THE BEGINNING OF THE END

RONALD REAGAN

• Called Soviet Union the "evil empire"
• Began military buildup
• New arms race begins
• Sent aid to Afghan rebels fighting the Soviets
• Says "tear down this wall" while visiting Berlin

LEONID BREZHNEV

• Soviet intervention to maintain communism
• Militarily secure
• More access to western culture
• Dissidents still punished
• Emphasis remained on heavy industry

PROBLEMS UNDER BREZHNEV

• Economic system encouraged inefficiency and led to indifference
• Collective farmers had no incentive to work hard
• Communist ruling class was complacent and corrupt
• Declining economy and rising infant mortality
• Poor working conditions and rising alcoholism

BY THE NUMBERS