Richard Nixon and the Policy of Detente

summit in Geneva, Switzerland

Jul 18, 1955

The "Big Four" met in Geneva, Switzerland in order to discuss peace. At the very least, the overall goal was to relieve tension among nations.

Richard Nixon and the Policy of Detente

May 22, 1972

President Richard Nixon travels to the USSR for a summit with Soviet Premier Leonid Brezhnev in the Kremlin. They agree to seek a policy of detente.
"The agreement (of Detente) cannot be siad to have any substantial role in affecting the course of the cold war and its final settlement. They did not have any weakening effect on US or western resolve or behavior, as some critics had feared, nor can it be demonstrated that they moderated the pursuit of advantage... as both continued to wage CD."

Soviet invasion of Afghanistan

Dec 24, 1979

The Soviet war in Afghanistan lasted nine years from December 1979 to February 1989. Part of the cold war, it was fought between Soviet-led Afghanistan forces against multinational insurgent groups called the Mujahideen, mostly composed of two alliances the Peshawar Seven and the Tehran Eight.

Soliditary Movement in Poland

Jul 5, 1980

Lech Walesa starts a national trade union. It was supported by womens and roman catholic church.

Reykjavik Summit, Iceland

Oct 11, 1980

Where Reagan and Gorbachev met, both sign of on nuclear missle treaty.

Ronald Reagan addresses the National Association of Evangelicals

Mar 8, 1983

Strategic Defense Initiative (star wars)

Mar 23, 1983

It was proposed by the US president Ronald Reagan. To us ground and space based systems.
"The defense policy of the US is based on a simple premise: The US does not start wars. we will never be an aggressor."

Gorbachev, Perestroika, Glasnost

May 5, 1985

Perestroika- Political movement
Glasnot- "openness" " what we need is star peace not star wars" -Gorbachev
"If not me, who? And if not now, when?" -Gorbachev

Ronald Reagan speech

Jun 22, 1987

"Behind me stands a wall that encircles the sectors of this city, part of a vast system of barriers that divides the entire continent of Europe."

Reagan and Gorbachev sign INF treaty

Dec 8, 1987

Fall of Berlin wall

Nov 9, 1989

Wall is destroyed , more than 800 people were killed, and it was ongoing for 28 years.

Fall of soviet union

Dec 26, 1991

Soviet union ceased to exist and became Russia and became 15 other independent states. This will mark the end of the cold war.