GlossariesGCSE GlossariesGCSE History GlossarySdi

Sdi - GCSE History Definition

Reviewed by: Zoe Wade

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SDI, or Strategic Defence Initiative, was a programme announced by US President Ronald Reagan in 1983 during the Cold War. It aimed to create a defence system to protect the United States from nuclear missile attacks by using advanced technology like lasers and satellites. People sometimes called it "Star Wars" because it sounded like science fiction. The plan was to stop missiles in space before they could reach the US. It was never fully developed, but it made the Soviet Union spend more on their defence, which added pressure during the Cold War tension. This initiative played a part in the discussions and events that eventually led to the end of the Cold War.

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Zoe Wade

Reviewer: Zoe Wade

Expertise: History Content Creator

Zoe has worked in education for 10 years as a teaching assistant and a teacher. This has given her an in-depth perspective on how to support all learners to achieve to the best of their ability. She has been the Lead of Key Stage 4 History, showing her expertise in the Edexcel GCSE syllabus and how best to revise. Ever since she was a child, Zoe has been passionate about history. She believes now, more than ever, the study of history is vital to explaining the ever-changing world around us. Zoe’s focus is to create accessible content that breaks down key historical concepts and themes to achieve GCSE success.

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