Ronald Reagan and the End of the Cold War

HUAC: Witnesses Ronald Reagan Blames Hollywood Labor Conflicts on Communist Infiltration (1947) Ronald Reagan was long-time opponent of Communism As President of the Screen Actor’s Guild (SAG), he cooperated with the House Un-American Activities Committee’s inquiry into the potential infiltration of Communism into the Motion Picture industry. In testimony before HUAC, he claimed members of the Communists played a role in a series of Hollywood union strikes.

“A Time for Choosing” Speech (1964) Reagan campaigned for Barry Goldwater in the 1964 presidential race. His televised "A Time for Choosing" speech propelled the actor from corporate spokesman to conservative champion It became known as "The Speech.” He implied that liberalism represents a shift toward socialism. He outlined the goals of the modern conservative movement: smaller government, lower taxes, personal autonomy, and more aggressive policy toward Communist states.

Address to the British Parliament (1982) As President, Reagan revived the Cold War rhetoric, which had not been the focus of the Nixon and Carter administrations. In a speech to the British Parliament, Reagan outlined "a plan and a hope for the long term—the march of freedom and democracy which will leave Marxism-Leninism on the ash-heap of history as it has left other tyrannies which stifle the freedom and muzzle the self-expression of the people."

The Strategic Defense Initiative In 1983, President Reagan proposed his Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) as an additional check on Soviet nuclear capability. He envisioned space-based missile defense technology capable of striking down nuclear weapons before they reached the U.S. The Soviets feared SDI would increase the risk of the U.S. launching an attack because it would not fear retaliation. The press derisively dubbed the plan "Star Wars.” Many believed it was infeasible due to the enormous expense and technical innovation it would require to become operational.

The “Evil Empire” (1983) In this speech at the Annual Convention of the National Association of Evangelicals, President Reagan made his case against a Nuclear Freeze by appealing to the audience’s belief in God. He labeled the U.S.S.R. an “evil empire” and insisted that their secular beliefs were a threat to America. He also predicts the end of Communism.

“Tear Down This Wall” Speech (1987) The Berlin Wall was built by Communists in August 1961 to keep Germans from escaping Communist-dominated East Berlin into Democratic West Berlin. The 12-ft concrete wall extended for 100 miles and included electrified fences and guard posts. The wall was a symbol of the Cold War, in which the politically opposed superpowers continually wrestled for dominance, stopping just short of actual warfare.

“Tear Down This Wall” Speech (1987) … as long as this scar of a wall is permitted to stand, it is not the German question alone that remains open, but the question of freedom for all mankind. … …the Soviets themselves may, in a limited way, be coming to understand the importance of freedom. We hear much from Moscow about a new policy of reform and openness. … General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization: Come here to this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall! …

Citations Slide 2: C.jpg Slide 3: pg Slide 4: Slide 5: Slide 6: Slide 7: Slide 8: Slide 9: