Text B   U.S.-Soviet Relations

1.     In relations with the Soviet Union, President Reagan's declared policy was one of peace through strength. He was determined to stand firm against the country he would in1983 call an “evil empire”. Two early events increased U.S.-Soviet tensions: the suppression of the labor movement in Poland in December 1981，and the destruction of an off--course civilian airliner, Korean Airlines Flight 007, by a Soviet jet fighter in 1983.

2.     During Reagan’s first term, the United States spent unprecedented sums for a massive defense build-up, including the placement of intermediate- range nuclear missiles in Europe to counter Soviet deployments of similar missiles. And on March 23, 1983, in one of the most hotly debated policy decisions of his presidency, Reagan announced the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) research program to explore advanced technologies, such as lasers, to defend against intercontinental missiles. Although many scientists questioned the technological feasibility of SDI and economists pointed to the extraordinary sums of money involved, the administration pressed ahead with the project.

3.    After re-election in 1984, Reagan softened his position on arms control. Moscow was amenable to agreement, in part because its economy already expended a far greater proportion of national output on its military than did the United States. Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev felt that further increases would cripple his plans to liberalize the Soviet economy.

4.    In November 1985, Reagan and Gorbachev agreed in principle to seek 50-percent reductions in strategic offensive nuclear arms as well as an agreement on intermediate- range nuclear forces. In December 1987, they signed the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty providing for the destruction of that entire category of nuclear weapons. By then, the Soviet Union seemed a less threatening enemy，Reagan could take much of the credit for a greatly diminished Cold War, but as his administration ended, almost no one realized just how shaky the U. S. S. R. had become.

 

 

Questions for Discussion or Reflection

(1) What events increased the U. s.-Soviet tensions in the early 1980s?

(2) What else do you know about the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) research program? Share the information with your classmates.