Lesson 6: Turning Up the Heat

Introduction

Important Icon In this lesson, we will discuss what led up to the collapse of the Soviet Union. Important Icon

 

Focus Questions:

What changes caused the Soviet Union to collapse?

How did America influence the breakup of the Soviet Union?

With the collapse of the Soviet Union has it become a better nation?

Turning Up the Heat 

Welcome Back!

Today, we will take a closer look at the election of our 40th president and what role this played in the Soviet’s collapse.


When he was first elected as president, Reagan believed in a policy of eliminating the Soviet’s control over Eastern Europe. He believed that American technology and economic power could defeat the communist superpower. To do this, he emphasized arms buildups as a means to deter the aggressions of the Soviet Union. 


Upon his election to a second term, President Reagan changed his foreign policy. He believed that the economic struggles of the Soviet Union and the fall of the Berlin wall were signs of American success. He worked to improve American relations with the Soviet Union by encouraging Mikhail Gorbachev to support reforms in his country and he pursued agreements to reduce arms. Reagan wanted to end the cold war with the Soviet Union.

  In your journal:  Print the notes page and complete it as you go through the slides. If you do not have access to a printer, another option is to draw/write your notes page in your social studies journal.

Turning Up the Heat Notes Download Turning Up the Heat Notes

View the slideshow below to learn more about this topic.

 Interactive

In your journal: Now, we will review some of the key terms you learned today. Add the following terms and definitions to the table in your journal. 

President Reagan played an important role in dismantling the power the Soviet Union held.

   

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