Ronald Reagan's Speech At The Brandenburg Gate Analysis

Ronald Reagan’s speech at the Brandenburg Gate was delivered during a transformative time for both Soviet leadership and the American approach to foreign relations. Reagan’s initial presidential stance advocated for a firm, forceful presence meant to deter Soviet advances and aggression against American freedom. Weapons upsurge and military expenditure rose drastically during Reagan’s early years, in efforts to protect Americans in the event of a nuclear altercation with the Soviets. However, the nature of such an altercation was exposed to result in toxic, hostile environments unsuitable for all life and every nation. In addition to this discovered conclusion on nuclear conflict, the Soviets welcomed a novel leader, Gorbachev, into office in 1985. Gorbachev’s policies were innovative and centered on openness (glasnost), restructuring of the Soviet Union, and restoration of U.S. relations.
Given the new foreign atmosphere and awareness of the expense of nuclear fallout, Reagan took a previously uncharacteristic diplomatic attitude toward the Soviets, proclaiming an invitation for Gorbachev to enter peace talks and a reciprocal pursuit of nuclear disarmament. His speech continued to align against communism and its threat to freedom; however, he altered his level of …show more content…
As each nation sought to protect itself in a world already exposed to nuclear powers and development, this marked a thoroughfare to balancing deterrence and defensive faculties in the management of armaments. Through his message, the reduction of the proliferation of arms was crucial. It was proposed that countries could retain the assurance of security through alternative methods, and peace could be established through diplomatic understanding of fundamental