The Second Cold War

• Reagan policies:

  • Described USSR as evil empire and USA as forces of good
  • Boosted USA armed forces, increased spending on arms - 13% in 1982, 8% in 1983-84
• Reagan Doctrine:

  • USA supported anti-communist governments
  • USA supported anti-communist groups trying to overthrow communist governments - Mujahideen, Central America
  • US helped invade Grenada and remove communist government
• Strategic Defense Initiative:

  • SDI put satellites in orbit to shoot missiles
  • Turning point in Cold War - led to USSR learning they could not keep up with USA military spending
  • USSR may start to back down and make more friendly relations with USA
  • important factor in Gorbachev's "new thinking"