Chapter 43 Notes:

 

Leading a resurgent conservative movement to power in Washington, Ronald Reagan vigorously pursued new-right economic and social policies. Under Reagan and his successor, George Bush, these policies brought both economic growth and massive budget deficits that put severe constraints on the federal government

 

The early 1980’s saw a revival of Cold War confrontation, but a revived detente between the two superpowers developed in the late 1980’s. External pressure and internal change culminated in the liberation of Eastern Europe, the collapse of the Soviet Union, and a rough beginning for the post-Cold War “new world order”

 

Domestically Speaking:

        Supply side economics: lower taxes and increased military spending

                Brought on lower inflation and economic boost  but also caused

                soaring deficits and stagnant earnings for middle class Americans

        Attacked affirmative action and abortion

        Bush appeared unable to deal with the recession of 1991 which led to the

                election of Bill Clinton in 1992

 

Foreign Policy:

        Star Wars and increases in defense spending reignited the Cold War

        Marines were sent into Grenada to prevent a communist takeover (1983)

        Continued SALT II talks with the Soviets

        Sent Marines to Lebanon to aid UN peacekeeping, 241 were killed in a car-

                bombing attack

        Iran Contra: Reagan officials illegally sold weapons to Iran to raise money

                for Contras in Nicaragua, Reagan claimed no knowledge of these

                activities but was criticized for poor management over his staff

        Desert Storm in 1991 to free Kuwait from the Iraqi dictator Saddam

                Hussein

        Eastern European communist governments collapsed in 1989    

        Soviet Union broke apart in 1991 ending the Cold War