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1980 Election
It as an election between Jimmy Carter and his Republican opponent, Ronald Reagan. Reagan, aided by the Iran hostage and the sinking economy, won in a landslide vote.
Source: http://www.270towin.com/1980_Election/ -
Release of American Hostages by Iran
Hostages were released by Iran after President Reagan met their demands for weapons trading in the Iran-Contra Scandal after being hostages for over 10 years.
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Trickle-Down Economics
Reagan popularized the controversial idea that giving tax breaks to investors and entrepreneurs provides incentive to save and invest and produce economic benefits that trickle down into the overall economy. -
AIDS
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome was first reported int eh US in June 1981 and increased rapidly during the 80s. Federal resources were made available for HIV prevention and national efforts were launched to educate the public about HIV and AIDS that were launched by the CDC.
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Assassination attempt on Reagan
John Hickley Jr. open fired on Reagan outside the Washington Hilton Hotel, Reagan was hit by one bullet that punctured hi s lung. Despite this he walked into the ER himself for treatment and the attempt failed. Hickley was found not guilty on account of insanity and a year later and confined to a hospital.
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Strategic Defensive Initiative (SDI) AKA Star Wars
Idea proposed by Reagan to use ground and space-based systems to protect the US from attack by ballistic missiles. SDI focused on strategic defense rather than offense. -
1984 Election
Republican candidate Reagan and democratic candidate former VP Walter Mondale competed for the position. Reagan won in in 49 of 50 states in a landslide vote.
Source: http://www.270towin.com/1984_Election/ -
Iran-Contra Affair
Reagan and his advisers sold arms to Iran, a designated enemy of the US that had an embargo put in place since 1979, to finance the Contras in Nicaragua. After the arms were shipped, the American hostages were released.
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Gorbachev's Glasnost and Perestroika
Glasnost was the ability of Soviet citizens to freely voice their opinions and perestroika was the need to entirely restructure the Soviet Union's economy. These ideas were brought about by Gorbachev's progressive ideas and massive economic, political and social changes.
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The "Reagan Doctrine"
During his State of Union address, Reagan defined some key concepts of his foreign policy, establishing the "Reagan Doctrine." It served as a foundation for his administration's support of 'freedom fighters' worldwide.
Source: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-reagan-doctrine-is-announced -
The Challenger Disaster
The Challenger broke apart 73 seconds after its launch killing 7 crew members over the Atlantic Ocean. The space program took a 32 month hiatus and Pres. Reagan appointed a special commission to investigate the disaster, the Rogers Commission. It found NASA's culture and decision led to the event and warning form engineers were ignored the morning of the flight.
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1988 Election
Ronald Reagan had served his maximum two terms and his VP, George W. Bush, was the Republican nomination. The Democrats nominate Micheal Dukakis. Bush capitalized on the good economy and stable international state, and was riding the coattails of Reagan's presidency and popularity, winning the election. .
Source: http://www.270towin.com/1988_Election/ -
Tienanmen Square Massacre
Masses of people, mainly student, gathered in Tienanmen Square to protest for democracy and political reform. The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) violently cleared the Square ending the six-week long protest. It's estimated anywhere from several hundred to several thousands were killed and after this the US became more open to trade and doing business with China.
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Unraveling of the Soviet Bloc
When Gorbachev took control of the Soviet Union he brought about a revolution with his policies of glasnost and perestroika. The Unions's unraveling started in Poland when they elected a non-communist leader, leading to a domino effect in which other countries fell from communism. Demands for freedom followed sit in the Union and in 1991 the Ukraine, Byelorussia and Russia declared itself independent and the Soviet Union dissolved.
Source: http://www.ushistory.org/us/59e.asp -
The Fall of the Berlin Wall
It's destruction, celebrated worldwide, was as abrupt as its creation. As Communism began to falter in Poland, Hungary and Czechoslovakia new evacuation points were given to East Germans that wanted to go West. People began to chip away at the wall with chisels and hammers and had a large celebrations. East and West Germany reunified on October 3, 1990.
Source: notes -
Operation Desert Storm
The combat phase of the Gulf War against Iraq led by Saddam Hussein. Operation Desert Storm was the code-name for the US led UN operation to liberate Kuwait, an oil rich country, from Iraq forces. It received unprecedented TV coverage and people watched it live from their homes.
Source: http://www.american-historama.org/1990-present-modern-era/operation-desert-storm.htm -
Collapse of the USSR
The unraveling of the Soviet Bloc ultimately led to the collapse of the USSR. Revolutionary ideas backed by Gorbachev eventually led to him stepping down as president of the Soviet Union and leaving Boris Yeltsin as president of the new independent Russian state.
Source: https://history.state.gov/milestones/1989-1992/collapse-soviet-union
