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1980 Summer Olympics Boycott
In 1980 the Summer Olympics were being held in Moscow, Russia and in the previous year the Soviet Union had invaded Afghanistan. In protest the United States would boycott the Summer Olympics unless Russia made a significant change in its actions and withdrew from Afghanistan. -
Strategic Defense Initiative
The Strategic Defense Initiative was a program put forth by Ronald Reagen to prevent foreign missile attacks by developing devoloping a high tech anit-ballisitc missile system. This was done in response to the nuclear attacks happening in foreign countries at the time. -
"Caribbean Basin Initiative"
This was originally a temporary program put forth by the United States to provide tarrifs and trade benefits to Central American countries. This was done as a way of supporting their anti-communist beliefs. -
Iran-Contra Affair
This political scandal centered around the Reagan administration secretly selling weapons to Iran in the hopes of the safe return of multiple U.S hostages. This was such a sacandolous affair because the United States is supposed to not negotiate with terrorists and also these actions were kept secret. -
Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty Ratified
The INF was nuclear forces agreement between the Soviet Unio and the United States to reduce the amount of Nuclear weapons in each country. This was important because signaled a mutual agreement to end the Cold War. -
Berlin Wall Collapses
The falling of the Berlin wall marked a day of great progress and freedom. For many years it had been a dividing line that kept East Germans from escaping the Soviet communist rule of the area. This also demonstrated a great loss of power on the part of the Soviet Union. -
First McDonald's is Opened in Moscow Russia
When the first McDonald's resteraunt opened in Soviet Moscow, Russia it signaled hope for many Russians. They had a taste of fun and freedom that was expierienced in other countries and were given a reprieve from the harsh conditions of everdy life. This showed that they were gaining freedom and feuled a want for more. -
Mikhail Gorbachev becomes General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union
When Mikhail Gorbachev became General Secretary of the Communist Party fo the Soviet Union he also became the last leader of the Soviet Union. Gorbachev began expanding the freedoms of those under Soviet rule and in doing so he helped spark the fight for more liberties and freedoms. -
Germany is Reunified
In 1990 the previously seperated East and West Germanys were reunified into one Germany. This signaled the dissolution of communist power in the area and also wasa sign of the weaking of the USSR. -
The Warsaw Pact is Dissolved
The Warsaw Pact was first established by Russia in response to the creation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and as a way to strengthen communist forces. However, anti communist movements began to gain in pwer and led to the loss of allies within the Warsaw Pact. In response the pact was dissolved and the end of the Soviet Communist Power came even closer withi view. -
Boris Yeltsin Elected President of Russia
Boris Yeltsin was the first President of Russia and was wildly popular at the beginning of his presidency . He promised the Russian people a free market economy, however this led to monopolization by wealthy individuals. Not to mention his time in office became stained with corruption and deceit that led him to resign with very little popularity in tact. -
The End of the Soviet Union
On December 26, 1991 the Soviet Union fell. One of the greatest threats to American security had been dossolved and one of communism's leading powers was no more. This became a day of triumph and success that breathed hope into many Russians and Americans alike.
