End of the Cold War

The Cold War was an important factor in the history of America since the War II. It came to an end in the late 20^th century with the initiatives of Mikhail Gorbachev to improve the economic conditions by way of economic reforms called perestroika .This meant restructuring of the economy by relaxing production quota and promoting foreign investments. Private ownership was allowed and the country focused on improving the economy than on spending on costly Cold War military commitments. Further to avoid political criticism, he introduced glasnost or openness which promoted the freedom of press and transparency in state institutions. It also was an imitative to reduce corruption and abuse of power in the Central Committee. This encouraged Soviet Union's relationship with the western world, especially America. Due to Kremlin's political and military concessions, there was change in the relationship between Soviet Union and America .The Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) was signed between the two countries in 1987 that eliminated all nuclear-armed weapons with ranges between 500 and 5,500 kilometers. Further in the summit held in Moscow in 1989, Gorbachev and George H. W. Bush signed the START I arms control treaty. In addition, Soviets officially declared that they would no longer intervene in the affairs of allied states in Eastern Europe. Furthermore, Soviet troops withdrew from Afghanistan in1989, Soviet forces withdrew from Afghanistan by 1990 With the fall of the Berlin War in 1989, Gorbachev's concept of a Common European Home was established. At the Malta Summit on December 3.1989, the George H.W. Bush declared the end of the Cold War. In 1990, Soviet joined US in the Gulf War against Iraq.