Ronald Reagan and Mikhail
Gorbachev: The End of the
Cold War
Ronin Cosiquien
Junior Division
Historical Paper
Word Count: 2,466 Words
On December 8, 1987, the INF (Intermediate Nuclear Forces) Treaty was signed by both
Mikhail Gorbachev and Ronald Reagan in Washington D.C.1 The treaty was the first of its kind
as it eliminated nuclear weapons rather than merely limiting how fast a country’s nuclear weapon
arsenal could grow. The INF Treaty eliminated all short and medium ranged missiles in the
Soviet Union and United States. By signing the document, Reagan and Gorbachev took steps
toward reducing nuclear weapons in the world, developing peace between their two countries,
and creating a better future between the United States and the Soviet Union. Reagan and
Gorbachev’s undying commitment to their beliefs helped make the world a safer place.
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan was born on February 6, 1911 in Tampico, Illinois to Nelle and John
Reagan.2 Growing up, Ronald Reagan traveled all over Illinois because his father was a shoe
salesman. His family eventually settled in rural Dixon, Illinois. Growing up he was interested in
many different activities including football, swimming, and acting. Reagan attended Eureka
College, where he graduated in 1932 with a Bachelor in economics and sociology.3
After college, he decided to try his hand at sportscasting. He covered Chicago Cubs
baseball games and followed the team to California. There, he auditioned for a part in a movie
produced by Warner Brothers. He appeared in over fifty films in twenty-seven years. During the
beginning of World War II, Reagan wanted to enlist but was denied clearance due to his poor
eyesight.4 He still wanted to help the country, so he made informational war videos instead.
As an actor, Ronald Reagan married Jane Wyman in 1940. In 1947, Reagan became the
president of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), a group formed to protect actors and other people in
the movie industry from unjust labor requirements. As president of SAG, Reagan began to abhor
the very idea of Communism, which led his transition from being a Democrat to a Republican.
1
Reagan divorced Jane in 1948 (making him the only President who has ever been divorced). He
remarried on March 4, 1952 to Nancy Davis; who was also a fellow actor. As his career began
dying down, Reagan began touring the U.S. for the show “The General Electric Theater”.5 He
would exchange views with the audience on government and political ideas. Eventually, Reagan
was fired from that job as his talks were becoming too fueled and driven for some audience
members. These talks inspired Reagan to become a politician as he realized that he could make
some of his dreams for the nation into a reality.
Reagan was elected Governor of California in 1967. After his governorship, he further
explored his political career and ran for President. He became the Republican Party’s
Presidential nominee in 1980. After a lot of campaigning and debating, Reagan was inaugurated
on January 20, 1981 at the age of 69 making him the oldest president ever elected. Reagan was
the fortieth President of the United States.
Within a few months of his inauguration, an assassination attempt on Reagan occurred on
Monday March 30, 1981 as he walked out of the Washington Hilton Hotel.6 Although he
recuperated for over a month, he still conducted his daily duties as the President. Throughout his
first term, Reagan was extremely anti-communist and abhorred the very thought of communism.
He ruled the U.S. with the ideas of “Reaganomics” which focused on decreased government
spending and increased military investments along with improvements to the economy. During
his first term, Reagan called the Soviet Union the “Evil Empire” as they were Communist.7, 8 In
1983, Reagan explored a new type of defense called SDI which stood for Strategic Defense
Initiative. This new missile defense system was supposed to protect the United States from
nuclear missile attacks, like the ones he suspected the Soviet Union might launch on the U.S.
2
Reagan’s explorations into “Reaganomics”, the SDI, and his foreign affair encounters helped
bring the U.S. into prosperity.
On November 1984, Reagan ran for his second term as President and won with 525 out
of 538 electoral votes; beating his opponent Walter Mondale in 49 out of the 50 states. During
his second term, Reagan paved the path of a brighter future for the U.S. Exploring different
relations with other countries, specifically the Soviet Union. He crossed paths with Mikhail
Gorbachev which changed his perspectives on the Soviet Union.
