Ronald Reagan's "Remarks at the Brandenburg Gate" (1987)
About this speech
Historical Context
Reagan's direct challenge to Soviet leadership—"Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"—became an iconic moment in Cold War history and symbolized the coming end of the Soviet Union.Ronald Reagan: A Complete Biography
Early Life and Education
Ronald Wilson Reagan was born on February 6, 1911, in Tampico, Illinois, to John Edward "Jack" Reagan and Nelle Wilson Reagan. His family moved several times during his childhood due to financial struggles. Reagan developed an early interest in storytelling, acting, and sports. He attended Eureka College in Illinois, where he studied economics and sociology, played football, and participated in theater. After graduating in 1932 during the Great Depression, he worked as a radio sports announcer in Iowa.Hollywood Career (1937–1964)
In 1937, Reagan signed a contract with Warner Bros. and began his acting career. He appeared in over 50 films, including Knute Rockne, All American (1940), where his role as George Gipp earned him the nickname "The Gipper." Other notable films included Kings Row (1942) and Bedtime for Bonzo (1951). During World War II, Reagan served in the Army Air Forces, making training films due to his poor eyesight. After the war, he became president of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) (1947–1952, 1959–1960), where he fought against communist influence in Hollywood. In the 1950s, he transitioned to television as the host of General Electric Theater and later Death Valley Days. His political views shifted from liberal to conservative during this time.Political Career: Governor of California (1967–1975)
Reagan entered politics as a Republican, delivering a famous speech supporting Barry Goldwater in 1964. In 1966, he was elected Governor of California, defeating incumbent Pat Brown. He served two terms (1967–1975), focusing on tax cuts, welfare reform, and cracking down on student protests.Presidency (1981–1989)
Reagan won the 1980 presidential election against incumbent Jimmy Carter, promising to restore American strength amid economic struggles and Cold War tensions.Domestic Policy ("Reaganomics")
Economic Recovery Tax Act (1981) – Slashed income taxes to stimulate growth. Deregulation – Reduced government control over industries like banking and energy. Welfare Reform – Cut social programs, arguing they discouraged work. National Debt Increase – Despite tax cuts, military spending ballooned the deficit.Foreign Policy & Cold War
"Peace Through Strength" – Massive military buildup, including the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI or "Star Wars"). Anti-Communism – Supported anti-Soviet rebels (e.g., Afghan mujahideen, Nicaraguan Contras). Summits with Gorbachev – Helped ease Cold War tensions, leading to arms reduction treaties. "Tear Down This Wall!" – His 1987 Berlin speech became iconic after the fall of the Berlin Wall (1989).Controversies
Iran-Contra Affair (1985–1987) – Officials secretly sold arms to Iran to fund Nicaraguan rebels, violating Congress. Reagan denied direct involvement but faced criticism. AIDS Crisis – Critics argue his administration was slow to respond.Post-Presidency & Legacy
Reagan left office in 1989 with high approval ratings. In 1994, he announced he had Alzheimer’s disease and withdrew from public life. He died on June 5, 2004, at age 93.Legacy
Conservative Icon – Shaped modern Republican policies on taxes, small government, and strong defense. Cold War Victory – His hardline stance is credited with pressuring the USSR’s collapse. Mixed Economic Impact – While the 1980s saw growth, income inequality and debt rose. Pop Culture Influence – Known for his optimism, communication skills ("The Great Communicator"), and enduring popularity among conservatives.Reagan remains one of the most influential U.S. presidents of the 20th century.
Key Themes & Messages
Here are its key themes and messages:Transcript
The President: Thank you all very much. Welcome to the White House. This ceremony and the treaty we're signing today are both excellent examples of the rewards of patience. It was over 6 years ago, November 18, 1981, that I first proposed what would come to be called the zero option. It was a simple proposal—one might say, disarmingly simple. Unlike treaties in the past, it didn't simply codify the status quo or a new arms buildup; it didn't simply talk of controlling an arms race.For the first time in history, the language of "arms control" was replaced by "arms reduction"—in this case, the complete elimination of an entire class of U.S. and Soviet nuclear missiles. Of course, this required a dramatic shift in thinking, and it took conventional wisdom some time to catch up. Reaction, to say the least, was mixed. To some the zero option was impossibly visionary and unrealistic; to others merely a propaganda ploy. Well, with patience, determination, and commitment, we've made this impossible vision a reality.
