Image By: CTBTO Ronald Reagan & Mikhail Gorbachev in Reykjavik, Iceland 12/10/86.

The Cold War ERA

Ronald Reagan’s defining legacy stands in history, symbolically defined by the term peace through strength as the 40th President of the United States was victorious in the final chapter of the Cold War. The Cold War, characterized by political tension and military rivalry between the Soviet Union and the United States was a defining era in history. Reagan’s victorious feats came at a time when the USSR was facing challenges through polarization and resistance, a global turmoil that threatened the breakout of World War 3. Reagan was a vocal proponent of peace and negotiation with the USSR as this was a major issue Reagan campaigned on during the 1980 Presidential election.

On March 23, 1983, Reagan announced the development of (SDI) Strategic Defense Initiative in order to render nuclear weapons obsolete. This was in response to the USSR’s development of laser weapons during the 1960s and further refinement in the 1970s. By 1984 the initiative was set up via the Federal government Department of Defense.  It would be here where Reagan would meet opposition as negotiations and dialog between Gorbachev and Reagan would become tested, generating the height of the Cold War. Reagan described this as the most disappointing and frustrating period of his presidency, as President Gorbachev demanded Reagan abandon the SDI program. Reagan was tenacious and doubled down, on his promise to deliver a safer more peaceful world starting with the USA. This would be the catalyst to the eventual INF Treaty that was hailed by then-UK Prime Minister Margret Thatcher. 

The Cold War was not merely a battle of arms but a strategic chess game of ideologies and influence. President Reagan, known for his staunch anti-communist stance implemented policies that would later be seen as instrumental in the ultimate collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. On November 18, 1981, early into Reagan’s presidency, he brought forward the proposal of Zero Option. The proposal was the groundwork for what would later be the (INF) Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. On December 8, 1987, Ronald Regan and the President of the Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev signed the (INF) Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. This agreement would see the two nations prohibit the use of Ballistic or Cruise missiles with ranges of 500km to 5,500km. The initiative was developed to protect NATO allies within close proximity to the Soviet Union and to ensure the USA would not deploy warheads capable of reaching Moscow. The Treaty included an aggressive dismantling of 2,616 missiles by 1991, agreed upon by both nations collectively.  

During this tumultuous period that rocked the 1980s Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev developed not only a successful relationship in leading the world to peace but a strong friendship. Both leaders managed to find common ground in the interest of humanity that truly stabilized the world. The renowned Ronald Reagan quote: "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" is synonymous with the declaration that ended the Cold War. This infamous quote still resonates with the public today as the Berlin Wall was considered the Soviet Union’s hallmark of its communist empire. The Cold War is emblematic of strong leadership and a testament to both Reagan and Gorbachev, once fierce rivals who became close lifetime friends until their respective deaths.