What did Ronald Reagan do during the Cold War?
Ronald Reagan, the 40th President of the United States, served from 1981 to 1989 and is often credited with helping to bring an end to the Cold War. During his presidency, Reagan implemented a number of policies and strategies aimed at weakening the Soviet Union and ultimately achieving victory over communism. In this article, we will explore the key actions and decisions made by Reagan during the Cold War.
Early Years: 1981-1983
When Reagan took office in 1981, the Cold War was at a low ebb. The Soviet Union was still recovering from the death of its leader, Leonid Brezhnev, and the US was struggling to maintain its global influence. Reagan, a conservative and a self-proclaimed anti-communist, saw the Soviet Union as a threat to American values and interests. He vowed to make the US a stronger, more militarized nation to counterbalance Soviet power.
Reagan’s early years in office were marked by a series of provocative speeches and gestures aimed at rattling the Soviet Union. He labeled the Soviet Union an "evil empire" in a 1983 speech, and increased military spending by 35% over his first term. He also initiated a program to deploy intermediate-range nuclear missiles in Western Europe, which led to a crisis in relations with the Soviet Union.
The Reagan Doctrine: 1984-1989
In 1984, Reagan unveiled the "Reagan Doctrine," a foreign policy strategy aimed at countering Soviet influence in the developing world. The doctrine involved providing military aid and support to anti-communist guerrilla movements and governments in countries such as Nicaragua, Afghanistan, and Angola.
Reagan also escalated the Cold War rhetoric, using terms like "the evil empire" and "the Soviet Union" to describe the Soviet Union. He also increased military spending and began to build up the US military, particularly the navy and air force.
Nuclear Disarmament and Arms Control: 1985-1988
Despite his tough talk, Reagan was also a strong advocate for nuclear disarmament and arms control. In 1985, he and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev launched a series of talks aimed at reducing the threat of nuclear war.
In 1987, Reagan and Gorbachev signed the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, which eliminated an entire class of nuclear missiles. The treaty was a major achievement, as it reduced the threat of nuclear war and marked a significant shift towards disarmament.
Berlin Wall and the End of the Cold War: 1989
In 1989, the Berlin Wall, which had divided East and West Berlin since 1961, began to come down. This marked a major turning point in the Cold War, as it symbolized the end of Soviet dominance in Eastern Europe.
Reagan played a key role in this process, using his "evil empire" rhetoric to rally support for the anti-communist movement in Eastern Europe. He also worked behind the scenes to facilitate negotiations between the Soviet Union and its Eastern European allies.
Key Decisions and Achievements
- Increased Military Spending: Reagan increased military spending by 35% over his first term, which helped to weaken the Soviet Union’s economy.
- Nuclear Build-Up: Reagan’s military buildup included the development of new nuclear weapons, such as the B-2 bomber and the Trident missile.
- The Reagan Doctrine: Reagan’s foreign policy strategy involved providing military aid and support to anti-communist guerrilla movements and governments in developing countries.
- Nuclear Disarmament and Arms Control: Reagan was a strong advocate for nuclear disarmament and arms control, and worked with Gorbachev to reduce the threat of nuclear war.
- Berlin Wall: Reagan played a key role in the collapse of the Berlin Wall, which symbolized the end of Soviet dominance in Eastern Europe.
Conclusion
Ronald Reagan’s policies and decisions during the Cold War had a significant impact on the outcome of the conflict. His tough talk and military buildup helped to weaken the Soviet Union’s economy and morale, while his efforts to reduce the threat of nuclear war and facilitate arms control agreements marked a major shift towards disarmament.
Reagan’s legacy as a Cold War president is complex and controversial, with some arguing that his policies were too confrontational and others arguing that they were too conciliatory. However, one thing is clear: Reagan’s leadership played a key role in bringing an end to the Cold War and helping to create a more stable and secure world.
Timeline of Reagan’s Presidency during the Cold War
- 1981: Reagan takes office and vows to make the US a stronger, more militarized nation to counterbalance Soviet power.
- 1982: Reagan increases military spending and begins to build up the US military.
- 1983: Reagan labels the Soviet Union an "evil empire" in a speech and increases military spending by 35% over his first term.
- 1984: Reagan unveils the "Reagan Doctrine," a foreign policy strategy aimed at countering Soviet influence in the developing world.
- 1985: Reagan and Gorbachev launch a series of talks aimed at reducing the threat of nuclear war.
- 1987: Reagan and Gorbachev sign the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, which eliminates an entire class of nuclear missiles.
- 1989: The Berlin Wall begins to come down, marking a major turning point in the Cold War.
Key Quotes from Reagan’s Presidency
- "We will not be intimidated, we will not be deterred, and we will not be defeated. We will never surrender to the Soviet Union."
- "The Soviet Union is an evil empire, and the evil empire is not evil because it is weak. It is weak because it is evil."
- "Let us show the Soviet Union that we will not be swayed by the forces of fear and division, but will stand united and resolute in the defense of our freedom."
References
- Gaddis, J. L. (2005). The Cold War: A New History. Penguin Press.
- Hixson, W. F. (2012). George F. Kennan: Cold War Iconoclast. Columbia University Press.
- Leffler, M. P. (2007). For the Soul of Mankind: The United States, the Soviet Union, and the Cold War. Hill and Wang.
