The late Margaret Thatcher, one of the greatest political figure of postwar Europe. Her accomplishments are considered remarkable around the world, especially her role in the revitalisation of the British Economy following the unfortunate stagflation in the 1970’s and even more significantly, her role in ending The Cold War. Despite Britain playing second fiddle to the United States during these turbulent times, Thatcher played a pivotal role in transforming the geopolitics of the world. In the process she helped her own country become secure. After all, it was under Thatchers leadership when the constant threat of nuclear annihilation over Britain was lifted. Soon after Thatcher acquired power the Soviet Union felt the need to expand it’s regime further by invading Afghanistan. With martial law being declared in Poland in 1980, the communist regime felt solidly established in Eastern Europe. Although a more serious issue arose when the Kremlin chose to escalate the Cold War by deploying multiple medium range missiles, capable of destroying almost every NATO capital. This gave Thatcher the opportunity to make one of her earliest decisions after she had assumed power. She chose to allow the United States to house their nuclear-tipped missiles on British soil. As it turned out, Thatcher’s gamble payed off and soon allowed West Germany to trail behind. This decisions also forced the Soviet Union to negotiate a peace treaty eliminating both Cruise and SS-20 …show more content…
Although more often than not they were pictured harmonious, it was believed that had many private disagreements due to Reagan’s mindlessness when it came to war. Their many difference though, paled in comparison to their unity over the Cold War. While Reagan made many of the pivotal decisions in their alliance Thatcher was always there to offer him her unwavering support, which allowed Reagan to advance till the end of the Cold
Margaret Thatcher is a former prime minister who worked closely with Ronald Reagan. In the sincere and appreciative eulogy for Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher utilizes characterization, rhetorical appeals, and specific diction to recall all of Ronald Reagan's life and the wonderful things he achieved during his presidency.
Margaret Thatcher, in her eulogy for Ronald Reagan, described him as every person would wished to be talked about. She lauds upon his good nature and successful actions as president. Her use of informal diction, parallel structure, and satire had the effect of giving Ronald Reagan's life a memorable ending.
She claims that “he saw the many sides of the truth.” Reagan saw the Soviet Union’s prominent desire for military power and territorial expansion, but also “sensed that it was being eaten away by systemic failures.” In addition, he “realized that a man of good will might...emerge” from Moscow’s evil empire. Thatcher mentions the Cold War by exemplifying that Reagan possessed an awareness for realizing the hidden truths under chaotic circumstances. By showcasing Reagan’s capabilities during a demanding event such as the Cold War, Thatcher develops a positive image of Reagan for Americans citizens to fondly remember, but to also give recognition to President Reagan’s aptitude. When displaying Reagan’s great intuition when it came to politics, Thatcher stresses that he held aptitude for his position leading a grand country that felt weakened. Ronald Reagan successfully fostered America through tough times with strength and
Reagan became president in 1981, which means that he was president of the U.S. during a time in which the Cold War began to draw to a close. (Fischer, 1997, p.477). Whereas his predecessors used détente, a more relaxed approach in order to reduce tension between the U.S. and USSR, Reagan and his advisers rejected this strategy (Authors, People and a Nation, p.833). This led to a turning point in the Cold War. Even though the Cold War ended in 1991, two years after Reagan’s presidency, Reagan is still known to have made a huge influence on ending the Cold War. This essay will investigate his actions and how they might have influenced the ending of the Cold War, by looking at how Reagan expressed his distrust toward the Soviet Union and communism, the ways in which Reagan expanded the arms race in order to bankrupt the USSR and other ways in which he tried to sabotage the Soviet economy, but also
One of Reagan’s main concerns was the Soviet Union. Reagan stated, “The march of freedom and democracy...will leave Marxism-Leninism on the ash heap of history ...”12 All through his term he worked to collapse the Union, to end the Cold War, and to tear down the Berlin Wall. Margaret Thatcher commented that “Ronald Reagan won the Cold War without firing a shot”.10 Reagan set up the collapse of the Soviet Union in a couple of ways. First, he put more funds into the U.S. military, forcing the Soviets to do the same.11 second, he was confident that the U.S.S.R was crumbling and failing even when those around him believed that Communism was strong. Third, he was not intimidated by the Soviets and, while he respectfully met and listened to Gorbachev, he was not wavering and was determined. Even though many factors contributed to the fall of Communism, Reagan sped the process up and the Union officially fell apart in
In her speech, Thatcher goes through and illustrates that even though in the end of the Cold War, Ronald Reagan won out, and America came through, not everyone was supportive of his plans. In fact, many of the American citizens had been skeptical about his plans when he chose to make an agreement with the man who had turned from ally to enemy in recent years before that. Not many people could see why Reagan would make such a bold move, but Thatcher knew that there was a reason the two conflicting countries had gotten through without firing a shot, and that reason was because Reagan knew what he was doing. In her speech, Margaret Thatcher uses the
Former British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher wrote a powerful eulogy for former U.S. President Ronald Reagan. In her eulogy, she highlighted his professional accomplishments and her relationship with former President Reagan, both as a leader and a friend. She lists descriptive examples of accomplishments that he achieved while being president. Thatcher used different types of figurative language and rhetorical strategies to make light of the difficult time.
