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Richard Nixon's Policy of Detente
"Detente" means relaxation in French. During this time, the United States focused on letting the Cold War die down by signing treaties and attempting to find peace. -
Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan
At the end of December 1979, the Soviets invaded Afghanistan and occupied large portions of the country. The United States did not approve of their decisions and attempted to persuade Moscow to withdrawl. -
Solidarity Movement in Poland
The polish trade movement was created to achieve an Independent Self-Governing Trade Union. It became the first labour union but was quickly suppressed by the Polish Government in 1981. -
Ronald Reagan addresses the National Association of Evangelicals
Ronal Reagan describes the Soviet Union as an Evil Empire. However, the speech did not focus on the Soviet Union or foreign affairs in general. It looked more closely at moral values, and how many political arguments started due to the lack of moral values. His closing words of the speech: "Thomas Paine, said, "We have it within our power to begin the world over again." We can do it, doing together what no one church could do by itself." -
SDI (Star Wars)
A program created by Ronald Reagan to stop possible nuclear attacks from a long distance. The program was very controversial and was set aside. It got the nickname "Star Wars" because of the futuristic ideas and equipment the program proposed. At the end of a speech regarding the program, Reagan said "My fellow Americans, tonight we're launching an effort which holds the promise of changing the course of human history. There will be risks, and results take time. But I believe we can do it." -
Gorbachev, Perestroika, Glasnost
Mikhail Gorbachev launched a dual program: "Perestroika" and "Glasnost". Both programs caused great changes in economic practice, internal affairs and international relations. Gorbachev's actions set the stage for the collapse of the Soviet Union. Gorbachev stated "“Without glasnost there is not, and there cannot be, democratism, the political creativity of the masses and their participation in management.”" -
Summit in Geneva, Switzerland
Meeting between Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev. The meeting was about international diplomatic relations and the arms race. Both the Soviet Union and the United States agreed to slow the production of nuclear weapons. -
The Reykjavik Summit, Iceland
Mikhail Gorbachev had proposed the meeting to President Ronald Reagan in an attempt to come to an agreement. They discussed the possible elimination of nuclear weapons. Despite having low expectations for the meeting, it was very close to being a great success. After the meeting, Reagan expressed that he "left the meeting knowing how close they had come to achieving his long goal of eliminating the threat of nuclear destruction, and that this was the angriest moment of his career." -
Reagan speech at Brandenberg Gate, West Berlin
The president addresses the people of West Berlin, speaking about the Berlin Wall specifically. One of his most famous quotes "tear down this wall" was given at this speech. The speech marked the beginning of the end of communism. -
Reagan and Gorbachev sign INF treaty
Reagan and Gorbachev signed a treaty requiring destruction of the Parties' ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges of between 500 and 5,500 kilometers. This was a large step to end the Cold War. -
Fall of the Berlin Wall
The fall of the Berlin Wall was as sudden as the building of it. People were shocked to hear the East and West German were no longer divided. -
Fall of Soviet Union
The Soviet Union finally fell and was divided into 15 separate countries. The United States celebrated as their enemy fell and the Cold War ended.
