The Cold War

Gorbachev's Involvment

• Soon after being in office, he announced a program of economic reform
• This was known as perestroika (reconstruction in Russian)
• Closed many unprofitable state run factories
• Allowed private business to operate & cut defense budget to allow money for domestic needs

Reagan's Involvement

• Reagan met with Gorbachev in 1985 over the issue of arms control
• Gorbachev insisted that Reagan cancel the SDI program, but Reagan refused
• Reagan told Americans that the US had "forged a satisfying new closeness with the Soviet Union"
• The two leaders signed the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces Treaty - which removed and destroyed all missiles with a range of 300-3400 mile

Soviet Union Falls

• Statue of Felix Dzerzhinsky, who was the founder of the Soviet Union's Secret police, was taken down by postesters
• This became a symbol of the Soviety Union's collapse

Breakup of Soviet Bloc

• In the Late 1980s the Soviet Economy was diminishing
• Future Soviet Communism was in doubt due to the failure of central planning
• Many demanded greater freedom and independence

End of Cold War

• Reagan Doctrine - president backed anti communist movements
• Gave aid to rebels like the Contras who were fighting to overthrow the government of Nicaragua

End of Cold War

• Iran Contra Affair
• Scandal over arms sales to Iran/diversion of funds to Contras
• Several top officials were convicted of illegal actions in the Iran Contra Affair

End of Cold War

• Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty
• Reagan and Gorbachev signed the treaty ^
• This reduced nuclear missiles in Europe
• U.S. pressure/political/economic problems caused the collapse of the Soviet Union