Teaching The Reagan Era

Instructions for You

Objective: Ronald Reagan is sometimes credited with winning the Cold War. Sometimes, but not always. In truth, who deserves credit for in bringing the Cold War between the U.S and the U.S.S.R. to an end is a matter of frequent debate. But one thing is for certain: Ronald Reagan upped the anti-communist rhetoric and aggressively challenged the Soviet Union's policies.

One such example of Reagan's no holds barred approach is his 1983 speech to evangelicals in which he referred to the Soviet Union as an evil empire. 

Today, your students will examine that speech, break it down, and try to determine Reagan's primary goals in delivering it. 

NOTE: We've included an optional bonus activity in Step Three, asking students to compare Reagan's "Evil Empire" Speech to President George W. Bush's "Axis of Evil" Speech. 

Length of Lesson: 1-2 class periods.  

Materials Needed:

• "Evil Empire" speech at U-Virginia's Miller Center
• (Optional) Text and video of President George W. Bush's 2002 State of the Union Address

Step One: Direct your students to U-Virginia's Miller Center, where they can read President Reagan's "Evil Empire" speech delivered before the National Association of Evangelicals in 1983. 

NOTE: Students can also watch the speech at this site, but the last two minutes of the speech were not recorded, so they'll have to read the last 6 paragraphs (from "I ask you to resist the attempts of those..." to the end).

Step Two: Once everyone has finished watching and/or reading, lead a class discussion using the questions below. As you discuss these questions, encourage students to scan back through the text of the speech to find specific passages to support their assertions. 

• What, at bottom, makes the Soviet Union the evil empire? What is the core of its "totalitarian darkness?"
  • Is it the Soviet's military power?
  • Their communist economy?
  • Their "godless" ideology?

• What, in contrast, is the source of America's strength?
  • Before what group was Reagan delivering this speech?
    • Do you think he was just pandering?
    • Or are these his convictions?

• Is the Soviet evil empire the only threat to the United States?
  • What is the threat from within?

• What exactly is "modern-day secularism?"
  • Where does it place its strength?
    • What, according to Reagan, is the relationship between secularism and big government?

• • What are some of the "well-intentioned" but misguided results?

• Overall, what two "empires" are engaged in battle?
  • To what extent is this a battle between communism and capitalism?

• Based on this speech, what are Reagan's primary goals?

Step Three (Optional Bonus Activity): In his January 29, 2002 State of the Union President George W. Bush referred to Iran and its allies as the "axis of evil." Ask your students to look into this speech and write a brief essay addressing the questions below.

How is President Bush's speech characterizing Iran and its allies as "an axis of evil" similar to Reagan's "evil empire" speech? Did the two speeches have similar goals? Did they have similar effects? Why or why not? 

Instructions for Your Students

Just two months before Star Wars Episode 6: Return of the Jedi was released, President Ronald Reagan delivered a speech in which he referred to the Soviet Union as an evil empire. 

Coincidence? Yeah, probably. But pretty good timing, nonetheless. 

Today you'll check out Reagan's speech and contemplate his worldview as well as his representation of the U.S.S.R. Just what was he trying to accomplish by referring to the Soviet Union as an evil empire? 

Like we said, we don't think he was teasing the new Star Wars movie. So check it out and decide: what were Reagan's goals in delivering this speech? 

Step One: Head on over to U-Virginia's Miller Center, where you can read President Reagan's "Evil Empire" speech delivered before the National Association of Evangelicals in 1983. 

NOTE: You can also watch the speech at this site, but the last two minutes of the speech were not recorded, so you'll have to read the last 6 paragraphs (from "I ask you to resist the attempts of those..." to the end).

Step Two: Once you've finished watching and/or reading the speech, participate in a class discussion using the questions below. As you discuss these questions, scan back through the text of the speech to find specific passages to support your assertions. 

• What, ultimately, makes the Soviet Union the evil empire? What is the core of its "totalitarian darkness?"
  • Is it the Soviet's military power?
  • Their communist economy?
  • Their "godless" ideology?

• What, in contrast, is the source of America's strength?
  • Before what group was Reagan delivering this speech?
    • Do you think he was just pandering?
    • Or are these his convictions?

• Is the Soviet evil empire the only threat to the United States?
  • What is the threat from within?

• What exactly is "modern-day secularism?"
  • Where does it place its strength?
    • What, according to Reagan, is the relationship between secularism and big government?
  • What are some of the "well-intentioned" but misguided results?

• Overall, what two "empires" are engaged in battle?
  • To what extent is this a battle between communism and capitalism?

• Based on this speech, what are Reagan's primary goals?

Step Three (Optional Bonus Activity): In his January 29th, 2002 State of the Union, President George W. Bush referred to Iran and its allies as the "axis of evil." Check out his speech and write a brief essay addressing the questions below.

How is President Bush's speech characterizing Iran and its allies as "an axis of evil" similar to Reagan's "evil empire" speech? Did the two speeches have similar goals? Did they have similar effects? Why or why not?