1. What new weapons systems did the Reagan administration develop and how much did defense spending increase?

2. What was the Strategic Defense Initiative and what were the main criticisms of the program?

1. How did Reagan respond to the Sandinista takeover in Nicaragua and what obstacle did Congress create?

2. What was the extent of U.S. involvement in El Salvador and what were the consequences for civilians?

1. Why did President Reagan order an invasion of Grenada in 1983 and what was the outcome?

1. What was the original purpose of the secret arms deal with Iran and how did it lead to the Iran-Contra scandal?

2. Why was the diversion of funds to the Contras illegal and what did the congressional investigation reveal about Reagan's role?

1. What were glasnost and perestroika, and why did Gorbachev believe ending the arms race was necessary?

2. What was the significance of Reagan's 1987 speech at the Brandenburg Gate?

1. What were the outcomes of the three Reagan-Gorbachev summit meetings and which issue proved most difficult to resolve?

2. What actions did Gorbachev take between 1987 and 1988 to reduce Cold War tensions?

1. What are the different historical interpretations of the causes for the end of the Cold War?

2. Besides Reagan and Gorbachev, what other leaders and policies contributed to ending the Cold War?

1. What happened during the prodemocracy demonstrations in Tiananmen Square and what did it reveal about the Chinese government?

1. How did the fall of communism in Eastern Europe differ from the outcome in China?

2. What was the significance of the fall of the Berlin Wall and the reunification of Germany?

1. What events led to the dissolution of the Soviet Union in December 1991?

2. What was the Commonwealth of Independent States and what reforms did Boris Yeltsin attempt?

1. What did the START I and START II treaties accomplish regarding nuclear weapons?

2. What concerns emerged in the United States and Europe as the Cold War ended?

1. What challenges did Russia face under Boris Yeltsin and how did Vladimir Putin's policies affect U.S.-Russian relations?

1. What caused the wars in the former Yugoslavia and what role did ethnic and religious divisions play?

2. How did the international community respond to the violence in Bosnia and Kosovo?

1. What obstacles did former Communist nations face in transitioning to democracy and market economies?