The End of the Cold War

Richard Nixon & Policy of Detente

May 1, 1971

Dentente means relaxation, or easing of strained relations. This was the era of signing treaties.

Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan

Dec 24, 1979

Leonid Brezhne was the leader of this invasion. The invasion in Afghanistan lasted nine years.

Solidarity Movement in Poland

Aug 31, 1980

This was the first non-communist party. Solidarity movement was a Polish trade union federation.

Ronald Reagan addresses the National Association of Evangelicals

Mar 8, 1983

Ronald refered to communism as "the focus of evil in the modern world." He delivered the speech when Congress was debating a resolution in support of "nuclear freeze."

Strategic Defense Initiative

Mar 23, 1983

This was the use of ground-base and space-based systems to protect the U.S. The SDI was derided as the "Star Wars" after the film.

Gorbachev, Perestroika, Glasnost

Jan 1, 1985

Gorbachev was the leader of the communist party.
Perestroika - Political movement for reformationwithin the communist party of the Soviet Union
Glasnost - Policy that called for increasing openness and transparency in government institutions and activities in the Soviet Union

Summit in Geneva, Switzerland

Jul 18, 1985

The summit was a meeting about the Cold War. It brought together world leaders to begin discussion on peace.

Reykjavik Summit, Iceland

Oct 11, 1986

Summit meeting between U.S President Ronald Reagan and General secaretary of the Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev. It resulted in 1987 Intermediate Range Nuclear forces treaty between the United States and the Soviet Union. “Before we can work things out in regard to armaments, we need to try to clarify
the causes of mistrust. If we are able to eliminate it, it will be easier to resolve the
problem of armaments" -President Reagan

Reagan Speech at Brandenburg Gate, West Berlin

Jun 12, 1987

The Berlin wall was a symbol of communisim. President Reagan challenged Gorbachev to tear down as an emblem of Gorbachev's desire to increase freedom in the Eastern block. "Tear down the wall" - Ronald Reagan

Reagan and Gorbachev sign INF Treaty

Dec 8, 1987

This was an elimination of intermidiate-range and short-range missiles. They signed the Treaty at the Washington Summit. "Talk to people, Not about them" -Ronald Reagan

Fall of Berlin Wall

Nov 9, 1989

The fall of the wall symbolically ended the Cold War. Gorbachev allowed the policy of glasnost, public criticism of the communist party. "The Berlin Wall wasn't the only barrier to fall after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War. Traditional barriers to the flow of money, trade, people and ideas also fell." -Fareed Zakaria

Fall of Soviet Union

Dec 1, 1991

Soviet Union slowly disitegrated in 15 seperate countries. The collapse was hailed by the west victory.