Question

The following is an excerpt from a speech given by US President Ronald Reagan in 1987, in which he refers to the Berlin Wall. How is Gorbachev's role in ending communism acknowledged here?

And now the Soviets themselves may, in a limited way, be coming to understand the importance of freedom. We hear much from Moscow about a new policy of reform and openness. Some political prisoners have been released. Certain foreign news broadcasts are no longer being jammed. Some economic enterprises have been permitted to operate with greater freedom from state control.

Are these the beginnings of profound changes in the Soviet state? Or are they token gestures, intended to raise false hopes in the West, or to strengthen the Soviet system without changing it? We welcome change and openness; for we believe that freedom and security go together, that the advance of human liberty can only strengthen the cause of world peace. There is one sign the Soviets can make that would be unmistakable, that would advance dramatically the cause of freedom and peace.

General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization: Come here to this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall! I understand the fear of war and the pain of division that afflict this continent– and I pledge to you my country's efforts to help overcome these burdens. To be sure, we in the West must resist Soviet expansion. So we must maintain defenses of unassailable strength. Yet we seek peace; so we must strive to reduce arms on both sides.
***A) Reagan refers to some of the results of perestroika and glasnost in the Soviet Union.
B) Reagan admits that Gorbachev has reduced the number of nuclear weapons in the Soviet Union.
C) Reagan recognizes the need for Soviet expansion, but wants it to occur peacefully.
D) Reagan accepts Gorbachev's plea for economic and political aid in restructuring the Soviet Union.

Answer 1

In his speech, Reagan refers to some results of perestroika and glasnost in the Soviet Union, indirectly acknowledging Mikhail Gorbachev's initiatives that contributed to the end of the Cold War and the call to 'tear down the Berlin Wall'.

Step-by-step explanation:

In his speech, US President Ronald Reagan does not explicitly acknowledge Mikhail Gorbachev's role in ending communism; however, he does refer to the results of perestroika and glasnost. The excerpts provided demonstrate Reagan's view on the Soviet Union's reforms under Gorbachev's leadership. Moreover, Reagan's directive for Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin Wall aligns with the notion that Gorbachev had become a symbol of reform. This imperative illustrates Reagan's challenge to Gorbachev to make a significant move towards liberalization and openness by removing the physical and ideological barrier that the Wall represented. Hence, the correct answer to the question is A) Reagan refers to some of the results of perestroika and glasnost in the Soviet Union, which reflects the broader context of Gorbachev's initiatives that led to the end of the Cold War and the eventual fall of the Berlin Wall.

Answer 2

In the following excerpt, what can be understood is how Ronald Reagan, in his 1987 speech makes reference to the Soviets, and encourages Mikhail Gorbachev to open the door that ends communism in his country.

While commenting on some positive changes that have occurred in Russia thanks to the policy of reform and opening that is taking place there, where it is allowing more freedom in all senses, both people, and information , as to the economic companies.

The correct answer is: A) Reagan refers to some of the results of perestroika and glasnost in the Soviet Union.