Mikhail Gorbachev
On the other side of the world in the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev was born on
March 2, 1931 to Sergei and Maria Gorbachev in Southwestern Russia.9 Mikhail Gorbachev’s
family were peasants, and both his father and mother worked on a farm. Gorbachev loved going
to school and he loved to learn. He joined the Komsomol (the Young Communist League in the
Soviet Union) in 1946. After being accepted to the prestigious Moscow State University, he
began studying law in 1952; the same year that he joined the Communist Party.10 It was in
Moscow State University that Gorbachev met his wife, Raisa. He graduated cum laude in 1955
with a degree in law.
In the following years, Gorbachev became very active in government. He first started
with an important role in the Komsomol but proceeded to gain more influential positions. From
1970 to 1985 Gorbachev rose through the Soviet Communist ranks. He was mentored under the
Soviet leader Yuri Andropov until Andropov died as the General Secretary of the Soviet Union
in 1984. Konstantin Chernenko succeeded Andropov, but he too passed away not long after in
1985. Gorbachev was then named the General Secretary of the Soviet Union on March 11,
1985.11, 12 Reagan once commented to his wife on the General Secretaries of the Soviet Union:
3
“How am I supposed to get anyplace with the Russians if they keep dying on me?” After
becoming General Secretary, Gorbachev aimed to produce a more socially aware economy,
increase production, and decrease the waste of the Soviet Union. He also wanted to increase
worker productivity and the growth rate of technology. Unfortunately, he did not succeed with
all of his plans.
He then explored a deeper set of reforms in the Soviet Union called Glasnost (openness)
and Perestroika (restructuring).13 These new ideas for the government resulted in a boom of
culture, freedom, and reforms in the Soviet Union. Unlike previous General Secretaries,
Gorbachev also explored the idea of foreign policy more than other Soviet leaders. It was
because of this that he had encounters with Helmut Kohl (the leader of Germany) and Margaret
Thatcher (the leader of the United Kingdom). He eventually became close friends with Ronald
Reagan.
Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev
Before Mikhail Gorbachev became the General Secretary, Ronald Reagan was already
negotiating with the Soviet Union, but wasn’t getting anywhere with them. This was because
previous General Secretaries were extremely Anti-Democratic. Reagan proposed the SDI
(Strategic Defense Initiative) on March 23, 1983. He strongly believed in the SDI and refused to
compromise. When Mikhail Gorbachev became the General Secretary during Reagan’s second
term exchanges were immediately started through mail by Gorbachev, under his Glasnost
ideology. Through these letters, both of them agreed to hold a summit meeting in Geneva,
Switzerland in the autumn of 1985.14 This was a big step for the United States and the Soviet
Union as the previous meeting between the two countries was in the summer of 1979 which was
over six and a half years prior.15
4
On November 19, 1985 Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev encountered each other
for the first time. Their first thoughts on each other were relatively distant and isolated. As time
passed they began to warm up to each other. Three thousand five hundred journalists flocked to
Geneva to record the history-in-the-making event. During their first encounter, both sides
realized that the other had false facts and assumptions of each other. Reagan said that “There was
something likeable about Gorbachev. There was warmth in his face and his style, not the
coldness bordering on hatred I’d seen in most Senior Soviet officials I’d met until then.”16
Gorbachev said that “Ronald Reagan too was a man ‘you could do business with.’” While
discussing arms control on their first day in Geneva, Reagan invited Gorbachev to a house by the
lake to chat. Reagan thought that the fresh air and walk would help clear their minds and help to
progress their discussion. He was proven right as it was by the fireplace in the lake house that the
two of them first clicked. They had an extremely productive and insightful conversation and it
helped pave the way for the alliance that the two would eventually form.17
Reagan invited Gorbachev to Washington D.C. for a 2nd summit; Gorbachev then invited
Reagan to Moscow for a 3rd. During the rest of the Geneva summit the two became close and
began to “grow on each other.” Reagan and Gorbachev would alternate hosting dinners and
during those meals Gorbachev made jokes and entertained the Reagans. Gorbachev was more
forward-thinking than past Soviet leaders and Ronald Reagan liked that he was trying to become
more open-minded. Nancy Reagan and Raisa Gorbachev would have tea and go on small
excursions while their husbands were conferencing. On the final day of the Geneva Summit both
men exchanged handshakes and signed a joint communique on nuclear arms and foreign
relations. After the signing, Gorbachev stated “You cannot establish trust in one day; it is not an
easy task. We highly value the assurances given by the American President that the United States
5
does not strive for military superiority, and we expect these assurances to be followed by deeds.”
