This happened as a side effect of Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev experimentation with liberalization of the economy and the political system to increase productivity and encourage innovation. This liberalization, for the first time, allowed criticism of the Soviet System by nationalist leaders. However, as a result, they began to demand freedom and declared the independence of their republics. In 1991, the leaders of Russia, Belarus and Ukraine signed the Belovezh agreement, which declared that "the U.S.S.R., as a subject of international law and a geopolitical reality, ceased to exist.
By the end of the early 1990s, there were no important Cold War issues left. By that time, both sides had practically identical goals, a Europe whole and free, and a world where international disputes would be solved through negotiation rather than through attempts by one side or the other to impose its will by force. This all came about through American arms proliferation, Soviet economic collapse, and widespread dissention fueled by Americans and a liberalization attempt by the Soviets.
Bibliography
"How the East Was Won: Why Ronald Reagan Won the Cold War." American History Magazine. Available:
http://historynet.com/ahi/blreaganwoncoldwar/index.html (Accessed 4 May 2005).
Matlock, Jack F., "The End of the Cold War." Harvard International Review. Available:
http://hir.harvard.edu/articles/938/2/(Accessed 4 May 2005).
Reagan Won the Cold War.," dKosopedia. Available:
http://www.dkosopedia.com/index.php/Reagan_won_the_cold_war (Accessed 4 May 2005).
D'Souza, Dinesh. "How the East Was Won: Why Ronald Reagan Won the Cold War." American History Magazine. Available:
http://historynet.com/ahi/blreaganwoncoldwar/index.html (Accessed 4 May 2005).
Reagan Won the Cold War.," dKosopedia. Available:
http://www.dkosopedia.com/index.php/Reagan_won_the_cold_war (Accessed 4 May 2005).
Matlock, Jack F., "The End of the Cold War." Harvard International Review. Available:
http://hir.harvard.edu/articles/938/2/(Accessed 4 May 2005).
