Topic 6: The end of the Cold War and a New World Order

Content focus: The the impact of Gorbachev’s reforms on the disintegration

of the Soviet Union and the resulting political changes in South Africa
(Question 6 = Essay)

11. TOPIC 6: THE END OF THE COLD WAR AND A NEW WORLD
ORDER – THE IMPACT OF GORBACHEV’S REFORMS ON THE
DISINTEGRATION OF THE SOVIET UNION AND THE IMPACT ON
SOUTH AFRICA [QUESTION 6 = ESSAY]

QUESTION FOCUS: The end of the Cold War: The events of 1989
• Gorbachev’s reforms in the Soviet Union
• The disintegration of the Soviet Union
• The impact of the collapse of the Soviet Union on South Africa

59
11.1. MIND MAP

The Fall of the

Berlin Wall

Gorbachev’s
Reforms
Perestroika and
Glasnost

The Impact on
disintegration South Africa
of the Soviet (on the ANC &
Union the NP)

60
11.2. TIMELINE
Year Event

1985 Mikhail Gorbachev became the Secretary General of the Communist Party
of the Soviet Union (CPSU) and the leader of the USSR.
1986 The world’s biggest nuclear disaster occurred in the USSR.
1986 Gorbachev announced his plans for the introduction of Perestroika.
1987 Gorbachev signed a disarmament treaty with America.
1988 Gorbachev announced that Soviet Union would not interfere in Eastern
Europe.
1988 Gorbachev launched Glasnost.
1989 Gorbachev withdrew Soviet troops from Afghanistan.
1989 The fall of the Berlin Wall.
1989 FW De Klerk became the leader of the National Party.
1990 De Klerk unbanned political organisations
1990 Nelson Mandela was released.
1991 Gorbachev resigned and the Soviet Union collapsed.
1994 South Africa held her first democratic elections.

11.3. KEY CONCEPTS & ABBREVIATIONS

The economic system where the means of production
Capitalism: are privately owned (free enterprise)

The political and economic system where the means of

Communism: production are owned by the state (no private
ownership)

Perestroika: The policy that was introduced by Gorbachev to

restructure the economic system of the Soviet Union
The policy that was introduced by Gorbachev which
Glasnost: allowed for openness, political transparency and also
allowing people their say about the state
A country that is formally independent but is under
heavy political, economic and military influence from
Satellite state:
another country.

61
ABBREVIATIONS
USSR Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
USA United States of America
NP National Party
ANC African National Congress
UNITA The National Union for Total Independence of Angola
MPLA The People’s Movement for Liberation of Angola
SADF South African Defence Force
MK umKhonto we sizwe
CPSU Communist Party of the Soviet Union

11.4. CONTENT
11.4.1 SYMBOLISM FOR RUSSIA

Flag A Bear as a cultural symbol in Russia

[From learnrussianlanguage.net Accessed 24 April 2021.]

62
11.4.2 The Political Map of USSR

[From nationsonline.org Accessed on 24 April 2021.]

11.4.3 Gorbachev’s policies: Perestroika and Glasnost

• Gorbachev got into power in 1985.
• Russia at the time was in a serious economic crisis that was attributed to the
following factors:
o The armaments race with the USA.
o Participation in the war with Afghanistan drained Russia.
o Decline in agricultural farming.
o The Chernobyl disaster affected the economy of Russia.
• Gorbachev was then determined to change the situation around so that Russia
could regain economic strength.
• He introduced political and economic policies, namely, Perestroika and
Glasnost.

63
11.4.3.1 Perestroika
A policy introduced by Gorbachev to restructure the economic system in the Soviet
Union.
• Allowed aspects of Capitalism back
to the economy.
• Private businesses could engage in
foreign trade.
• Foreign investments were allowed.
• Smaller businesses could be
privately owned.
• State companies that were failing
were closed down.
• Political restructuring:
• A sharp reduction in military
spending.
• The withdrawal from the war in
Afghanistan.
• The withdrawal of funding for left-
wing liberation movements. From cvce.eu/obj/caricature_de_Cummings (24
August 1988). Accessed on 21/04/2021
• Wanted to stamp out corruption.

11.4.3.2 Glasnost
A policy that was introduced by Gorbachev to bring about a more open and
consultative government which allowed for greater freedom in the Soviet Union.
• Freedom of speech was allowed.
• More media freedom.
• People were allowed to criticise the government policies which would lead to
the end of corruption in government.
• Allowed for elections within the socialist framework.
• Thousands of political prisoners were released.

11.4.4 The disintegration of the Soviet Union

To what extent were Gorbachev’s reforms responsible for the disintegration

of the Soviet Union?

