1. The U.S. and the Fall of the Soviet Union
(We won! #merica)

2. Mikhail Gorbachev (1988-1991) Young (56) Reformer
First leader to be born after the Revolution (Significance?)

3. Ronald Reagan (1981-1989) Former actor, great public speaker
Reinvigorated American morale
“It’s morning again in America.”

5. Weaknesses of the Soviet Union
Ideology of Communism (Utopia turns to Dystopia… read 1984… or Brave New World… or Animal Farm… or Hunger Games… or Divergent… or The Giver…)
Focus on military-industrial complex instead of basic necessities
Over 50% of population was non-Russian ethnic groups (nationalism)

6. Soviet Reality in 1980s
“Severe stagnation with deep-rooted economic and political problems”1
War in Afghanistan (“Russia’s Vietnam”)
Side note: Who did we support in the war against the Soviets in Afghanistan? 1.

7. Star Wars (no really…) “Strategic Defense Initiative” (SDI)
Space-based system to defend U.S. from attack by strategic ballistic missiles
Caused increased Soviet military spending
Critics: unrealistic, militarization of space, re-ignite arms race and destabilize MAD (Mutually Assured Destruction)

8. Gorbachev’s Reforms Glasnost (“openness”)
Increased freedom of information
Increased transparency of government
Perestroika (“restructuring”)
Allowed more independent actions from various ministries (decentralized control)
Introduced some market-like reforms

9. Nationalism on the Periphery
Baltic region
1987 – Estonia demanded autonomy – followed by Latvia and Lithuania
Transcaucasus
Armenian population in Azerbaijan sought to join Republic of Armenia (unsuccessful)
Poland
Solidarity Movement: democratic trade union that went underground and rebelled against Communist leadership

10. Tear Down This Wall! Brandenburg Gate, June 12, 1987
Timing: U.S. missiles in Europe; U.S. record peacetime defense buildup
Challenge to Gorbachev to “prove” his desire for increasing freedom in the Eastern bloc

11. “There is one sign the Soviets can make that would be unmistakable, that would advance dramatically the cause of freedom and peace. General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization, come here to this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”

12. East Germany
Summer and fall of 1989: citizens took to the streets, calling for reforms
East German refugees found loopholes through satellite countries to West Berlin and refused to return
Moscow refused to use military force to support East German leader – led to beginning of political reforms

13. Fall of Berlin Wall

14. Cold War Legacy Relief & Uncertainty in the U.S.
Unprecedented prosperity in the West
NATO – sticks around
Wave of democratization throughout Latin America, Africa, and Eastern Europe
U.S. as sole remaining superpower
Breakdown of Pax Americana – Cold War was often sole justification behind U.S. hegemony (dominance)
Concern about leftover Soviet weapons