Reaganomics Reagans new economic policies 1 budget cuts

Reaganomics Reagan’s new economic policies • 1. budget cuts • 2. tax cuts • 3. increased defense spending

• -1983 pro-Iranian terrorist groups took Americans hostage in Lebanon • - Reagan said U. S. allies should not sell weapons to Iran • -But, in 1986 Reagan approved selling weapons to Iran for the release of 7 American hostages • Reagan’s staff used profits from those sales to send weapons to Contras in Nicaragua Iran. Contra Scandal

Fall of the Soviet Union Gorbachev initiates reform: 1. glasnost – “openness”, people could openly criticize government 2. perestroika – restructuring of Soviet society (less government involvement, some free enterprise) 3. better relations with U. S. • In 1991, Gorbachev resigned and the Soviet Union dissolved.

NAFTA • North American Free Trade Agreement • legislation brought Mexico into the freetrade zone that already existed between the U. S. and Canada • Supporters: will strengthen all 3 economies and create more American jobs • Opponents: would transfer American jobs to Mexico

Clinton’s Impeachment and Acquittal • impeached for perjury and obstruction of justice • Tried to cover up improper relationship with White House intern • He was acquitted in the Senate trial. He remained in office and apologized for his actions.

2000 Election • Al Gore (Democrat) v. George W. Bush (Republican) • came down to who won Florida • Gore won the popular vote, but Bush won Florida in a recount by 500 • Gore requested manual recounts, and Bush sued to stop them. Supreme Court sided with Bush.

Electoral College • Even though Gore won the popular vote, Bush won because he had the most Electoral College votes

Attacks on 9/11 • shifted energy and attention to fighting terrorism

War on Terror • Department of Homeland Security, aviation security, antiterrorism bill

Afghanistan • coalition of forces led by U. S. bombed Afghanistan because they were harboring Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda. • broke up the al-Qaeda network, and bin Laden was killed in 2011.

Iraq • Bush feared that Saddam Hussein would supply terrorists with WMD (weapons of Mass Destruction) • Hussein refused to cooperate with inspections, and U. S and British forces invaded Iraq in 2003. • No WMD were found, but Saddam Hussein was defeated, went into hiding, and tried for crimes against humanity.