The Geneva Summit was a big step for the United States and the Soviet Union as it defined the
goals that the two countries wanted to accomplish.18
Subsequent to the Geneva Summit, the two of them continued to exchange letters
frequently. They referred to this correspondence as “fireside chats” as they wanted to maintain a
level of honesty and sincerity similar to their first fireside chat in Geneva. In these letters, the
two men had trouble coming to terms on the topic of Reagan’s Strategic Defense Initiative, as
both sides wanted to have some control over the other’s nuclear arsenal. Due to their lack of
progress in negotiating, Gorbachev asked if Reagan would like to have another summit meeting
in either England or Iceland. Reagan eventually chose to meet in Reykjavik, Iceland on October
1986.
Reagan arrived in Reykjavik on October 10, 1986. During the first few days of
negotiations, the two managed to mediate the biggest weapons reduction in history. However, it
was all for naught as when the deal was about to be closed, Gorbachev wanted Reagan to give up
the SDI. This was because he didn’t think that Reagan would share the SDI information with the
Soviet Union. Reagan refused to give up his brainchild, and all of their negotiations were
scrapped. Reagan stormed out of the building in a very bad mood, along with Gorbachev.
Although nothing was accomplished during the Reykjavik Summit, both sides saw it as a step
towards the right direction as it clearly defined the expectations that they had for each other.19
In 1987, the Reagans went to West Germany. In front of the Brandenburg Gate on June
12, 1987 Reagan challenged Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin Wall that had been segregating
Berlin for over 26 years.20,21,22 In his speech he stated “General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek
peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization:
6
Come here to this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”23,24
Little did Reagan know that his cries for freedom would be answered two years later when the
walls would come crashing down.
Throughout 1987, Reagan and Gorbachev continued to have their “fireside chats”. They
eventually scheduled a summit meeting in Washington D.C. for December 7, 1987. Reagan and
Gorbachev were prepared to sign the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF Treaty) that
they had been planning over the course of the year. When Gorbachev arrived in the U.S., the two
immediately signed the INF Treaty in the East Room of the White House. It was a monumental
exchange between the two countries as it was the first time in history that a nation actually
agreed to eliminate nuclear missiles.25, 26 The treaty was welcomed by both sides as it eliminated
short- and medium-ranged missiles. Soon after signing the INF Treaty, the two men immediately
began to plan for the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START Treaty) so that Reagan and
Gorbachev could sign it when Reagan would arrive in Moscow in the summer of 1988.27
In the Soviet Union on May 29, 1988 the START Treaty wasn’t ready yet so neither side
could sign it. It was also the first time for Ronald and Nancy Reagan to step foot in the Soviet
Union. However, it was the fourth time that Reagan met Gorbachev with open arms. In their
discussion, Reagan and Gorbachev talked about freedom practices in the Soviet Union and the
tearing down of the Berlin Wall; two things that Gorbachev took into great consideration.
On the final day of the Summit (May 31, 1988), Gorbachev took Reagan on a tour of
cultural places in Moscow. While walking around the Kremlin, a group of tourists stopped to ask
Reagan a few questions. One person asked him “Mr. President, do you still see the Soviet Union
as the evil empire?” and Reagan very simply answered “No.”28,29 After their short excursion
7
together, the two of them signed and exchanged documents approving flight testing and foreign
exchange students between the two countries.
