Ronald Reagan and the Fall of Communism: A Pivotal Moment in History

The Crusader: Ronald Reagan and the Fall of Communism

by Paul Kengor

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1367 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	432 pages
Paperback	:	167 pages
Item Weight	:	11 ounces
Dimensions	:	6 x 0.38 x 9 inches

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The Cold War, a decades-long standoff between the United States and the Soviet Union, ended abruptly with the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe in 1989. The fall of the Berlin Wall, a symbol of oppression and division, marked a turning point in world history, and the United States played a central role in bringing about this momentous change.

The Reagan Doctrine

Ronald Reagan, the 40th president of the United States, is often credited with playing a key role in the demise of communism. His foreign policy, known as the Reagan Doctrine, was based on the belief that the United States should support anti-communist movements around the world. Reagan provided covert aid to anti-communist rebels in Afghanistan, Nicaragua, and Angola, and he took a tough stance against the Soviet Union.

Reagan's Speeches

Reagan's speeches were also a powerful tool in the fight against communism. In his famous "Evil Empire" speech in 1983, Reagan denounced the Soviet Union as an "evil empire" that was responsible for many of the world's problems. He also challenged Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin Wall, and he spoke out in support of democratic movements in Eastern Europe.

The Arms Race

Reagan's presidency was also marked by a massive increase in military spending, as he sought to counter the Soviet Union's military might. The United States developed new nuclear weapons and deployed them in Europe, and it also began research on a Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI),which would have created a space-based missile defense system. The arms race put a great deal of pressure on the Soviet economy, and it is believed to have contributed to the collapse of communism.

The End of the Cold War

In 1985, Mikhail Gorbachev became the leader of the Soviet Union. Gorbachev was a reformer who believed that the Soviet Union needed to change. He introduced a number of reforms, including glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring),and he sought to improve relations with the United States. Reagan and Gorbachev met several times, and they signed a treaty in 1987 that eliminated intermediate-range nuclear weapons.

In 1989, the Berlin Wall came down, and East Germany became a free country. This was followed by the collapse of other communist regimes in Eastern Europe, and the Soviet Union itself dissolved in 1991. The Cold War was over, and the United States had emerged as the world's sole superpower.

Reagan's Legacy

Ronald Reagan is widely credited with playing a major role in the fall of communism. His foreign policy, his speeches, and his commitment to the arms race all put pressure on the Soviet Union and helped to bring about its collapse. Reagan's legacy is complex, but there is no doubt that he was one of the most influential figures in the 20th century.

The fall of communism was a major turning point in world history, and Ronald Reagan played a pivotal role in bringing it about. His foreign policy, his speeches, and his commitment to the arms race all helped to put pressure on the Soviet Union and to bring about its collapse. Reagan's legacy is complex, but there is no doubt that he was one of the most influential figures in the 20th century.

The Crusader: Ronald Reagan and the Fall of Communism

by Paul Kengor

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1367 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	432 pages
Paperback	:	167 pages
Item Weight	:	11 ounces
Dimensions	:	6 x 0.38 x 9 inches

FREE