Dominating Factors

1978: -Vietnam and Soviet Union sign a 25 year peace treaty

1980: United States loses control of oil prices

-1983: President Raegan announces the Strategic Defense Initiative, which involves new state-of-the-art technology that has capabilities of shooting down incoming Soviet missiles

-1985: Gorbachev becomes leader of Soviet Union and is willing to negotiate with President Raegan about nuclear weapons.

-Gas prices were at its highest from 1980 to 1983

-Increase of women in office

-Major Chrysler bailout



Hidden Factors

-Reoccurring trends in oil prices go up

-Reoccurring trends in bailouts

-Rise of oil prices lead U.S. into recession

-"Reagan sought to achieve "peace through strength." During his two terms he increased defense spending 35 percent, but sought to improve relations with the Soviet Union." This increase of military spending could have something to do with why the Cold War was as long as it was.
Quote: Author unknown
(http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/ronaldreagan/)



Bad Ideas

-1980: Fidel Castro allowed would be Cuban refugees to enter the ground of Peruvian Embassy in Havana, resulting in the transfer of almost 120,000 Cubans to South Florida. A lasting stigma remains attached to the Marielitos because Castro expelled criminals and the mentally ill, as well as genuine political refugees.