The final encounter between the two of them occurred on December of 1988 after
Gorbachev finished a speech to the United Nations in New York City. They met on Governor’s
Island in the fireside lounge of the Admiral’s House. Reagan and Gorbachev sat down with
George H.W. Bush and talked about their plans for future relations between the U.S. and the
Soviet Union.30
In 1989, Ronald Reagan’s second term ended and George H.W. Bush’s presidency began.
The START Treaty was eventually signed by Bush and Gorbachev as it wasn’t ready in time for
Reagan to sign it. The START Treaty further reduced and eliminated the number of missiles for
both the United States and the Soviet Union. As 1989 drew to its close, Reagan noticed that more
people were warming up to the Soviet Union and to Gorbachev. Ronald Reagan and Mikhail
Gorbachev’s exploration into new ideas of government, their encounters with each other, and
their history-in-the-making treaties, conversations, and exchanges resulted in improved relations
between the United States and the Soviet Union. Through these two men, the world became a
safer and more peaceful place for everyone.
8
Endnotes
1. "Superpowers Agree to Reduce Nuclear Arsenals." History.com. A&E Television
Networks, n.d.
Web. 05 Feb. 2016.
<http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/superpowers-agree-to-reduce-nucleararsenals>.
2. "Ronald Reagan." The White House. The White House, n.d. Web. 08 Dec. 2015.
<https://www.whitehouse.gov/1600/presidents/ronaldreagan>.
3."Ronald Reagan | President of United States." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia
Britannica, n.d. Web. 17 Dec. 2015. <http://www.britannica.com/biography/RonaldReagan>.
4.“Ronald Reagan.” Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2015.
<http://www.biography.com/people/ronald-reagan-9453198>.
5."Ronald Reagan." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 08 Dec. 2015.
<http://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/ronald-reagan>.
6.Sutherland, James. Up Close: Ronald Reagan. New York: Penguin Group, 2008. Print.
7.Remarks at the Annual Convention of the National Association of Evangelicals in Orlando,
Florida. Perf. Ronald Reagan.Reaganfoundation.org. Ronald Reagan Presidential
Foundation and Library, 2010. Web. 30 Mar. 2016.
<http://www.reaganfoundation.org/bw_detail.aspx?p=LMB4YGHF2&lm=berlinwall&ar
gs_a=cms&args_b=74&argsb=N&tx=1770>.
8.Reagan, Ronald. "Remarks at the Annual Convention of the National Association of
Evangelicals in Orlando, Florida." Annual Convention of the National Association of
Evangelicals. Florida, Orlando. 8 Mar. 1983.Reaganfoundation.org. Web. 30 Mar. 2016.
<https://ml.reaganfoundation.org/pdf/Remarks_Annual_Convention_National_Associatio
n_Evangelicals_030883.pdf>.
9.Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 03 Feb.
2016. <http://www.biography.com/people/mikhail-sergeyevich-gorbachev-9315721>.
9
10."Mikhail Gorbachev | President of Union of Soviet Socialist Republics."Encyclopedia
Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 02 Feb. 2016.
<http://www.britannica.com/biography/Mikhail-Gorbachev>.
11.Butson, Thomas G. Mikhail Gorbachev. New York: Chelsea House, 1986. Print.
12.Grant, R. G. The Berlin Wall. Austin, TX: Raintree Steck-Vaughn, 1999. Print.
13."Cold War History." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 05 Feb. 2016.
<http://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/cold-war-history>.
14.Gorbachev, Mikhail Sergeevich. Memoirs Mikhail Gorbachev. New York: Doubleday, 1996.
Print.
15.Reagan, Ronald. "Address to the Nation on the Upcoming Soviet-United States Summit
Meeting
in Geneva." Address to the Nation on the Upcoming Soviet-United States Summit
Meeting in Geneva. Oval Office, White House, Washington D.C. 14 Nov.
1985.Reganlibrary.archives.gov. Web. 31 Mar. 2016.
<https://www.reaganlibrary.archives.gov/archives/speeches/1985/111485d.htm>.
16.Reagan, Ronald. "Address Before a Joint Session of the Congress Following the
Soviet-United
States Summit Meeting in Geneva." Joint Session of Congress. District of Columbia,
Washington D.C. 21 Nov. 1985.Reaganlibrary.archives.gov. Web. 31 Mar. 2016.