• Gorbachev became Secretary-General of the Soviet Communist Party and

leader of the government in 1985 at 54 years of age. He was not a hardliner
and hoped to revive Soviet Union’s economy by improving both industrial
output and technology, as well as expanding its markets
• He took a big risk of effecting political change, especially for the Soviet Union,
known for its hardline Communist stance.

64
• He wanted to take the Soviet Union out of a weak economic system – due to
space and arms race with the USA.
• He introduced the policy of Perestroika (Economic reconstruction) and of
Glasnost (openness)
• Glasnost led to criticism of the policy of Perestroika and Gorbachev himself
• Many hardline communists were discontent with policies that became
unpopular
• At home he had two types of opponents: hardliners who were opposed to the
reforms and liberals who criticized him for not moving fast enough
• The two policies did not support each other as thought but ended the entire
system of the Soviet Union
• He lost support at home – Unity of the Soviet Union was at risk and Socialism
became under threat
• He commanded a hero status to the West. His personal power and prestige
increased. He earned a Nobel Peace Prize in 1990.
• Many underlying differences existed amongst the 15 Republics
• Civil unrests broke out between various groups
• Old form of Nationalism emerged and
led to new demand for independence
• He tried to stop the disintegration by
proposing establishing a Federation
of States – which failed.
• In 1990, several Soviet states
including Russia under Gorbachev’s
bitter rival, Boris Yeltsin, declared
their independence
• On 25 Dec 1991, the USSR was
dissolved, the Communist Party
disbanded
• Each of the 15 Republics became
independent and became members
of the Commonwealth of Independent [From https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-countries-
states made-up-the-former-soviet-union-ussr.html. Accessed on 24
• The disintegration symbolized the end April 2021]
of the cold war

65
11.4.5 Cartoon on Glasnost (and its contribution towards the disintegration
of the Soviet Union)

• The policy is depicted as a child

growing bigger than the father
(Gorbachev).
• The policy had brought
democracy and freedom to the
Soviet Union – which never
happened before
• The President is seen battered
and bruised by the policy that
he introduced
• The policy did not achieve the
desired outcomes.
• The media used the very same [From cvce.eu/obj/caricature_de_Cummings (24 Aug 1988).
Accessed on 21 April 2021.]
policy to criticize the
government.
• The policy gave voice to internal opposition to government policies
• It revived hardline communists who regarded it as deviating from the principles
of Communism
• Old form of Nationalism within the federation emerged and led to new demand
for independence – which ultimately led to the disintegration of the Soviet Union

11.4.6 Cartoon on the disintegration of the Soviet Union

The cartoon below shows Soviet, Mikhail S. Gorbachev looking in dismay at a
massive stone hammer and sickle now shattered into 15 parts.

[From jchistorytuition.com.sg. Accessed 24 April 2021.]

66
11.4.7 THE COLLAPSE OF USSR: A game-changer for South African Politics
The National Party and the African National Congress who duly benefitted from the
foreign support before 1989 were affected by the collapse of the USSR. To a greater
extent, this was a major catalyst (spark) for political transformation in South Africa.
The two political enemies were forced to sit on the negotiating table and discuss the
future of South Africa.

11.4.7.1 IMPACT ON THE NATIONAL PARTY

Before 1989 After 1989
Western Countries supported South
Western countries exerted pressure on
African government despite the call for
SA government to end Apartheid.
sanctions.
National Party portrayed itself as a
Communism (Rooi Gevaar) was no
government fighting against
longer a threat
communism.
South Africa was seen as a pro-Western The West no longer needed the NP as
ally that protected Africa against a bulwark against the spread of
communism. communism.

11.4.7.2 IMPACT ON THE ANC

Before 1989 After 1989
Received expertise and military support
from the Soviet Union for the training of
Lost military support.
MK cadres.
Supplied with weapons.
Was given financial support Financial support was stopped.
Attitudes of western countries towards
Did not enjoy support from the West.
the ANC changed.

11.5. ACTIVITIES
11.5.1 Activity 1:
Gorbachev’s policies of perestroika and glasnost led to the disintegration of the Soviet
Union in 1989..
Do you agree with the statement? Support your line of argument with relevant
evidence.

11.5.2 Activity 2:
The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1989 served as a turning point for South Africa.
Critically discuss this statement with reference to how events in the Soviet Union
influenced the political transformation that occurred in South Africa.

11.5.3 Activity 3:
Explain to what extent Mikhail Gorbachev’s policies of perestroika and glasnost were
directly responsible for political changes that occurred in South Africa after 1990s.
Support your line of argument with relevant evidence.

67