1. RAH Day 31 Enduring Understanding(s) Reagan’s foreign policy, based upon increasing the United States military strength, helped to eventually lessen tensions of the Cold War at the expense of devaluing American ideals at home and abroad. Depending on one’s political views, Reagan’s Presidency could be considered either a success or a failure due to his economic, social, and foreign policy actions. Essential Questions 1.Describe how and why tensions between the USSR and US changed during the course of the Reagan Administration. 2.Explain the paradox of Reagan desiring to spread American ideals while supporting dictators in Latin America using specific examples 3.Describe how the Iran-Contra scandal exposed issues between the legislative and executive branches. 4.Evaluate the success of Reagan’s Presidency in terms of social, economic, and foreign issues

2. Reagan’s Foreign Policy Goals Promote American ideals abroad Stop Communism anywhere and everywhere Strong U.S. military Most expensive peacetime build- up in U.S. history Protect U.S. interests and help anyone stop communism (human rights not an issue)

3. Foreign Policy G.O. Group 1: Cold War + Arms Build-Up pg. 350-352 Group 2: Cold War + Gorbachev pg. 352-353 Group 3: El Salvador, Grenada pg. 355-356 Group 4: Nicaragua pg. 356-357 Group 5: Middle East Terrorism pg. 356-357

4. EQ 2: Describe how and why tensions between the USSR and US changed during the course of the Reagan Administration. EQ3: Explain the paradox of Reagan desiring to spread American ideals while supporting dictators in Latin America using specific examples

5. EQ 2: Describe how and why tensions between the USSR and US changed during the course of the Reagan Administration. - At first, strong stance against USSR, “evil empire” military build-up, more arms, SDI -By 1984, relations improved, Gorbachev: Glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring) EQ3: Explain the paradox of Reagan desiring to spread American ideals while supporting dictators in Latin America using specific examples

6. Guatemala General Efrain Rios Montt Regime lasted from March 1982- August 1983 Deadliest period of violence in entire Guatemalan civil war Enjoyed the support of United States “Protected” Guatemala from communism by bringing destruction upon the rural people of Guatemala, the majority Maya Indians, in order to eliminate communist guerillas Historical Clarification Committee: Considered Genocide beyond any doubt

8. Rios Montt came to power through a coup d’état supported by the CIA Ronald Reagan restored U.S. funding for military operations against communists in Guatemala Reagan: “President Ríos Montt is a man of great personal integrity and commitment.... I know he wants to improve the quality of life for all Guatemalans and to promote social justice.”

9. Guatemalan Historical Clarification Committee: “In the majority of massacres there is evidence of multiple acts of savagery, which preceded, accompanied or occurred after the deaths of the victims. Acts such as the killing of defenseless children, often by beating them against walls or throwing them alive into pits where the corpses of adults were later thrown; the amputation of limbs; the impaling of victims; the killing of persons by covering them in petrol and burning them alive; the extraction, in the presence of others, of the viscera of victims who were still alive; the confinement of people who had been mortally tortured, in agony for days; the opening of the wombs of pregnant women, and other similarly atrocious acts....”

10. How could the U.S. support regimes like this? Consider this quote: “The answer to that question begins with a basic intellectual approach which views foreign policy as a lifeless, bloodless set of abstractions. "Nations," "interests," "influence," "prestige"—all are disembodied and dehumanized terms which encourage easy inattention to the real people whose lives our decisions affect or even end.”

11. Iran-Contra Scandal 1.U.S. sells weapons to Iran (through Israel) in exchange for hostages 2.U.S. overcharges for the weapons 3.U.S. sends the extra money to Contras in Nicaragua illegally (Oliver North) 4.Contras are battling against leftist regime WEAPONS MONEY & HOSTAGES Extra Money 1 23 4 5. Leads to Iran-Contra hearings where the affair is exposed 5

12. Iran-Contra Scandal Pg. 13-16 of your packet Complete the reading (actively read) and then answer the questions Work on this individually Now, work with a partner to review your answers Answer EQ3: Describe how the Iran-Contra scandal exposed issues between the legislative and executive branches.

13. Reagan Evaluation Complete pg. 17 of your packet with your partner You can use pg. 360-362 of the text as a guide Be prepared to share your answer at the end of class today