End of the Cold War Picture in 1989 Berlin, Brandenburg gate People celebrate the destruction of the Wall

Détente French for relaxing, in the context of politics is the easing of strained relations Meant to be a “thawing out” or “un-freezing” The ubiquitous “red phone” Ended in 1980 with a re-escalation of the Cold War Following the Cuban Missile Crisis, desired by both sides Shows complexity and nuance of Cold War, seeking warm relations while continuing to fight proxy wars

Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) Bilateral talks on armament control SALT 1: 1972 Limitation pact Anti-ballistic missile treaty Reduce ICBMs and SLBMS SALT 2: 1972-79 Curtail the manufacture of nuclear weapons Strategic Arms Reduction Treaties (START): 1982-91 Reduction and limitation of strategic offensive arms - SALT 2 never ratified by U.S. but both sides agreed to it New START effective 2011 Addressing MAD doctrine

Second Cold War: 1979-1985 Ronald Reagan becomes president in 1980 "My idea of American policy toward the Soviet Union is simple, and some would say simplistic…we win and they lose.” Evil Empire Soviet War in Afghanistan Proxy war U.S. support the Mujahideen rebels Reagan seeks a new, colder relation with SU Conflict defines himself as a Cold Warrior New proxy conflict in Afghanistan Osama Bin Laden

Military Buildup Massive expenditures in armaments Soviet Union spending 25% of GNP (at the expensive of consumer goods) U.S. spending increased from 5.3% of GNP to 6.5% between 1981-1986 Economies gear heavily toward military

STAR WARS Strategic Defense Initiative, nicknamed “Star Wars” Satellite defense system meant to end Mutually Assured Destruction by neutralizing Soviet nuclear defenses Criticized for seemingly re-igniting an offensive arms race Not feasible with technology of the time https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hGLBA65tZg - Star Wars new escalation in Cold War thinking

Era of Stagnation: 1975-82 Hope turned to disillusionment Flaws of planned economy that inhibited growth Lack of reform High military spending Gerontocracy Things didn’t go well for the Soviet Union The idea of a centrally planned economy didn’t seem to work The government was not changing and adapting the economy quickly enough Too much of the economy was devoted to military spending The age of the leaders was aging, and with it came old ideas Average age in 1980 was 70 Number of leaders with failing health (Brezhnev, Andropov, Chernenko)

Mikhail Gorbachev His appointment of General Secretary brought a warming of relations Introduced perestroika, a relaxing of production quotas, allowance of private business, and more access for foreign investment Glasnost allowed for more transparency and freedom of Soviet press, increased contact with Western countries Relatively young at 55 Was more dynamic and willing to address flailing economy

Berlin Wall and End of the Cold War: 1989 Reunification of Germany- 1990 Breakaway of Eastern Soviet states and dissolving of communist governments 3 December 1989 Cold War officially declared over - George HW Bush and Gorbachev met in Malta to decide end

Cold War Movies War Games Good Bye Lenin! Crimson Tide