![Ronald Reagan stands at a podium speaking to a crowd. Behind him are some seated individuals, a row of flags, and the Brandenburg gate.](/sites/doleinstitute/files/styles/16_9_placeholder_/public/images/topics/Soviet_Disarmament/Soviet_Disarmament.jpg?h=ce711524&itok=lGbKl9on)
Soviet Disarmament
Summary
From the end of World War II until the early 1990’s, the United States and Soviet Russia were engaged in a Cold War—a period where neither directly fought each other, but escalated tensions dramatically through nuclear arms build-up, and proxy-wars. Diplomacy was instrumental in ending the Cold War and reconciling United States-USSR ('Union of Soviet Socialist Republics', also known as the 'Soviet Union') relations. With the aid of Senator Bob Dole, bipartisan groups of senators and politicians worked with those in the USSR to help ease tensions between the two nations, which would ultimately lead to Soviet disarmament.
Archival Materials
Gorbachev and framed image of the Mall
![a man is holding a framed image of a monument while others are standing around it looking at the image as well](/sites/doleinstitute/files/styles/7_5_placeholder_/public/images/topics/Soviet_Disarmament/ph_034_043_001.jpg?h=5fa22c99&itok=E6LoLx7y)
File Name: ph_034_043_001
Material Type: Photograph
Date: 1990
Citation: Dole Photograph Collection, 1900-2011, Box 34, Folder 43, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, University of Kansas
Ronald Reagan giving his famous “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” speech in front of the Brandenburg Gate at the Berlin Wall
![Ronald Reagan stands at a podium. In front of him are a crowd of people. Behind him are a row of seated government officials and a row of flags from various countries, including the United States. Behind the flags is a panel, and behind the panel is the Brandenburg gate.](/sites/doleinstitute/files/styles/7_5_placeholder_/public/images/topics/Soviet_Disarmament/ph_017_012_001.jpg?h=98b8b72d&itok=g6_ziwNO)
File Name: ph_017_012_001
Material Type: Photograph
Date: 1987-06-12
Citation: Dole Photograph Collection, 1900-2011, Box 17, Folder 12, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, University of Kansas
Bob Dole shaking hands with President Eisenhower
![President Dwight D. Eisenhower stands, shaking Bob Dole's left hand with his right hand.](/sites/doleinstitute/files/styles/5_7_placeholder_/public/images/topics/Soviet_Disarmament/ph_006_011_001.jpg?h=e290a474&itok=eTGNIj8f)
File Name: ph_006_011_001
Material Type: Photograph
Date: 1961
Citation: Dole Photograph Collection, 1900-2011, Box 6, Folder 11, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, University of Kansas
Senator Dole in meeting about trade between United States and Soviet Union
![A group of men in suits sitting on either side of a table laid out with drinks and small American flags](/sites/doleinstitute/files/styles/7_5_placeholder_/public/images/topics/Soviet_Disarmament/ph_035_019_001.jpg?h=98b8b72d&itok=mspA2AGh)
File Name: ph_035_019_001
Material Type: Photograph
Date: 1982-11
Citation: Dole Photograph Collection, 1900-2011, Box 35, Folder 19, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, University of Kansas
Letter to Senator Bob Dole from Kenneth Adelman
![Letter from Kenneth Adelman, newly nominated Director of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency to Senator Bob Dole. Adelman thanks Dole for the support for his confirmation and underscores his commitment to arms control.](/sites/doleinstitute/files/styles/5_7_placeholder_/public/images/topics/Soviet_Disarmament/s-pers_362_007_001.jpg?h=e290a474&itok=i-78Rtm3)
File Name: s-pers_362_007_001
Material Type: Text
Date: 1983-04-14
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers- Personal/Political Files, 1969-1996, Box 362, Folder 7, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, University of Kansas Download PDF
Congressional Record: Observers to Arms Reduction Control Negotiations
![S18100, Congressional Record, Senate, December 19, 1985. 'Observers to Arms Reduction Control Negotiations'](/sites/doleinstitute/files/styles/5_7_placeholder_/public/images/topics/Soviet_Disarmament/s-pers_365_006_001.jpg?h=e290a474&itok=2aBB6mOD)
File Name: s-pers_365_006_001
Material Type: Text
Date: 1985-12-19
