Reagan and the triumphalists Flashcards
What does the triumphalist argument maintain?
That Reagan’s hard-line approach to the USSR in the early 1980s imposed enormous economic and military pressure on the SU
Why did the USSR have to abandon the arms race and CW?
The USSR could no longer compete with US defence spending
What did Reagan’s US defence budget increase by in October 1981?
By 53%
What was the increase in the US defence budget designed to fund?
The B1 bomber, neutro bomber and stealth aircraft programmes, US navy expansion and the deployment of MX missiles
What did Reagan announce in March 1983?
Strategic Defence Initiative (SDI)
What was Reagan’s rhetoric like?
Uncompromising anti-Soviet, Evil Empire rhetoric
What did the implementation of the Reagan Doctrine include?
US military and financial measures to combat communism in Nicaragua, El Salvador, Grenada and Afghanistan
What did Reagan deploy in Europe?
Cruise and Pershing II missiles
How were all of Reagan’s policies similar?
They were successful anti-communist policies
