Who or what ended the Cold War? Consider both American foreign policy as well global developments and the internal dynamics of the Eastern Bloc.

The end of the Cold War can be attributed to a combination of factors, including American foreign policy, global developments, and the internal dynamics of the Eastern Bloc.

From an American foreign policy perspective, the policies of President Ronald Reagan and his administration played a significant role in ending the Cold War. Reagan's aggressive stance towards the Soviet Union, including the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) and increased military spending, put pressure on the Soviet economy and military capabilities. Additionally, Reagan's willingness to engage in diplomatic negotiations with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev helped to ease tensions and pave the way for the eventual end of the Cold War.

Global developments also played a crucial role in ending the Cold War. The economic stagnation of the Soviet Union, combined with the rise of democratic movements in Eastern Europe, weakened the Soviet grip on its satellite states. The reforms initiated by Gorbachev, such as glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring), further contributed to the unraveling of the Soviet system.

The internal dynamics of the Eastern Bloc, including growing dissent and resistance to Soviet control, also played a significant role in ending the Cold War. Movements such as Solidarity in Poland and the Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia demonstrated the desire for independence and democracy among Eastern European countries.

In conclusion, the end of the Cold War was the result of a combination of factors, including American foreign policy, global developments, and the internal dynamics of the Eastern Bloc. The convergence of these factors ultimately led to the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War.