<https://reaganlibrary.archives.gov/archives/speeches/1985/112185c.htm>.
17."Reagan and Gorbachev Hold Their First Summit Meeting." History.com. A&E Television
Networks, n.d. Web. 05 Feb. 2016. <http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/reaganand-gorbachev-hold-their-first-summit-meeting>.
18.Johnson, Darv. The Reagan Years. San Diego, CA: Lucent, 2000. Print.
19."The Reykjavik Summit." The Reagan Vision RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Feb. 2016.
<http://www.thereaganvision.org/the-reykjavik-summit-the-story/>.
20. "THE BERLIN WALL." Berlin Wall Memorial. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Feb. 2016.
<http://www.berliner-mauer-gedenkstaette.de/en/the-berlin-wall-10.html>.
21."Berlin Wall | Wall, Berlin, Germany." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia
Britannica, n.d. Web. 04 Feb. 2016. <http://www.britannica.com/topic/Berlin-Wall>.
10
22.Tracy, Kathleen. The Fall of the Berlin Wall. Hockessin, DE: Mitchell Lane, 2005. Print.
23."Berlin Wall" Speech - President Reagan's Address at the Brandenburg Gate - 6/12/87. Perf.
Ronald Reagan. Youtube.com. Reagan Foundation, 15 Apr. 2009. Web. 29 Mar. 2016.
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MDFX-dNtsM>.
24.Reagan, Ronald. "Remarks on East-West Relations at the Brandenburg Gate in West Berlin."
Remarks on East-West Relations at the Brandenburg Gate in West Berlin. Germany,
Berlin. 12 June 1987.Reaganlibrary.archives.gov. Web. 29 Mar. 2016.
<https://reaganlibrary.archives.gov/archives/speeches/1987/061287d.htm>.
25."Superpowers Agree to Reduce Nuclear Arsenals." History.com. A&E Television Networks,
n.d.
Web. 05 Feb. 2016.
<http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/superpowers-agree-to-reduce-nucleararsenals>.
26."Strategic Arms Reduction Talks (START) | International Arms Control Negotiations."
Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 22 Feb. 2016. I
used this site to find out what the START Treaties were and what it stood for. I also
found out what the START Treaties replaced.
27."Mikhail Gorbachev Arrives in United States for Summit with Ronald Reagan." History.com.
A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 05 Feb. 2016. <http://www.history.com/this-dayin-history/mikhail-gorbachev-arrives-in-united-states-for-summit-with-ronald-reagan>.
28."Reagan-Gorbachev Summit in Moscow Ends." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d.
Web. 05 Feb. 2016.
<http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/reagan-gorbachev-summit-in-moscowends>.
29."American Experience: TV's Most-watched History Series." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 03
Feb. 2016.
<http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/biography/reagan-gorbachev/>.
30.Reagan, Ronald. "Part IV Arms Control: From Geneva to Reykjavik, Washington to
Moscow."
An American Life. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1990. 545-726. Print.
11
Annotated Bibliography
Primary Sources
"Berlin Wall" Speech - President Reagan's Address at the Brandenburg Gate - 6/12/87. Perf.
Ronald Reagan. Youtube.com. Reagan Foundation, 15 Apr. 2009. Web. 29 Mar. 2016.
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MDFX-dNtsM>.
I used the original footage of Ronald Reagan's speech in front of the Berlin Wall on June
12, 1987 to cite the "Mr. Gorbachev tear down this wall!" quote in my paper. The video
was uploaded to youtube by the Reagan Foundation and consisted entirely of original
footage. This video helped me find out what Ronald Reagan said word for word in his
speech in West Germany that day.
Gorbachev, Mikhail Sergeevich. Memoirs Mikhail Gorbachev. New York: Doubleday, 1996.
Print.
I used this book for mainly finding out information on what Mikhail Gorbachev first
thought of Ronald Reagan and also why he wanted to negotiate with him in the first
place. I also used the book to find out the path that Gorbachev took to become close
friends with Reagan. Additionally, I used the book to find out some conflicts that
occurred between the two of them and the similarities between the two of them in the
end.
