Describe how the Cold War was renewed by President Reagan of the United States in the 1980s.

United States President Ronald Reagan renewed the Cold War in the early 1980's by regularly using strong anti-communist rhetoric, labelling the Soviet Union an 'Evil Empire' and significantly increasing military spending. His administration funded major defence projects such as the Strategic Defence Initiative or 'Star Wars' program which would theoretically give the United States a shield against Soviet nuclear attack. Reagan promoted the idea of the 'roll back' of communism which involved keeping the pressure on the Soviet Union and its allies by supporting anti-communist paramilitary forces such as the Contras and Mujahedeen who were fighting against socialist regimes. This strident anti-communist agenda contributed to increased tensions with the Soviet Union until Mikhail Gorbachev became General Secretary of the Soviet Union in 1985.