Gorbachev and the Sinatra Doctrine

The Sinatra Doctrine:

• The Sinatra Doctrine rejected the Bhreznev Doctrine (using military forces in countries with a capitalist influence) because it was no longer financially viable for the Soviet Union.
• The economy was fragile so it was easier to tell people that they could do as they please rather than providing military aid.
• Citizens could do what they liked without any interferance from the USSR.
• For example, they could demonstrate and hold protests.
• This applied to all countries in the Warsaw Pact.

Impact on superpower relations:

• Caused relations to improve.
• Countries in Eastern Europe could now have capitalist influence without any interfernace from the Soviet Union.