Reagan and Gorbachev: Limits on Arm Race

Question 1

Why Reagan want to have limits on arm race during 1985?

Answer 1

• Public opionion against the arm race
• USA could save money by cutting back on defence

Question 2

Why Gorbachev want to have limits on arm race during 1985?

Answer 2

• He was hoping for a better relations with the West would lead to Trade Deal.

Question 3

Timeline of the Limits on Arm Race during 1985!

Answer 3

Both sides met in Geneva in 1985, no deal but they established a good relationships. Both sides(USA+USSR) met again in Iceland in 1986 and later in 1987, they signed the Intermediate Range Nuclear Force Treaty (INF), to abolish land based missiles with medium range, it is a turning point, because 1st time to abolish rather than just freezing/reducing, it went far more than detente. 1988 Reagan visited Moscow and Gorbachev agreed to reduce Warsaw Pact troops number and withdraw Soviet Forces from Afghanistan. 1989 New president Bush and Gorbachev met in Malta and declaring the cold war is over.

Question 4

Effects of Sinatra Doctrine to Eastern Europe!

Answer 4

• Hungarian government held free elections in spring 1989, at May ‘open border’ with Austria triggering refugees from East Germany
• Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia
• Fall of Berlin Wall.

etc