1. Conservatism & the end of the Cold War 1980-1989

2. The Conservative Movement From 1932 to 1980 Congress & the executive branch had underwent a radical liberal reform 32 of the 48 years had seen a Democrat in the White House 32 of the 48 years had seen a Democrat in the White House FDR and the New Deal increased the size of the federal gov’t Harry Truman’s Fair Deal, JFK’s New Frontier, & LBJ’s Great Society programs further increased the amount of gov’t programs The 1980’s saw a conservative movement in America Years of social reforms & liberal programs were suddenly attacked by a new conservatism in America Years of social reforms & liberal programs were suddenly attacked by a new conservatism in America Issues such as affirmative action, separation of church & state fall under attack Conservatives saw affirmative action as a form of reverse discrimination & separation of church & state as the key factor in an apparent loss of traditional family values Conservatives saw affirmative action as a form of reverse discrimination & separation of church & state as the key factor in an apparent loss of traditional family values

3. The Conservative Movement

4. The Conservative Coalition informal alliance of business leaders, middle class voters, disaffected Democrats, and Christian groups informal alliance of business leaders, middle class voters, disaffected Democrats, and Christian groups The Moral Majority Religious groups played an important role in this movement Religious groups played an important role in this movement Evangelical Christians & television preachers such as Jerry Falwell & Pat Robertson Evangelical Christians & television preachers such as Jerry Falwell & Pat Robertson These groups condemned liberal views & behaviors They argued for a restoration of traditional morals & values Reduce the nation’s high divorce rates Reduce the nation’s high divorce rates Lower the number of out of wedlock births Lower the number of out of wedlock births Encourage individual responsibilities Encourage individual responsibilities They raised money to support political candidates Goals of the Conservative Movement Shrink the size of the federal government & reduce spending Promote family values and patriotic ideals Stimulate business by reducing government regulations and lowering taxes Strengthen the national defense Pat Robertson Jerry Falwell

5. The Election of 1980 Despite losing the Republican nomination against incumbent Gerald Ford in 1976 California Governor & former actor Ronald Reagan won the Republican nomination in 1980 Reagan chose George H.W. Bush as his running-mate Reagan chose George H.W. Bush as his running-mate The Democrats again nominate President Jimmy Carter & his V-P Walter Mondale Vs.

6. Ronald Reagan Reagan, born in Illinois became a Hollywood actor in 1937, becoming the President of the Screen Actors Guild Reagan was originally a “New Deal” Democrat but in the 1950’s he aligned himself more with the Republican party Reagan campaigned for GOP candidate Barry Goldwater during the 1964 Pres. Election, even making his nominating speech at the Republican National Convention

7. The Election of 1980 Reagan’s acting career helped him in the public spotlight of a presidential campaign The poor economy, & several conservative issues such as the Supreme Courts decisions on abortion, pornography, prayer in public school helped Reagan appeal to voters The poor economy, & several conservative issues such as the Supreme Courts decisions on abortion, pornography, prayer in public school helped Reagan appeal to voters Reagan was great at one liners such as: “Recession is when your neighbor loses his job. Depression is when you lose yours, Recovery is when Jimmy Carter loses his.” Reagan was great at one liners such as: “Recession is when your neighbor loses his job. Depression is when you lose yours, Recovery is when Jimmy Carter loses his.” Reagan is called “The Great Communicator” for his ability to covey his ideas in simple, clear language that the average voter could understand Reagan is called “The Great Communicator” for his ability to covey his ideas in simple, clear language that the average voter could understand Only 52.6% of American voters went to the polls but Ronald Reagan won by a very narrow majority; 51% of the vote (44 million) Despite the small majority Reagan’s support was spread over the whole country allowing him to win the electoral vote in a landslide 489 to 38 winning 44 states

8. The Election of 1980

9. Reaganomics To deal with the nation’s economic problems President Reagan introduced a new package of policies that would be dubbed “Reaganomics” These policies consisted of 3 parts 1) Budget cuts 2) Tax cuts 3) Increased defense spending As soon as he took over President Reagan worked to reduce the size and influence of the federal government

