1. Economic Problems: The Soviet economy was facing severe economic stagnation, with declining growth rates, inefficient state-owned industries, and a bloated military budget. This put pressure on the government and led to a desire for reform.
2. Political Reforms: Mikhail Gorbachev, who became the leader of the Soviet Union in 1985, introduced political reforms such as *glasnost* (openness) and *perestroika* (restructuring), which allowed for greater freedom of expression and economic liberalization. These reforms weakened the control of the Communist Party and contributed to the overall decline of the Soviet system.
External Factors:
1. US Military Spending: The United States under President Ronald Reagan embarked on a significant military build-up, including the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), colloquially known as "Star Wars." This put pressure on the Soviet Union to match the spending, straining its already weak economy and contributing to the arms race.
2. Fall of Berlin Wall: In 1989, the Berlin Wall, a symbol of the Cold War division of Europe, was dismantled. This event marked a turning point in the conflict and led to the reunification of Germany in 1990.
3. Solidarity Movement in Poland: The rise of the Solidarity trade union movement in Poland, led by Lech Wałęsa, challenged the Communist regime and inspired democratic movements across Eastern Europe.
Diplomatic Factors:
1. Arms Control Agreements: The United States and the Soviet Union negotiated several arms control agreements during the late Cold War, including the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty in 1987, which resulted in the destruction of intermediate-range nuclear missiles.
2. Malta Summit: The historic summit between US President George H.W. Bush and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in 1989 helped ease tensions and paved the way for further diplomatic progress.
3. End of the Warsaw Pact: The Warsaw Pact, a military alliance between the Soviet Union and its Eastern European satellite states, was dissolved in 1991, marking a significant step toward the end of the Cold War.
In summary, the end of the Cold War was the result of a combination of internal economic and political factors within the Soviet Union, external military and diplomatic pressures, and the rise of democratic movements in Eastern Europe.