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

2. 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

3. 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:
Curtail the manufacture of nuclear weapons
Strategic Arms Reduction Treaties (START):
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

4. 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

5. 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
Economies gear heavily toward military

6. 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
- Star Wars new escalation in Cold War thinking

7. 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)

8. 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

9. 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

10. Cold War Movies
War Games
Good Bye Lenin!
Crimson Tide