Reagan Era 1980-83 Flashcards
What was the second Cold War ?
Reagan intended to challenge the USSR and wanted to break the Arsenal built up by them.
What did Reagan want to achieve ?
He wanted less emphasis on human rights and was keen to increase defense spending. He wanted to raise the position of the US while eradicating humiliation of the loss of the Vietnam War and the hostage crisis in Iran.
What did the defence program between 1981-87 consist of ?
100 MX missiles.
100 B-1 long range and supersonic bombers.
A new Stealth bomber that would be invisible to radar.
Six Trident nuclear submarines.
Strengthening military communication systems.
Development of the neutron bomb which could kill people but not property.
What did the US do as a result of the deployment of Soviet SS20 missiles in the western USSR?
The USA placed Cruise Missiles which could not be detected by radar in Western Europe.
What was the idea of NUTS?
Nuclear Utilization Target Selection - this was made to counter the MAD theory which both Superpowers had accepted. The US could win a limited nuclear war.
What was the November 1981 Zero Option?
This was the idea of cancelling deployment of US intermediate-range missiles in Western Europe in return for Soviets dismantling 600 SS20 missiles. Reagan wanted to do this so the US could build more missiles.
What did Andropov do when Reagan called the USSR an evil empire in June 1982?
He called Reagan insane and a liar. He was accused of fanning the flames of war.
Why did Reagan develop Star Wars?
The US assisted the Polish trade union movement Solidarnosc, which was banned in 1982. The US criticised Brezhnev and banned all hi-tech trade. This led to the USSR walking out of the START talks in 1983.
When was Star Wars announced ?
23 March 1983.
What did the Strategic Defence Initiative consist of ?
A laser would be fired at a satellite which would reflect it and this would pass on to the missile to destroy it.
What was the intention of the SDI?
To make the USSR compete and destroy their economy completely. Andropov feared the threat with the US advantage and was concerned about having to spend more.
When did Brezhnev die?
- He was replaced by Yuri Andropov who died in February 1984.
What did Chernenko do when in power?
He decided to boycott the LA Olympic Games and made claims that the US were using the games for propaganda to which the US replied that the USSR needed to consider their actions at Afghanistan and their treatment of dissidents.
When did Gorbachev get into power ?
1985.
What was included as a part of NUTS?
Installation of Cruise and Pershing missiles. This caused anti-nuclear demonstrations in countries involved and the US.
