Ronald Reagan played a big role in changing how countries interacted during the Cold War. His actions and ideas left a lasting impact that still matters today.

Change in Language:

• Reagan used very strong words against communism.
• He famously called the Soviet Union the "Evil Empire."
• This was a big change from earlier leaders like Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, who tried to ease tensions.

Building Up the Military:

• Reagan focused on making the military stronger.
• He started the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) to create a system to protect the U.S. from nuclear missiles.
• By showing strength, he changed how the U.S. was viewed by other countries.

Helping Anti-Communist Groups:

• Reagan's government supported groups fighting against communism all around the world.
• This included places like Afghanistan, Central America, and the Philippines.
• By doing this, he changed the balance of power and helped countries unite against a common enemy.

Talking and Making Deals:

• Even though he was tough on communism, Reagan also talked a lot with the Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachev.
• They signed important agreements like the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) in 1987.
• These talks showed that it was possible to find common ground and led to reducing nuclear weapons for the first time.

Economic Pressure:

• Reagan used economic strategies to weaken the Soviet economy.
• He did this by putting bans and restrictions on trade with them.
• The idea was that these pressures could force the Soviet Union to change its policies.

Using Culture to Influence:

• The Reagan administration used movies, books, and speeches to show the dangers of communism.
• This helped shape people's views and sparked movements against Soviet control in other countries.

Ending the Cold War:

• Reagan's policies played a big part in the fall of communism in Eastern Europe.
• As communist governments collapsed, many thought his strategies sped up the end of the Cold War.

Lasting Impact on Global Relations:

• The ways Reagan handled the Cold War still affect how countries interact today.
• His ideas about being strong but also using talks with other countries are still important in American politics.

A New Global System:

• After the Cold War, the world started to change.
• Reagan's actions helped shape a new way of looking at international relations, with the U.S. still being a major power but facing more challenges from other nations.

In short, Reagan’s approach during the Cold War was a mix of being tough and talking things out. His strategies changed the U.S.-Soviet relationship and set the stage for how countries engage with each other today, highlighting the roles of diplomacy, military strength, and the struggle between different ideas in shaping our world.