VA/US HistoryKatherine Lacks

The End of the Cold War

Review

The Cold War started after WWII when the US and USSR became the world superpowers

USSR: communistUS

Political system: democracy Economic system: capitalism

Review

US policy towards the USSR had been containmentWhy we entered Korean War, Iraq and Middle East

conflicts, VietnamNixon ended the Vietnam War with VietnamizationHe became the first POTUS to visit China and USSRSigned SALT with the USSR (Strategic Arms

Limitation Treaty)Nixon then resigned from office after the Watergate

Scandal, making him the only POTUS to ever quit the job

Ford, Nixon’s 2nd VP, became President

US under Ford

Pardoned NixonSigned the Helsinki Accords

Agreement between 35 states, including the US, Canada, and all European states except Albania and Andorra to improve relations between NATO countries and the communist bloc

Helped reduce Cold War tensions and push towards détente (the easing of strained relations, especially in a political situation)

US under Ford

Ford prevented a new war in the Middle East by giving aid to both Israel and Egypt

Ford did not want to run again in 1976, but he was encouraged to by his party

He was defeated by Democrat Jimmy Carter of Georgia

Carter: Domestic Affairs

Environment: expanded the national park system included protection of 103 million acres of Alaskan lands

Created the Department of Education, bolstered the Social Security system, and appointed record numbers of women, blacks, and Hispanics to Government jobs

Carter: Foreign Affairs

Championed human rights issuesCamp David Accords: Truce between Israel

and EgyptEstablished full diplomatic relations with

ChinaCompleted negotiation of SALT II with the

Soviet Union1979: gave aid (money and weapons) to

Afghanistan to help them fight off the invading Soviets

Carter: Foreign Affairs

Iran Hostage Crisis Iranians seized 66 hostages of the U. S. embassy staff

in Tehran, Iran on Nov. 4, 1979 Missions to save the Americans failed consequences of Iran's holding Americans captive,

together with continuing inflation at home, contributed to Carter's defeat in 1980

Six Americans escaped and of the 66 who were taken hostage, 13 were released on Nov. 19 and 20, 1979; one was released on July 11, 1980, and the remaining 52 were released on Jan. 20, 1981, the day Carter left office

US Under Reagan

Carter lost the 1980 Presidential Election to Republican Ronald Reagan from California by a landslide

New Conservatism

Reduced public faith in the government’s ability to solve social and economic problems, the growth of religious fundamentalism, and the dissemination of neoconservative thought all combined to invigorate conservatism.

The rapid and substantial growth of evangelical and fundamentalist Christian churches and organizations, as well as increased political participation by some of those groups, encouraged significant opposition to liberal social and political trends.

Reagan

“Government is not the solution to our problems, government is the problem” (1st Inaugural)

Goals: Get American government off the

backs of the people Restore US prestige internationally

by building up US defenses Ex. SDI (Star Wars Defense System)

US under Reagan

He entered the presidency during the greatest recession since the Great Depression

Reagan obtained legislation to stimulate economic growth, curb inflation, increase employment, and strengthen national defense.

He embarked upon a course of cutting taxes and Government expenditures

This rejuvenation of the American economy became known as supply-side economics or “Reaganomics”

Reagan: Foreign Affairs

Very active in foreign affairs“Reagan Doctrine” = support Freedom

Fighters (anti--communists) Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador Invasion of Grenada Panama, arrest strong man president Arm groups fighting USSR in Afghanistan CIA involvement

Reagan: Foreign Affairs

The Reagan Administration’s NSC arranges secret arms for Iran to fund covert military aid to Contra (anti communist) forces in Nicaragua’s civil war. (In violation of US Law)

NSC Iran Contra point man Oliver

North testifies before

Congress.

Reagan: Foreign Affairs

Maintained a working relationship with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev negotiated a treaty that would eliminate intermediate-

range nuclear missiles (INF Treaty) Glasnost: Openness; Soviet policy permitting open

discussion of political and social issues at the end of the Cold War

Perestroika: Restructuring of the Soviet economy to help the people in the mid-1980s

Reagan: Foreign Affairs

Reagan: Foreign Affairs

Reagan traveled to West Berlin in 1987 to commemorate the 750th anniversary of the city

He made a speech at the Brandenburg Gate of the Berlin Wall and challenged Gorbachev

USSR = “Evil Empire”

Reagan: Foreign Affairs

“We welcome change and openness; for we believe that freedom and security go together, that the advance of human liberty can only strengthen the cause of world peace. There is one sign the Soviets can make that would be unmistakable, that would advance dramatically the cause of freedom and peace. General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization, come here to this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate. Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” –Ronald Reagan

Reagan: Foreign Affairs

In November 1989, the Soviets announced that the people of East and West Berlin could once again unite, and the Berlin Wall was torn down

The End of the Cold War

Reagan is viewed as one of the most successful US presidents

The Soviet Union was officially dissolved on December 25, 1991 during the presidency of George H. W. Bush

The former communist country re-adopted its original name, Russia

Minorities were freed and given their own countries : Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova

Boris Yeltsin became the 1st President of the new Russia is 1991

George H. W. Bush

Incumbent in Election of 1988, wonFrom TX“No new taxes”Gulf War 1990 – 91

Election of 1992

George H. W. Bush (Rep, Texas)Bill Clinton (Dem, Arkansas)Ross Perot (Ind, Texas)

Perot and Bush split the Rep vote; Bill Clinton wins

Bill Clinton (1993 – 2000)

Bill Clinton – Domestic Issues

Contract with America (with House Speaker Newt Gingrich) – transferred means tested programs to state level

Tried to create national health care system, failed

Oklahoma City BombingImpeachment trial

Bill Clinton – Foreign Affairs

The BalkansHaitiNorth KoreaSomalia (Battle of Mogadishu)

George H. W. Bush (2000 – 2009)

No Child Left Behind9/11AfghanistanIraqPatriot Act