10. Reaganomics

11. Budget Cuts President Reagan cut by 10% the budgets for urban mass transit, food stamps, welfare, Medicaid, school lunches, and student loans while not touching such programs as Social Security, Medicare, and veteran's pensions leading to some controversy Reaganomics were based on the theory of supply-side economics The idea behind this theory was that if people paid fewer taxes they would save more $  banks could then loan that $ to businesses which could invest the $ in resources to improve productivity  supplies would then go up driving prices down The idea behind this theory was that if people paid fewer taxes they would save more $  banks could then loan that $ to businesses which could invest the $ in resources to improve productivity  supplies would then go up driving prices down With Pres. Reagan’s prodding Congress lowered income tax by 25% over a 3 year period

12. Defense Spending Despite cutting domestic budgets President Reagan increased Defense Spending The most significant of Pres. Reagan’s defense programs was authorizing the development of a defense system that would potentially be able to shoot down enemy nuclear missiles in space; Strategic Defense Initiative Democrats name it Star Wars after the famous George Lucas movie Democrats name it Star Wars after the famous George Lucas movie It’s estimated that the system would cost trillions of dollars to develop It’s estimated that the system would cost trillions of dollars to develop This system, although never proven to work struck fear in the Soviet Union If this did work it would render billions of dollars worth of Soviet Nuclear weapon’s useless If this did work it would render billions of dollars worth of Soviet Nuclear weapon’s useless Mikhail Gorbachev lobbied the U.S. to stop work on the SDI in exchange for massive limitations on nuclear weapons Mikhail Gorbachev lobbied the U.S. to stop work on the SDI in exchange for massive limitations on nuclear weapons The panic that this system although never successfully developed, caused the Soviets is one of the reasons for the fall of the Soviet Union

13. Defense Spending

14. Assassination Attempt On March 30, 1981 only two months after taking office an assassination was attempted on Pres. Reagan President Reagan was shot by a mentally unbalanced man by the name of John Hinckley, Jr. It was found out that Hinckley’s reasoning for the assassination was to impress a young actress named Jodie Foster It was found out that Hinckley’s reasoning for the assassination was to impress a young actress named Jodie Foster At first it wasn’t believed that Reagan had not been shot but shortly after speeding away in the limo an entrance wound was found & he was rushed to the hospital Despite the seriousness of his injury Pres. Reagan joked with his wife as he was wheeled into surgery “Honey, I forgot to duck?” (which was a line first used by famous boxer Jack Dempsey in the 1920’s) Later joked with his surgeons saying “I hope you fellas are Republicans” Reagan was able to fully recover from this & his popularity grew John Hinckley, Jr. Reagan moments before assassination attempt Jodie Foster

15. Assassination Attempt President's Press Secretary, James Brady, was shot in the head from close range Brady did recover but was permanently disabled Service agent Tim McCarthy was shot in the chest McCarthy made a full McCarthy made a full recovery recovery District of Columbia Police officer Thomas Delehanty was also shot by one of the 6 shots fired He would also make a full recovery He would also make a full recovery Press Sec. James Brady

16. Recession and Recovery The first year of Reagan’s presidency the country slipped into the worst recession since the Great Depression July 1981 – November 1982 July 1981 – November 1982 In 1983 the country went on a spending spree boosted by tax cuts, decline in the interest rates, and lower inflation The stock market surged, unemployment declined, and the GDP went up 10% The stock market surged, unemployment declined, and the GDP went up 10% Trickle Down economics: By lowering income taxes on people & businesses the people who saved the most money were the ones that had the most $ The administration said that these profits at the top would “trickle” down to the middle class & eventually the poor through businesses expanding & creating jobs as well as banks loaning out $ from the upper class deposits The administration said that these profits at the top would “trickle” down to the middle class & eventually the poor through businesses expanding & creating jobs as well as banks loaning out $ from the upper class deposits The National debt nearly doubled during Reagan’s administration

17. The United States Supreme Court President Reagan appointed three Supreme Court Justices during his 8 years in office (all conservative) Reagan appointed Sandra Day O’Connor the first ever female Supreme Court Justice Also nominated Antonin Scalia, & Anthony Kennedy as well as nominated Justice William Rehnquist to be the Chief Justice Sandra Day O’Connor Antonin Scalia Anthony Kennedy

