-
Detente
A French word meaning "release of tensions." The term is often used in reference to the general easing of the geo-political tensions between the Soviet Union and the United States which began in 1969, as a foreign policy of U.S. presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford called détente; a 'thawing out' or 'un-freezing' at a period roughly in the middle of the Cold War. -
Soviet war in Afghanistan
The Soviet war in Afghanistan lasted nine years from December 1979 to February 1989. March 1979 marked the signing of the U.S.-backed peace agreement between Israel and Egypt. The Soviet leadership saw the agreement as a major advantage for the United States. The Soviets viewed the treaty not only as a peace agreement between their erstwhile allies in Egypt and the U.S.-supported Israelis but also as a military pact. -
Period: to
End of the Coldwar
-
Solidarity Movement in Poland
At Gdańsk Shipyard under the leadership of Lech Wałęsa. It was the first non-Communist Party-controlled trade union in a Warsaw Pact country. Solidarity reached 9.5 million members before its September 1981 Congress, (up to 10 million) that constituted one third of the total working age population of Poland. -
Evil Empire
The speech is remembered as an attack upon the Soviet Union, which Reagan labeled an “evil empire” and charged with being “the focus of evil in the modern world. Quote: "Let us pray for the salvation of those who live in that totalitarian darkness—pray that they will discover the joy of knowing God. But until they do, let us be aware that while they preach the supremacy of the state... and predict its eventual domination of all peoples on the Earth, they are the focus of evil in the modern world -
"Star Wars" (SDI)
“Star Wars” involves the development by the United States of a defense in outer space against intercontinental ballistic missiles.
"The Soviets ... have enough accurate and powerful nuclear weapons to destroy virtually all of our missiles on the ground." -Reagan -
Gorbachev Perestroika, Glasnot
Increased openness and transparency in government institutions/activities in the Soviet Union. Introduced by Mikhail Gorbachev. Perestroika, "restructuring" referring to the restructuring of the political and economic system. "Gentlemen, comrades, do not be concerned about all you hear about Glasnost and Perestroika and democracy in the coming years. They are primarily for outward consumption. There will be no significant internal changes in the Soviet Union, other than for cosmetic purposes." -
Summit of Geneva
A Cold War-era meeting in Geneva, Switzerland. It was held on November 19 and 20, 1985, between U.S. president Ronald Reagan and Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev. The two leaders met for the first time to hold talks on international diplomatic relations and the arms race. -
Reykjavik summit iceland
A meeting between U.S. President Ronald Reagan and General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev, held in Höfði in Reykjavík, the capital city of Iceland, on October 11–12, 1986. The talks collapsed at the last minute, but the progress that had been achieved eventually resulted in the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty between the United States and the Soviet Union. -
Brandenberg Gate
Quote: "Tear down this wall!" Reagan challenged Gorbachev, who was then the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, to tear it down as an emblem of Gorbachev's desire to increase freedom. -
INF Treaty
The treaty is formally titled The Treaty Between the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on the Elimination of Their Intermediate-Range and Shorter-Range Missiles. The treaty eliminated nuclear and conventional ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with intermediate ranges, defined as between 500-5,500 km -
Fall of The Berlin Wall
The official purpose of this Berlin Wall was to keep Western “fascists” from entering East Germany and undermining the socialist state, but it primarily served the objective of stemming mass defections from East to West. The Berlin Wall stood until November 9, 1989, when the head of the East German Communist Party announced that citizens of the GDR could cross the border whenever they pleased. -
Fall of Soviet Union
The Soviet Union disintegrated into fifteen separate countries. Its collapse was hailed by the west as a victory for freedom, a triumph of democracy over totalitarianism, and evidence of the superiority of capitalism over socialism. The United States rejoiced as its formidable enemy was brought to its knees, thereby ending the Cold War.
