Cold War episode 20 – Freeze 1977-1981: In 1976, Jimmy Carter and Leonid Brezhnev promised to reduce East-West tensions. But within four years those promises turned to anger and mistrust. The Cold War was far from over. The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan ends detente. Promising tougher measures against Moscow; Reagan defeats Carter for the presidency. In Poland, martial law is imposed. Carter’s ambitious proposals for total multilateral nuclear disarmament are rejected by Brezhnev; his championing of human rights does not win favour either. The Helsinki Accords encourage writers to establish Charter 77 in Czechoslovakia.
The visit of Pope John Paul II revitalises Polish nationalism, while in the Soviet Union high profile dissidents and refuseniks gains popular attention. The Soviets continue a conventional arms race, draining resources from a demoralised consumer economy. SALT II is signed, to the consternation of many Europeans because of the Treaty’s “double track” provisions concerning the deployment of new SS-20 and Pershing II missiles.
Carter’s failure to exercise American resolve and strength over the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, the Iran hostage crisis and an oil shock ultimately costs him the 1980 elections, and the United States decisively swings to a more confrontational foreign policy under Ronald Reagan. Brezhnev successfully leans on Polish leader Wojciech Jaruzelski to crack down on the Solidarity movement. Interviewees include Jeane Kirkpatrick, Lech Walesa, Vaclav Havel and Helmut Schmidt.
Cold War episode 20 – The Cold War Resurgence: 1977-1981 – A Saga of Promises, Tensions, and Transformation
Promises Made, Promises Broken: The Failed Hope for East-West Detente
The Carter-Brezhnev Conundrum
In 1976, the world watched as two influential leaders, Jimmy Carter and Leonid Brezhnev, pledged to deflate East-West tensions. Their promises, however, quickly devolved into a mix of anger and mistrust, encapsulating the volatile climate of the Cold War era. A dramatic turn of events, including the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, torpedoed any hopes of detente, with Carter’s ambitious proposals for multilateral nuclear disarmament flatly dismissed by Brezhnev. Carter’s advocacy for human rights, while noble, failed to gain traction, underscoring the gaping ideological divide between the two superpowers.
The Emergence of Charter 77 and Czechoslovakian Dissent
The Helsinki Accords, signed amidst this tumultuous backdrop, sparked an unexpected consequence. This agreement emboldened writers to establish Charter 77 in Czechoslovakia, a pivotal symbol of resistance. This document, a beacon of hope for dissidents, critiqued the government’s human rights record. Meanwhile, in the Soviet Union, high-profile dissidents and refuseniks were gaining public attention, further spotlighting the discontent bubbling beneath the surface of the Iron Curtain.
The Arms Race, Economic Strain, and the SALT II Treaty
Simultaneously, the Soviets were engaged in a draining conventional arms race, further straining an already demoralised consumer economy. The signing of the SALT II Treaty did little to ease European anxieties, particularly due to the treaty’s “double track” provisions concerning the deployment of new SS-20 and Pershing II missiles. Carter’s inability to demonstrate American resolve in the face of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, combined with the Iran hostage crisis and an oil shock, fundamentally cost him the 1980 elections.
The Tide Turns: From Carter to Reagan and the Polish Solidarity Movement
The Rise of Reagan and a More Confrontational US Foreign Policy
In the wake of President Carter’s electoral downfall, a pivotal transformation began to take shape within the landscape of American politics, an alteration so profound it would leave an indelible mark on the nation’s history. It was during this time that Ronald Reagan, a charismatic figure with a compelling vision, began his ascent to the pinnacle of American leadership: the presidency.
Reagan’s ascendance was not merely a change in administrative personnel. It represented a profound shift in policy orientation, as he pledged to adopt firmer, more stringent measures against the formidable adversary of the time, Moscow. His approach was a stark departure from the preceding diplomatic strategies. In place of them, Reagan proposed a more assertive stance, reflecting an unwavering American resolve to protect its global interests and democratic values.
This dramatic shift heralded the onset of a more confrontational era in US foreign policy, ushering in a renewed phase in the protracted Cold War. It was a moment in history that saw America’s diplomatic gloves come off, as the nation prepared itself to face the Soviet Union with renewed tenacity and vigor.
Martial Law in Poland and the Solidarity Movement
As the geopolitical chessboard of the world continued its complex dance, the nation of Poland found itself in a state of upheaval. Martial law was declared, an oppressive blanket that sought to stifle any form of dissent. It was a time of pervasive uncertainty, yet even within this atmosphere of restriction and fear, a glimmer of resilience flickered.
