Chapter+24+Section+4

 Chapter 24 Section 4

The End of the Cold War
-Since the end of WWII Soviets governments controlled nations of the Eastern Europe. Those who tried to revolt were quickly taken care of like the freedom fighters in Hungry. In 1989 and 1990 the governments changed radically. The communist governments collapsed. In 1981 Poland outlawed Solidarity, and independent labor union. Finally in 1989 Poland allowed Solidarity candidates to run for parliament. All of them won. Replacing communist leaders. Started a change in government. Even the Berlin Wall that was put up in 1961 was knocked down to signify the unity of Berlin. November 9, 1989 it was knocked down. in 1990 Germany became one nation again after being divided for 45 years. The communist government was forced out and democracy was slowly working its self in. Soviet President Gorbachev accepted the democratic reform. That that the government allowed the private ownership of land and businesses. The end of communism in the Soviet Union was a possibility. America fully supported the reform in the Soviet Union. With that Bush helped celebrate reform and promised economic support. Money that had went to the arms race could finally expand social programs or reduce deficit. Still Bush pushed for a strong national defense. The budget he called for in 1990 only called for a small reduction in defense spending.



New Directions in Latin America
-Bush did not press for military aid for the contras as Reagan had. Instead Bush pushed for a bipartisan agreement with Congress. Under the agreement we would provide food, clothing, and medical supplies to the contras. In February of 1990 NIcaragua held elections. Violeta Chamorro won and Ortega agreed to abide by the results. Bush saw it was a victory for democracy. Ortega's brother retained control of the military. In the end 1990 Chamorro power was slipping. Relations with Nicaragua was uncertain. --Invasion of Panama -dicator of Panama Manuel Noriega had been a friend of U.S. Helped funnel Americans over the Nicaragua but also was heavily involved with drug smuggling. He was defiant when we charged him with drug charges. Because of this he openly corrupted Panama's elections. On December 20, 1989 Bush sent military forces into Panama. In the beginning they held up resistance and Manuel went into hiding. But then surrendered and went to America for trial. Bush installed new government in Panama and help rebuild nations economy.

Unrest in China
-The reform shocked China. In 1989 Chinese students began to campaign for democratic reforms. Thousands gathered in Tiananmen Square in the capital city of Beijing. We hoped they would begin their own reforms. Thousands of protestors were either killed or arrested. Many fled the country. Bush disapproved of the act but did nothing but keep diplomatic channels open.

A Policy Toward South Africa
-Democracy also spread to South Africa. in the 1980s the government continued the policy of apartheid, or separations of the races. American officials used quiet diplomacy and crept public criticism of the South American government to minimal. Of course members of Congress disapproved of the approach. So Congress called for economic sanctions or limiting trade and investments in South Africa and to pressure them into ending the apartheid. The policy became known as the divestiture or ending sale outlets and factories in South America. In the beginning they were encouraging when in September of 1989 they elected a new president, F. W. de Klerk. De Klerk had many reforms for the country to ease tensions. The most dramatic was freeing Nelson Mandela, a black activist who opposed the apartheid. He was released after being in prison for 27 years. We kept sanctins in place hoping de Klerk would abolish the apartheid.

-The Middle EAst still remained a threat to world peace. After the Iran-Iraq war Saddam Hussein rebuilt the military in 1988. On August 2, 1990, Hussein and his troops invaded Kuwait, the wealthest oil-producing nations in the Middle East. This was very similar to the attack Hitler made on Czech. --A complex threat -In the 1980's all industrail nations were more independent on oil more than ever. If Saddam was successful in conquering Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, he would control more than 80% of the oil. With this control he could crumble the western economy. Another bad side he could build up a stronger army and attack other nations. --The world responds -As the result Bush immediately sends troops to Saudi Arabi. Urged nations to join together to force Saddam out. The United Nations along with the Soviets approved a trade boycott of Iraq. Blockades were soon put up in Iraq to block trade. Saddam reacted by holding American and other foreigners hostage in Kuwait and Iraq. The people would die if Saddam and his troops were bombed.
 * War Clouds in the Middle East**



-Soon American troops were surprised with Iraqi tanks and open gun fire. Invaders took all of Kuwaits valuables and only women and children were allowed to leave Kuwait. Jeff Rickert was saved when a Kuwaiti spoted him after Jeff saw his wife off to North Carolina. They took him to safety and avoiding him being taken hostage. Many people weren't safe. Americans were shot or taken hostage and Kuwaiti's were shot if they helped Americans. Bill Mills and his wife chanced getting across the border and luckily got to the American embassy. But he went through 6 different checkpoints and was in hiding for 4 months.
 * Fugitives in a Desert Drama**

-Many escapees hoped for an opportunity to leave Kuwait and Iraq but the threat of war was increasing. In November of 1990 Bush convinced the United Nations Security Counsil to declare the deadline removal of Saddam's troops by January of 1991. Bush sent 200,000 more troops for an offensive strike. The troops would launch an attack against Iraq if Bush or Congress deemed necessary. In December Saddam rejected any negotiations but released the hostages. As the threat of war grew many nations wanted to give the Iraq boycott more time but Bush wanted to deploy military forces against Iraq. After the deadline passed with still no withdrawal the U.S., forces from United Nations such as Saudi Arabi and Britian released and air attack on Iraq. American fire power and technology was superior but came to a surprise to us when we defeated Saddam in only 6 weeks.
 * War in the Persian Gulf**