1. Reagan Revolution: The End of Communism

2. Agenda 1.Bell Ringer: Vietnam and Détente Questions 2. End of the Cold War Notes (20) 3. Analysis: What led to the end of the Cold War? (10) 4. Video Analysis: Reagan and “Tear down this wall” (10) Why jokes? 5. Compare and Contrast Leaders of the Cold War (10) 6. Political Cartoons during the Cold War (10)

3. Reagan’s stance on Communism He was strongly against Communists, and after the détente of the 1970s he moves to make America fight Communism once again. He wanted to increase military strength of the USA.

4. Star Wars The Strategic Defense Initiative was a program designed to create a “forcefield” around the USA. Focused on strategic defense OF the borders, not against the Soviets. ICBM’s to x-rays, some of this stuff was unrealistic.

5. Mikhail Gorbachev Came to power and completely changed the Soviet Union. He changed the policy of a closed society in favor of political and economic reform. Withdrew forces from Afghanistan in 1988, major defeat for Soviets.

6. Perestroika and Glasnost Glasnost – Openness of the government. – It is meant to discourage corruption by creating a government that has no secrets. Perestroika – Restructuring of the government. – It was thought that it would make Communism more efficient by incorporating free-market aspects. – In the end Communism would collapse.

7. Fall of the Wall Reagan famously said, “Gorbachev, tear down this wall” (Built 1961) The wall finally opened up in November, 1989. Many Eastern Germans would leave for the West. The Soviet Union would collapse in 1991, signaling the end of the Cold War. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjWDrTX MgF8

8. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zXiClnK8o E http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdKVX45wY eQ