Diana Frances Spencer was born on July 1, 1961 in Sandringham, United Kingdom to the eighth Earl of Spencer, Edward John Spencer, and Frances Spencer. Diana had four other siblings; Elizabeth, Cynthia, John, and Charles. In 1967, Frances Spencer left Edward for Peter Shand-Kydd. Frances and Edward divorced in 1969. The children stayed with Edward and, in 1976, Edward married Raine, Countess of Dartmouth. After the death of Diana’s grandfather, the seventh Earl of Spencer, the family moved to the Althorp house in Northamptonshire.1
After more than forty years, the Cold War era ended in 1991 largely due to Ronald Reagan’s presidency. Despite being allies during WWII, the United States and the Soviet Union had an acrimonious relationship from 1947 to 1991. This period of time was known for the military build-up of each country, ultimately resulting in a nuclear missile stand-off. President Reagan’s goal of “peace through strength” was the basis for negotiations with the Soviet Union that ended the threat of nuclear war by eliminating the use of intermediate-range nuclear missiles.
Most discussions associate the diminishment of the empire to the change of heart of the Communists, or to other unnamed forces. (“The Man Who Won the Cold War”) However, Reagan’s actions in which he recognized the flaws of the Soviet economic system and strengthening further relations between the United States and the Soviet Union was incredibly crucial. In Reagan’s second term of presidency, he facilitated successful negotiations with Gorbachev, leader of the Soviet Union, to implement successful policies in order to accomplish his goal of arms reduction. Ronald Reagan’s significant impact was evident to the world’s largest political figures at the time. Margaret Thatcher, crediting Reagan for the collapse of Communism by stating, "He won the Cold War without firing a shot," in a 1991 Heritage Foundation dinner in Washington. (“The Man Who Won the Cold War”) By introducing revolutionary policies, recognizing the weaknesses of Communism, and building an interpersonal relationship with the leader of the Soviet Union, President Reagan was able to contribute to the conclusion of the Cold War, unlike preceding American Presidents before
Peggy Noonan born on September 7, 1950, is an American columnist for the Wall Street Journal centralized on politics, culture, and religion. Beginning her early life in Brooklyn, New York she focused on writing graduating Rutherford High School in New Jersey, along with Fairleigh Dickinson University. She began working as a commentary writer for Dan Rather at CBS News, which she loved and considered to be lucky to work for. From 1975 through 1977 she worked as a news writer for WEEI a Boston radio, which evolved into an Editorial and Public Affairs Director. Peggy had the privilege as a speechwriter for President John F. Kennedy, which moved onto George W. Bush. During her interchanging careers, she wrote books focusing on history and politics
She describes Reagan as a “great president, a great American, and a great man” that she and America had lost. The repetition of “great” emphasizes the roles she lists after, and that he fulfilled each well. She directs people’s thoughts towards his accomplishments when he was alive. Thatcher also discusses how he fought to establish the “free world, and to free the slaves” trapped in communism. This stresses the impact he was able to have, not just in his country, but also all over the world. By saying he was “freeing” people from communism, she establishes the communist countries as an evil that people need to be saved from, an idea which she continues later in the eulogy. Lastly, she details how Ronald Reagan won support from “every class and every nation” for his policies. This creates a united support for Reagan and what he stood for from American citizens and those throughout the world. It shows that he was such a great leader everyone, even people who weren’t under his power, agreed with him. Thatcher uses repetition to emphasize Reagan’s impact on the nation and the
Margaret Thatcher was elected into office as the Conservative Party leader in 1979 in Britain. She replaced the Labour party’s James Callaghan, and ended the Labour party’s 5 year leadership. Thatcher was elected around the same time as her North American counterparts Ronald Raegan and Brian Mulroney who had similar conservative economic ideologies, which led to a change in global economy. She shrunk the public sector to favour privatized industry. She came into power seeking to reduce inflation, reduce the budget deficit, increase economic efficiency, increase home ownership, and reduce power of the trade unions. As will become evident, Thatcher’s controversial election changed western economics into a more capitalist market which led to great economic growth in the UK and other western countries, greater social inequality in Britain, and helped pave the way to power for women in the western world.
Britain emerged as one of the victors of World War II and became a founding member of the United Nations with a permanent seat on the Security Council. However, it lost the title of global superpower, easily demonstrated by the Indian movement for independence, and the botched attempt to occupy the Suez Canal. Massive war debts, lack of economic productivity, and high spending, accruable to the demise of the British Empire, created problems for all new government administrations . When Margaret Thatcher took office in 1979, she became the first female prime minister and the first female head of state in the Western world. Guided by her political philosophies, she sought to fix the problems that Britain faced. In doing so, she forever changed the face of the United Kingdom.
She worked closely with President Ronald Reagan ad the two collaborated to deploy U.S. cruise and Pershing II missiles to show strength that the Soviet Union couldn’t surpass. Thatcher became Prime Minister before Reagan was elected President and her liberal economic example made it possible for Reagan to then become President. Thatcher was a strong leader and Reagan often looked to her for guidance. The Soviet press nicknamed her “the Iron Lady” because of how forceful she turned out to be. Thatcher played a significant role in ending the cold war. She worked closely with President Ronald Reagan ad the two collaborated to deploy U.S. cruise and Pershing II missiles to show strength that the Soviet Union couldn’t surpass. He would often ask for advise on how to deal with the cold war. Her diplomacy and friendship with Gorbachev and her influence over President Reagan that meant the end the Cold War was near. She not only did she save Britain from becoming a third-world satellite state of the Soviet Union, together with Reagan she hastened the end of the Soviet Empire without starting any actual wars and helped to promote new thinking in the Kremlin. This is by far one of her biggest legacies. She helped in defeating totalitarianism in its most vicious