18. The Conservative Court President George H. Bush replaced retiring justice William Brennan with David H. Souter President Bush nominated Clarence Thomas to replace Thurgood Marshall on the court During Thomas’s nomination process controversy sprung up when a law professor Anita Hill accused Thomas of sexual harassment During Thomas’s nomination process controversy sprung up when a law professor Anita Hill accused Thomas of sexual harassment Televised Senate hearings lasted for several days before Clarence Thomas was confirmed by the narrow margin of 52-48 Televised Senate hearings lasted for several days before Clarence Thomas was confirmed by the narrow margin of 52-48 These five appointments on the nine member court drastically changed the make up of the supreme court that had been very liberally dominated since the days of FDR This would be important when the court make rulings restricting abortion, modified civil rights laws and narrowed the rights of arrested people This would be important when the court make rulings restricting abortion, modified civil rights laws and narrowed the rights of arrested people Anita Hill & Clarence ThomasClarence ThomasDavid Souter

19. Deregulation President Reagan as part of his plan to reduce the size of the federal government began deregulating industry (cutting back on federal regulations) Removed price controls on oil Removed price controls on oil Eliminated federal health & safety inspections of nursing homes Eliminated federal health & safety inspections of nursing homes Deregulated the savings & loans industry as well as the airlines Deregulated the savings & loans industry as well as the airlines This deregulation increased competition & often resulted in lower prices for consumers President Reagan also cut the budget of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) which had been created to protect the environment and conserve natural resources President Ronald Reagan

20. Presidential Election of 1984 The conservative tide in America had secured President Reagan a large following such as: Businesspeople: who wanted to deregulate the economy Businesspeople: who wanted to deregulate the economy Southerners: who historically have always wanted less federal control Southerners: who historically have always wanted less federal control Westerners: who resented federal controls on mining and grazing Westerners: who resented federal controls on mining and grazing Reagan Democrats: who agreed with Reagan on limiting federal government & thought that the Democratic Party had drifted too far to the left Reagan Democrats: who agreed with Reagan on limiting federal government & thought that the Democratic Party had drifted too far to the left In 1984 President Reagan & Vice President Bush ran against Walter Mondale (VP under Carter) & Geraldine Ferraro (Representative from New York) Geraldine Ferraro was the first woman on a major party’s presidential ticket Reagan wins in a landslide winning every state but Mondale’s home state of Minnesota & the District of Columbia Dem. Pres. Candidate Walter Mondale Dem. VP Candidate Geraldine Ferraro Geraldine Ferraro speaking at the Democratic National Convention 525 Electoral Votes To 13 for Mondale

21. The Election of 1984

22. Social Issues of the 80’s & 90’s

23. A I D S Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) This virus that destroys the immune system, weakening the body making it more susceptible to infections & cancers This virus that destroys the immune system, weakening the body making it more susceptible to infections & cancers Transmitted through bodily fluids most early victims of the disease were homosexual men or intravenous drug users who shared needles Transmitted through bodily fluids most early victims of the disease were homosexual men or intravenous drug users who shared needles As the disease spread however other contracted AIDS through blood transfusions or from being born to infected mothers As the AIDS epidemic spread a massive public awareness campaign began

24. Pro-Life vs. Pro-Choice

25. In the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court verdict abortions in the first trimester were legalized as being protected by a woman’s right to privacy Immediately opponents of abortions began to organize & became known as Pro-Life people They argued that human life begins at conception & that women shouldn’t have the right to terminate a human life They argued that human life begins at conception & that women shouldn’t have the right to terminate a human life The people in favor of legalized abortion became known as Pro-Choice They argued that reproductive choices were a personal health care issue & that women should be able to chose whether to have their child or not They argued that reproductive choices were a personal health care issue & that women should be able to chose whether to have their child or not In July of 1989 the Supreme Court ruled in Webster v. Reproductive Health Care Services that states had the right to impose new restrictions on abortion Now restrictions to abortions vary from state to state Now restrictions to abortions vary from state to state

