The Impact of the Arms Race on the End of the Cold War
The Arms Race: A Defining Feature of the Cold War
- Nuclear Parity: By the 1970s, both superpowers achieved Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD), deterring direct conflict.
- Technological Escalation: The 1980s saw innovations like the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), further straining Soviet resources.
The Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), proposed by Reagan in 1983, aimed to create a missile defense system using space-based technology. Though never fully realized, it intensified Soviet fears of losing nuclear parity.
Economic Strain on the Soviet Union
- Military Spending: The USSR allocated up to 25% of its GDP to defense, crippling its economy.
- Consumer Goods Shortages: Resources diverted to the military led to widespread shortages and declining living standards.
- Technological Lag: The Soviet economy struggled to compete with Western advancements, particularly in computing and electronics.
The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan (1979-1989) further drained resources, costing an estimated \$8 billion annually and contributing to economic decline.
Gorbachev's Reforms: A Response to the Arms Race
- Perestroika (Restructuring): Aimed to modernize the economy by reducing military spending and introducing market mechanisms.
- Glasnost (Openness): Encouraged public debate and criticism, exposing the failures of the Soviet system.
- Arms Reduction: Gorbachev prioritized disarmament, leading to treaties like the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty (1987).
