Pearson Edexcel · GCSE · History
Course version: 1HI0 · Version from Sept 2016
Key topic 3: The end of the Cold War, 1970–91 - 2 The end of détente and…
Full specification wording
Option P4: Key topic 3: The end of the Cold War, 1970–91 - 2 The end of détente and the ‘Second Cold War’: The significance of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, the Carter Doctrine and the Olympic boycotts.
The 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan was a turning point that destroyed détente and triggered the 'Second Cold War'.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 1HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 1 of 3
- 3 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
The 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan was a turning point that destroyed détente and triggered the 'Second Cold War'. The USSR intervened to prop up a communist government, but the USA viewed this as aggressive expansionism threatening Middle Eastern oil supplies. In response, the Carter Doctrine was announced, stating the USA would use military force to defend its interests in the Persian Gulf, marking a return to containment. Furthermore, the USA led a boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics, supported by over 60 nations, which deeply embarrassed the USSR and highlighted global condemnation. The USSR retaliated by boycotting the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. These events significantly escalated tensions, ending arms control efforts and renewing intense superpower hostility.
What earns the marks
- The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in December 1979 aimed to support the pro-Soviet government against Mujahideen rebels.
- The invasion definitively ended the period of détente, leading the US Senate to refuse the ratification of the SALT 2 treaty.
- The Carter Doctrine (1980) committed the USA to using military force, if necessary, to protect its national interests and oil supplies in the Persian Gulf.
- The USA funded and armed the Mujahideen fighters in Afghanistan, engaging in a proxy war against the Soviet Union.
- The US-led boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics, joined by over 60 countries, was a significant cultural and diplomatic blow to the Soviet Union.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Stating that US troops fought directly against Soviet troops in Afghanistan.
Put it right: The USA provided covert funding and weapons to the Mujahideen, making it a proxy war.
Confusing the dates and locations of the Olympic boycotts.
Put it right: The USA boycotted Moscow in 1980, and the USSR boycotted Los Angeles in 1984.
Believing the Carter Doctrine applied globally.
Put it right: It specifically targeted the defence of the Persian Gulf region and its oil reserves.
Exam tips
- Link the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan directly to the failure of SALT 2 to demonstrate how military actions impacted diplomatic treaties.
- Use the Carter Doctrine as evidence of the USA's shift from détente back to a hardline policy of containment.
- Discuss the Olympic boycotts to show how Cold War rivalry extended beyond politics and military into culture and sport.
Try the lesson
The start of the Option P4: Key topic 3: The end of the Cold War, 1970–91 - 2 The end of détente and the ‘Second Cold War’: The significance of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, the Carter Doctrine and the Olympic boycotts. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
How did the United States protest against the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in the realm of international sports?
Listen
The 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan was a turning point that destroyed détente and triggered the 'Second Cold War'. The USSR intervened to prop up a communist government, but the USA viewed this as aggressive expansionism threatening Middle Eastern oil supplies. In response, the Carter Doctrine was announced, stating the USA would use military force to defend its interests in the Persian Gulf, marking a return to containment. Furthermore, the USA led a boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics, supported by over 60 nations, which deeply embarrassed the USSR and highlighted global condemnation. The USSR retaliated by boycotting the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. These events significantly escalated tensions, ending arms control efforts and renewing intense superpower hostility. A strong answer earns marks for these points. The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in December 1979 aimed to support the pro-Soviet government against Mujahideen rebels. The invasion definitively ended the period of détente, leading the US Senate to refuse the ratification of the SALT 2 treaty. The Carter Doctrine (1980) committed the USA to using military force, if necessary, to protect its national interests and oil supplies in the Persian Gulf. The USA funded and armed the Mujahideen fighters in Afghanistan, engaging in a proxy war against the Soviet Union. Exam tip: Link the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan directly to the failure of SALT 2 to demonstrate how military actions impacted diplomatic treaties.
Put the events in order
Put these events in the order they happened, earliest first.
- 1. Soviet invasion of Afghanistan aimed to support the pro-Soviet government
- 2. The USSR boycotted the Los Angeles Olympics
- 3. Carter Doctrine committed the USA to protecting the Persian Gulf
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
The end of détente
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Carter Doctrine
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Cultural Cold War
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- The end of détente
- The period of détente was definitively ended by the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, leading the US Senate to refuse ratification of the SALT 2 treaty.
- Carter Doctrine
- Announced in 1980, it committed the USA to using military force, if necessary, to protect its national interests and oil supplies in the Persian Gulf.
- Cultural Cold War
- Cold War rivalry extended beyond politics and military into culture and sport, shown by the US-led boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics and the Soviet boycott of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
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