AQA A-Level History 7042
1A The Age of the Crusades, c1071–1204
1B Spain in the Age of Discovery, 1469–1598
1C The Tudors: England, 1485–1603
1D Stuart Britain and the Crisis of Monarchy, 1603–1702
1E Russia in the Age of Absolutism and Enlightenment, 1682–1796
1F Industrialisation and the People: Britain, c1783–1885
1G Challenge and Transformation: Britain, c1851–1964
1H Tsarist and Communist Russia, 1855–1964
1J The British Empire, c1857–1967
1K The Making of a Superpower: USA, 1865–1975
1L The Quest for Political Stability: Germany, 1871–1991
2A Royal Authority and the Angevin Kings, 1154–1216
2B The Wars of the Roses, 1450–1499
2C The Reformation in Europe, c1500–1564
2D Religious Conflict and the Church in England, c1529–c1570
2E The English Revolution, 1625–1660
2F The Sun King: Louis XIV, France and Europe, 1643–1715
2G The Birth of the USA, 1760–1801
2H France in Revolution, 1774–1815
2J America: A Nation Divided, c1845–1877
2K International Relations and Global Conflict, c1890–1941
2L Italy and Fascism, c1900–1945
2M Wars and Welfare: Britain in Transition, 1906–1957
2N Revolution and Dictatorship: Russia, 1917–1953
2O Democracy and Nazism: Germany, 1918–1945
2P The Transformation of China, 1936–1997
2Q The American Dream: Reality and Illusion, 1945–1980
2R The Cold War, c1945–1991
2S The Making of Modern Britain, 1951–2007
2T The Crisis of Communism: The USSR and the Soviet Empire, 1953–2000
2R The Cold War, c1945–1991
Gorbachev's Inheritance and New Thinking
- 3 things to know
- Component 2
Overview
Recall questions on the state of the Soviet economy in 1985, the burden of the arms race and Afghanistan, and the change in outlook.
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
What approach did Gorbachev's 'new thinking' advocate regarding relations with Western powers?
How did military spending contribute to Soviet economic difficulties?
Questions from this subtopic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
What economic condition did Gorbachev inherit when he became Soviet leader in 1985?
Model answer
A stagnating Soviet economy
- 2
Why was the arms race with the USA a major pressure on Gorbachev's leadership from 1985?
Model answer
It was unsustainable for the Soviet economy to continue matching American military spending
- 3
Which ongoing military conflict was draining Soviet resources when Gorbachev came to power?
Model answer
The costly war in Afghanistan
- 4
How did Gorbachev's 'new thinking' change Soviet attitudes toward ideological conflict with the West?
Model answer
It rejected ideological confrontation in favour of pragmatic relations
- 5
What approach did Gorbachev's 'new thinking' advocate regarding relations with Western powers?
Model answer
Pursuit of cooperation with the West rather than confrontation
- 6
How did 'new thinking' affect Soviet international commitments in the developing world?
Model answer
It led to a reduction of costly international commitments abroad
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