1. Gorbachev v. Reagan

2. Came to power in 1983 More moderate leader, wanted to end Cold War tensions Against forcing Eastern Bloc nations to be in the Warsaw Pact alliance President of the U.S. 1981-1989 At first, firm anti- communist, considered the Soviet Union an “evil empire” “Mr. Gorbachev, Tear Down This Wall, tear down this wall!” Tear Down This Wall

3. Gorbachev v. Reagan Reformist ideas: Glasnost – “openness” Ended gov’t censorship and encouraged open discussion of problems Perestroika – plan to restructure the gov’t & economy, partial free market to deal with high unemployment and inflation 1980’s - greatest military build-up during peacetime in American history Promoted “Star Wars” space laser defense program More willing to negotiate with Gorbachev in his second term

4. America and the Soviet Union coming together From 1985 to1988, Reagan and Gorbachev met 4 times to discuss reducing weapons. Signed INF (Intermediate- Range Nuclear Forces) Treaty in 1987, agreeing to.. –Destroy long range nuclear and ballistic weapons –Allow both sides to inspect to other’s military sites The two men actually became good friends.

5. Fall of Communism 1989 –The Berlin Wall fell and the “Iron Curtain” was lifted Eastern Bloc countries were free of Soviet control!

6. The Berlin Wall – Beginning to End

9. The End of the Cold War December 25, 1991 – Gorbachev resigned and the communist Soviet Union collapsed 1992 – Moderate Boris Yeltsin the first democratically elected leader in Russian history! Today, Russia’s democracy seems to be in trouble under President Vladimir Putin