Reagan's Military Buildup and the Arms Race
Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI)
- Announced in 1983, SDI aimed to develop a missile defense system that could intercept nuclear missiles.
- This undermined the concept of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD), which had been a cornerstone of nuclear deterrence.
Reagan's military spending in the early 1980s forced the Soviet Union to compete, straining its already weak economy.
Reagan's Hardline Rhetoric and Policies
"Evil Empire" Speech
- In 1983, Reagan famously referred to the Soviet Union as an "evil empire," signaling a departure from the more conciliatory tone of détente.
Support for Anti-Communist Movements
- Reagan's Reagan Doctrine provided support to anti-communist insurgencies in countries like Afghanistan, Nicaragua, and Angola.
When analyzing Reagan's policies, consider how his hardline stance was both a continuation of Cold War tensions and a catalyst for change by forcingthe Soviet Union to the negotiating table.