26. “Just Say No!” Crack/Cocaine burst on the scene in America during the 1980’s This was a highly addictive drug from South America This was a highly addictive drug from South America Soon after taking office President Reagan announced a War on Drugs Trying to stem the rising tide of drug abuse in America President Reagan supported moves to prosecute drug users as well as drug dealers Trying to stem the rising tide of drug abuse in America President Reagan supported moves to prosecute drug users as well as drug dealers First Lady Nancy Reagan toured the country in an anti-drug campaigned & coined the slogan “Just Say No!” Some people argued that drugs should be legalized to reduce the power of gangs who made a living selling illegal drugs Many people pushed for treatment facilities to treat drug users rather than just incarcerating them

27. A Nation at Risk IN 1983 a federal commission released a report on education entitled A Nation at Risk This report revealed that American students were falling behind students in most industrialized countries This report revealed that American students were falling behind students in most industrialized countries It stated that 23 million Americans were unable to follow an instruction manual or fill out a job application form It stated that 23 million Americans were unable to follow an instruction manual or fill out a job application form This report sparked debate over education in the U.S. The commission recommended The commission recommended More homework Longer school days An extended school year Promoted increased pay & merit raises for teachers Emphasized basic subjects such as English, math, science, social studies, and computer science In April of 1991 President Bush announced an education plan known as “America 2000” This argued for allowing parents the use of public This argued for allowing parents the use of public funds to send their kids to the schools of their choice  public, private, or religious This would enable a free market competition This would enable a free market competition among the schools

28. Inner City Decay Large inner cities such as Baltimore, Detroit, Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington D.C. etc… were deteriorating More & more white families were moving to the suburbs in search of new homes, big lawns, shopping malls, & new schools More & more white families were moving to the suburbs in search of new homes, big lawns, shopping malls, & new schools Businesses began to follow them to the suburbs during the 1970’s & 80’s Businesses began to follow them to the suburbs during the 1970’s & 80’s Taking all of the jobs & tax dollars with them This left the inners cities inhabited by poor people, minorities, burdened by high unemployment, inadequate funds for sanitation, health services, schools, public transportation

29. Women’s Rights After the Equal Rights Amendment failed in 1982 women’s organizations began to push to get more women elected to public office This led to the nomination of Geraldine Ferraro to the 1984 Presidential ticket as V.P. This led to the nomination of Geraldine Ferraro to the 1984 Presidential ticket as V.P. In the November elections of 1982 the number of women in the House of Representatives increased from 23 to 47 & the number of female Senators increased to 6 In 1983 Elizabeth Dole was named Secretary of Transportation and Margaret Heckler became the Sec. of Health and Human Services Geraldine Ferraro Elizabeth Dole Margaret Heckler

30. Women’s Rights In 1982 58% of American women were in the workforce Women that year earned only 76¢ for every $ a man earned Women that year earned only 76¢ for every $ a man earned Female college graduates earned only slightly more than did male high school graduates Female college graduates earned only slightly more than did male high school graduates Women’s organizations and Unions pushed for Pay Equity Jobs would be rated on the basis of the amount of education they required and/or the amount of physical strength required to perform them Jobs would be rated on the basis of the amount of education they required and/or the amount of physical strength required to perform them Pay rates would reflect job requirements Pay rates would reflect job requirements Government and corporations began to create maternity leave, job sharing, and work-at-home packages for their employees Women’s & Men’s Avg. earnings 1982CareerWomenMenAccountant19,91625,272 Ad Manager 19,39632,292 Engineer26,05231,460 High School Teacher 18,98021,424 Lawyer30,26434,008 Physician21,94426,884 Police15,54820,072 Registered Nurse 20,59220,696 Retail Sales 8,73613,728 Social Worker 15,60020,436 University Professor 20,74826,832

31. African-Americans A-A made great gains politically in the 1980’s African-Americans became the mayors of many cities African-Americans became the mayors of many cities Los Angeles, Detroit, Chicago, Atlanta, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Washington D.C. L. Douglas Wilder became the first A-A gov. (Virginia) A-A’s were elected to sheriff, school board, state legislators, etc… A-A’s were elected to sheriff, school board, state legislators, etc… Reverend Jesse Jackson ran for the Democratic nomination for president in 1984 and 1988 Reverend Jesse Jackson ran for the Democratic nomination for president in 1984 and 1988 Gains by A-A in the 1980’s didn’t extend to economic progress The fight against affirmative action once again made it more difficult for African-Americans to catch up economically The fight against affirmative action once again made it more difficult for African-Americans to catch up economically Governor Douglas Wilder Rev. Jesse Jackson

