What was the greatest achievement of President Carter? Warm Up What was the greatest achievement of President Carter?
1980s Pt 1- Foreign Policy
Ronald Reagan Ronald Reagan- Republican elected in 1980, defeating Jimmy Carter Former film actor, governor of Cali Showed revival of conservatism and “renewed sense of hope” after problems of the 1970s
Foreign Policy/ Cold War Reagan’s approach to the Cold War: Peace through Strength – huge increases in defense, weapons, and military Thought weapons increased security by discouraging attacks from Soviets or other countries Also put pressure on Soviets to increase their defense spending- pressured Soviet economy Caused huge budget deficits
Many say Reagan was responsible for the end of the Cold War Relations with Soviets improved- Reagan met with Mikhail Gorbachev, the new leader 1989- Berlin Wall fell (was torn down, Germany was reunified as one country) Credited to Reagan’s defense spending and relationship w/ Gorbachev Many say Reagan was responsible for the end of the Cold War
Why did Ronald Reagan increase defense spending?
Foreign Policy US continued support for Israel- had been pro-Israel since it was created after WWII and the Holocaust Problem when Israel was created: there were already people living there- the Palestinians- caused a lot of conflict
Foreign Policy Why the US supported Israel: it was a democracy that supported the West (US, Europe) in the Middle East- we needed friends there because many countries didn’t like us So the US gave a lot of military and economic aid to help them survive There was strong support from American Jews
Terrorism US involved in Middle East to prevent communism and try to keep the region stable (they have the oil) Marines in Lebanon – 241 Americans killed when a barracks was bombed in Lebanon in 1983 Marines were in Lebanon as part of a peacekeeping force to contain Lebanon’s civil war Public pressure led to Reagan pulling all U.S. troops out of the country 4 months after the bombing
Iran-Contra Affair The Iran-Contra Affair was the biggest scandal of Reagan’s administration Reagan supported anti- communist forces called the Contras in Nicaragua Congress cut off funding for support- so we weren’t supposed to send them any more money or help
Illegal activity uncovered- investigation started Reagan administration continued to fund Contras with money from secret weapons sales to Iran US sold weapons to Iran in exchange for hostage release, then sent money to Contras Illegally sent support to Contras against Sandinistas (communists) Illegal activity uncovered- investigation started Reagan denied knowledge of it- said people did it without his permission
US sold weapons to Iran for hostage release US sent money from weapons sales to Contras fighting communism Reagan denied knowledge of it United States Contras Iran
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mb1GfP5Rwys
What was the Iran-Contra Scandal?
George H.W. Bush George H.W. Bush was Reagan’s VP Elected as president in ‘88
Cold War milestones during Bush’s presidency (as a result of Reagan’s policies): 1989 – fall of Berlin Wall & German reunification 1991 – collapse of Soviet Union & official end of Cold War
Prior to 1991 Collapse
Collapse – New nations created
George H.W. Bush Persian Gulf War- most significant event of Bush’s presidency Iraq, led by Saddam Hussein, invaded Kuwait in 1990 for control of oil U.N. coalition led by US liberated (freed) Kuwait in ‘91 Saddam Hussein stayed in power but not allowed to have weapons of mass destruction; hostile relationship with US throughout 90s Bush lost re-election in ‘92 to Bill Clinton due to bad economy
Iraq (Saddam Hussein) invaded Kuwait for oil US sent troops to defend Kuwait Kuwait was liberated Hussein stayed in power in Iraq
Why did the United States get involved in the Persian Gulf War Why did the United States get involved in the Persian Gulf War? What happened to Kuwait at the end?
What was Reagan’s approach to the Cold War? Big Idea What was Reagan’s approach to the Cold War?