General Secretary Gorbachev, I'm sure you're familiar with Ivan Krylov's famous tale about the swan, the crawfish, and the pike. It seems that once upon a time these three were trying to move a wagonload together. They hitched and harnessed themselves to the wagon. It wasn't very heavy, but no matter how hard they worked, the wagon just wouldn't move. You see, the swan was flying upward; the crawfish kept crawling backward; the pike kept making for the water. The end result was that they got nowhere, and the wagon is still there to this day. Well, strong and fundamental moral differences continue to exist between our nations. But today, on this vital issue, at least, we've seen what can be accomplished when we pull together.
The numbers alone demonstrate the value of this agreement. On the Soviet side, over 1,500 deployed warheads will be removed, and all ground-launched intermediate-range missiles, including the SS-20's, will be destroyed. On our side, our entire complement of Pershing II and ground-launched cruise missiles, with some 400 deployed warheads, will all be destroyed. Additional backup missiles on both sides will also be destroyed.
But the importance of this treaty transcends numbers. We have listened to the wisdom in an old Russian maxim. And I'm sure you're familiar with it, Mr. General Secretary, though my pronunciation may give you difficulty. The maxim is: Dovorey no provorey—trust, but verify.
The General Secretary: You repeat that at every meeting.
The President: I like it.
This agreement contains the most stringent verification regime in history, including provisions for inspection teams actually residing in each other's territory and several other forms of on-site inspection, as well. This treaty protects the interests of America's friends and allies. It also embodies another important principle: the need for glasnost, a greater openness in military programs and forces.
We can only hope that this history-making agreement will not be an end in itself but the beginning of a working relationship that will enable us to tackle the other urgent issues before us: strategic offensive nuclear weapons, the balance of conventional forces in Europe, the destructive and tragic regional conflicts that beset so many parts of our globe, and respect for the human and natural rights God has granted to all men. To all here who have worked so hard to make this vision a reality: Thank you, and congratulations—above all to Ambassadors Glitman and Obukhov. To quote another Russian proverb—as you can see, I'm becoming quite an expert—in Russian proverbs: "The harvest comes more from sweat than from the dew."
So, I'm going to propose to General Secretary Gorbachev that we issue one last instruction to you: Get some well-deserved rest. The General Secretary: We're not going to do that. The President: Well, now, Mr. General Secretary, would you like to say a few words before we sign the treaty?
The General Secretary: Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen, comrades, succeeding generations will hand down their verdict on the importance of the event which we are about to witness. But I will venture to say that what we are going to do, the signing of the first-ever agreement eliminating nuclear weapons, has a universal significance for mankind, both from the standpoint of world politics and from the standpoint of humanism.
For everyone, and above all, for our two great powers, the treaty whose text is on this table offers a big chance at last to get onto the road leading away from the threat of catastrophe. It is our duty to take full advantage of that chance and move together toward a nuclear-free world, which holds out for our children and grandchildren and for their children and grandchildren the promise of a fulfilling and happy life without fear and without a senseless waste of resources on weapons of destruction.
We can he proud of planting this sapling, which may one day grow into a mighty tree of peace. But it is probably still too early to bestow laurels upon each other. As the great American poet and philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson said: "The reward of a thing well done is to have done it." So, let us reward ourselves by getting down to business. We have covered a 7-year-long road, replete with intense work and debate. One last step towards this table, and the treaty will be signed. May December 8, 1987, become a date that will be inscribed in the history books, a date that will mark the watershed separating the era of a mounting risk of nuclear war from the era of a demilitarization of human life.
transcript from: https://millercenter.org/the-presidency/presidential-speeches/december-8-1987-remarks-signing-inf-treaty-soviet-premier