Gorbachev and Sakharov Overview Quiz
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Questions and Answers

What action did Gorbachev take that directly impacted Sakharov and Bonner?

  • He appointed Sakharov to the Politburo.
  • He facilitated Sakharov's meetings with Western leaders.
  • He released Sakharov and Bonner from exile. (correct)
  • He arranged for Sakharov to write his memoirs.

    • Which of the following best describes Gorbachev's key differentiating approach from his peers?

  • His focus on agricultural advancements within the Soviet Union.
  • His emphasis on strengthening the military might of the Soviet Union.
  • His efforts to democratize the political system and decentralize the economy. (correct)
  • His strict adherence to traditional communistic policies.

    • What role did the Komsomol play in Gorbachev's early life?

  • It was the agricultural collective where he learned to drive a combine harvester.
  • It was the Young Communist League he joined, where he proved a promising member. (correct)
  • It was a legal organization he used to challenge the Communist Party policies.
  • It was the law school he attended in Moscow.

    • What sequence of events led to Gorbachev becoming the General Secretary?

    <p>Rising through Komsomol posts, appointment to Central Committee, becoming a Politburo member, election as General Secretary. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the Politburo's primary function within the Soviet Union?

    <p>Serving as the highest policy-making authority within the Communist Party. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a consequence of Gorbachev's efforts to reform the Soviet Union?

    <p>Downfall of communism and the breakup of the Soviet Union. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which leadership position did Gorbachev attain first?

    <p>First secretary of the regional party committee. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What event directly preceded Gorbachev's election as General Secretary?

    <p>The death of Chernenko. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was Sakharov's initial role at the secret military base ('Installation') upon his arrival in 1950?

    <p>To develop and produce Soviet nuclear weapons. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What primary concern did Sakharov express in the late 1950s regarding nuclear testing?

    <p>The long-term global death toll resulting from atmospheric testing. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What key idea did Sakharov promote in his essay “Reflections on Progress, Peaceful Coexistence, and Intellectual Freedom”?

    <p>The convergence of communist and capitalist systems into democratic socialism. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did the Soviet government react to Sakharov being awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1975?

    <p>They prevented Sakharov from leaving the country to attend the Nobel ceremony. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who delivered Sakharov's Nobel lecture in Oslo, given that he was unable to attend?

    <p>Yelena G. Bonner, Sakharov's wife and a human rights activist. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What specific event triggered the Soviet government to exile Sakharov to the city of Gorky in January 1980?

    <p>His open criticism of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What action did Sakharov undertake in 1985 to influence the Soviet government's decision regarding his wife, Yelena Bonner?

    <p>He began a six-month hunger strike. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What event directly preceded the establishment of the Factory Strike Committee in Gdańsk in mid-August 1980?

    <p>A massive strike by 17,000 workers at the Lenin Shipyards. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a primary reason for the resentment towards the new Afghan government established after the overthrow of Mohammad Daud Khan in 1978?

    <p>The new government's close ties to the Soviet Union and its purges of domestic opposition, along with extensive land and social reforms. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The accords reached between the Polish government and the Gdańsk strikers on August 31 primarily focused on what?

    <p>Sanctioning free and independent unions with the right to strike. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the ultimate outcome of Sakharov's six-month hunger strike in 1985?

    <p>The Soviet government agreed to allow Yelena Bonner to have a heart bypass operation in the United States. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan in December 1979 was primarily motivated by what factor?

    <p>To support the existing communist government, which was facing internal conflict and opposition. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the immediate consequence of the Polish government's decision to outlaw Solidarity on December 13, 1981?

    <p>Most of Solidarity's leaders, including Wałęsa, were arrested. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was Lech Wałęsa's primary strategy in leading Solidarity after its official recognition by the Polish government?

    <p>To steer the federation to have limited confrontations with the government to avoid the possibility of Soviet military intervention. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What military strategy did the Mujahideen primarily employ against the Soviet forces during the Soviet-Afghan War?

    <p>Guerilla warfare tactics, utilizing the mountainous terrain. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the Soviet's primary strategy to counter the Mujahideen insurgency after failing to defeat them in direct combat?

