Criticism of the triumphalist interpretation

Question 1

What have numerous historians and some members of Reagan’s administration (including former Secretary of State, George Schultz) argued about the triumphalist interpretation of the end of the CW?

Answer 1

It oversimplifies a complex historical process and exaggerates the impact of Reagan’s hard-line approach

Question 2

From 1982 to 1984, how was Reagan’s uncompromising stance a failure?

Answer 2

Failed to extract concessions from Soviet leader Andropov

Merely prolonged the CW by hardening Soviet resistance

Question 3

What does Reagan’s offer to share SDI technology with the USSR contradict?

Answer 3

The argument that the USA aimed to undermine the SU economically

Question 4

What did Soviet scientists conclude about SDI?

Answer 4

It was impractical, so it imposed limited pressure on the USSR

Question 5

What produced much more significant results than Reagan’s confrontational strategy?

Answer 5

Reagan’s and Bush’s policy of constructive engagement with Gorbachev after 1985, e.g. it led to the 1987 INF Treaty and 1991 START Treaty

Question 6

What does the triumphalist view underestimate?

Answer 6

The role of other factors in ending the CW, such as Gorbachev’s New Thinking, the long-standing internal Soviet problems and the growing popular discontent in EE