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Reagan & The Cold War. What polices does Ronald Reagan use in dealing with the Communist World?. Reagan’s Foreign Policy: End of Détente. 1983: Reagan invades Grenada when Communists try to take over. 1982: In a speech Reagan calls the Soviet Union an “Evil Empire”
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Reagan & The Cold War What polices does Ronald Reagan use in dealing with the Communist World?
Reagan’s Foreign Policy: End of Détente • 1983: Reagan invades Grenada when Communists try to take over • 1982: In a speech Reagan calls the Soviet Union an “Evil Empire” • Reagan Doctrine states US will now stop communism around the world, ending the era of détente • Reagan starts aiding non-communists in Central America
Nicaragua: -1980-1986: Daniel Ortega begins socialist reforms -US backs an anti-communist group called the Contras -Contras incompetent – Congress cuts off funding El Salvador: 1980-1992: US backs the El Salvadoran Armed Forces in a civil war against the pro- Communist FMLN. US backed ESAF funds death squads terrorizing the country
The Middle East 1982: US aids Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein in his war vs. Iran 1983: Reagan sends US Marines to Lebanon to help in civil war, suicide bombers hit Marine barracks, kill 241 1983: Terrorists begin kidnapping Americans in Middle East 1986: members of Reagan’s Admin were secretly selling arms to Iran (in their war vs. Iraq) to gets hostages back Ntl Security Advisor John Poindexter & Col. Oliver North were taking profits from sales and sending them to Contras • Reagan claims he only knew of arms for hostages, not of illegal money to contras
Libya 1986: Disco club is bombed in West Germany US finds out country of Libya is behind the bombing Pres. Reagan orders airstrikes against Libya • Libyan leader Khadafi vows revenge • 1988: Libyan agents bomb Pan Am flt 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, 243 killed
Collapse of the Soviet Union • Reagan spends billions a space-based defense system known as SDI or “Star Wars” • However, spending billions on defense along with Reagan tax cuts creates a huge deficit • Soviet Leader Mikhail Gorbachev who is promising reforms in his country can’t keep up w/ US spending • In several summits, Reagan pressures Gorbachev to allow more freedom in USSR & Eastern Bloc • Soviet satellites in Eastern Europe begin breaking away from Communism • Soviet Union collapses in 1991