WHY RONALD REAGAN WAS A GREAT PRESIDENT
Ronald Reagan Halted The Global Growth Of Communism
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When I was a kid, nations had fallen like dominos to communism. The domino theory was no longer a theory, but reality.
The first communist country in the aftermath of World War I was Russia, renamed the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Neighboring Mongolia soon followed. After World War II more countries joined the communist empire--the nations of Eastern Europe forcibly annexed into the Stalinist Soviet system. China's communist government took power in 1949. North Korea and North Vietnam soon followed and Cuba a decade later.
In the 1970s communists took control of South Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Mozambique and Angola. Grenada in the Caribbean and Yemen in the Middle east had also fallen to communism. Almost half the world had become communist.
Until Ronald Reagan.
President Reagan inherited many troubles. The resignation in disgrace of President Richard Nixon in 1974 came at a time of economic trouble caused by events in the Middle East. The brief interim presidency of Gerald Ford was followed by that of Jimmy Carter. Well-meaning and idealistic President Carter was seen around the world as a lightweight, more interested in advancing humanitarian programs than in leading the free world.
By the end of his presidency, the communist system was in a state of collapse. At least three other leaders can be given some credit for this. Among them were British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and Pakistani President General Zia. But, without Ronald Reagan, communism would still be a threat to the peace and security of the world. It was his single-minded vision--"Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"--Which brought down the Berlin Wall and ended over four decades of division in Europe.
The Soviet Empire was truly evil. After the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan President Reagan chose to substantially increase U.S. defense spending. Unable to match the increase and an economic system that had failed completely, Moscow was doomed. The Soviet Union limped along until 1991, but it was President Reagan's vision that led directly to its fall.
One way to judge a leaders greatness is this: By the time he dies, the dangers that summoned him to greatness have been so thoroughly defeated by what he did, that it is difficult to recall the magnitude of those dangers, or of his achievements. Certainly, communism is totally discredited and no longer remains a credible threat.
Where there is no vision, the people perish. Americans were floundering when Ronald Reagan became president. After his eight years in the White House, Americans once again had a vision, a sense of purpose and a determined resolve.
We should also take notice of the presence of Margaret Thatcher at President Reagan's funeral. Together, the two revived the strong Anglo-American alliance that continues to this day.
The first communist country in the aftermath of World War I was Russia, renamed the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Neighboring Mongolia soon followed. After World War II more countries joined the communist empire--the nations of Eastern Europe forcibly annexed into the Stalinist Soviet system. China's communist government took power in 1949. North Korea and North Vietnam soon followed and Cuba a decade later.
In the 1970s communists took control of South Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Mozambique and Angola. Grenada in the Caribbean and Yemen in the Middle east had also fallen to communism. Almost half the world had become communist.
Until Ronald Reagan.
President Reagan inherited many troubles. The resignation in disgrace of President Richard Nixon in 1974 came at a time of economic trouble caused by events in the Middle East. The brief interim presidency of Gerald Ford was followed by that of Jimmy Carter. Well-meaning and idealistic President Carter was seen around the world as a lightweight, more interested in advancing humanitarian programs than in leading the free world.
By the end of his presidency, the communist system was in a state of collapse. At least three other leaders can be given some credit for this. Among them were British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and Pakistani President General Zia. But, without Ronald Reagan, communism would still be a threat to the peace and security of the world. It was his single-minded vision--"Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"--Which brought down the Berlin Wall and ended over four decades of division in Europe.
The Soviet Empire was truly evil. After the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan President Reagan chose to substantially increase U.S. defense spending. Unable to match the increase and an economic system that had failed completely, Moscow was doomed. The Soviet Union limped along until 1991, but it was President Reagan's vision that led directly to its fall.
One way to judge a leaders greatness is this: By the time he dies, the dangers that summoned him to greatness have been so thoroughly defeated by what he did, that it is difficult to recall the magnitude of those dangers, or of his achievements. Certainly, communism is totally discredited and no longer remains a credible threat.
Where there is no vision, the people perish. Americans were floundering when Ronald Reagan became president. After his eight years in the White House, Americans once again had a vision, a sense of purpose and a determined resolve.
We should also take notice of the presence of Margaret Thatcher at President Reagan's funeral. Together, the two revived the strong Anglo-American alliance that continues to this day.
