Differences and Similarities Between Reagan and Gorbachev The Cold War, which began in the 1940s, was a major conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union. This dispute involved much propaganda and threats of nuclear war. Despite all the problems, after more than forty years of fighting, the two leaders of these countries (Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev) would finally find a solution. However, although they reached an agreement, there were many differences between these two men. One reason these men were different is that they were leaders of different countries, each with their own ideas and opinions about how to approach things. For example, Ronald Reagan was the president of the United States at the time, which was a capitalist country. Therefore, his ideas on how to run his country were based on capitalist views. Gorbachev on the other hand was the leader of the Soviet Union, a communist/socialist place, which is the opposite of capitalism. Based on these facts, one can agree that the various views and opinions of these two men would be completely opposite. Yet another thing these men had against them was that each of their economic systems was against the others; that is, capitalism was against communism and vice versa. This in itself would normally eliminate any possibility of these two leaders negotiating with each other. This separation was also benefited by people like Joseph McCarthy in the United States who created massive public fear of both communists and communism. However, even though these two men seemed completely opposite, they shared many traits that made them similar. One of the things these two men had in common was that they ... middle of paper ... America: A History of the United States. 6th ed. Belmont: Wadsworth, 2013. Print.Garthoff, Raymond L. “Why Did the Cold War Start and Why Did It End?” The Cold War. Ed. Walter Hixson. Woodbridge, CT: Primary Source Media, 2000. American Journey. Student resources in context. Network. 21 February 2014.""Our ideal is a democratic and humane socialism" by Gorbachev, 5 February 1990."DISCovering World History. Detroit: Gale, 2003. Student Resources in Context. Network. February 21, 2014. "Letter from Ronald Reagan to Mikhail Gorbachev, November 28, 1985." Gale United States History in Context. Detroit: Gale, 2012. Student Resources in Context. Network. February 20, 2014. Thill, Scott. "Reagan, Ronald (1911—)." St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture. Ed. Sara Pendergast and Tom Pendergast. vol. 4. Detroit: St. James Press, 2000. 179-180. Student resources in context. Network. February 21. 2014.