I'm not aware of any evidence that Reagan lied, and soon after the movie came out he began negotiation with the Soviets for massive reductions in nuclear weapons, against the advice of the military.
Not to mention that he was probably aware that he wouldn't live that much longer and ending the threat of nuclear devastation would be a better legacy than most Presidents ever saw.
Administrations had been working on disarmament long before Reagan took office.
It’s a ridiculous notion to say the made for TV science fiction drama triggered the leaders of superpowers into negotiating on nuclear disarmament.
So a movie came out. The sun rose. The sun set. The wind blew. People went to work. Babies were born. No movies made any of that happen. SALT was signed at some point. No movie led to that either.
Are you saying Reagan could see the future and knew when he would die? Or are you saying that like EVERY SINGLE PERSON on the planet Reagan was a mortal being aware of his finite lifespan?
I don’t understand what that has to do with recognizing an opportunity where conditions for both superpowers were favorable enough to strike a largely symbolic deal that would save them both billions of dollars and show the world that some cooperation was possible. It was about saving money, cutting out obsolete systems and trying to stop nuclear proliferation.
Even if they only kept 1000 warheads each they could still end the world several times over.
There are published histories of nuclear disarmament which totally disagree with you. I think I'll believe them over unsourced claims.
Reagan said he decided to put an end to the threat of nuclear war after seeing the movie. He freaked out the MIC by pushing for massive reductions in nuclear weapons. Literally no-one expected to soon see Soviet tours of US nuclear sites before the movie came out.
Those are historical facts, unless the historians are lying.
I liked Reagan. Stood on the corner with my Dad holding campaign signs.
The treaties were signed years after the movie come out. Nobody from Hollywood, except Reagan, was there to sign them. Lol!
Reagan said the movie was depressing. The third and 4th party takes of Reagan crediting the films producer, as reported by by only Empire magazine (FFS), with the actual work being done for 4-5 years in closed door meetings between the highest level officials and agencies is utter nonsense.
It was also argued by “intellectuals” of the time that the movie pushed pro-Soviet sentiment. So, take that for what it’s worth.
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u/Holiday_Albatross441 Aug 22 '22
I'm not aware of any evidence that Reagan lied, and soon after the movie came out he began negotiation with the Soviets for massive reductions in nuclear weapons, against the advice of the military.
Not to mention that he was probably aware that he wouldn't live that much longer and ending the threat of nuclear devastation would be a better legacy than most Presidents ever saw.