Communism - Rise and Decline

1. Khrushchev believed that communism in the USSR could be reformed and modernized and made more efficient. How far had this been achieved by 1970?
2. The USSR remained politically and socially stable in the years 1964 to 1982 despite the policies of the Brezhnev era. How far would you agree with this view? 
3. Consider the view that if Gorbachev had followed different policies, the USSR could have survived, in the same way that communism survived in China. 
4. It was Gorbachev's reluctance to commit himself to sufficiently radical changes that led to the break-up of the Soviet Union. Assess the validity of this view. 
5. Explain why the collapse of the USSR was followed by serious economic and political problems.
6. Putin's Russia may well have been a police state, but at least he rescued the country from the chaos of the Yeltsin years. How far do you think this is a fair comment on both presidents?

The Cold War

Due Tuesday, Fevbruary 17th at 9:00 p.m.

1) What is a "new state?"

2) Assess the impact of Cold War developments one TWO non-European new states.

3. "The major obstacle to successful international peacekeeping between 1945 and 1965 was the impact of Cold War politics on the Unitrd Nations." To what extent do you agree with this assertion? 

4. To what extent were Soviet policies responsible for the outbreak and development of the Cold War between 1945 and 1949? 

5. In what ways, and for what reasons, was the Middle East important in the Cold War?

6. Identify and explain the significance of TWO of the following in the development of the Cold War: COMECON; Marshall Plan; NATO; Warsaw Pact. 

7. Compare and contrast the social and economic effects of the Cold War on TWO countries each chosen from a different region.

8. Analyse the factors which led to the ending of the Cold War.

Russia-Ukraine Battles

Due Tuesday, February 11th at 9:00 p.m.

1) How should the U.S. react to Russia-Ukraine battles? 

2) How is it that both countries claim Crimea? 

3) What is the history of Crimea? 

4) What part of Europe are Russia and the Ukraine located in? How does their location affect their culture?

5) What are the risks and benefits to settling the dispute between these two countries through military intervention? Could it be solved diplomatically? If so, how?

6) How does the U.S. Government decide who to side with in an international conflict? 

7) Do you think the U.S. will favor diplomacy or military action in this situation?

8) Which option or combination of the two do you think will be the most effective in ending the conflict between Ukraine and Russia? Explain your answer.