32. Other Minorities Latinos became the fastest growing minority in the 1980’s Mexicans, Cubans, Puerto Ricans, etc.. Mexicans, Cubans, Puerto Ricans, etc.. Many Latinos began to support bilingual education Fearing that abandoning Spanish would weaken their culture Fearing that abandoning Spanish would weaken their culture Many others in the U.S. feared that the growing number of Hispanics would split the nation between English & Spanish speakers Many others in the U.S. feared that the growing number of Hispanics would split the nation between English & Spanish speakers In the 1980’s Native Americans began to demand their rights as well The government under the Reagan administration reduced funding for Native Americans health & educational services The government under the Reagan administration reduced funding for Native Americans health & educational services This led to Native Americans pushing to open gambling casinos as a way of increasing funding This led to Native Americans pushing to open gambling casinos as a way of increasing funding The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Native Americans

33. The Events of the 1980’s

34. Challenger Explosion

35. NASA began work on a space station to do research For 5 years NASA shuttled flights up and back For 5 years NASA shuttled flights up and back In 1986 they planned a highly publicized mission that included a grade school teacher by the name of Christy MacCauliffe On January 28, 1986 seven crew members, including a New Hampshire schoolteacher, took off aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger from Kennedy Space Center. Seventy-three seconds later, the shuttle disintegrated in the sky. All crew members, including New Hampshire teacher Christa McAuliffe, were killed while millions watched on live television. Seventy-three seconds later, the shuttle disintegrated in the sky. All crew members, including New Hampshire teacher Christa McAuliffe, were killed while millions watched on live television. McAuliffe was selected from among more than 11,000 teachers who applied for the Challenger mission. She was chosen by NASA in 1984 and took a leave of absence that fall to train for the mission. NASA put the shuttle program on hold after the Challenger accident until 1988. The agency has put the odds of a catastrophic accident during launch - the most dangerous part of any shuttle mission - at 1 in 438. Above: Photograph of the explosion Below: The seven astronauts; McAuliffe front left

36. Mt. St. Helens At 8:32 Sunday morning, May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens, Washington erupted Shaken by an earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale, the north face of this tall symmetrical mountain collapsed in a massive rock debris avalanche Nearly 230 square miles of forest was blown over or left dead and standing Nearly 230 square miles of forest was blown over or left dead and standing At the same time a mushroom-shaped column of ash rose thousands of feet skyward and drifted downwind, turning day into night as dark, gray ash fell over eastern Washington and beyond At the same time a mushroom-shaped column of ash rose thousands of feet skyward and drifted downwind, turning day into night as dark, gray ash fell over eastern Washington and beyond The eruption lasted 9 hours, but Mount St. Helens and the surrounding landscape were dramatically changed within moments The eruption lasted 9 hours, but Mount St. Helens and the surrounding landscape were dramatically changed within moments In 1982 the President and Congress created the 110,000-acre National Volcanic Monument for research, recreation, and education

37. Mt. St. Helens BEFORE  AFTER 

38. Exxon Valdez At four minutes past midnight, on March 24, 1989, the Exxon Valdez, loaded with 1,264,155 barrels of North Slope crude oil, ran aground on Bligh Reef in the northeastern portion of Prince William Sound About one-fifth of the total cargo, 10.8 million gallons, spilled into the sea About one-fifth of the total cargo, 10.8 million gallons, spilled into the sea The probable cause of the spill was the failure of the third mate to properly maneuver the vessel because of fatigue and excessive workload The probable cause of the spill was the failure of the third mate to properly maneuver the vessel because of fatigue and excessive workload The grounding of the Exxon Valdez prompted both the state and federal governments to significantly alter the laws, regulations and strategies relating to oil pollution Above: Power washing oil off of rocks on the shore Below: Bird covered in oil

