Reagan Revolution: The End of Communism

Agenda

1. Bell Ringer: Vietnam and Détente Questions2. End of the Cold War Notes (20)3. Analysis: What led to the end of the Cold War? (10) 4. Video Analysis: Reagan and “Tear down this wall” (10)5. Compare and Contrast Leaders of the Cold War (10)6. Political Cartoons during the Cold War (10)7. Review: Trade, Exploration, and Absolutism (20) - Map Activity (5) - Who am I? Leader activity (5) -Sample SOL questions (10)

Reagan’s stance on Communism

• He was strongly against Communists, and after the détente of the 1970s he moves to make America fight Communism once again.

• He wanted to increase military strength of the USA.

Star Wars

• The Strategic Defense Initiative was a program designed to create a “forcefield” around the USA.

• Focused on strategic defense OF the borders, not against the Soviets.

• ICBM’s to x-rays, some of this stuff was unrealistic.

Mikhail Gorbachev

• Came to power and completely changed the Soviet Union.

• He changed the policy of a closed society in favor of political and economic reform.

• Withdrew forces from Afghanistan in 1988, major defeat for Soviets.

Perestroika and Glasnost

• Glasnost – Openness of the government.– It is meant to discourage corruption by creating a

government that has no secrets.

• Perestroika – Restructuring of the government.– It was thought that it would make Communism

more efficient by incorporating free-market aspects.

– In the end Communism would collapse.

Fall of the Wall

• Reagan famously said, “Gorbachev, tear down this wall” (Built 1961)

• The wall finally opened up in November, 1989.

• Many Eastern Germans would leave for the West.

• The Soviet Union would collapse in 1991, signaling the end of the Cold War.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjWDrTXMgF8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zXiClnK8oE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdKVX45wYeQ