The Second Cold War

By 1980, why was the US beginning to feel more confident in foreign affairs again?

(i) It had recovered after its defeat in the Vietnam War, when it had failed to stop the spread of communism. (ii) It was at the forefront of the development of new technology, especially computers.

By 1980, why was the Soviet Union beginning to feel more insecure in foreign affairs?

(i) The Soviet economy was struggling: it was only one-fifth the size of the US economy and was dependent on ageing technology. (ii) It had a succession of leaders who were all in their 70s - Brezhnev, Andropov, and Chernenko. (iii) There were growing protests against Soviet control in eastern Europe, especially in Poland where the Solidarity movement had large support.

Who was elected US President in 1980?

Ronald Reagan

In his campaign to become President, how did Reagan promise to behave towards the Soviet Union?

Reagan promised to be more confident and to face up to communism around the world.

From what did Reagan gain much of his inspiration and personal beliefs?

From his faith: he was a strong Christian and believed that God was on the side of the west. In contrast, he saw the Soviet Union as 'the evil empire'.

Finish Reagan's famous sentence: "Here's my strategy on the Cold War..."

"Here's my strategy on the Cold War. We win, they lose."

What did Reagan promise to do in the Reagan Doctrine?

Reagan promised that the US would support groups trying to ovethrow communist governments in various countries around the world.

Give two examples of Reagan's support for anti-communist movements.

(i) Support was given to anti-communist groups in Central America, including Guatemala and Nicaragua, who were trying to overthrow communist governments. (ii) He also gave support to Solidarnosc ('Solidarity'), a Polish trade union which became a wider political movement demanding reform from the pro-Soviet government in Poland.

How did the Soviet leadership interpret Reagan's support for anti-communist movements around the world?

They saw the Reagan Doctrine as threatening interference in countries over which they already had control.

At the start of his Presidency, what was Reagan's attitude to arms control?

He was initially prepared for arms control talks to continue, under the name Strategic Arms Reduction Talks (START). For example, he floated the idea that both sides might remove their medium-range missiles from Europe. (The Soviets turned down the suggestion.) However, his main plan was to accelerate the arms race: he thought the Soviet Union would try to match increased US spending and go bankrupt as a result.

What were Reagan's main plans for increased defence spending?

(i) To spend more than $1trillion on defence between 1981 and 1987. (ii) To build new sorts of nuclear missiles (the MX), bombers (B-1) and ssubmarines (Trident).

Under Reagan, what replaced the idea of Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD)?

Nuclear Utilisation Target Selection (NUTS) - the idea that the US could win a limited nuclear war by destroying Soviet missiles before they could be launched.

What was the major new defence initiative announced by Reagan in spring 1983?

The Strategic Defence Initiative (SDI), or Star Wars.

On what date did Reagan make his first main speech about the Strategic Defence Initiative?

23rd March 1983.

What was SDI?

SDI was a plan for a ground-based and space-based Anti-Ballistic Missile system that could shoot down any Soviet nuclear missiles in space and before they reached US or allied territory. It would involve both high-powered lasers and conventional anti-ballistic missiles.

Why was SDI set up?

(i) Because Reagan wanted a way to protect the US from Soviet missiles in the event of a nuclear war. (ii) Because Reagan knew that the Soviet Union would not be able to match the US initiative - because they could not afford it, and because they did not have the computer technology that would be required.

Who was the Soviet leader at the time of Reagan's SDI announcement?

Andropov

Why were the Soviets fearful of the Star Wars announcement?

(i) The Soviets feared that SDI was intended to give the US the ability to launch a first strike (with its own nuclear missiles) against the Soviet Union - because it would be able to defend itself against any Soviet missiles fired in response. (ii) They also knew the initiative exposed the Soviet Union lagging behind the US in the development of new technology.

What was the attitude of the US Congress (ie.parliament) to SDI?

The US Congress supported SDI and agreed that Reagan's government could spend more money on the initiative.

Was SDI a success as an initiative?

(i) Not technically, no. It was too advanced as a concept and was not put into actual use at the time. (ii) Yes, as a propaganda tool, and because it made the Soviet Union realise how far it was lagging behind the US in technology.