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers- Personal/Political Files, 1969-1996, Box 365, Folder 6, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, University of Kansas
U.S. - Soviet Relations
![Unclassified document detailing United States and Soviet relations from the U.S. Department of State](/sites/doleinstitute/files/styles/5_7_placeholder_/public/images/topics/Soviet_Disarmament/s-pers_413_011_001.jpg?h=e290a474&itok=aIIT9EhV)
File Name: s-pers_413_011_001
Material Type: Text
Date: Undated
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers- Personal/Political Files, 1969-1996, Box 413, Folder 11, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, University of Kansas
U.S. Response to Soviet Security and Political Challenges
![Unclassified document 'The U.S. Response to Soviet Security and Political Challenges' from the U.S. Department of State](/sites/doleinstitute/files/styles/5_7_placeholder_/public/images/topics/Soviet_Disarmament/s-pers_413_011_002.jpg?h=1ddbd5da&itok=J5xBr776)
File Name: s-pers_413_011_002
Material Type: Text
Date: Undated
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers- Personal/Political Files, 1969-1996, Box 413, Folder 11, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, University of Kansas
List of Sanctions Imposed by U.S. Against USSR in Response to USSR Imposing Martial Law Against Poland
![Poland: Sanctions versus the USSR describing a list of sanctions imposed by the United States against the Soviet Union, December 29, 1981 in response to the imposition of martial law in Poland.](/sites/doleinstitute/files/styles/5_7_placeholder_/public/images/topics/Soviet_Disarmament/s-pers_413_011_003.jpg?h=b7ed48a1&itok=gJWwSsXR)
File Name: s-pers_413_011_003
Material Type: Text
Date: Undated
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers- Personal/Political Files, 1969-1996, Box 413, Folder 11, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, University of Kansas
Letter from Senator Dole to Aleksei Shitikov, Chairman of the Supreme Council of the USSR
![Thank you letter from Senator Bob Dole to Aleksei Shitikov, Chairman of the Supreme Council of the USSR](/sites/doleinstitute/files/styles/5_7_placeholder_/public/images/topics/Soviet_Disarmament/s-pers_427_011_001.jpg?h=59e5d390&itok=2yKOuiiW)
File Name: s-pers_427_011_001
Material Type: Text
Date: 1983-01-11
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers- Personal/Political Files, 1969-1996, Box 427, Folder 11, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, University of Kansas
Secretary of State Shultz's Press Conference at SPASO House
![Transcript of Press Conference, official text of the American Embassy, Moscow, USSR. Secretary of State Shultz's Press Conference at Spaso House, November 14, 1982](/sites/doleinstitute/files/styles/5_7_placeholder_/public/images/topics/Soviet_Disarmament/s-pers_427_011_002.jpg?h=7dd1b5a5&itok=bmWuvqJi)
File Name: s-pers_427_011_002
Material Type: Text
Date: 1982-11-15
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers- Personal/Political Files, 1969-1996, Box 427, Folder 11, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, University of Kansas
Letter from Elizabeth Dole to Valentina Tereshkova
![Letter from Elizabeth Dole to Mrs. Valentina Nikolayeva-Tereshkova expressing how much she enjoyed meeting the Soviet cosmonaut](/sites/doleinstitute/files/styles/5_7_placeholder_/public/images/topics/Soviet_Disarmament/s-pers_427_011_003.jpg?h=59e5d390&itok=yL9htTKG)
File Name: s-pers_427_011_003
Material Type: Text
Date: 1983-01-19
Citation: Robert J. Dole Senate Papers- Personal/Political Files, 1969-1996, Box 427, Folder 11, Robert and Elizabeth Dole Archive and Special Collections, Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, University of Kansas
Bibliography
Caldwell, Lawrence T. Soviet Attitudes to SALT. London: Institute for Strategic Studies, 1971.
Goldblat, Jozef. Arms Control: A Guide to Negotiations and Agreements. London: Sage, 1996.
Mozley, Robert Fred. The Politics and Technology of Nuclear Proliferation. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1998.
Newhouse, John. Cold Dawn: The Story of SALT. Washington: Pergamon-Brassey’s, 1989.
Thompson, David B. A Guide to the Nuclear Arms Control Treaties. Los Alamos, N.M.: Los Alamos Historical Society, 2001.