloc (Other details
will be discussed in the Diplomacy of East Asia
and the Pacific subject)
Zhdanov Doctrine and the Cominform
The cominform is an information bureau in
Belgrade that serve as agent for spreading
communist ideology through its newspaper.
Andre Zhdanov created a doctrine in response
to Truman. This doctrine reveals that the world
is divided into two camps: imperialist and anti
democratic led by US vs anti-imperialist and
democratic camp by USSR.
What happened when the world became
bipolar?
Divided Germany and the establishment of
Federal Republic of Germany and German
Democratic Republic
During 1945, Allies have their respective zones
in Germany. Americans, British, and France
occupied South, West and North, and South-
west respectively while Soviets had central
Germany. In attempt to revive German
economy, the British and Americans implied a
monetary reform, the Deutsche Mark (DM).
This caused Soviet to have a total blockade of
the Western Sectors of Berlin.
British, American and French decided to merge
zones. They called a constituent assembly and
elected Konrad Adenauer to lead and formulate
the Basic Law. The Law became the provisional
constitution of the Federal Republic of
Germany.
As a response, USSR encouraged the
proclamation of the German Democratic
Republic in the East, A Stalinist party dominated
until the end of Communist era in 1989.
The strengthening of Alliances
The western bloc formed and strengthened
alliance through treaties and conferences. One
of the results is the establishment of North
Atlantic Treaty Organization which came into
force on August 23,
In 1953, US President Dwight
Eisenhower introduced the rollback policy
which aimed not only containing communism
but also driving it back. Thus, the need to form
military alliances,
PACTOMANA phenomenon was prevalent in the
1950s where similar treaties and Pact were
signed.
USSR created the Warsaw Pact to form a
military alliance with Albania, Bulgaria,
Czechoslovakia, GDR, Hungary, Poland, and
Romania to counter NATO.
What were the significant events or
confrontations during the war?
Despite not having an all out war between the
two blocs, localized conflicts arose which had
the backing of the Western and eastern bloc.
The first confrontations between the two were
felt in the civil war in Greece, revolution in
China, and the Korean war.
Greek Civil war
The Revolution and War in China and Korea led
to the
birth of new nations. The national government
of Chiang Korean war Kai-shek took refuge on
the island of Formosa (Now Taiwan) and the
Mainland China joined forces with USSR.
The Korean peninsula was divided by the 38th
parallel from which the communists troops
from the North crossed to confront the South.
United States determined to support the south,
brought the issue to United Nations Security
when Soviet delegate was temporarily absent.
They applied collective security on South Korea
and sanctions against the North. The war ended
with an armistice in July 1953 and reunification
of the Korean
Peninsula is still impossible today.
Peaceful Coexistence (1953-1962)
There was a period of peaceful coexistence
after the death of Stalin and USSR is now under
Nikita Khrushchev . United States, no longer the
only country with nuclear weapons, opted a
“new look” strategy”, a combined diplomacy
with threat of massive retaliation to counter the
Significant events
The building of Berlin Wall
West Berlin is an easy escape route for East
Germans. The East Berliners envy the economic
prosperity in the west. Strikes broke out but
was faced with brutality causing the people to
flee to the west In order to stop this, GDR built
a wall on August 12-13, 1961 which made
passage impossible. The wall became the
symbol of Cold war and division of Europe.
The Cuban Missile Crisis
In 1962, the pro-Communist's leader, Fidel
Castro, moved closer to USSR after nationalizing
Cuban property of American undertakings. The
two signed trade and military agreements.
United States attempted to overthrow the
regime by arranging anti-Castro exiles but
failed. Khrushchev decided to secretly provide
Cubans with intermediate-range offensive
missiles.
On October 14, 1964, Soviet freighters carrying
missiles had been identified by American spy
planes. The US president, John F. Kennedy,
imposed a naval blockade. However, a
compromise emerged through the United
Nations. Soviet ships withdrew and the US
removed rockets from Turkey.
Détente (1962-1975)
In 1963, a direct line (red telephone) was
established between two powers to open
discussions on limiting the arms race. The US
find it difficult to finance its global military
presence especially in Vietnam and the new
Ostpolitik in Federal Republic of Germany.
Ostpolitik
The attempt of the new chancellor, Willy
Brandt, to normalize relations and openness
towards the East. The Federal Republic of
Germany signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty
and Basic treaty with GDR and USSR.
Vietnam War
The US replaced French troops in Vietnam. The
aim was to prevent communism to dominate
Southeast Asian region as justified by the
domino theory.
Lyndon Johnson massively expanded military
presence from 23,000 troops to over 540,000 in
1969. The USSR and China also intensified their
assistance to the Communists.
The Americans began bombing military and
industrial targets in North Vietnam. In January
1968, The Communist Tet offensive escalated
the conflict. The American public forced the
country to withdraw and cut military spending
in Vietnam.
US under President Nixon began peace
negotiations resulting to the Paris Agreements
of January 1973. The United States pulled out There is also a wave of opposition gathered in
from the conflict leaving South Vietnam fall to Central and Eastern Europe calling for freedom
the North Vietnamese. The fall of Saigon on of thought, of press, and of assembly.
April 20, 1975 marked the end of Vietnam war.
East German Government was replaced by Egon
The war weighed heavily on US policy and Krenz who was in favor of Gorbachev’s reforms.
caused serious damage to the country’s On November 9, travel was authorized and the
international standing. crowd began to concentrate in Berlin wall. The
demonstrators started to demolish the Wall.
Arms race and “Star Wars”
The leaders of GDR promised a free and secret
President Richard Nixon resigned after the
elections where Socialist reformers were
Watergate scandal. This is also after the country
defeated and the Christian Democrat declared
was traumatized by defeat in Vietnam War and
itself in favor of a unified Germany.
loss of international influence, The presidency
was continuously discredited. Under the new The collapse of Communism within the Eastern
president in 1980, Ronald Reagan described the bloc and the Soviet Socialist Republics
USSR as evil empire and relaunched an arms proclaimed sovereignty in the summer of 1991
race. marks the end of a cold war between the two
superpowers.
This was later called “Star wars” program or
Strategic Defense Initiative devised by Reagan
where the US would be protected from enemy
nuclear weapons by a space-based shield that
would detect and destroy enemy missiles as
soon as they are launched.

This drew the USSR into a frenzied arms race

and led the country to the brink of financial and
economic collapse.

How did the war ended?

In 1985, Mikhail Gorbachev was put to power

and open to develop closer relations with the
west. He was famous for his policy of economic
reconstruction (perestoika) and openness
(glasnost).

In its implementation, Gorbachev limited

USSR’s international commitments and reduce
military expenditure. The policies were popular
with the west and fueled opposition
movements to the communist regimes. With
this, the communist regimes collapse and
individual nations gained freedom.

The collapse of GDR and fall of Berlin Wall