The End of the Cold War

How did Reagan view communism? Reagan believed that the Soviet Union meant to take over the world As a result, he put A LOT of money into the U.S. military … more, in fact, than at any other time of peace in U.S. history

How did Reagan view communism? In 1983, Reagan announced plans for a new defense system called the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI). The move Star Wars was popular at the time, so SDI got the nickname “Star Wars” In theory, Star Wars would be able to knock down any Soviet missiles with a combination of land and space-based technology

Reagan delivering his speech initiating SDI (aka Star Wars) in 1983.

An artist's concept of a Space Laser Satellite Defense System, (Not any one system specifically, just generalized concept artwork)

An artist's concept of a ground / space- based hybrid laser weapon, 1984

How did Reagan view communism? Reagan also gave support to anti-communist fighters around the world. This policy became known as the Reagan Doctrine. Among the anti-communist fighter was a group of rebels in Nicaragua called Contras. Reagan called them “freedom fighters.” They fought against the Sandinistas, a communist backed organization.

What was the Iran-Contra Affair? Though it supported the Contras in spirit, Congress forbade giving any money or weapons to the Contras. In 1986, it was discovered that the U.S. was selling weapons to Iran (a terrorist state) in order to gain the release of U.S. hostages in Iran. Reagan had said that he would “never deal with terrorists.” Several months later, a Congressional investigation committee learned that the money from the weapons sales was funneled to the Contras in Nicaragua.

What was the Iran-Contra Affair? The investigation committee discovered that very high administration officials knew about this deal. The question was: did Reagan know? In the end, Reagan “did not seem to be aware” of the illegal operation. A top military officer, Oliver North, wasn’t so lucky. Reagan’s popularity fell as a result, but only for a short time. The “teflon” president’s popularity rebounded.

The End of the Cold War In 1985, Mikhail Gorbachev became the leader of the communist party in the Soviet Union at a time when the economy was in shambles. Gorbachev knew that change was essential.

The End of the Cold War Gorbachev announced two new policies: Perestroika (restructuring) called for the closing of unprofitable state-run factories and the allowance of private factories. He also cut defense spending to give more money to the needs of the people. Glasnost (openness) allowed people to criticize the government and honestly discuss social programs. He never intended to do away with communism, however.

The End of the Cold War Gorbachev faced economic ruin due to: - Rebellions against Moscow from soviet republics - a failing war in Afghanistan He was also concerned about SDI. Would the U.S. attack the Soviet Union? Gorbachev asked if he could meet with Reagan to talk about a treaty.

The End of the Cold War To many people’s surprise, Reagan agreed to meet with Gorbachev in Geneva in The two found that they liked each other. Over the course of several meetings, they eventually signed the Intermediate- Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty.

The End of the Cold War The INF treaty was the first treaty in which each side of the Cold War agreed to destroy nuclear weapons. By their last meeting in 1989, Reagan and Gorbachev had become good friends. Reagan told Americans that the U.S. had “forged a satisfying new closeness with the Soviet Union.”

The End of the Cold War In 1989, Gorbachev also announced that he would no longer interfere in the internal affairs of other communist countries. With the threat of Soviet invasion gone, communism collapsed across Eastern Europe. The Soviet republics broke away as well. By the end of 1991, all 15 Soviet republics had become separate nation-states.

The Berlin Wall (1986)

Peter Fechter lies dying after being shot by East German border guards. This photo achieved international notoriety, 1962.

Ronald Reagan delivers his famed speech at the Berlin Wall in June 1987, in which he called for Mikhail Gorbachev to “tear down this wall.”

A crane removing a section of the Berlin Wall near Brandenburg Gate on December 21, 1989

The End of the Cold War In July 1991, Eastern European leaders disbanded the Warsaw Pact. Four months later, after communist hardliners failed to mount a successful coup d’etat against Gorbachev, Gorbachev declared that the Soviet Union was officially dissolved. The Cold War was finally over.

But communism lived on in other places …