DHS 2024 Post Promos SBQ Practice (H1) Suggested Approach

H1 Prost-Promo Practice 1 (DHS 2024) Suggested Approach 1 GORBACHEV AND REAGAN: HOW THE COLD WAR ENDED Compare and contrast the evidence in Sources A and B on Reagan’s views of the Soviet Union in the 1980s. Similarity – Both sources claim that there are signs of positive changes in the Soviet Union in the 1980s. Sources A and B both show that Reagan believed that the Soviets was changing for the better, despite continuing to frown on the inherent traits of the communist system. Source A shows Reagan’s view that “the Soviets themselves may, in a limited way, be coming to understand the importance of freedom”. This suggests that at the time of his speech, Reagan was beginning to see a shift in mindset of the Soviet Union to align with his own views of liberty being an inalienable right of the people. His description of the Soviets’ improved mindset as ”limited” suggests that he still anticipated the undesirable nature of the Soviets. This is also revealed in Source B, in which Reagan praised Gorbachev’s actions and declared him as “different from previous Soviet leaders...and is trying to fix” the flaws that plagued the USSR. As a result, Reagan was willing to establish closer relationship with the USSR . Hence, both sources show that Reagan could see an improvement in the ways of the Soviets in spite of his strong view s against their fundamental communist belief. Similarity explained by context: Reagan was referring to the reforms initiated by the new Soviet leader, Gorbachev. The latter’s perestroika – to restructure the stagnant command economy, glasnost – to liberalise Soviet politics and new thinking foreign policy – to improve relations with the West and reduce Soviet commitment to its empire, were intended to recover an d accelerate the economic development and modernising of the Soviet society and de-escalate bipolar tension. Difference – Reagan’s attitude towards the changes that had happened in the Soviet Union . Sources A and B differ on the extent to which Reagan showed confidence/optimism in the Soviets’ intentions. Source A is layered with uncertainty/cautiousness in Reagan’s tone, highlighting the fact that he could not feel assured that the Soviets would follow through with the reforms he perceived. Such uncertainty can be seen in the questions he poses towards Soviet reforms, “are these the beginnings of profoun d change…or are they token gestures?” He also showed his doubts in Gorbachev as he asked “IF [he] seeks peace…prosperity…liberalisation”, emphasising the action that must be taken to prove a commitment to po sitive changes. Source B, on the other hand, displayed higher level of optimism that the Soviets could improve continuously. He stated that “this time, so far, it’s different” from when “the state was still expansionist” and that the Soviets could “continue to acting a helpful manner”, making it clear that his doubts have been allayed in part, and that he saw g