The Events That Led to the Ending of the Cold War - Book Report/Review Example

Book review - Matlock, Jack F. Jr.’s Reagan and Gorbachev: How the Cold War Ended Matlock’s work gives insightful accounts on the events that led to the ending of the Cold War. Through the work as well, the author is quick to highlight the aspect that the persons living in the times were actually the winners of the Cold War. Matlock also describes the diplomatic campaign that Reagan and Gorbachev adopted in an endeavor to seek conciliation (3-27). President Reagan is indicated to have embraced techniques that would have allowed for improved relations between the Soviet Union and the United States. Reagan thought that the improved relations would have contributed positively in rebuilding the American’s military ability to counter the Soviet Union. The work generally aims at describing both Reagan’s and Gorbachev’s views on their personalities, and their contribution to the war. The author recounts their meetings and how the leaders even met in rare circumstances and through personalities such as Ted Kennedy and even George Schultz (Matlock 3-170). With the Cold War marking an important event in the world’s history, Matlock’s work presents important facts that help understand how the Cold War ended (58-72). Most importantly the work involves the first hand information from Matlock. This essay will provide a detailed summary of the book then critique the work. Summary of the book From the Matlock’s compilation, it is evident that ending the Cold War was not an easy task. This claim is trustable as Matlock worked as Foreign Service officer and was indicated to have high respect for the Soviet Union. As the coordinator of White House’s policy coordinator on the Soviet Union, the work explains how Gorbachev was a star. Alternatively, it is apparent that Reagan also made valid contributions to the Cold War, as Matlock writes that he asked for a press conference in the late 1980s and confesses on the part he played in the 20th century (3-78). It is also through the work that we see the then President Reagan supporting Gorbachev whom he constantly defined as a great leader in his country. In this context one would actually argue that Regan continually took the lower rank paving way for the appreciation and glory to Gorbachev. It is also questionable in this perspective that the then president was very accommodative to the approaches of the communist country all in an attempt to seek for change from Gorbachev. As seen in the work, President Reagan’s first term was characterized by denouncements of the Soviet Union which was in his opinion an exceedingly malevolent empire that did not deserve any form of credit (Matlock 3-78). This epoch in time was therefore marked with lots of undiplomatic events, suspicion and hatred between the two countries. Matlock continues to indicate that the diplomatic relations were also greatly affected in this era, giving a good example of Moscow and Washington (3, 271, 283). In this epoch as well, Matlock writes that the Kremlin was the major geriatric ward while the Red Square slowly became a renowned funeral place. It is in 1985 that Gorbachev is indicated to have risen to leadership, the moment when Reagan was inaugurated as the president for his second term (Matlock 106-149). Matlock writes that the major strategy adopted by Reagan at this particular time was several attempts to ensure that the Soviet Union has no military equipments and subsequently divert all resources to rebuilding Augean’s broken economy (106-149). Augen was actually surprised with the help that was offered to him. It is at this era in time when Reagan assumed the role of the Communist’s part secretary general all in a move to run the party’s affairs. As Matlock writes, Reagan also attempted to see the reaction of the then British Prime Minister Thatcher after establishing relations with the Soviet Union (149-197). Later, Dwight Eisenhower and John Kennedy as Matlock writes, attempted to benefit from Nikita Khrushchev’s move to allow for the alleged peaceful coexistence in the region (215-237). In the course of the attempts, Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford signed an agreement that led to the strategic de-armament with Leonid Brezhnev. These talks were initiated by Lyndon Johnson who initiated talks with Aleksei Kosygin. After the agreements, the Soviet Union members were committed to the agreements but the United States. On the other hand, the United States breached the contract. The first instance occurred when the Unites States attacked the Hungarian Uprising in 1956 (Matlock 174-237). The second instance took place in Cuba where the Cuban missile crisis occurred in 1962 (27-52). As if not enough the author continues to indicate that the Unites States continually break the contracts even in the latter years (Matlock 27-52). In the 1979, the United States attacked Afghanistan and destroyed South Korea airliner in 1983 (Matlock 52-78). With these events in mind, one can easily tell the crisis that was taking place at the time. In the end, the relations that had been shaped between the US and the Soviet Union were broken as the Soviets were angry at the manner in which the United States had declined adhering to the set agreements. In the latter years, Gorbachev was to launch a counter attack on the US in an attempt to prove USSR’s muscle. Not only had Gorbachev swore to prove his ability, he also had the option of ensuring that the lies that were told by the United States were revenged. It is in this context that he adopted the glasnost policy that would help him counter the United States (Matlock 106-129). Through the policy, Gorbachev hoped that he would compete effectively with the West and also determine the shape i9ts economy would take. Reagan was also not to sit and watch but he decided to come up with plans that would bring Gorbachev down. Reagan argued that Gorbachev’s policy was revolutionary and had the aim of outdoing the United States. Eventually, Reagan also went through a personal transformation in a bid to match the efforts that Gorbachev was putting to outdo him (Matlock 106-129). More and more conflicts arose from