Reagan, Ronald. "Address Before a Joint Session of the Congress Following the Soviet-United
States Summit Meeting in Geneva." Joint Session of Congress. District of Columbia,
Washington D.C. 21 Nov. 1985.Reaganlibrary.archives.gov. Web. 31 Mar. 2016.
<https://reaganlibrary.archives.gov/archives/speeches/1985/112185c.htm>.
I used this speech as it helped described some thoughts that Ronald Reagan had of
Mikhail Gorbachev. I also used this speech as it was from the Ronald Reagan Archives of
the Ronald Reagan Library. The speech was given before a Joint Session of Congress
shortly after the Geneva Summit had ended.
12
Reagan, Ronald. "Address to the Nation on the Upcoming Soviet-United States Summit Meeting
in Geneva." Address to the Nation on the Upcoming Soviet-United States Summit
Meeting in Geneva. Oval Office, White House, Washington D.C. 14 Nov.
1985.Reganlibrary.archives.gov. Web. 31 Mar. 2016.
<https://www.reaganlibrary.archives.gov/archives/speeches/1985/111485d.htm>.
This source was a speech that Ronald Reagan gave to the nation a day before he was
scheduled to go to the Geneva Summit to meet Mikhail Gorbachev. This source gave me
information on Reagan's goal for the summit and how long it had been since the last
Soviet-American Summit. This speech was uploaded online onto the Ronald Reagan
Archives by the Ronald Reagan Library.
Reagan, Ronald. "Part IV Arms Control: From Geneva to Reykjavik, Washington to Moscow."
An American Life. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1990. 545-726. Print.
I used this book for a lot of information on Ronald Reagan's perspective on the summit
negotiations between him and Mikhail Gorbachev. I also learned a lot of information of
what happened in between the summits and Reagan's perspectives on Gorbachev's ideas
and terms of negotiation. Additionally, I used the book to find out how Reagan's
perspectives on the Soviet Union changed after he met Gorbachev.
Reagan, Ronald. "Remarks at the Annual Convention of the National Association of
Evangelicals in Orlando, Florida." Annual Convention of the National Association of
Evangelicals. Florida, Orlando. 8 Mar. 1983.Reaganfoundation.org. Web. 30 Mar. 2016.
<https://ml.reaganfoundation.org/pdf/Remarks_Annual_Convention_National_Associatio
n_Evangelicals_030883.pdf>.
I used this source as it contained the speech that Ronald Reagan read in Orlando on
March 8, 1983. I used the speech to locate a situation in which Ronald Reagan referred to
the Soviet Union as the "Evil Empire". A term that I used in my paper. The speech was
uploaded online by the Ronald Reagan Foundation.
Reagan, Ronald. "Remarks on East-West Relations at the Brandenburg Gate in West Berlin."
Remarks on East-West Relations at the Brandenburg Gate in West Berlin. Germany,
Berlin. 12 June 1987.Reaganlibrary.archives.gov. Web. 29 Mar. 2016.
<https://reaganlibrary.archives.gov/archives/speeches/1987/061287d.htm>.
This source was taken from the Ronald Reagan archives of the Ronald Reagan Library. It
provided me with a written word-for-word copy of Ronald Reagan's Speech in front of
the Berlin Wall. I used this speech in my paper for the quote "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down
this wall!"
13
Remarks at the Annual Convention of the National Association of Evangelicals in Orlando,
Florida. Perf. Ronald Reagan.Reaganfoundation.org. Ronald Reagan Presidential
Foundation and Library, 2010. Web. 30 Mar. 2016.
<http://www.reaganfoundation.org/bw_detail.aspx?p=LMB4YGHF2&lm=berlinwall&ar
gs_a=cms&args_b=74&argsb=N&tx=1770>.
