Summits of the '80s Flashcards
What was the USA’s approach to the USSR in the early ’80s? What was the turning point which reduced this tension and aggression.
Reagan took an aggressive approach to the USSR, increasing military spending and intimidating it with technology, creating the conditions for a 2nd Cold War. However, this diminished once Gorbachev came to power in 1985 and began to reform the USSR - Reagan saw the opportunity to end the Cold War.
At which summit was it that Reagan and Gorbachev met for the first time?
Geneva summit, 1985.
What was the outcome of the 1985 Geneva summit, where Reagan and Gorbachev met for the first time?
Although no formal agreements were made, both leaders showed a constructive desire to improve the relationship.
At which summit was it that Reagan and Gorbachev met for the second time?
Reykjavik summit, 1986.
What was the outcome of the 1986 Reykjavik summit, where Reagan and Gorbachev met for the second time?
They met after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, which had proved how dangerous nuclear power was and humiliated the USSR. Gorbachev proposed to phase out nuclear weapons, on the condition that Reagan stopped the SDI. Although Reagan refused, the relationship remained positive.
At which summit was it that Reagan and Gorbachev met for the third time?
Washington summit, 1987.
What was the outcome of the 1987 Washington summit, where Reagan and Gorbachev met for the third time?
Gorbachev had accepted Reagan wasn’t going to scrap SDI, so his best interests lay in disarmament and improving relations with the West. This meeting was the first where a formal treaty was signed: the INF (intermediate-range Nuclear Force) Treaty. Both sides agreed to abolish all land-based missiles with a range under 5000 km.
What was agreed in the INF Treaty and at which summit?
Both sides agreed to abolish all land-based missiles with a range under 5000 km. This was at the 1987 Washington summit.
At which summit was it that Reagan and Gorbachev met for the fourth time?
Moscow summit, 1988.
What was the outcome of the 1988 Moscow summit, where Reagan and Gorbachev met for the fourth time?
Some detail relating to the INF Treaty was resolved. Later this year, Gorbachev made a speech to the UN announcing a reduction in Warsaw Pact troops and that Soviet troops would withdraw from Afghanistan.
At which summit was it that Reagan and Gorbachev met for the fifth time?
Malta summit, 1989.
What was the outcome of the 1989 Malta summit, where Reagan and Gorbachev met for the fifth time?
Gorbachev met with the new US president, George Bush. Despite the fact that no agreements were made, both leaders saw the meeting as a marking of the end of the Cold War.
Gorbachev said “I will never start a hot war against the USA” and that “we are at the beginning of a long road to a lasting, peaceful era. The threat of force, mistrust, psychological and ideological struggle should all be things of the past”.
What did Gorbachev say to Bush at the Malta summit in 1989?
“I will never start a hot war against the USA” and that “we are at the beginning of a long road to a lasting, peaceful era. The threat of force, mistrust, psychological and ideological struggle should all be things of the past”.
