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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
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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 • Gorbachev’s own powers were severely weakened and couldn’t stop them from breaking away • 1991: The Soviet Union is officially disbanded
End of European Communism • East Germany: people were fed up of being trapped in poverty by the Berlin Wall • November 1989: Communist govt. finally allows people to visit West Berlin • Protesters and eventually the German governments worked together to bring the wall down. • By the end of 1990, Germany was re-unified
Tiananmen Square, China • In the 80s, China opened up economically • People allowed to own businesses, more trade with other countries • In 1989, college students protesting in Tiananmen Square, Beijing were brutally put down by the army
Fighting Commies In the Western Hemisphere • In Nicaragua a popular Communist govt. came to power in a civil war • They were called the Sandinistas • Though Carter supported them, Reagan was against and sent money/supplies to the Contras • The Sandinistas were forced to hold free elections in 1990
Fighting Commies In the Western Hemisphere • We 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 bully
Iran Contra Scandal • 1983 terrorists hold American hostages in Lebanon • To secure the hostages, Reagan agreed to sell weapons to Iran • …and 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 War” • Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait in 1990 • Claimed Kuwait was pumping Iraqi oil • Also claimed Kuwait was technically part of Iraq • The U.S. (and others) responded to avoid the possibility of a stronger Iraq.
The “Gulf War” • Aerial bombardment started January, 1991 • Ground troops in February, only took four days • Iraqi troops set fire to oil wells in their retreat