Ronald Reagan
- 40th President
- Former Hollywood actor
- Elected for a second term in 1984
- Saw the USSR as the 'evil empire' and wouldn't negotiate with them for the first years of his Presidency
- Was much more hardline than the detente Presidents (thought they could outspend the Soviets)
- Increased military spending dramatically as part of the renewed arms act with the USSR
- bankruptcy is what really ended the Cold War
The 1980s Arms Race
- The USSR had an advantage to the US in their number of weapons
- New issue is how to deliver them
- Cruise missiles are placed in Europe by NATO
- 'Smart Weapons'- planes, weapons, and even tanks begin to be controlled by computer and are 'guided'
- costs a lot of money in research (difficult for the Soviets to catch up and spend that kind of money)
Summary
Ronald Reagan was elected in 1984 and was the fortieth US President. Before he was elected as President, he was a former Hollywood actor which is pretty exciting. Ronald Reagan thought of the USSR as "the evil empire" and would not negotiate with them while he was President. This was just for the first years of his Presidency though. Later on, he had increased military spending hugely. This was as part of the renewed arms race that associated with the USSR. This whole time was definitely a successful time.