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Richard Nixon and Policy of Detente
Detente means a thawing out at a period roughly during the Cold War era. This was characterized by the signings of SALT I and the Helsinki Accords.
"Castro couldn't even go to the bathroom unless the Soviet Union put the nickel in the toilet."- Richard Nixon -
Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan
This invasion was part of the war: The Soviet Union army went to Afghanistan and battled Afghani militant groups such as: Peshawar Seven and the Tehran Eight. Jimmy Carter sent aid to Afghanistan to help the opponents.
"If the Soviet Union let another political party come into existence, they would still be a one-party state, because everybody would join the other party."- Ronald Reagan -
Solidarity Movement in Poland
A Polish trade union federation that was created in 1980 under the leadership of Lech Walesa. It was an anti-bureaucratic social movement, using civil resistance to advance the causes of workers' rights and social change.
"The fall of the Berlin Wall makes for nice pictures. But it all started in the shipyards."- Lech Walesa -
Ronald Reagan and National Association of Evangelicals
Ronald Reagan spoke in Orlando Florida and his speech became known as "Evil Empire." -
Strategic Defense Initiative
Ronald Reagan's defense tactics using ground-base and space-bases systerms to protect the United States against nuclear ballistic missiles. This tactic became known as "Star Wars," because of its space tactics against missiles. -
Summit of Geneva, Switzerland
A meeting in Switzerland hosting Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev. They discussed diplomatic relations during their meeting. -
Reykjavik Summit, Iceland
This was a meeting held in Iceland between The U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Communist leader Mikhail Gorbachev. They disagreed at the last minute but it was successful up to that point in coming to an agreement with the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. -
Reagan's speech at Brandenberg Gate, West Berlin
The speech was to discuss the possibilities of tearing down the Berlin Wall. Ronald Reagan had a famous quote: "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall! -
Reagan and Gorbachev sign INF Treaty
This treaty was an agreement of the United States and the Soviet Union to prohibit the use of missiles. Reagan and Gorbachev signed this in 1987, coming to an agreement. -
Fall of the Berlin Wall
Crowds of people actually chiseled off pieces of the wall before it was completely demolished to keep as souvenirs. The demolition of the Berlin Wall was the first step to German unification. -
Gorbachev, Perestroika, Glasnost
Mikhail Gorbachev, the leader of Russia in the 1980s, had a restructuring concept which was called Perestroika. Glasnost was a word used by Gorbachev to specify the policies he believed might help reduce the corruption at the top of the Communist Party. -
Fall of Soviet Union
In 1991, Gorbachev steps out of office, declaring his office extinct. He also gave his missile plans to Russian President Boris Yeltsin. This was when the Soviet Union was dissolved.
"On the day I became Soviet leader, in March 1985, I had a special meeting with the leaders of the Warsaw Pact countries and told them: 'You are independent, and we are independent. You are responsible for your policies, we are responsible for ours. We will not intervene in your affairs, I promise you.'"- Gorbachev
