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Richard Nixon & Policy of Detente
Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT I) agreement signals the beginning of détente between the U.S. and USSR. The two countries were trying to ease tensions between each other. -
Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan
The Soviet Union invades Afghanistan to oust Hafizullah Amin, resulting in the end of Détente. The Soviets had set up a Communist regime in Afghanistan the year before. -
Ronald Reagan Addresses the National Association of Evangelicals
In speech to the National Association of Evangelicals, Reagan labels the Soviet Union an evil empire. He says they should be handled very carefully. They preach the supremacy of the state, declare its omnipotence over individual man and predict its eventual domination of all peoples on the Earth. They are the focus of evil in the modern world. -
Strategic Defense Initiative ("Star Wars")
Ronald Reagan proposes the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI, or "Star Wars"). Used ground-based and space-based systems to protect against nuclear weapons. -
Summit in Geneva, Switzerland
Reagan and Gorbachev meet for the first time at a summit in Geneva, Switzerland, where they agree to two (later three) more summits. The two leaders met for the first time to hold talks on international diplomatic relations and the arms race. -
Reykjavik Summit, Iceland
Reykjavik Summit leads to a breakthrough in nuclear arms control. The talks collapsed at the last minute, but the progress that had been achieved eventually resulted in the 1987. Reagan asking if Gorbachev would “turn down a historic opportunity because of a single word,” -
Gorbachev, Perestroika, Glasnost
Natives within the Party who oppose his policies of economic redevelopment (Perestroika). It is Gorbachev's hope that through initiatives of openness, debate and participation, that the Soviet people will support Perestroika. Glasnost was a policy that called for increased openness and transparency in government institutions and activities in the Soviet Union. -
Reagan Speech at Bradenberg Gate
During a visit to Berlin, Germany, U.S. President Ronald Reagan famously challenges Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev in a speech: "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" -
Reagan and Gorbachev sign INF Treaty
Reagan and Gorbachev meet in Moscow. INF Treaty ratified. When asked if he still believes that the Soviet Union is still an evil empire, Reagan replies he was talking about "another time, another era." -
Solidarity Movement in Poland (Lech Walesa)
Semi-free elections in Poland show complete lack of backing for the Communist Party; Solidarity trade union wins all available seats in the Parliament and 99% in the Senate. -
Fall of Berlin Wall
Revolutions of Eastern Europe: Soviet reforms and their state of bankruptcy have allowed Eastern Europe to rise up against the Communist governments there. The Berlin Wall is breached when Politburo spokesman, Günter Schabowski, not fully informed of the technicalities or procedures of the newly agreed lifting of travel restrictions, mistakenly announces at a news conference in East Berlin that the borders have been opened. "Wir wollen raus!" ("We want out!") -
Fall of Soviet Union
Mikhail Gorbachev resigns as President of the USSR. The hammer and sickle is lowered for the last time over the Kremlin. The Council of Republics of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR recognizes the dissolution of the Soviet Union and decides to dissolve itself. All Soviet institutions cease operations.
