World Civilizations Cold War under Reagan Administration

Cold War under Reagan Administration ● Reagan’s presidential campaign focused on confrontation with the USSR ○ Believed negotiations could only begin through threatening ○ Anti-Soviet rhetoric and supported by conservatives/republicans ● Reagan was officially inaugurated in 1981 ○ During the Iranian Hostage Crisis ● Reagan held a briefing in NORAD, a secret military installation ○ Learned the US lacked defense against Soviets ○ Began to look for an alternative option ● Reagan’s first press conference ○ Clarified his foreign policy ○ Immediate call to confront Soviets ● Attempted assasination of Reagan ● 15,000 American Unions refuse to work ○ Unions protests lack of jobs and low wages ○ Reagan responds with threatening Americans they will lose their jobs ■ Convinced Soviets of Reagan’s severity ● Anti-Nuclear Demonstrations in Central Park begin ○ Reagan ignores protesters ● SDI program established ○ Strategic Defense Initiative or “Stars Wars Program” ○ Flooded money into program ○ Prepared for nuclear attack ● 1983, Commercial Korean Airliner shot down ○ Soviets deny responsibility ○ US condemns actions, blaming Soviets ○ Increased tensions between US and USSR ● 1984, Suzanne Mathers and Reagan meet ○ Mathers had dangerous encounter with KGB general ○ Familiar with the Soviet Union, frequently fly there using private jets ○ Reagan discusses state and insider opinion of USSR ● 1985, Reagan is inaugurated for second term while Mikhail Gorbachev becomes leader ● Reagan and Gorbachev meet together ○ Reagan threatens Gorbachev while failing to make negotiations ○ Discussion of SDI ○ Reagan invites Gorbachev the following year ○ Conclusion of meeting angers Soviets ● Gorbachev refuses the next meeting, instead makes public announcement ● Gorbachev proposes end of war and tensions, only if SDI is abolished ○ Reagan refuses the proposal ○ Secures SDI program ○ Angers both Gorbachev and Americans ● 1987, Intermediate-range nuclear forces treaty is signed ○ No concessions relating to SDI ○ Signed by both Gorbachev and Reagan ● Reagan visits Moscow ● 1988, final meeting between “friends” Gorbachev and Reagan ○ Groundwork for peace between the superpowers ○ Reagan and Gorbachev are often credited for pushing towards peace ● Cold War ended faster and in more peaceful terms, thanks to work of Reagan ○ Although Reagan made considerable progress in achieving peace between the superpowers, ultimately, Reagan was unable to bring the Cold War to a close due to the SDI program, anti-Soviet rhetoric, and various failed negotiations.