    <p>Targeting the civilian population to deprive the Mujahideen of support. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did the Polish government react to Lech Wałęsa receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in 1983?

    <p>They criticized the awarding of the prize. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did the Soviet Union attempt to portray their involvement in Afghanistan to their own citizens and the international community?

    <p>As a peacekeeping mission to stabilize a friendly neighboring country. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Before becoming a prominent anti-government union activist, what was Lech Wałęsa's profession?

    <p>An electrician at the Lenin Shipyards. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What long-term impact did the Soviet-Afghan War have on the Soviet Union itself?

    <p>It significantly drained the Soviet economy and contributed to growing internal dissent. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which event directly led to Wałęsa joining the protests at the Lenin Shipyard on August 14, 1980?

    <p>An increase in food prices. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the best definition of the term Mujahideen?

    <p>Islamic insurgents engaged in jihad. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What prompted new wave of labor unrest in 1988 that involved Wałęsa?

    <p>Collapsing economic conditions. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the primary purpose of the reforms initiated by the Taraki government?

    <p>To redistribute land and implement social programs based on Marxist-Leninist principles. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a significant economic challenge faced by the Soviet Union in the years leading up to the fall of the Berlin Wall?

    <p>Economic strain due to the arms race with the United States. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did the announcement by East Berlin's Communist Party spokesman on November 9, 1989, impact the citizens of the GDR?

    <p>It allowed citizens to freely cross the country's borders starting at midnight. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What decision made by Gorbachev in September 1990 further weakened his position within the Soviet Union?

    <p>Rejecting a 500-day economic reform plan. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Considering the context of the late 1980s, how did the diminishing Soviet economy affect Gorbachev's political decisions regarding the Berlin Wall and relations with the United States?

    <p>It limited his options and forced him to concede to some of the United States' demands. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How might the 'Berlin Wall JENGA' activity relate to the historical context of the Berlin Wall's fall?

    <p>It symbolizes the systematic removal of factors and influences that supported the wall's existence, eventually leading to its collapse. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which event directly contributed to the reduced ability of the Soviet Union to effectively govern its satellite states?

    <p>The economic strain caused by the arms race. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What assignment were students given related to the Berlin Wall after the Jenga Game?

    <p>To write a summary about a factor that led to the fall of the Berlin Wall. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the provided winners of the 'Berlin Wall JENGA' game from Year 3, which country was represented by the 'TRUE WINNERS'?

    <p>Great Britain (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a primary reason for the failure of Gorbachev's attempts to modernize the Soviet system?

    <p>He implemented a series of minor reforms instead of a comprehensive system change. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What action did Mikhail Gorbachev take on December 25, 1991, and what was a key motivation behind it?

    <p>He resigned from his position as Soviet President, motivated by a desire to avoid civil war. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, which of the following best characterizes the immediate economic and social impacts in Eastern Europe?

    <p>Economic chaos and upheaval, accompanied by increased crime and corruption. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did the collapse of the Soviet government directly contribute to the rise of organized crime in Russia?

    <p>The government infrastructure faded away and ex-officials joined the mafia seeking steady employment. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the aftermath of the Soviet Union's dissolution, what role did the Russian mafia play in the country's economy?

    <p>They seized state-owned assets and extorted the public, filling the void left by the government. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the significance of the Act of March 11 adopted by Lithuania in 1990?

    <p>It declared Lithuania's independence from the USSR. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How did the policies of the Soviet Union continue to affect former republics even after its collapse?

    <p>The Soviet Union's policies shaped the economic and political landscapes of former republics, with lasting influences. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What differentiates Gorbachev from previous Soviet leaders in terms of his fate after stepping down?

    <p>He survived an assassination attempt and avoided civil war. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    Soviet Afghanistan War

    A conflict where Soviet troops invaded Afghanistan to support a communist government against the mujahideen insurgents.

    Mujahideen

    Islamic guerrilla fighters in Afghanistan who opposed the Soviet invasion.

    Guerrilla Warfare

    A form of irregular warfare using small, mobile groups for hit-and-run attacks.

