NHD Theme Book 2015 | Page 26

of containment and détente.11 Reagan might have inherited

conclusion, Reagan and General Secretary Gorbachev. When

rhetoric angered his critics and often unnerved his allies.

nonexistent.17 Reagan understood the value of human

the policy of proxy wars and strategies carefully constructed
by his predecessors, but he was clearly prepared to detour

from their Cold War playbook. The president’s impassioned

Detente, skeptics argued, had more or less avoided the
outbreak of global war.12

The Reagan Doctrine called for the revival of U.S. military

might and a renewed and unabashed commitment to support
anti-Communist forces abroad.13 These policies comprised a

concerted effort to force the economic collapse of the Soviet

Union. The chess match of East meets West led to the U.S.

investment and involvement in Eastern Europe, Latin America,
Asia, and the Middle East. The Soviet Union responded in turn,

investing in military buildup while the Russian people sank
further into misery. While international intervention was not

entirely free of controversy, even critics must concede that

the defense buildup during the Reagan Era contributed to the
decline of Soviet system.

14

In his farewell address, Reagan commented that pundits had

predicted Reagan Doctrine policies would incite war and
end in disaster. However, the president knew that strength

P

on display did not equate with strength de