39. Exxon Valdez Above: Oil washed ashoreTop Right: Ships skimming oil off the surface Below: Otter covered in oilBottom Right: Oil washed ashore

40. Bird vs. Magic In 1979 Bird was the star of the Indiana State Sycamores, something of a country bumpkin who, on the court, became an assassin, either as a shooter or a passer. His brilliance was the main reason for Indiana State's 29-0 regular-season record Johnson was the star of the Michigan State Spartans, a skinny sophomore wizard of a ballhandler and passer Johnson was the star of the Michigan State Spartans, a skinny sophomore wizard of a ballhandler and passer Magic Johnson and Michigan State locked up with Larry Bird and Indiana State for the 1979 national championship in Salt Lake City Bird, double- and triple-teamed, uncharacteristically struggled with his shot, missing 14 of 21 shots. He finished with 19 points Bird, double- and triple-teamed, uncharacteristically struggled with his shot, missing 14 of 21 shots. He finished with 19 points Michigan State, with Johnson scoring a game-high 24 points, won 75-64 in a game that lacked the drama of the buildup. Michigan State, with Johnson scoring a game-high 24 points, won 75-64 in a game that lacked the drama of the buildup. The two stars would go on to resuscitate a struggling NBA and become two of the most memorable players in history. The very next year Bird was the NBA's rookie of the year with the Boston Celtics and Johnson the MVP of the NBA Finals for the Los Angeles Lakers. The very next year Bird was the NBA's rookie of the year with the Boston Celtics and Johnson the MVP of the NBA Finals for the Los Angeles Lakers. The year after that Bird led the Celtics to an NBA title In all, eight NBA titles during the 1980s went to Johnson's Lakers (five) or Bird's Celtics (three) In all, eight NBA titles during the 1980s went to Johnson's Lakers (five) or Bird's Celtics (three) Magic vs. Bird pretty much defined a decade of pro basketball as the two players redefined positions, Johnson as an unheard-of 6-9 point guard, Bird as something of a point forward Eventually they would become friends and even teammates on the 1992 gold medal U.S. Olympic team Eventually they would become friends and even teammates on the 1992 gold medal U.S. Olympic team

41. The Computer In 1981, the landmark announcement of the IBM PC (personal computer) stunned the computing world The chairman of IBM is supposed to have looked at the original PC and said that it would never fly - that mainframes would dominate forever. The chairman of IBM is supposed to have looked at the original PC and said that it would never fly - that mainframes would dominate forever. The original PC cost $3000, and came with 64 Kb of RAM, a floppy disk drive and monochrome graphics It also came with DOS, an operating system based on CP/M It also came with DOS, an operating system based on CP/M In an effort to save time so that it could catch the early personal computer market, IBM chose to license DOS from the then tiny Microsoft instead of writing its own operating system In an effort to save time so that it could catch the early personal computer market, IBM chose to license DOS from the then tiny Microsoft instead of writing its own operating system For many years to come IBM would regret the decision not to write its own PC operating system In January 1984 the introduction of Apple's Macintosh computer, with its graphical user interface, generated even more excitement than the IBM PC had three years earlier In his junior year, Bill Gates left Harvard to devote his energies to Microsoft, a company he had begun in 1975 with his childhood friend Paul Allen. Guided by a belief that the computer would be a valuable Guided by a belief that the computer would be a valuable tool on every office desktop and in every home, they began developing software for personal computers Above: 1981 IBM PC Above: 1984 Apple MacIntosh Below: Compaq portable computer

42. The 1988 Presidential Election The 1988 Presidential election featured Vice- President George Bush vs. Massachusetts governor Michael Dukakis VP Bush promised Americans “Read my lips, no new taxes” Happy with the job that President Reagan had done American voters supported VP Bush George Bush won the election with 426 of the 527 possible electoral votes. VP George Bush (Rep.) Gov. Michael Dukakis (Dem.) Dukakis Bush

