Ronald Reagan and SDI (1980-85) Flashcards
Who was elected in November 1980?
Ronald Reagan (Elected in November but takes power in January 1981)
What was Reagan’s stance on communist?
He was strongly anti-communist and intended to confront the Soviet Union where ever possible
What did Reagan refer to the USSR as in 1983?
Reagan called it an ‘evil empire’
What is the period between 1979 and 1985 known as?
‘the Second Cold War’ - it was a new low point in superpower relations
What did Reagan believe detente had done to America?
Reagan believed detente had made America look weak and had allowed the USSR to grow strong
What did Reagan believe about the Cold War?
Reagan believed America should (and could) win the Cold War
What did Reagan once say that worried Britain and France?
Reagan once commented that he could imagine a ‘limited nuclear war’ in Europe
What did Reagan and the USA begin developing in 1983?
The Strategic Defense Initiative (nicknamed Star Wars)
What was SDI/Star Wars?
SDI was intended (if it worked) to be a missile defence shield. Satellites armed with lasers would shoot down incoming nuclear missiles.
Why did the USSR feel so threatened by SDI?
- If the USA managed to get SDI working, it would give them the upper hand in the Cold War. They would be able to strike first without fear of retaliation. (It would give the USA ‘first strike capability’ - MAD would no longer apply.)
What did the SDI programme break?
The Outer Space Treaty of 1967. Further evidence of worsening tensions as Reagan ignored a key detente-era agreement.
Why did the USSR not develop its own SDI programme?
It couldn’t afford too. It wasn’t economically strong enough and the war in Afghanistan was costing a great deal of money.
After Reagan called the Soviet Union an ‘evil empire’, what did Yuri Andropov (the new leader of the USSR) call Reagan?
Andropov called Reagan ‘a liar’ and ‘insane’. Reagan was also regularly compared by Moscow to Hitler.
