Ronald Reagan, Mikhail Gorbachev and George H.W. Bush, Essay Example

Role Played by Ronald Reagan, Mikhail Gorbachev and George H.W. Bush in Ending the Cold War

The Regan’s’ policies brought about the victory of the cold war. He took office during a time when the prospect of winning the cold war would have seemed to be a far fetched notion. His optimism led him to indulge in more rigorous efforts to oversee the demise of communism rather than the previous approach of trying to contain its widespread. He insisted that Karl Marx citation of the unfolding of crisis would eventually lead to the collapse of communism, like all other totalitarian regimes. A look at Reagan’s strategic defense initiative was intended to render the Soviet Union bankrupt[1].

The Reagan doctrine saw the implementation of the foregoing strategy. For instance, the US proxy war from Nicaragua to Afghanistan involved the use of local forces to increase USSR global problems. Other strategies undertaken to economically weaken USR were freezing of investments and trade embargoes. Reagan’s policies had a direct impact on the downfall of Soviet Union.

Diplomacy was also another tool used. Reagan had found the opportunity of meeting a willing Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev to discuss the end of cold war. Reagan had played vital role in casting the legitimacy of communism into doubt and in exposing its weakness[2].

The morally superior policies of Reagan ensured the victory. Communism was seen as a terrorist organization. The success of this policy saw the decline in numbers of states that believed in the communism ideology. The end of cold war was as a direct result of Reagan’s policies.

George H.W. Bush also played a pivotal role in ending the Cold War.  His efforts were seen as a result of slowing down the pace of negotiations with the Soviet although he hardly saw the possibility of total abolishment of nuclear weapons.

Mikhail Gorbachev also played a pivotal role in ending the Cold War. As Mikhail Gorbachev ascended to power, he played a pivotal role in bringing to an end of the Cold War. His contribution was perceived through his efforts in the reduction of the armed forces in the Soviet which was a clear indication of his reluctance to enter in to full-blown war with the United States. His troops had the potential of fighting if need arose although he indicated the need for the cessation of the cold war. Gorbachev was willing to engage Reagan in dialogue because Soviet Union could not outspend the US in building military arsenal. The diplomatic role played by Reagan was of paramount importance.

References

Adams, Michael C.C. The Best War Ever: America & WW II. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins Univ. Press, 1994.

Anderson, Karen. Wartime Women: Sex Roles, Family Relations, & the Status of Women during WW II. Westport: Greenwood Press, 1981.

Allison, G. & Gregory F. Treverton, Rethinking America’s Security: Beyond the Cold War to the New World Order. N Y: Norton, 1992.

Aronson, J., The Press and the Cold War. N Y: Monthly Review Press, 1970.

Baritz, L.,  Backfire: American Culture and the Vietnam War. N Y: Ballantine Books, 1986.

Blaker, J.,United States Overseas Basing: An Anatomy of the Dilemma. N Y: Praeger, 1990.

Blum, John Morton. V Was for Victory: Politics & American Culture during World War II. N Y: Harcourt Brace, 1976.

Bordo, Michael. “The Gold Standard, Bretton Woods, & Other Monetary Regimes: An Historical Appraisal.” NBER.

[1] Anderson, Karen. Wartime Women: Sex Roles, Family Relations, & the Status of Women during WW II. Westport: Greenwood Press, 1981.

[2] Blaker, J.,United States Overseas Basing: An Anatomy of the Dilemma. N Y: Praeger, 1990.