Cold War. 22, Star Wars, 1980-1988. Cold War. 23, The Wall comes down, 1989. Cold War. 24, Conclusions, 1989-1991.
Notes:
Narrator: Kenneth Branagh.
Contents:
22. Star wars, 1980-1988 -- 23. The Wall comes down, 1989 -- 24. Conclusion, 1989-1991.
Summary:
A 24 part documentary series which examines the Cold War and its influence on history, culture, technology, economics, and the modern psyche. Episode 22: Star Wars. Reagan boosts U.S. defense spending and proposes the Strategic Defense Initiative, an anti-missile system in space. New premier Gorbachev knows the Soviets can't match the U.S., and wants to liberalize and reconstruct the economy. After summits in Geneva, Reykjavik and Washington, the leaders agree to drastic arms cuts. Episode 23: The Wall comes down. Incredibly quickly, the Soviet bloc is breaking up, virtually without bloodshed. First Poland, then Hungary, then East Germany slip away from communist control. Gorbachev makes no effort to hold them back with force. Amid scenes of jubilation, the hated Berlin Wall comes down. Episode 24: The U.S. proves the stronger, the Soviet Union implodes. Germany is reunified. Shorn of its empire and communist domination, Russia faces its future with its economy in chaos. The balance of terror that has kept the peace for more than 40 years vanishes. The Cold War has ended without the use of nuclear weapons.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.