    December 1979 Invasion

    The month and year Soviet troops invaded Afghanistan to support the local communist government.

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    Stalemate

    A situation in the Afghan War where neither the Soviets nor the mujahideen gained a decisive advantage.

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    Soviet Ties

    Close political relationships between Afghanistan's communist government and the Soviet Union.

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    Afghan Government Overthrow

    The April 1978 coup that replaced President Mohammad Daud Khan with left-wing military officers.

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    Domino Theory

    The belief that the spread of communism in one country could influence neighboring countries.

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    Mikhail Gorbachev

    The last leader of the Soviet Union known for reforming communism.

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    Democratization

    The process of making a political system more democratic; Gorbachev aimed to democratize Soviet politics.

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    Decentralization

    Shifting power from central authority to local governments; Gorbachev sought to decentralize the Soviet economy.

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    Komsomol

    The All-Union Leninist Young Communist League that Gorbachev joined at age 15.

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    Politburo

    The highest policy-making authority in the Soviet Union's Communist Party.

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    Sakharov and Bonner

    Opposition figures released from exile by Gorbachev in 1986; they returned to Moscow.

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    General Secretary

    The top official in the Communist Party; Gorbachev became General Secretary in March 1985.

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    Final Years of Sakharov

    Period marked by global engagement after Gorbachev's reforms; involved media and memoir writing.

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    Sakharov's Early Recognition

    Andrei Sakharov's scientific talents were noted early, leading him to Moscow State University in 1938.

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    Nuclear Weapons Development

    Post World War II, Sakharov worked on developing Soviet nuclear weapons at a secret military base.

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    Concerns About Testing

    In the late 1950s, Sakharov opposed atmospheric nuclear testing due to potential global death increases.

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    Reflections Essay

    In May 1968, Sakharov wrote 'Reflections on Progress, Peaceful Coexistence, and Intellectual Freedom,' sparking international attention.

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    Nobel Prize Reaction

    The Soviet government reacted negatively to Sakharov receiving the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1975, isolating him.

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    Public Advocacy

    Sakharov, alongside his wife Bonner, advocated against Soviet oppression and hostility towards the West.

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    Exile and Censure

    In 1980, he was exiled to Gorky for criticizing the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and promoting Olympic boycotts.

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    Hunger Strike Impact

    In 1985, Sakharov's hunger strike pressured Gorbachev to allow Bonner necessary medical treatment abroad.

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    Gdańsk Protests

    Workers in Gdańsk resisted government decrees by striking.

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    Factory Strike Committee

    A group formed in Gdańsk to coordinate strikes in August 1980.

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    Accords of August 31, 1980

    Agreements that allowed independent unions and the right to strike.

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    Formation of Solidarity

    Solidarity was officially founded on September 22, 1980.

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    Lech Wałęsa

    An electrician who became the leader of the Solidarity movement.

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    Nobel Prize for Peace

    Awarded to Wałęsa in 1983 despite government opposition.

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    Outlawing of Solidarity

    In December 1981, the Polish government banned Solidarity.

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    Underground Solidarity

    Solidarity operated covertly after being banned, led by Wałęsa.

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    Gorbachev's Reforms

    Gorbachev attempted to modernize the Soviet system but failed due to incomplete reforms.

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    Gorbachev's Resignation

    Mikhail Gorbachev resigned as the last leader of the Soviet Union on December 25, 1991.

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    Economic Collapse

    Gorbachev's slow reform approach led to the complete collapse of the Soviet economy.

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    Russian Mafia's Rise

    The collapse of the Soviet government allowed the Russian mafia to gain power and fill the void.

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    Impact of Collapse

    The collapse of the USSR caused chaos in Eastern Europe, increasing crime and corruption.

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    Lithuania's Independence

    Lithuania declared independence from the USSR on March 11, 1990, being the first republic to do so.

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    Legacy of Soviet Policies

    The policies of the Soviet Union still influence the political and economic landscape of former republics today.

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    Post-Soviet Crime

    Former KGB, police, and army personnel joined the mafia due to lack of jobs after the Soviet collapse.

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    Leonid Brezhnev

    Soviet leader from 1964 to 1982 known for arms race policies.

