Iran-Contra Scandal

Reagan Administration

President Reagan in the Oval Office, 1986

Ronald Reagan, an actor and former
Republican governor of California,
defeated incumbent Democratic
president Jimmy Carter in the election
of 1980. Reagan’s foreign policy
focused largely on the Cold War with
the Soviet Union. Reagan saw the
Soviet Union as an “evil empire” and
pursued a more confrontational
approach toward the Soviets than
recent presidents had. Reagan spoke
aggressively about the Soviet Union,
and he increased military spending,
which angered the Soviet Union.
Reagan was also committed to
supporting groups who were fighting
against communist governments or
suppressing communist movements
around the world.

Open Ended

1. What job did Ronald Reagan have before he became a politician?

Fill in the Blanks

2. What state was RR governor of?

Open Ended

3. What president did he defeat?

Open Ended

4. How did RR see the Soviet Union?

Open Ended

5. What budget did RR increase?

Open Ended

6. Who was RR committed to supporting?

OLLIE NORTH

• MARINE COLONEL OLIVER NORTH, A SECURITY

ADVISOR, WAS DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN THE
SCHEME. HE SHREDDED OR HID INCRIMINATING
DOCUMENTS. (SOUND FAMILIAR?)

Fill in the Blanks

Who was the US ally?

Fill in the Blanks

What did Iranians call their monarch?

Open Ended

How did Iranians feel about the US & UK when they helped Shah Pahlavi get into power?

BACKGROUND: NICARAGUA