ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at the Ronald Reagan administration's reaction to the freeze proposal and their reaction to the freeze movement. President Reagan was elected on a party platform that called for an unambiguous buildup of American military power. Three factors began to augment the attractiveness of the freeze proposal. First, the Reagan defense program fueled suspicions of the new administration's intentions: buildup was advocated without an equally forceful explanation of strategy. Second, the Reagan administration did not articulate a clear position that explained either the role that nuclear weapons play in the national security of the United States or the reason why a freeze at this time would harm American interests. Third, attempts to make the "anti-freeze" case to the public were weak and relatively unsuccessful. The freeze movement and the Reagan administration have one thing in common: both dislike the strategic arms limitation talks process.