43. The Berlin Wall In 1987 President Reagan made a trip to West Berlin and gave a speech for the 40 th anniversary of the Marshall Plan In this speech he made an infamous demand on Gorbachev In this speech he made an infamous demand on Gorbachev “General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization: Come here to this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” “General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization: Come here to this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” Secretary Gorbachev made efforts in 1988 to loosen the Soviet grip on East Germany and Poland He reduced the number of Soviet troops in Eastern Europe He reduced the number of Soviet troops in Eastern Europe He allowed non-communist parties to organize He allowed non-communist parties to organize He encouraged these nations to move towards democracy He encouraged these nations to move towards democracy Pres. Reagan speaking in front of the Brandenburg Gate in West Berlin

44. The End of the Cold War In March of 1985 Mikhail Gorbachev became the general secretary of the Communist Party in the Soviet Union Because of a flailing economy Gorbachev began to reform the Soviet Union In a policy known as glasnost (Russian for openness) he allowed people to criticize the government & began to allow freedom of the Press In a policy known as glasnost (Russian for openness) he allowed people to criticize the government & began to allow freedom of the Press In also called for perestroika; a less In also called for perestroika; a less government control of the economy Knowing that better relations with the U.S. would allow the Soviets to reduce military spending to help the economy Gorbachev initiated a series of arms limitations meetings The INF Treaty (Intermediate-Range The INF Treaty (Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty) was signed on December 8, 1987 The Treaty eliminated two classes of The Treaty eliminated two classes of weapons systems from Europe & called for each nation to make on-site inspections of the other’s military installations Mikhail Gorbachev Pres. Ronald Reagan V.P. Bush, Pres. Reagan, and Soviet Premier Gorbachev in N.Y.

45. The End of the Cold War

46. Fall of the Soviet Union Gorbachev’s introduction of democratic ideals led to a dramatic increase in nationalism among the Soviet Union’s non-Russian republics By December of 1991 14 non-Russian republics declared their independence from the Soviet Union Gorbachev resigned as the Soviet president in 1991 after reformers thought he was working too slowly towards a democracy After 74 years the Soviet Union dissolved Boris Yeltsin took Gorbachev’s place & a loose Boris Yeltsin took Gorbachev’s place & a loose confederation of states was formed the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) Mikhail Gorbachev Boris Yeltsin

47. The End of the Cold War In February of 1992 President George Bush and Russian President Boris Yeltsin issued a formal statement declaring an end to the Cold War that had existed between the two nations since 1945 In January 1993 Yeltsin & Bush signed the START II pact that agree to cut the nuclear arsenals of the two nations by 75%

48. The Berlin Wall

49. In October of 1989 East Germans shocked the world by speaking out against the communist government On November 9, 1989 East Germany opened the Berlin Wall and allowed free passage between the two parts of the city for the first time in 28 years East German guards stood by and watched as Berliners pounded away with hammers and other tools at the wall

50. Communist Europe Soon the wall was coming down not with picks & hammers but with cranes & bulldozers In early 1990 East Germany held it’s first free elections and in October of 1990 East & West Germany were united Other European nations adopted democratic reform Czechoslovakia withdrew from the Soviet bloc Czechoslovakia withdrew from the Soviet bloc Baltic states Latvia, Estonia, & Lithuania declared their independence from U.S.S.R. Baltic states Latvia, Estonia, & Lithuania declared their independence from U.S.S.R. Hungary, Bulgaria, & Romania changed governments Hungary, Bulgaria, & Romania changed governments The Yugoslavian government collapsed with 6 of it’s republics succeeding Ethnic rivalries turned into wars between Muslims, Orthodox Serbs, and Roman Catholic Croats Ethnic rivalries turned into wars between Muslims, Orthodox Serbs, and Roman Catholic Croats

51. Tiananmen Square

52. In the mid 1980’s China began to loosen some economic restrictions Eliminated some price controls & business restrictions Eliminated some price controls & business restrictions Student in China began to demand freedom of speech and a greater voice in government In April 1989 university students in China held marches that quickly grew into a large demonstration in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square In Tiananmen Square Chinese students constructed a version of the Statue of Liberty Chinese Premier Li Peng ordered the military to crush the protesters Chinese Premier Li Peng ordered the military to crush the protesters The world watched on TV as Chinese forces stormed into Tiananmen Square and slaughtered unarmed students The world watched on TV as Chinese forces stormed into Tiananmen Square and slaughtered unarmed students One student demonstrator remarked that “The gov’t has won the battle here today. But they have lost the heart of the people.” One student demonstrator remarked that “The gov’t has won the battle here today. But they have lost the heart of the people.” Chinese Premier Li Peng  Above: Statue of Liberty raised in Tiananmen Sq. Below: View of the Protestors

