Summary
Highlights
Despite being called a 'saber Rattler' and having labeled the Soviet Union an 'evil empire,' Reagan extended his hand to Gorbachev, leading to the INF agreement and moving the world towards a new day. His efforts in advancing freedom are credited with the eventual collapse of the Soviet system, earning him credit for fighting and winning the Cold War and inspiring freedom worldwide.
Ronald Reagan believed the West would transcend Communism, viewing it as a bizarre chapter in history. He famously urged Mikhail Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin Wall, symbolizing his commitment to ending the Cold War, and signed a historic agreement to eliminate an entire class of US and Soviet nuclear weapons.
Reagan adopted a direct and unflinching approach towards the Soviet Union, which he viewed as dedicated to destroying democracy and imposing communism. He stated that the Soviets reserved the right to commit any crime and lie, emphasizing the need for a realistic view of their intentions and a policy of 'peace through strength,' not just 'a piece of paper'.
Reagan led the modernization of America's armed forces, terminated hard currency transactions and technology sales to the Soviet Union, and rallied the free world with allies like Margaret Thatcher and Pope John Paul II. He championed human rights as the foundation of legitimate government and world peace, standing with those behind the Iron Curtain.
Reagan's primary goal was to lessen the risk of nuclear war, which had kept the world under the shadow of 'mutually assured destruction' for 40 years. He aimed to end the 'Mad Mad policy' and sought direct negotiations with Soviet leaders, having a crucial meeting with Gorbachev in Geneva where they discussed their unique position to bring about peace.
At the Reykjavik summit, hopes for a nuclear-free world initially soared but then fell when the Soviets insisted on Reagan abandoning his Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI). Reagan refused to surrender SDI, which he believed had brought the Soviet Union to the negotiating table, marking a major turning point in the quest for a secure world. This firm stance eventually led to the INF agreement.