I used this video which was on the Ronald Reagan Foundation website to hear some
remarks that Reagan first had on the Soviet Union. I used his term of the "Evil Empire" in
my paper as he used the term multiple times throughout his first term to refer to the
Communist Soviet Union. This video was original footage of Reagan's speech in
Orlando, Florida.
Secondary Sources
"American Experience: TV's Most-watched History Series." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 03
Feb. 2016.
<http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/biography/reagan-gorbachev/>.
I used this site to find out different statements that Reagan called Gorbachev and the
Soviet Union. I also used this website to find out some major achievements and turning
points in Gorbachev's life.
"Berlin Wall | Wall, Berlin, Germany." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia
Britannica, n.d. Web. 04 Feb. 2016. <http://www.britannica.com/topic/Berlin-Wall>.
I used this site to find out why the wall was built and when it was built. I also used this
site to find out how people were then eventually allowed to take it down and how it
related to other events in the world at the time.
"THE BERLIN WALL." Berlin Wall Memorial. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Feb. 2016.
<http://www.berliner-mauer-gedenkstaette.de/en/the-berlin-wall-10.html>.
I used this site to find out some information on how long the Berlin Wall was up creating
a divide between East and West Germany. I also found out that many people died there
and that the wall was nicknamed the "Death Strip" because of all the people that died
there. I got all this information from the Berlin Wall Memorial Website.
Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 03 Feb. 2016.
<http://www.biography.com/people/mikhail-sergeyevich-gorbachev-9315721>.
I used this website to find out more information of how Mikhail Gorbachev grew up and
his academic achievements. I also found out about the General Secretaries leading up to
Gorbachev and also some of his foreign affairs.
14
Butson, Thomas G. Mikhail Gorbachev. New York: Chelsea House, 1986. Print.
I used this book to find out some basic information about Mikhail Gorbachev such as
when he was born and when he became the General Secretary of the Soviet Union. I also
used this book to find out how Mikhail Gorbachev did in terms of foreign relations,
specifically with Ronald Reagan.
"Cold War History." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 05 Feb. 2016.
<http://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/cold-war-history>.
I used this site to learn about different events leading up to the end of the Cold War. I
also used this site to find out how Reagan and Gorbachev helped end the Cold War; and
also how countries in Europe overthrew their Communist governments.
"Cold War | International Politics." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica,
n.d. Web. 05 Feb. 2016. <http://www.britannica.com/event/Cold-War>.
I used this site to find out more information on how Gorbachev helped end the Cold War
and dismantle the Soviet Union. I also found out what happened to the Soviet Union after
the Cold War.
Grant, R. G. The Berlin Wall. Austin, TX: Raintree Steck-Vaughn, 1999. Print.
I used this book to find out why the Berlin Wall was first made and the events that
occurred after World War II that led up to it. I also found out why the Berlin Wall was
torn down and who authorized its demise.
Johnson, Darv. The Reagan Years. San Diego, CA: Lucent, 2000. Print.
I used this book to find out about many of the different encounters and situations that
Ronald Reagan had with Mikhail Gorbachev during their summits. I also used the book
to find out some information on the INF Treaty and when they signed it. Additionally, I
used the book to find out what Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev did in terms of the
Berlin Wall.
"Mikhail Gorbachev Arrives in United States for Summit with Ronald Reagan." History.com.
A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 05 Feb. 2016. <http://www.history.com/this-dayin-history/mikhail-gorbachev-arrives-in-united-states-for-summit-with-ronald-reagan>.
I used this site to find out what Gorbachev was able to do when he was visiting the U.S.
for the Washington D.C. Summit. I also found out the many details behind the INF
Treaty that Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev both signed during the Washington
D.C. Summit.
15
"Mikhail Gorbachev | President of Union of Soviet Socialist Republics."Encyclopedia
Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 02 Feb. 2016.
<http://www.britannica.com/biography/Mikhail-Gorbachev>.
I used this site to find out information about Mikhail Gorbachev in terms of where he was
born, where he grew up, and what he did after he became the General Secretary of the
Soviet Union. I also used the site to find out key points in Mikhail Gorbachev's life and
his term as head of the Soviet Union.