53. Tiananmen Square The courage of these protesters was embodied in the actions of one student who boldly stood in front of a row of on coming tanks defying the government

54. Central America

55. Nicaragua The United States had been involved in the affairs of Nicaragua since 1912 & had helped dictator Anastasio Somoza take power Somoza’s family ruled for 42 years rigging elections and assassinating political rivals In 1977-79 a civil war erupted in Nicaragua between Somoza’s army and the Sandinistas Sandinistas were a rebel group named after a rebel leader named Sandino who died in 1934 Sandinistas were a rebel group named after a rebel leader named Sandino who died in 1934 The Sandinistas won & President Carter sent $83 million in economic aid as did the Soviets & Cuba In 1981 Pres. Reagan believed that the Sandinistas were tied too closely with the Soviets and were trying to spread revolution to the rest of Central America Pres. Reagan began to support a guerrilla force known as the Contras because they were against communism Pres. Reagan began to support a guerrilla force known as the Contras because they were against communism The CIA began to direct operations in Nicaragua for the Contras who had grown to nearly 10,000 men All this without congressional approval All this without congressional approval Congress passed an amendment banning military aid to the Congress passed an amendment banning military aid to the Contras for 2 years (Boland Amendment) Pres. Reagan’s administration found ways to circumvent this ban & continue support of the Contras In Feb. of 1990 Nicaraguan president Daniel Ortega In Feb. of 1990 Nicaraguan president Daniel Ortega allowed free elections and a Contra supporter was elected the nations new President and the Sandinistas agreed to work together to rebuild Nicaragua Nicaragua President Daniel Ortega

56. Panama In 1989 President Bush sent more than 20,000 soldier and marines into Panama to overthrow and arrest General Manuel Noriega on charges of drug trafficking The CIA had been giving Noriega money since 1960 The CIA had been giving Noriega money since 1960 A Miami grand jury had indicted Noriega and he was flown there to stand trial In April of 1992 Noriega was found guilty and sentenced to 40 years in prison This had mixed reaction around the world Many Latin American governments were upset at the “Yankee imperialism” Many Latin American governments were upset at the “Yankee imperialism” Most Americans and Panamanians were pleased by the removal of a military dictator who supported drug smuggling Most Americans and Panamanians were pleased by the removal of a military dictator who supported drug smuggling

57. Iran-Contra Affair In 1983 terrorist groups loyal to Iran took a number of Americans hostage in Lebanon Pres. Reagan denounced Iran and urged U.S. Allies not to sell arms to Iran for it’s war against Iraq Americans were then shocked to learn in 1986 that the U.S. had been secretly selling arms to the Iranians to secure the release of the Americans from the pro-Iranian terrorists They were using the profits from the illegal sale of arms to support the Contras in Nicaragua They were using the profits from the illegal sale of arms to support the Contras in Nicaragua In violation of the Boland Amendment In the summer of 1987 special committees of both houses of congress conducted televised hearings Lt. Colonel Oliver North a member of the NSC staff played a key role providing aide to the Contras Lt. Colonel Oliver North a member of the NSC staff played a key role providing aide to the Contras Oliver North was found guilty along with several members of the Reagan administration Oliver North was found guilty along with several members of the Reagan administration North was given a stiff fine & community service Lt. Colonel Oliver North Lt. North testifying to the Congressional Investigative committee

58. Iran-Contra Affair

59. The Persian Gulf War Iran and Iraq’s prolonged war cost Iraq a lot of money Saddam Hussein soon found himself with an enormous war debts To try to pay these debts off Saddam Hussein claimed that the oil rich nation of Kuwait was part of Iraq On August 2, 1990 Iraqi troops invaded Kuwait  looting it & then began to head towards Saudi Arabia