The End Of The Cold War

Richard Nixon & Policy of Detente

Oct 27, 1971

Richard Nixon's policy of détente was designed to improve relations between the Soviet Union and China. It was also aimed at ending the division of Germany.

Soviet Invasion of Afganistan

Dec 23, 1979

The Soviet Union intervened in support of the Afghan communist government in its conflict with anticommunist Muslim guerrillas during the Afghan War (1978–92). They remained in Afghanistan until mid-February 1989.

Solidarity Movement in Poland (Lech Walesa)

Jan 15, 1981

This movement used the methods of civil resistance to advance the causes of workers' rights and social change. The government attempted to destroy the union during the period of martial law in the early 1980s and several years of political repression, but in the end it was forced to negotiate with the union.

Ronald Reagan addresses the National Association of Evangelicals

Mar 8, 1983

Referred to communism as "the focus of evil in the modern world". It was known as his "Evil Empire Speech. Quote: "And while they proclaim that they're freeing us from supersitions of the past, they've taken it upon themselves the job of superintending us by government rule and regulation."

Strategic Defense Initiative ("Star Wars")

Mar 23, 1983

On March 23, 1983, President Reagan proposed the creation of the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), an ambitious project that would construct a space-based anti-missile system. This program was immediately dubbed "Star Wars."The SDI was intended to defend the United States from attack from Soviet ICBMs by intercepting the missiles at various phases of their flight.

Sumit in Geneva, Switzerland

Jul 18, 1985

Meeting of the Big Four. The purpose was to bring together world leaders to begin discussions on peace. Quote: "We viewed the Geneva meeting realistically, without grand expectations, yet we hoped to lay the foundations for a serious dialogue in the future."

Reykjavik Summit, Iceland

Oct 11, 1986

In 1986 Gorbachev had proposed banning all ballistic missiles. Reagan wanted to continue research on the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) that could potentially be shared with the Soviets.

Reagan speech at Brandenberg Gate, West Berlin

Jun 12, 1987

Reagan challenged Gorbachev to tear down the wall.
Quote: "We come to Berlin, we American presidents, because its our duty to speak, in this place, of freedom."

Reagan and Gorbachev sign INF Treaty

Dec 8, 1987

Required destruction of the Partie's ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles, their launchesers, and associated support structures and support equipment. All had to be destroyed within 3 years after the treaty enters into force.

Fall of the Berlin Wall

Nov 9, 1989

On the evening of November 9th, 1989, an announcement made by East German governmaent official Gunter Schabowski. As comuism began to falter in Poland, Hungary, and Czechoslovakia in 1988 and 1989, new exodus pooints were opened to East Germans who wanted to flee te West.
Quote: "Permanent relocations can be done hrough all borer checkpoints between East German into West Berlin."

Gorbachev, Perestroika, Glasnost

Mar 14, 1990

Perestroika was the policy or practice of restructuring or reforming the economic and political system. Glasnost is the policy or practice of more open consultative government and wider dissemination of information, initiated by leader Mikhail Gorbachev from 1985.

Fall of Soviet Union

Dec 29, 1991

The Soviet Union disintegrated into fifteen separate countries. Its collapse was hailed by the west as a victory for freedom, a triumph of democracy over totalitarianism, and evidence of the superiority of capitalism over socialism.The United States rejoiced as its formidable enemy was brought to its knees, thereby ending the Cold War.