1010thth American History American HistoryUnit III- U.S. Foreign PolicyUnit III- U.S. Foreign Policy

World War II - todayWorld War II - today

Nixon- Bush #4Nixon- Bush #4

Reading QuizReading Quiz

1. What was the Iran-Contra Affair?

2. What happened to Pan American flight 103 over

Scotland?

3. What was “disinformation” about Qaddafi?

4. What was the Boland Amendment?

5. Who is Lt. Col. Oliver North?

6. What happened on the USS Stark?

7. Who were the Contras?

8. Who are the PLO?

““Disinformation program”Disinformation program”

Planting untrue stories about Libyan Leader Muammar el-Qaddafi

The hope was to make Qaddfi fear his people would overthrow him.

Iran-Contra AffairIran-Contra Affair

Also known as "Irangate”

a mid-1980s political scandal in the United States.

President Ronald Reagan's administration sold arms to Iran, an avowed enemy. At the time, Americans were being held hostage in Lebanon, and it was hoped that Iran would influence the release

Iran was in the midst of the Iran-Iraq War, and could find few nations willing to supply it with weapons.

The U.S. diverted proceeds from the sale to the Contras, anti-Communist guerrillas fighting the elected socialist Sandinista government of Nicaragua.

Both the sale of weapons and the funding of the Contras violated the Boland Amendments of Congress.

Iran-Contra AffairIran-Contra Affair July 1985 the Israeli government approached July 1985 the Israeli government approached

the Reagan administration with a proposal to the Reagan administration with a proposal to get hostages held by Hezbollah in Lebanon get hostages held by Hezbollah in Lebanon released.released.

Israel would act as an intermediary and sell Israel would act as an intermediary and sell arms (missiles) to Iran for the U.S. in exchange arms (missiles) to Iran for the U.S. in exchange for Iran’s help in getting hostages released.for Iran’s help in getting hostages released.

In December 1985, President Reagan signed a In December 1985, President Reagan signed a secret presidential "finding" describing the deal secret presidential "finding" describing the deal as "arms-for-hostages."as "arms-for-hostages."

The arms were eventually sold However, The arms were eventually sold However, Hezbollah proceeded to take more hostages Hezbollah proceeded to take more hostages after they had released old ones, and failing to after they had released old ones, and failing to produce any meaningful results, the arms-for-produce any meaningful results, the arms-for-hostages program was finally cancelled.hostages program was finally cancelled.

The Reagan administration had been helping the Contras The Reagan administration had been helping the Contras since November since November 19811981

Boland Amendment blocked military aid to the Contras- no Boland Amendment blocked military aid to the Contras- no covert military assistance.covert military assistance.

The Reagan administration went around the amendments The Reagan administration went around the amendments by using the National Security Council to supervise covert by using the National Security Council to supervise covert support. support.

The NSC proceeded to raise private and foreign funds for The NSC proceeded to raise private and foreign funds for the Contras. In addition, proceeds from the arms sales to the Contras. In addition, proceeds from the arms sales to Iran were used to purchase arms for the Contras in an Iran were used to purchase arms for the Contras in an arrangement instituted by Colonel Oliver North and aide to arrangement instituted by Colonel Oliver North and aide to National Security Advisor John Poindexter. National Security Advisor John Poindexter. The Enterprise.The Enterprise.

Eugene H. Hasenfus was an unemployed construction Eugene H. Hasenfus was an unemployed construction worker from Wisconsin who got secured work as a cargo worker from Wisconsin who got secured work as a cargo handler for the CIA. He was aboard the cargo plane shot handler for the CIA. He was aboard the cargo plane shot down over Nicaragua on October 5, 1986 while delivering down over Nicaragua on October 5, 1986 while delivering

illegal weapons to the Nicaraguan Contras.illegal weapons to the Nicaraguan Contras.

Iran-Contra AffairIran-Contra Affair U.S. Attorney General Edwin Meese on Nov. 25, 1986 U.S. Attorney General Edwin Meese on Nov. 25, 1986

admitted that profits from weapons sales to Iran were admitted that profits from weapons sales to Iran were made available to assist the Contra rebels in Nicaragua.made available to assist the Contra rebels in Nicaragua.

Senate Committee- “The Tower Committee” would be Senate Committee- “The Tower Committee” would be looking into the matter.looking into the matter.

President Reagan said he had not been informed of the President Reagan said he had not been informed of the operation.operation.

The U.S. Congress issued its final report onNov. 18, The U.S. Congress issued its final report onNov. 18, 1987, which stated that the President bore "ultimate 1987, which stated that the President bore "ultimate responsibility" for wrongdoing by his aides and his responsibility" for wrongdoing by his aides and his administration exhibited "secrecy, deception and administration exhibited "secrecy, deception and disdain for the law." disdain for the law."

Oliver North and John Poindexter were indicted on Oliver North and John Poindexter were indicted on multiple charges on March 16, 1988multiple charges on March 16, 1988

Reagan survived the scandal, and would see his Reagan survived the scandal, and would see his approval ratings return to previous levelsapproval ratings return to previous levels

Iran-Contra AffairIran-Contra Affair

1:23 min.

Conflict in NicaraguaConflict in Nicaragua

Aug. 1986, before Iran-Contra Aug. 1986, before Iran-Contra Affair, congress voted $100 Affair, congress voted $100 million for military aid to million for military aid to Contra’s.Contra’s.

1987- Central American Peace 1987- Central American Peace Accord- countries signed to end Accord- countries signed to end all outside aid to to guerilla all outside aid to to guerilla groups.groups.

1990- Sandanistas allowed free 1990- Sandanistas allowed free elections and the opposition won.elections and the opposition won.

Civil War continued in El Civil War continued in El Salvador.Salvador.

Troubles in the Persian GulfTroubles in the Persian Gulf Iran-Iraq WarIran-Iraq War 1987- increased attacks on oil tankers.1987- increased attacks on oil tankers. May 17, 1987- U.S.S. Stark May 17, 1987- U.S.S. Stark

mistakenly attacked by Iraqi plane. mistakenly attacked by Iraqi plane. Two missiles kill 37 U.S. crewmen.Two missiles kill 37 U.S. crewmen.

July 1988, U.S.S. Vincennes mistook July 1988, U.S.S. Vincennes mistook an Iranian Civilian airliner for an an Iranian Civilian airliner for an attacking Iranian F-14 fighter and attacking Iranian F-14 fighter and shot it down. 290 people died.shot it down. 290 people died.

To avenge the martyrs, Iran ordered To avenge the martyrs, Iran ordered the bombing of Pan American 103 the bombing of Pan American 103 over Scotland- 259 died and 11 on the over Scotland- 259 died and 11 on the ground.ground.

Palestinian uprisings in Gaza and the Palestinian uprisings in Gaza and the West-Bank.West-Bank.