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The end of the Cold WarSoviet economic weaknesses

The Communist government in Russia disintegrated due to economic pressures, the war in Afghanistan and revolt in Eastern Europe. Both Gorbachev and Reagan played major roles in ending the Cold War.

Part of HistoryThe Cold War

Soviet economic weaknesses

Continued nuclear proliferation

In 1979, NATO placed long-range missiles in Europe. This threatened the USSR. In 1983, US President Reagan announced the Strategic Defence Initiative (SDI).

The idea was to create a laser defence shield to protect the USA from nuclear attack. The USSR assumed the USA were looking for 鈥楩irst Strike鈥 capability. The Soviets did not have the finances or the expertise to match America's plans.

Weakened Soviet economy

The Russian economy was struggling severely. They could not commit the expenditure necessary to maintain the arms race.

Living standards in the USSR were falling, while in the West they were rising rapidly. Consumer goods were of a much poorer standard as industrial production lagged behind the West.

Gorbachev wanted to modernise the USSR and improve relations with the USA. Realising the Soviets could no longer compete in the arms race if Russia was to be modernised, he looked for ways to end military competition and reduce tensions between the superpowers.

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