The End of the Cold War

Richard Nixon and Policy of Detente

Jan 20, 1969

Detente is french word that means relaxation. During the cold war the president called a time period detente to relax from the tension of war.

Soviet invasion of Afghanistan

Dec 25, 1979

The Soviet Union intervened in support of the Afghan communist government in its conflict with anticommunist Muslims.Soviet troops invaded the country.

Solidarity Movement in Poland

Jan 15, 1981

Solidarity is a polish trade union federation that gave jobs to up to 10 million people. The U.S donated as much as 50 million dollars to support it.

Ronald Reagan addresses the National Association of Evangelicals

Mar 8, 1983

The National Association of Evangelicals is the goal to honor God by connecting and representing evangelicals in the United States.The speech, which came to be known as Reagan's “Evil Empire” Speech, was not mainly about the cold war or the Soviet Union, It was about moral values,
Quote:"the focus of evil in the modern world"

Strategic Defense Initiative

Mar 23, 1983

Ground and space-based systems to protect the United States from attack by strategic nuclear ballistic missles. This was more of a defensive thought rather than offensive.
Quote: "The defense policy of the United States is based on a simple premise:The United States does not start fights. We will never be an aggressor."

Gorbachev, Perestroika, Glasnost

Mar 23, 1985

Mikhail S. Gorbachev introduced profound changes in economic practice, internal affairs and international relations. These changes came from his dual program of “perestroika” meaning restructuring and “glasnost” meaning openness.

Summit in Geneva, Switzerland

Nov 19, 1985

Meeting between Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev. They met because of the arms race.

Reykjavik Summit, Iceland

Oct 11, 1986

Another meeting between Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev. The meeting eventually resulted in the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty between the United States and the Soviet Union.

Reagan Speech at Brandenberg Gate, West Berlin

Jun 12, 1987

President Ronald Reagan gave a speech at the Brandenberg Gate.The challenge issued by President Ronald Reagan to Soviet Union leader Mikhail Gorbachev to destroy the Berlin Wall,
Quote:"Tear down this wall."

Reagan and Gorbachev sign INF Treaty

Dec 8, 1987

Treaty that eliminates intermediate-range and shorter-range missiles between the U.S and the soviet Union. It was signed in the white house.
Quote: "I think as long as you've got a chance to strive for peace you strive for peace."

Fall of the Berlin Wall

Nov 9, 1989

The divider between East and West Berlin was effectively opened.An economic and social union between East and West Germany was formed.

Fall of the Soviet Union

Dec 25, 1991

Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev resigned, declaring his office extinct,The dissolution of the state also marked an end to the Cold War.