The ending of the Cold War, 1985–1991 (A-level only) common mistakes

Common mistakes

• Confusing Perestroika and Glasnost

  Students often mix up these two policies, thinking they serve the same purpose.

  Fix itRemember that Perestroika focuses on economic restructuring, while Glasnost emphasizes political openness.

• Confusing the summits

  Students often mix up the details and outcomes of the various summits.

  Fix itFocus on the specific agreements and discussions that took place at each summit to avoid confusion.

• Confusing Gorbachev's policies

  Students often confuse glasnost and perestroika, thinking they are the same.

  Fix itRemember that glasnost refers to openness and freedom of expression, while perestroika refers to economic restructuring.

• Confusing events

  Students often confuse the significance of the fall of the Berlin Wall with earlier events like the Cuban Missile Crisis.

  Fix itFocus on the chronological order and context of events to understand their significance in the Cold War narrative.