Ronald Reagan and the Fall of the Soviet Union

If there ever were two more polar opposite views on the world, this is it. On one side, Ronald Reagan, a poor Midwestern boy who became an actor, then became the 40th President of the United States.

Versus the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics led by Lenin, Stalin, Khrushchev, Brezhnev, Andropov, Chernenko, and Gorbachev. Freedom versus despotism. Capitalism versus Communism and Socialism.

Like two super heavyweight boxers competing for the championship of the world, not for prize money, but for the dominance of ideas for the future of the entire world.

Reagan was, on one hand diplomatic, while on the other hand, working harder than any president before him to break the Soviet Union's ideological, financial, and military capability, leaving them doubting they could keep pace with the United States.Despite initial hostility, Reagan engaged in face-to-face summits with Mikhail Gorbachev starting in 1985, recognizing that he had a potential partner for reform. The relationship between the two evolved from confrontation to negotiation. Reagan used harsh language, but also humor when needed.

Known as Star Wars, this proposed space-based shield against nuclear missiles was designed to make Soviet missiles obsolete and force them into an expensive new technological arms race. While the goal was real, our technology was probably lacking to make this a reality. But as an excellent actor and great communicator, President Reagan pulled off one of the greatest bluffs in human history. Gorbachev blinked, and while skeptical, he feared the United States would gain first-strike superiority over the Soviet Union.

Ronald Reagan's leadership had landed countless blows to the glass jaw of the Soviet Union. Even though it took a couple more years, the Soviet Union knew President Ronald Reagan, that midwestern boy, an actor who became President of the United States of America, had knocked them down and out. They would never rise again.

Reagan made this speech in January 25, 1988, "Those young Americans will find a city of hope in a land that is free. We can be proud that for them and for us, those lights along the Potomac are still seen this night, signaling as they have for nearly two centuries, and as we pray God they always will, that another generation of Americans has protected and passed on lovingly this place called America, this shining city on a hill. This government of, by, and for the people. Thank you, and God bless you."