This spark of resistance took the form of the Solidarity movement. Led by the determined and charismatic Lech Walesa, the movement rose from the ashes of discontent, embodying the collective will of a people yearning for freedom. It stood firm and resolute, a symbol of defiance against the all-encompassing Communist regime.
Despite the inherent dangers and challenges, the Solidarity movement began to gain traction, emerging as a formidable force against the authoritarian rule. Its influence was not confined to the political sphere; it seeped into the hearts and minds of the Polish people, awakening a sense of unity and purpose that had been dormant for too long.
The visit of Pope John Paul II to Poland
Amid this turbulent period, a pivotal event occurred that would serve to further embolden the Polish populace. Pope John Paul II, a figure of immense religious and moral stature, paid a visit to his native Poland. His presence served as a potent catalyst, stirring the embers of Polish nationalism and pride.
As the Pope traversed the country, his words and actions reinvigorated the Polish spirit. His visit was not just a religious pilgrimage; it was a profound statement that resonated deeply with the Polish people. It seemed to lend a divine endorsement to the Solidarity movement, bolstering its legitimacy and influence.
The effect of his visit was profound. The Polish people, hitherto weighed down by the oppressive martial law, found renewed strength and resolve. The Solidarity movement, already a beacon of hope, was further bolstered. The visit of Pope John Paul II was a clarion call, revitalising Polish nationalism and infusing a newfound sense of determination into the fight for freedom.
Brezhnev’s Clampdown and the Waning Years of the Cold War
Within the shadows of the Iron Curtain, a world away from the simmering passions of the Solidarity movement, Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev was making his own strategic maneuvers. Using the full weight of his political influence and the immense power of the Soviet Union, he exerted considerable pressure on the Polish leader, Wojciech Jaruzelski. Brezhnev’s objective was clear and unyielding: to quell the rising tide of defiance represented by the Solidarity movement.
Jaruzelski, caught in the vice of Brezhnev’s influence, was compelled to act. He was forced to crack down on the Solidarity movement, attempting to stifle the voice of freedom that had begun to resonate across Poland. It was a harsh reminder of the realities of the Cold War, a testament to the lengths that those in power would go to preserve their control.
Yet, even as these dramatic events unfolded, the world was on the brink of a new decade. The dawn of the 1980s was breaking, carrying with it the promise of a fresh start. But despite the turning of the calendar, the Cold War, that prolonged struggle for global dominance, was still far from reaching its conclusion. The chess game between the East and West continued, each move fraught with tension and high stakes.
However, beneath the surface of this enduring conflict, subtle indications suggested that change was on the horizon. The winds of transformation, slow but steady, were beginning to stir. They whispered of a future that could be different, a future where the rigid structures of the Cold War might finally start to crumble.
These winds hinted at seismic transformations that were yet to come, offering a glimmer of hope in a world embroiled in political strife. As the 1980s dawned, the world held its breath, watching and waiting for the winds of change to gather strength and usher in a new era.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Cold War episode from 1977-1981 was marked by heightened tension, broken promises, and the emergence of influential figures who would profoundly shape global politics. While Carter and Brezhnev pledged to ease East-West tensions, their promises fell apart amidst anger and mistrust, and the hopeful goal of detente was replaced by a renewed arms race and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
The period also witnessed the rise of dissent, notably with the establishment of Charter 77 in Czechoslovakia and the growing attention towards Soviet dissidents and refuseniks. The resilience of the Polish people found expression in the Solidarity movement, further invigorated by the visit of Pope John Paul II, despite the imposition of martial law.
The SALT II treaty, which aimed to limit the arms race, caused controversy and unease, particularly due to provisions concerning the deployment of new missiles. Carter’s unsuccessful handling of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, the Iran hostage crisis, and the oil shock led to his defeat in the 1980 elections, paving the way for Reagan, who promised a more confrontational approach towards Moscow.
While Brezhnev successfully pressured Polish leader Jaruzelski to crack down on the Solidarity movement, the spirit of defiance was not easily extinguished. As the 1980s dawned, the world was on the precipice of change, holding its breath in anticipation of a new era, hoping for the Cold War’s rigid structures to start crumbling. This period, from 1977 to 1981, was thus a pivotal chapter in the Cold War saga, marked by tension, transformation, and the promise of change.
