Study Guides

Unit Summary

In this unit pupils undergo a period study which tells a story about a period that shaped the world we live in today: the Cold War. They look at the key events, developments, people and stories that defined the relationship between the USA and the USSR in this period.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to explain the events that led to the end of Soviet control of Eastern Europe and the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Key Notes

• Under Gorbachev, the USSR gave its satellite states in Eastern Europe the freedom to choose how they were governed.
• Between 1989 and 1991, the USSR lost control of its Eastern European satellite states.
• In East Germany, there were widespread popular protests demanding democracy and the destruction of the Berlin Wall.
• On the 9th November 1989, the East German government were forced to open the border with West Germany.
• On 9th November 1989, people from East Berlin and West Berlin crossed the border and began to destroy the Berlin Wall.

Vocabulary To Learn

• doctrine: a set of beliefs or principles
• satellite state: a country that is dominated by another country
• reform: a change introduced to improve something, often a system or law
• reunification: bringing things or people back together after they have been separated

Common Mistakes To Avoid

• Gorbachev's reforms were intended to bring an end to communism and end Soviet control over Eastern Europe.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

More Lessons In This Unit

• Berlin, 1958-61: increased tensions Study Guide
• Berlin, 1961-63: the Berlin Wall Study Guide
• Causes of tension between the USA and USSR by 1945 Study Guide
• Cold War crises, 1958-70 Study Guide
• Détente and SALT I Study Guide
• Gorbachev's 'new thinking' Study Guide
• Reagan and the 'Second Cold War' Study Guide
• Soviet influence over Eastern Europe by 1948 Study Guide
• The Berlin Crisis (1948) Study Guide
• The Cold War arms race Study Guide
• The collapse of the Soviet Union Study Guide
• The Cuban Missile Crisis (1962) Study Guide
• The Cuban Revolution and the Bay of Pigs Invasion Study Guide
• The end of the Cold War, 1970-91 Study Guide
• The Helsinki Accords and SALT II Study Guide
• The Hungarian Uprising (1956) Study Guide
• The impact of the atomic bomb on US-Soviet relations Study Guide
• The origins of the Cold War (1941-58) Study Guide
• The Prague Spring (1968) Study Guide
• The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan Study Guide
• The Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia (1968) Study Guide
• The Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan Study Guide