Ronald Reagan Foreign Policy
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Back to 1950’s Cold War approach More “hard line” Renewed arms race Goal: outspend Soviet Union into bankruptcy Reagan Doctrine . Aid anti-communist movements in Africa, Asia and Latin-America DETENTE REALPOLITIK HUMAN REPLACED RIGHTS WITH WHAT How does Reagan label the Soviet Union? THE EVIL EMPIRE Strategic Defense Initiative Became known as . U.S.: missile defense system SDI system would shoot down Soviet missiles with lasers System effectiveness: 50% Cost: $1.5 trillion Congress refused Lebanon Grenada Nicaragua Iran-Iraq War 1982 – U.S. sent peacekeeping force Lebanese government asked for help between Muslims and Christians Muslims viewed U.S. as enemies and frequently attacked October 23, 1983: large truck (2,500 pounds of TNT) crashed through gate of Marine Headquarters Islamic Jihadists 241 US Army, Marine & Navy servicemen killed 81 wounded Attacks by Hezbollah with Syrian intelligence and Iranian financing U.S. choice: . Stay and fight . Leave peacekeeping role U.S. forces left in 1984 Grenada: small Caribbean island off coast of Venezuela Grenada: 132 square miles . Deschutes County: 3055 sq. mi. Redmond School District: 556 sq. mi. city of Bend: 32.2 sq. mi. city of Redmond: 10.2 sq. mi. Major threat to United States? Communist leaning group overthrew government Reagan: new government forging ties to Cuba Had medical college Became one justification for invasion 2000 U.S. troops sent 18 died in invasion Reagan: necessary for U.S. security Day after Beirut bombing Most nations criticized U.S. Since 1930’s Nicaragua ruled by Somoza family Anastasio Somoza by 1970’s Pro-American, treated own people poorly 1979: thrown out Sandinistas (communist) in power Daniel Ortega leader Reagan feared Latin American “domino theory” Opposition known as Contras Reagan wanted to support Contras Contras in El Salvador Congress refused funding for Contras What should Reagan do? IRAN . Ancient enemy of Iraq . Weakened by overthrow of Shah/Islamic revolution . Oil reserves IRAQ . Looking to take advantage . Saddam Hussein wants territory and oil Iraq invades (1980) Publically, U.S. supports Iraq . Send weapons . Angry with Iran Other hostages being held in Lebanon Iran offers to get hostages out in exchange for weapons Arms embargo since 1979 What should Reagan do? War ends (1988) No territorial changes Nearly bankrupts Iraq What will Saddam do? But wait . Instability in leadership Can they keep up? Leonid Brezhnev Born: December 6, 1906 Becomes head of Communist Party 1964 Dies November 10, 1982 Yuri Andropov Born: January 15, 1914 Becomes head of Communist Party November 10, 1982 Dies February 9, 1984 Konstantin Chernenko Born: September 24, 1911 Becomes head of Communist Party February 9, 1984 Dies March 10, 1985 Mikhail Gorbachev Born: March 2, 1931 Becomes head of Communist Party March 10, 1985 What is different about Gorbachev? Gorbachev and Reagan met (first time) October 11, 1986 Gorbachev wants peace How is attitude different from past Soviet leaders? Agreed to remove missile systems from Europe Agreed to eliminate nuclear weapons (10 years) Gorbachev: no Star Wars (SDI) Reagan won’t do it Almost broke down summit Beginning of end of Cold War Reagan’s comments: . http://www.youtube.com/wat ch?v=WjWDrTXMgF8 A Time-lapse Map of Every Nuclear Explosion Since 1945 Rocky IV (1985) . Training . Final Fight Scene . Post fight speech Miracle (2004) . Coach Brooks' speech . Final minute . Miracle on Ice.