4th Annual WML Academic Symposium

The personal relationship of Reagan and Thatcher was grounded in a common set of political beliefs concerning free-market economics, the limited role of government, and a stern opposition to Communism. The strength of their personal relationship helped project the image of a strong US-UK relationship which in turn allowed for the presentation of a unified front on key international issues. This became particularly important when dealing with Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachev, on curbing the nuclear arms race and encouraging market reforms behind the Iron Curtain. Because of the united US-UK position, Thatcher and Reagan were able to get Gorbachev to agree to sign the Intermediate-Range Forces Treaty and loosen the reins of communism throughout Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union, thus contributing to the fall of communism.