Heimler's History: The End of the Cold War

Objective

• Explain the causes and effects of the end of the Cold War and its legacy.

Ronald Reagan's Role in the End of the Cold War

• Speeches:

  • Reagan aimed to convince the world of the Soviet Union's impending fall.
  • 1982: Speech to the British Parliament suggesting Marxism-Leninism would end.
  • 1983: Labeled the Soviet Union an "evil empire."

• Diplomatic Efforts:

  • Earlier détente between U.S. and USSR disrupted during Carter's presidency.
  • Mikhail Gorbachev rose to power in 1985 with reforms:
    • Glasnost: More political freedom.
    • Perestroika: Limited free-market practices.
  • INF Agreement: Destruction of all intermediate-range missiles.
  • Soviet troops withdrawn from Afghanistan.

• Limited Military Interventions:

  • Reagan Doctrine: Support any anti-communist regime.
  • Nicaragua: Supported Contras against Sandinistas until human rights abuses halted U.S. involvement.
  • Iran-Contra Affair:
    • U.S. secretly sold weapons to Iran, funds used for Nicaraguan Contras.
    • Illegal due to Congress's budgetary authority.
    • Reagan perceived as "Teflon President," appeared aloof.

• Military Buildup:

  • New weapons: B-1 bomber, MX missile.
  • Expansion of the U.S. Navy fleet.
  • Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), also known as "Star Wars" program: Satellites to shoot down missiles from space.
  • Defense budget increased significantly.

The End of the Cold War

• Reagan's successor, George H.W. Bush, oversaw end.
• Soviet Union began to collapse due to challenges from Eastern European nations.
• Gorbachev reduced Soviet influence; stopped supporting communist governments.
• 1989: Poland elected a non-communist leader; Berlin Wall fell.
• 1991: Soviet Union collapsed, ending the Cold War.

Post-Cold War Diplomatic Efforts

• START I Treaty:
  • Reduction of nuclear warheads to 10,000, later to 3,000.
  • Significant decrease in nuclear arms.
• START II Treaty:
  • U.S. offered funds to stabilize Russian economy.

• This lecture was part of Unit 9, Topic 3 of the AP U.S. History curriculum.
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