Ronald Reagan Museum and Peace Garden

One of several landmarks related to Eureka College graduate Ronald Reagan, this museum includes exhibits related to the life of the former President with an emphasis on his time living in Eureka where he attended college starting in 1928. The museum also includes a garden with a small monument honoring the former President. The connection between the college and the former actor-turned-politician grew during his tenure as President, most notably when he gave the spring commencement on May 9, 1982. Reagan began by congratulating the graduates of 1982, which was the 50th anniversary of his graduation from Eureka College before discussing his goals for a summer travel throughout Europe and meeting with various European leaders in the summer of 1982. At this point, Reagan saw Western relations with the Soviet Union as the leading issue of his presidency. Eureka College is also home to several buildings and organizations that include the name of the former president.

According to President Reagan the single major issue the United States and its Western allies face is "the future of Western relations with the Soviet Union" (transcript p. 2). Reagan believed the first major step in having a successful relationship between the West and the Soviet Union was for the West to be united. Reagan stated, "Without Western unity, we'll squander our energies in bickering while the Soviets continue as they please" (transcript p. 2). The example he used to show Western unity in dealing with the Soviet Union is the protection of West Berliners during the Berlin Crisis, with the Berlin Airlift saving the people living in West Berlin.

President Reagan then discussed the various was that the Soviet Union has developed into an aggressive nation. Reagan stated that the Soviet Union has not lessened its grip on the people of Eastern Europe even though they signed the Helsinki agreements, a document signed by 35 nations in an attempt to protect basic human rights. Additionally, Reagan cites the Soviet support of North Vietnam, as well as the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan to show Soviet aggression. Reagan then brings up the Soviet support of various communist forces causing conflict in Africa and Central America.

Next, Reagan spoke to the future Soviet leaders in how the United States and the Soviet Union can work together to develop a lasting peace in the world. Reagan stated that continued "aggressive policies will meet a firm Western response" (transcript p. 3). According to Reagan, if the Soviet Union "devoted to improving its people's lives" (transcript p. 4) then the United States and the West would be more willing to work with them. According to Reagan, one way the West and East would work together would be through an expansion of trade.

Then, Reagan discussed his five points that would lead to peace with the Soviet Union. These five points were "military balance, economic security, regional stability, arms reductions, and dialog" (transcript p. 4). Reagan's first point is to create a balance in military forces between the United States and its allies with the Soviet Union and its allies. The second point of economic security to increase trade with the Soviet Union if, and only if, the Soviet military makes the correct decisions that he discussed earlier, about improving the people's lives. The third point is to end massive conflicts in the world, in particular Reagan looks at the war in Afghanistan. The fourth point, which is a major point for Reagan, is the reduction of major weapons; nuclear, chemical, and biological. His final point is the need for dialogue between the United States and Soviet Union would be needed to get the weapons reduction done and make the world safer for the future.

In regards to Reagan's point about weapons reduction, he introduced his idea of START or "Strategic Arms Reduction Talks" (transcripts p. 6). His goal is to lower the current levels of nuclear weapons by "at least a third" (transcripts p. 6) and that at most "half of those warheads be land-based" (transcripts p. 6). In the next phase of the discussions, Reagan hoped there would be "limits on the ballistic missile throw-weight at less than current American levels" (transcripts p. 6). In addition, Reagan insisted that there would be ways to verify that the goals of the nuclear arms reduction talks would be met.

Reagan in Eureka, Ronald W. Reagan Society. Accessed July 28th, 2022. https://reagan.eureka.edu/visit-reagans-campus.html.