1. To What Extent Did Ronald Reagan End the Cold War? Emily Wolfe

2. Election of 1980 The former California governor decided to run for the presidency with running mate, George Bush, after being denied the nomination in 1976The former California governor decided to run for the presidency with running mate, George Bush, after being denied the nomination in 1976 Reagan was elected 489-49 electoral votes and immediately began drastic tax cuts to try to spur the economyReagan was elected 489-49 electoral votes and immediately began drastic tax cuts to try to spur the economy

3. Ways in Which Reagan Helped Win the Cold War Revitalizing American ConfidenceRevitalizing American Confidence Reagan DoctrineReagan Doctrine Buildup of the MilitaryBuildup of the Military Understanding the Weaknesses of the Soviet UnionUnderstanding the Weaknesses of the Soviet Union

4. Revitalizing American Confidence Reagan’s goal was to return to the American optimistic spirit for the futureReagan’s goal was to return to the American optimistic spirit for the future Public opinion shifted in favor of Reagan and his policiesPublic opinion shifted in favor of Reagan and his policies Reagan’s strong opinions about the weaknesses of the USSR aided in the start of more aggressive actions towards the USSRReagan’s strong opinions about the weaknesses of the USSR aided in the start of more aggressive actions towards the USSR If more action was taken, then logically, more pressure was applied and the USSR would not be able to withstandIf more action was taken, then logically, more pressure was applied and the USSR would not be able to withstand

5. Reagan Doctrine Administration declared it would aid any Third World country under threat from Marxist forcesAdministration declared it would aid any Third World country under threat from Marxist forces Came into play in the countries of El Salvador, Nicaragua, and AfghanistanCame into play in the countries of El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Afghanistan Afghanistan – only conflict when USSR sent their military (caused Soviet spending to increase, possibly accelerating the fall)Afghanistan – only conflict when USSR sent their military (caused Soviet spending to increase, possibly accelerating the fall)

6. Buildup of the Military Economic sideEconomic side –Believed increase in military spending would pose threat to Soviet economy Technological sideTechnological side –Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) increased America’s technology advantage

7. Buildup of the Military (cont.) –SDI – “The long-term promise provided by this research is the possibility of aggression, strengthening stability, and increasing the security of the United States and our allies – and doing so through the increased contribution of defensive systems that threaten no one.” – Ronald Reagan in a letter to Senate Majority Leader, Bob Dole

8. Understanding the Weaknesses of the Soviet Union For the most part, prior to Reagan, both political parties believed that the Soviet Union would sustain through the foreseeable futureFor the most part, prior to Reagan, both political parties believed that the Soviet Union would sustain through the foreseeable future Reagan was different because he believed the Soviets could be defeatedReagan was different because he believed the Soviets could be defeated Saw the Soviet economy as weak and believed, if pushed, it would collapseSaw the Soviet economy as weak and believed, if pushed, it would collapse

9. Understanding the Weaknesses of the Soviet Union (cont.) Reagan was correct in his beliefsReagan was correct in his beliefs –“We will be pulled into an arms race that is beyond our capabilities, and we will lose it because we are at the limit of our capabilities. …If the new round begins, the pressures on our economy will be unbelievable.” - Mikhail Gorbachev at a session of Poliburo

10. Berlin Wall Speech

11. Berlin Wall Speech (cont.) His speech applied further pressure on Gorbachev to continue with his reform policies and progress furtherHis speech applied further pressure on Gorbachev to continue with his reform policies and progress further

12. So…Did Reagan End the Cold War? Technically speaking, the Bush administration finalized the end of the Cold WarTechnically speaking, the Bush administration finalized the end of the Cold War However, in the transition between Reagan and the succeeding president, George Bush, some advances that had been made were lostHowever, in the transition between Reagan and the succeeding president, George Bush, some advances that had been made were lost

13. So…Did Reagan End the Cold War? The cooperation and established relationship between Reagan and Gorbachev in fact ended the Cold WarThe cooperation and established relationship between Reagan and Gorbachev in fact ended the Cold War Reagan’s policies, however, led to the eventual collapse of the Berlin Wall and, later, the economy and Soviet UnionReagan’s policies, however, led to the eventual collapse of the Berlin Wall and, later, the economy and Soviet Union

14. Bibliography D’Souza, Dinesh. “How Reagan Won the Cold War.” National Review. 24 November 1997.D’Souza, Dinesh. “How Reagan Won the Cold War.” National Review. 24 November 1997. Kaplan, Fred. “Ron and Mikhail’s Excellent Adventure.” Slate: War Stories. Kaplan, Fred. “Ron and Mikhail’s Excellent Adventure.” Slate: War Stories. Knopf, Jeffrey W. “Did Reagan Win the Cold War?” Strategic Insights. Volume III Issue 8 (August 2004).Knopf, Jeffrey W. “Did Reagan Win the Cold War?” Strategic Insights. Volume III Issue 8 (August 2004).

15. Bibliography (cont.) Kaiser, Robert G. “Gorbachev: ‘We All Lost Cold War’.” Washington Post. p. A01. 11 June 2004.Kaiser, Robert G. “Gorbachev: ‘We All Lost Cold War’.” Washington Post. p. A01. 11 June 2004. “Ronald Reagan and End of the Cold War.” Eagleton Digital Archive of American Politics. Rutgers University. “Ronald Reagan and End of the Cold War.” Eagleton Digital Archive of American Politics. Rutgers University.