these two powers and tension could easily be noticed from within. In addition, Reagan made several moves to convince Gorbachev to change his policy and that if he declines to change his policies, the United States would not spare him for the stubbornness. A notable example is that of 1985 where Reagan prepared well for his to be meeting with Gorbachev in Geneva (Matlock 149-173). In this instance, Matlock was to be Soviet leader and would act just like Gorbachev, mostly representing his confidence and talkative nature. This rehearsal would prepare Reagan for the crucial meeting with the then Soviet leader. Prior to the meeting, Matlock indicates that Reagan was to avoid forcing the Soviet Union to change drastically but look for aspects that would match the United States’ game plan (170-193). All concessions that Gorbachev would make were to be taken seriously. Most importantly, Matlock writes that Reagan was to establish relations with the Soviet Union in an endeavor to minimize the conflicts that were taking place at the time (271-283). This would pave way for easier and better ways of solving conflicts with minimal chances of wars arising, it is obvious that this move would benefit the United States a great deal as the country avoid chances of nuclear wars arising at all costs (Matlock 271-283). The work can be said to emphasize the efforts put by Reagan to minimize chances of there being any missile wars. It is questionable how the United States focuses on its defense policy and the argument that it had no plan to attack the Soviet Union. All these moves were to lure Gorbachev to trust the United States that it had no ill motives on them. With Caspar Weinberger, the then secretary of defense, having no soft spot for the moves to lure the Soviet Union, he sought to convince the United States that they should stop at the attempts (Matlock 271-281). In fact Caspar thought that the discussions with the Soviet Union would trap the United States. Nonetheless, Reagan continued with his policy as he wanted to reduce all the chances that war would arise (Matlock 271-283). He expected cooperation from the Soviet Union and also convinced the Soviet Union that their cooperation would encourage the growth of democracy in their country. As the book continues, the next president Jimmy Carter carries on with the attempt to convince the Soviet Union to avoid war and embrace peace. Later in 1991, George Bush marked the end of the Cold war when he pushed for the end of the war (Matlock 304-313). Gorbachev led to the landing on the heap of ashes. It is this occurrence that led to diplomatic discussions between the two countries. Matlock explains that the Cold War would lead more discussions between the two countries (Matlock 313-320). The end of the war was witnessed and a lot of changes were witnessed between the two countries. The achievements of the then president Reagan bore many fruits and created clam that was expected between the two countries. This explains why Reagan did not take heed of all the persons that attempted to convince him that he was not doing the correct thing to save the situation. Critique This book without a doubt helps to understand one of the numerous aspects of present day international relations. From the work, it is evident that President Reagan constantly fought for international peace between the two powers. President Regan went through a lot challenges in an attempt to fight for peace. In the event that he was trying to create peace in other parts of the globe, the Soviet Union deliberated that the United States were embarking on a selfish move, but all the country was focusing on was international peace. The work explains the achievements made by a diplomatic leader. This explains why the work is a historical piece that explains the path towards attaining peace. On another note, this work contributes a great mile to the study of International Relations as it brings out a clear analysis of the achievements and the issues that the Soviet Union went through till the collapse of the union. The change of the Soviet Union to Russia explains the major events that were taking place in the international arena. The book narrates the facts that took place in the Soviet’s administration in close details. It is this aspect that gives the piece work an important place in the field of international relations. On another note, international peace can be indicated to be the major theme of the work. The piece is explained by Matlock who is at the hub of the actions that shaped the Cold War. As an ambassador to the Soviet Union, the shaping of the then events is explained in this work of history. Peace is vital for the survival, growth both socially and economically of all states. In as much, the work focused more on the perspective of the United States, the rich details provided can be used as a reference to many young nations that are conflicting especially in the African continent. Peace is an important ingredient for the growth of any country despite their ideologies. In the international relations, negotiations can be said to play an imperative role in fostering global peace. The work of Matlock is a good example of the process of negotiations that led to international peace. As the US and the Soviet Union negotiated, they came to a decision on what steps are appropriate for their development. However, the negotiations were met with lots of challenges since the Soviet Union thought the United States was out to outdo them. The choice made by various parties determines the stability of the continent and the course of their international relations. In the example of the Soviet Union and the United States opted to have continuous negotiations that finally led the end of the Cold War. This work is undeniably a great piece that takes an irreplaceable place in the context of international relations. The work can also act as a handbook to many ailing nations and continents that do not seem to find solutions to their conflicts. If the Soviet Union vs. United States conflict was solved, no other is impossible. Work Cited Matlock, Jack F. Jr. Reagan and Gorbachev: How the Cold War Ended. New York: Random House, 2004. Print. Read More