Tear Down This Wall Speech — Vocabulary
Ronald Reagan
at Brandenburg Gate 1987
(Auto-generated)

But through it all, the alliance held firm.†3 more

Beginning 10 years ago, the Soviets challenged the Western alliance with a grave new threat, hundreds of new and more deadly SS-20 nuclear missiles, capable of striking every capital in Europe.†1 more

The Western alliance responded by committing itself to a counter-deployment unless the Soviets agreed to negotiate a better solution; namely, the elimination of such weapons on both sides.†1 more

Yet in this age of redoubled economic growth, of information and innovation, the Soviet Union faces a choice: It must make fundamental changes, or it will become obsolete.†

But in the West today, we see a free world that has achieved a level of prosperity and well-being unprecedented in all human history.†

Yet I do not come here to lament.†

But we must remember a crucial fact: East and West do not mistrust each other because we are armed; we are armed because we mistrust each other.†

Where there was want, today there's abundance—food, clothing, automobiles—the wonderful goods of the Ku'damm.†

Speaking precisely 40 years ago this month, he said: "Our policy is directed not against any country or doctrine, but against hunger, poverty, desperation, and chaos."†

And in cooperation with many of our allies, the United States is pursuing the Strategic Defense Initiative—research to base deterrence not on the threat of offensive retaliation, but on defenses that truly defend; on systems, in short, that will not target populations, but shield them.†

While we pursue these arms reductions, I pledge to you that we will maintain the capacity to deter Soviet aggression at any level at which it might occur.†

There in Berlin, like the city itself, symbols of love, symbols of worship, cannot be suppressed.†

In the Philippines, in South and Central America, democracy has been given a rebirth.†

I understand the fear of war and the pain of division that afflict this continent— and I pledge to you my country's efforts to help overcome these burdens.†

Yet in this age of redoubled economic growth, of information and innovation, the Soviet Union faces a choice: It must make fundamental changes, or it will become obsolete.†

Certainly there's a great deal to be said for your fortitude, for your defiant courage.†

Something instead, that has seen the difficulties of life in Berlin but chose to accept them, that continues to build this good and proud city in contrast to a surrounding totalitarian presence that refuses to release human energies or aspirations.†

And in cooperation with many of our allies, the United States is pursuing the Strategic Defense Initiative—research to base deterrence not on the threat of offensive retaliation, but on defenses that truly defend; on systems, in short, that will not target populations, but shield them.†

Years ago, before the East Germans began rebuilding their churches, they erected a secular structure: the television tower at Alexander Platz.

The totalitarian world produces backwardness because it does such violence to the spirit, thwarting the human impulse to create, to enjoy, to worship.†