Photo Galleries (3)
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Communist Leaders
Communist Leaders(12 Photos)
12 Photos
During the 20th century, the worldwide spread of communism took many different forms under the direction of each country's leadership.
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Cold War: American Leaders
Cold War: American Leaders(13 Photos)
13 Photos
From 1945 until the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, U.S. presidents and politicians developed strategies to limit the spread of communism.
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Russian Rulers
Russian Rulers(18 Photos)
18 Photos
From the Romanovs to Revolution and beyond, discover the rulers and politicians behind Russia's tumultuous history.
Videos (6)
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The Fall of the Soviet Union
The Fall of the Soviet UnionVideo Clip (3:22)
Video Clip (3:22)
Trace the steps that led to the collapse of America's Cold War foe as told by musician and artist Jeffrey Lewis.
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Deconstructing History: Berlin Wall
Deconstructing History: Berlin WallVideo Clip (2:27)
Video Clip (2:27)
For 30 years, the Berlin Wall was the defining symbol of the Cold War, separating families and keeping the people from jobs and opportunity in the west.
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Reagan Meets Gorbachev
Reagan Meets GorbachevVideo Clip (4:46)
Video Clip (4:46)
See President Ronald Reagan meet Mikail Gorbachev, set to "Cult of Personality" by Living Colour.
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Cold War
Cold WarVideo Clip (2:31)
Video Clip (2:31)
The Cold War is over, but what it left behind may surprise you.
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The Great Communicator
The Great CommunicatorVideo Clip (4:18)
Video Clip (4:18)
Ronald Reagan galvanized the American public through his famous speeches that helped redefine American politics in the 1980s.
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Inaugural Address: Ronald Reagan
Inaugural Address: Ronald ReaganVideo Clip (2:34)
Video Clip (2:34)
Excerpts from Ronald Reagon's inaugural address on Tuesday, January 20, 1981.
Speeches & Audio (14)
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Mikhail Gorbachev Resigns
Mikhail Gorbachev ResignsAudio Clip (1:09)
Audio Clip (1:09)
On December 25, 1991, Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev resigned as the 11th and final leader of communist Russia. A news report summarizes the milestones of the leader who began his career as a little-known Communist and ended it a Nobel Peace Prize winner.
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Mikhail Gorbachev Arrives in U.S.
Mikhail Gorbachev Arrives in U.S.Audio Clip (3:57)
Audio Clip (3:57)
In December 1988, Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev traveled to New York City to deliver his now-famous United Nations speech announcing unilateral arms cuts. Upon his arrival, Gorbachev speaks to the press about his upcoming plans to address the U.N. and to meet with outgoing President Ronald Reagan and President-elect George Bush.
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Fall of the Berlin Wall
Fall of the Berlin WallAudio Clip (1:07)
Audio Clip (1:07)
On the evening of November 9, 1989, East Germany announced an easing of travel restrictions to the west, and thousands demanded passage through the Berlin Wall. Faced with a growing demonstration, East German border guards allowed citizens to cross. CBS News is on the scene as scores of East Germans climb on top of the once-imprisoning wall.
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Reagan on Historic Visit to Berlin Wall
Reagan on Historic Visit to Berlin WallAudio Clip (1:57)
Audio Clip (1:57)
In June of 1987, President Ronald Reagan stopped in West Berlin on the 750th anniversary of the city and delivered one of his most famous lines when he demanded that Mikhail Gorbachev tear down the Berlin Wall. In an address to the nation following his return from that trip, President Reagan recalls standing next to the imposing structure.
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Ford's Address at the Helsinki Conference
Ford's Address at the Helsinki ConferenceAudio Clip (1:54)
Audio Clip (1:54)
On August 1, 1975, at the Helsinki Accords, a major diplomatic agreement was signed by 35 nations, including the United States and the Soviet Union, in an attempt to secure peace between the eastern and western blocs. In a speech delivered at the Finland conference, President Gerald Ford promises to do his part for the good of all nations.
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Bush and Gorbachev Declare End of Cold War
Bush and Gorbachev Declare End of Cold WarAudio Clip (1:45)
Audio Clip (1:45)
President George H. W. Bush and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev declared an end to the Cold War at the Malta Summit on December 3, 1989. At a joint press conference aboard the Soviet passenger liner Maxim Gorky in Marsaxlokk Harbor, President Bush speaks about his hopes for a cooperative U.S.-Soviet relationship.
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Bush and Gorbachev Sign the START I Treaty
Bush and Gorbachev Sign the START I TreatyAudio Clip (2:25)
Audio Clip (2:25)
On July 31, 1991, the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty was signed in Moscow by U.S. President George H.W. Bush and Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, committing each superpower to reducing nuclear arms by a third. In a press conference held at the Kremlin, President Bush discusses the economic cooperation implicit in the peace negotiations.
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Reagan Announces "Star Wars"
Reagan Announces "Star Wars"Audio Clip (1:39)
Audio Clip (1:39)
On March 23, 1983, in what later became known as his "Star Wars" speech, President Ronald Reagan announces his plans to develop an anti-missile capability to counter the threat of Soviet ballistic missiles and to make these nuclear weapons "impotent and obsolete."
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Reagan Addresses British Parliament
Reagan Addresses British ParliamentAudio Clip (0:17)
Audio Clip (0:17)
On June 8, 1982, in the first speech by an American president to a meeting of both houses of the British Parliament, President Ronald Reagan presents his hope for a future that would "leave Marxism-Leninism on the ash heap of history."
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Reagan Demands Fall of Berlin Wall
Reagan Demands Fall of Berlin WallAudio Clip (1:08)
Audio Clip (1:08)
On June 12, 1987, in a speech delivered from the Brandenburg Gate in West Germany, President Ronald Reagan makes one of his most famous statements when he calls on Mikhail Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin Wall.
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U.S. and U.S.S.R. Tussle Over Germany
U.S. and U.S.S.R. Tussle Over GermanyAudio Clip (2:38)
Audio Clip (2:38)
Upon his return from commanding U.S. occupation forces in Germany, Gen. Lucius Clay holds a press conference on May 17, 1949, and fields questions about the growing tension between the United States and the Soviets over the division of Germany.
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Russia Has A-Bomb
Russia Has A-BombAudio Clip (0:56)
Audio Clip (0:56)
In the January 5, 1951, episode of Edward R. Murrow's Hear It Now radio broadcast, Atomic Energy Commissioner Gordon Deane fields questions from reporters about Russia's possession of the atomic bomb.
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U.S.-Soviet Tension Builds
U.S.-Soviet Tension BuildsAudio Clip (2:32)
Audio Clip (2:32)
On February 28, 1946, Secretary of State James Byrnes addresses the Overseas Press Club to discuss the purposes of the United Nations. In his speech, Byrnes makes an indirect reference to the Soviet Union when he declares that the United States is prepared to "act to prevent aggression."
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The Eisenhower Doctrine
The Eisenhower DoctrineAudio Clip (1:01)
Audio Clip (1:01)
In order to suppress growing Soviet influence in the Middle East following the Suez Crisis of 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower appears before a joint session of Congress on January 5, 1957, to present a policy that will become known as the Eisenhower Doctrine. It holds that the United States would be authorized to provide military assistance "to secure and protect the territorial integrity" of any nations threatened by international communism.
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