How did Reagan’s attitude toward the Soviet Union change during his eight years

Question: How did Reagan’s attitude toward the Soviet Union change during his eight years as President!.!?
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We can only infer his attitude from his policies and statements!.

Reagan's won the presidency in part because of dissatisfaction with Carter's emphasis on negotiation and compromise!. Reagan's base of support was generally hostile to the Soviet Union, and he expressed hostility to the USSR early in his term!.

In August of 1984, near the end of his first term, Reagan joked on live television that the United States had just outlawed the Soviet Union, and "the bombing begins in five minutes!." This was not intended to be broadcast, and it reveals at least that Reagan thought this was funny!. It certainly was a hostile sort of joke!.

The United States also continued a policy of hostility toward Soviet client states during Reagan's two terms!. These include:
- ongoing support for the blockade against Cuba (which no sitting American president has opposed)
- financial support for anti-Marxist rebels in Nicaragua, Mo?ambique, and Angola
- financial and military support for anti-Marxist regimes around the world, including authoritarian regimes in South Africa, Taiwan, South Korea, El Salvador and Chile (all of which have, since Reagan's departure, made strides toward democracy and respect for human rights)

But closer to the end of his two terms, Reagan sought dialogue with the Soviet Union, and frequently met with the Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev, a reformer!. Their 1986 Summit in Reykjavik, Iceland, included talks toward nuclear disarmament and internal social and legal reforms (perestroika) in the Soviet Union!.

Unfortunately, the talks failed because of Reagan's insistence on the US right to develop strategic anti-missile defense, which violated existing treaties!.

On the whole, some softening, but Reagan was critical of the USSR the whole time, and hostile toward its leaders, and possible its people, much of the time!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Probably very little on the inside!. He was outwardly warming towards Gorbachev as his term was ending!.Www@QuestionHome@Com