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    Gorbachev's political policies

    Democratic reforms aimed at restructuring the USSR.

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    Fall of the Berlin Wall

    The event on November 9, 1989, symbolizing the end of division.

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    East Berlin's Communist Party

    The political body that oversaw East Berlin before the Wall fell.

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    500-day economic reform plan

    A rejected program meant to reform the Soviet economy in 1990.

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    GDR

    German Democratic Republic, or East Germany before reunification.

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    Consequences of the USSR's breakup

    Social, political, and economic impacts following the USSR's dissolution.

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    Soviet people's support for Gorbachev

    Diminished following his rejection of needed reforms.

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    Study Notes

    The End of the Cold War: The Expansion of Democracy and Continuing Challenges

    • Unit 4 covers the end of the Cold War, focusing on the expansion of democracy and the continuing challenges.
    • The pre-knowledge section includes questions regarding the differences between cold and hot wars, factors contributing to the collapse of the Soviet Union, China's actions since the Korean War, and resolving the division between Eastern and Western Europe.
    • Lesson 1 sets the scene for the Cold War, highlighting the relationship between the US and the Soviet Union.
    • A familiar figure, Richard Nixon, makes a re-entry into the discussion, notably his 1972 visit to the People's Republic of China.
    • The context of Nixon's visit, illustrating a significant change in US global relations during a time of significant political estrangement.
    • Mao Zedong, the ruler of China from 1949 to 1976, is another significant historical figure in the unit's discussion.
    • The Korean War (1950-1953) is presented as a critical historical backdrop for understanding the Cold War tensions. The Soviet Union supported North Korea; China supported the North Koreans. The US and UN supported South Korea. This conflict resulted in millions of deaths.
    • China's position post-Korean War played a key role in the changing dynamics of the Cold War.
    • The Cold War is characterized by a period of détente. Détente, a relaxation of strained political relations through verbal communication, was prominent during the time of Nixon and Brezhnev, particularly in the early 1970s.
    • The notes briefly discuss the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT), which were aimed at limiting the strategic missiles capable of carrying nuclear weapons between the US and the Soviet Union. This includes notable agreements like SALT I (1972) and SALT II (1979.)
    • SALT I limited strategic missile defenses.
    • The history of the Soviet Union's involvement in Afghanistan and its impact on the US-Soviet relationship are outlined.
    • Additionally the notable impact of the Soviet-Afghan war on the US-Soviet relationship is noted.
    • The Helsinki Accords (negotiated in late 1970s/early 1980s) are a significant aspect of détente. The efforts were to reduce tensions and the Western blocs to secure acceptance, thus addressing issues like border disputes. It also included issues around human rights, and cooperation on economics, science, technology, and the environment.
    • The noted differences between the Soviet Union and US political leaders. Jimmy Carter's presidency and foreign policy reorientation, influenced by factors like human rights, democratic values, non-proliferation, and poverty are key. He specifically focused on strengthening global relationships.
    • Andrei Sakharov's advocacy for human rights and civil liberties in the Soviet Union amid the Cold War.
    • The Chernobyl disaster (1986) occurred at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant and highlighted critical aspects of safety, environmental, and economic consequences of the Soviet Union's policies.
    • The Chernobyl disaster serves as a relevant example to the broader consequences of the Soviet Union's policies. There was also a massive cleanup effort, including the building of an elaborate containment structure.
    • The dismantling of the Soviet Union, and other events that led to the collapse of Communism in the late 1980s and early 1990s, are discussed.
    • Notably the roles of key figures, like Mikhail Gorbachev and various political groups, contribute to this process.
    • The impact of the Soviet Union's collapse on Eastern European countries and the emergence of the Russian mafia.
    • Various countries including the US and others are connected to this process of change.
    • The post-knowledge section features questions that act as a review to focus on deeper understanding.

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    Test your knowledge on the life and political impact of Mikhail Gorbachev and Andrei Sakharov. This quiz covers key events, roles, and ideologies that shaped their actions and legacies during the Soviet Union's transformation. Dive deep into their interactions, reforms, and the broader implications of their leadership.

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