Reykjavik Summit

Definition

The Reykjavik Summit, held in October 1986, was a pivotal meeting between U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev, aimed at reducing nuclear arms and improving U.S.-Soviet relations. The summit marked a significant moment in Cold War diplomacy, where both leaders discussed the potential for nuclear disarmament and the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), although it ultimately ended without a formal agreement.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Reykjavik Summit was notable for its candid discussions about eliminating all nuclear weapons by 1996, a goal that surprised many observers.
2. During the summit, Reagan and Gorbachev also addressed the SDI, which was a contentious point as Gorbachev saw it as a threat to strategic stability.
3. While no formal agreements were reached, the summit laid the groundwork for future arms control negotiations, leading to significant treaties in later years.
4. The meeting symbolized a thawing of Cold War tensions and showcased both leaders' willingness to engage in dialogue despite their ideological differences.
5. The Reykjavik Summit is often seen as a turning point that ultimately contributed to the end of the Cold War by fostering a spirit of cooperation between the superpowers.

Review Questions

• How did the Reykjavik Summit influence U.S.-Soviet relations during the Cold War?
  • The Reykjavik Summit significantly influenced U.S.-Soviet relations by promoting dialogue and showcasing both leaders' willingness to discuss nuclear disarmament openly. Although no formal agreements were made, the discussions about eliminating nuclear weapons demonstrated a shift towards cooperation. This summit set the stage for future negotiations and treaties, reflecting a gradual thaw in Cold War tensions that would eventually lead to improved relations.
• Evaluate the impact of the Strategic Defense Initiative on the outcomes of the Reykjavik Summit.
  • The Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) played a crucial role during the Reykjavik Summit as it was a major point of contention between Reagan and Gorbachev. Gorbachev viewed SDI as destabilizing and threatening to strategic parity, which complicated discussions on arms reduction. While Reagan was committed to SDI, Gorbachev's opposition highlighted the challenges of achieving consensus on disarmament issues. Ultimately, this disagreement prevented a formal agreement at Reykjavik but did not hinder future negotiations on arms control.
• Analyze how the discussions at the Reykjavik Summit foreshadowed changes in Cold War dynamics in subsequent years.
  • The discussions at the Reykjavik Summit foreshadowed significant changes in Cold War dynamics by highlighting both leaders' desire for reduced tensions and mutual security. The candid dialogue about eliminating all nuclear weapons indicated an evolving mindset towards cooperation over confrontation. In the years following Reykjavik, this shift in approach contributed to landmark treaties such as the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty and eventually played a role in ending the Cold War as both superpowers sought to de-escalate their nuclear arsenals and find common ground.

Related terms

Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI):

A proposed missile defense system announced by President Reagan in 1983, intended to protect the U.S. from nuclear missile attacks using ground-based and space-based systems.

Cold War:

The prolonged period of geopolitical tension between the Soviet Union and the United States from the end of World War II until the early 1990s, characterized by rivalry, proxy wars, and an arms race.

Nuclear Arms Reduction: Efforts and agreements aimed at decreasing the number of nuclear weapons and delivery systems in order to reduce the threat of nuclear war.