President Jimmy Carter (continued)
Problems:
- Iran Hostage Crisis- Between the U.S. and Iran; on November 4, 1979 the Iran took 52 Americans hostage for 444 days.
- Before this in 1977, there was an Iran Revolution; they over threw the pro-US government and Ayatollah Khomeini overtook as leader; this was the group that caused problems/dislikes with the United States and took the Americans hostage
- We attempted to rescue them, but it failed miserably with 8 American deaths, one Iran civilian, and a couple planes.
- Purpose: we had "The Shaw" (their previous pro-U.S. leader) in our country so Iran wanted him back, so they wanted a trade. They would give us the hostages if we give them their previous leader (we didn't make this trade)
- We got them back when Iraq invaded Iran and they were desperate and made a trade and we got the hostages back
- The Soviets Invaded Afghanistan: This war started Al QUeda and the Taliban; we were allies with them during the 80's and ultimatley strengthened them. We were just trying to help them fight communism
- Energy Crisis: There wasn't enough gas and oil for everybody
President Ronald Reagan(R) 40th; 1981-1989
Background
- He was in Februrary in Ilinois 1911
- Before he was president he was a radio broadcaster in Davenport Iowa, and an actor and govenor of California
Elections
- Ran for President in 1976 but Gerland Ford out beat him for the Republican vote
- Between him and Jimmy Carter 1981; people were worried about him because he was very old
- This election was a blow out because Jimmy Carter was no liked and Reagan was
- 1984 election was between him and Walter Mondale; this was a blow out too; he won
Assassination Attmepts
- March 1981; survived an assassination attempt by John Hinkley Jr. (complete nut case)
- On a Monday; Hinkley had a complete obssesion with Jodi Foster and saw this film she was in that had a guy that was trying to protect her character and this character tried to kill the President in the movie.
- He stalked her, went to the same college, wrote articles, wrote her letters, tried to impress her all the time (by trying to kill the President of the United States like he saw in the movie)
- He is still in the mental institution to this day; he was found innocent under insanity
How Did the Cold War Come to an End?
- Reagan called the Soviets the Evil Empire; supported any anti-communist movements worldwide
- He opposed detente (worldwide peace); upset the balance of "leave-each-there-alone"
- He spent tons of money on the military; he started the missle defensive set-up to protect us from nuclear bombs
- He had many meetings with the Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev which helped bring an end to the Cold War
Why did the US win the Cold War and why did the Soviets lose?
- We had close ties with our allies and the Soviets had no one
- China started sliding with us (instead of the Soviets) after 1972
- The Soviets economy was shambles whereas the US's was flourishing; they had a huge deficit, high inflation, corruption, social problems and shortage of basic needs for their people (they were strong militarily though; still not equal to us though)
- U.S. was flourishing at home and we were still stronger militarily
- The strong anti-communist presidency of Reagan
- Gorbachev's willingness for change and reform; he admitted Soviet mistakes, took blame for COld War, communist system failed, Allowed Eastern Europe to do what they wanted, glasnost and perestroika (this is allowing people more freedom and changing their communist gov ways)
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