25.4 Conservative Era Foreign Policy. End of European Communism. U.S.S.R.: actually was made up of several states (countries) pushed together From 1988-1990, many of them decide to take Gorbachev up on his offer of glasnost to openly demand their independence - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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25.4 Conservative Era Foreign PolicyEnd of European
CommunismU.S.S.R.: actually was made up of several states
(countries) pushed togetherFrom 1988-1990, many of them decide to
take Gorbachev up on his offer of glasnost to openly demand their
independenceGorbachevs own powers were severely weakened and
couldnt stop them from breaking away1991: The Soviet Union is
officially disbanded
End of European CommunismEast Germany: people were fed up of
being trapped in poverty by the Berlin WallNovember 1989: Communist
govt. finally allows people to visit West BerlinProtesters and
eventually the German governments worked together to bring the wall
down.By the end of 1990, Germany was re-unified
Tiananmen Square, ChinaIn the 80s, China opened up
economicallyPeople allowed to own businesses, more trade with other
countriesIn 1989, college students protesting in Tiananmen Square,
Beijing were brutally put down by the army
Fighting Commies In the Western HemisphereIn Nicaragua a popular
Communist govt. came to power in a civil warThey were called the
SandinistasThough Carter supported them, Reagan was against and
sent money/supplies to the ContrasThe Sandinistas were forced to
hold free elections in 1990
Fighting Commies In the Western HemisphereWe invaded the
Caribbean island of Grenada to take out a pro-Cuban govt.In Panama
we arrested the dictator on drug-smuggling charges (which is
good)But charging into another country and arresting their leader
makes us look like a bullyIran Contra Scandal1983 terrorists hold
American hostages in LebanonTo secure the hostages, Reagan agreed
to sell weapons to Iranand used the profits to fund the Contra
Congress investigated many Reagan officials, Oliver North took most
of the hit.Many were found guilty, later pardoned by George H.W.
Bush
The Gulf WarSaddam Hussein invaded Kuwait in 1990Claimed Kuwait
was pumping Iraqi oilAlso claimed Kuwait was technically part of
IraqThe U.S. (and others) responded to avoid the possibility of a
stronger Iraq.
The Gulf WarAerial bombardment started January, 1991Ground
troops in February, only took four daysIraqi troops set fire to oil
wells in their retreat