"Reagan and Gorbachev Hold Their First Summit Meeting." History.com. A&E Television
Networks, n.d. Web. 05 Feb. 2016. <http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/reaganand-gorbachev-hold-their-first-summit-meeting>.
I learned what the Geneva Summit between Reagan and Gorbachev accomplished and
what it meant for the future between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. I also learned why
both Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev agreed to the first summit meeting between
the U.S. and the Soviet Union in eight years (since the year the summit was held).
"Reagan-Gorbachev Summit in Moscow Ends." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d.
Web. 05 Feb. 2016.
<http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/reagan-gorbachev-summit-in-moscowends>.
I used this site to find out why not much was accomplished during the Moscow Summit
between Reagan and Gorbachev. I also found out that Reagan was a big hit with the local
Soviet citizens just like how Gorbachev was a big hit with the U.S. citizens.
"The Reykjavik Summit." The Reagan Vision RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Feb. 2016.
<http://www.thereaganvision.org/the-reykjavik-summit-the-story/>.
I learned when the Reykjavik Summit between Reagan and Gorbachev started and that it
actually didn't accomplish anything. I also learned why the summit didn't accomplish
anything but that it was still a big step towards nuclear arms reduction between the two
countries.
“Ronald Reagan.” Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2015.
<http://www.biography.com/people/ronald-reagan-9453198>.
I used this website to find out a little bit more information about Ronald Reagan's past
and also some of his major achievements as president. I also learned about his re-election
and also the location of his presidential library.
16
"Ronald Reagan." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 08 Dec. 2015.
<http://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/ronald-reagan>.
I used this website to find out when and where Ronald Reagan died, how his political
career progressed, and how old he was when he first became president. I also found out
that Reagan first met and became friends with Mikhail Gorbachev during his second term
and also when he challenged Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin Wall.
"Ronald Reagan | President of United States." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia
Britannica, n.d. Web. 17 Dec. 2015. <http://www.britannica.com/biography/RonaldReagan>.
I used this website to find out what paths Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev took
before they both signed the INF Treaty. I also used this website to find out what activities
Ronald Reagan did as an actor. I additionally used this website to learn more information
of Ronald Reagan’s activities leading up to acting and eventually his presidency.
"Ronald Reagan." The White House. The White House, n.d. Web. 08 Dec. 2015.
<https://www.whitehouse.gov/1600/presidents/ronaldreagan>.
I used this website to find out when Ronald Reagan was born, how long he served as
president, when he was sworn in, and also some background information on what he did
before he became president. I also found out what he did to improve relations with the
Soviet Union and how he helped make the nation prosperous.
"Strategic Arms Reduction Talks (START) | International Arms Control Negotiations."
Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 22 Feb. 2016.
<http://www.britannica.com/event/Strategic-Arms-Reduction-Talks>.
I used this site to find out what the START Treaties were and what it stood for. I also
found out what the START Treaties replaced. This site also gave me an idea of what the
START Treaties were able to do for the world.
"Superpowers Agree to Reduce Nuclear Arsenals." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d.
Web. 05 Feb. 2016.
<http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/superpowers-agree-to-reduce-nucleararsenals>.
I used this site to find out what the INF Treaty was trying to and actually did accomplish.
I also found out how the INF Treaty was different from all the other nuclear arms treaties
before it.
17
Sutherland, James. Up Close: Ronald Reagan. New York: Penguin Group, 2008. Print.
I used this book to find out early information about Ronald Reagan such as when he was
born and how he was raised. I also found out some information about Ronald Reagan's
career before he became the President of the United States. Additionally, I also learned
about Reagan's relationships with the Soviet Union and Russia; along with how his
leadership styles differed from previous Presidents.
Tracy, Kathleen. The Fall of the Berlin Wall. Hockessin, DE: Mitchell Lane, 2005. Print.
I used this book to find out some information on how bad the Berlin Wall was for the
citizens of East Berlin and how many people tried to escape, and how many people died
trying. I also used the book to find out what the Berlin Wall was and why it was a good
thing for the citizens of East Berlin when it was finally torn down.
18