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U.S. boycott of 1980 Summer Olympics
It was stated that the United States, lead by Jimmy Carter would boycott the Moscow Olympics if the Soviet Troops did not leave Afghanistan within a month. Sixty five of the invited regions to the games did not show up, some due to the boycott, and some just because their own economic troubles. -
Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) (“Star Wars”)
The Strategic Defense Initiative was focused on a U.S strategic defense against any possible nuclear attacks. Announced by Ronald Reagan on national Television, many parts of the system were based in space, therefore, the SDI got dubbed the name “Star Wars” after the film. The system worked by intercepting with the missiles while on their path. -
“Caribbean Basin Initiative”
This was a program that the United States made to provide several tariff and trade benefits to Central America and the Caribbean countries. This was just a temporary program initiated by Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act and it stayed temporary until The Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Expansion Act of 1990 made it permanent. It included foreign aid, a free trade arrangement, and tax incentives for those who are involved with the United States. -
Mikhail Gorbachev becomes General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union
Gorbachev is the blame for the ultimate downfall of the Soviet Union. He put forth efforts to bring Democracy to the nation and began giving the people more rights. This backfired for the leader when the people began to speak out. Mikhail Gorbachev later won the Nobel Peace Prize. -
Iran-Contra Affair
The United States supplied Iran with weapons, in hope for a trade for the release of American Hostages that they were holding in Lebanon. These transactions were illegal and they were considered to be a scandal, however the trade off worked and they proceeded to do another trade. This time the trade included the trade of 500 air missles, for the rest of the hostages. -
Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) ratified
This was signed agreement between the Soviet Union and the United States. Signed in Washington, D.C. by General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev and President Ronald Reagan. This was the elimination of all intermediate-range and shorter-range missiles for both nations. -
Berlin Wall collapses
This wall separated the city of Berlin from 1961 to 1989. This wall had completely cut off West Berlin from surrounding East Germany by land. The communist forces of Germany built a wall between East and West Berlin. They made this wall in order to try and keep the Western “fascists” out of Eastern Berlin. This wall was manned at all times as well. After nearly three decads the city was finally unified. -
1st McDonalds opens in Moscow
The first McDonalds in Moscow received an overwhelming positive response. People lined up for blocks waiting eagerly to get their hands on their treats. This was a sign of changing times in the U.S.S.R. Many people were surprised and delighted. -
Germany is reunified
This was the reuniting of East and West Germany. This lead to the fall of the Berlin Wall, the first time the nation had been united since WWII. -
Warsaw Pact is dissolved
The downfall of the Warsaw Pact was a direct result of the issues under the Soviet Union. The Union had lost Germany as a member and was quickly losing its power. The group assembled for the last time in July. Several members went on to join the NATO. -
Boris Yelstin elected President of Russia
Yeltsin was the first President of the Russian Federation. He was first elected chair man, however, he was favored to become the first President. He died at the age of 76 in 2007. -
End of the Soviet Union
The end of the Soviet Union was in part due to the resignation of Mikhail Gorbachev who was the eighth leader of the Union. Many other things lead to the Soviet Union breaking apart. The dissatification of the people, the very nature of the nation as well as many other events lead to the Unions end.
