POL300- Contemporary International Problems The Reagan Era

Name: POL300- Contemporary International Problems The Reagan Era
Brand: Wilmington University
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Author: Ethan Howard

Analysis of international relations during the Reagan presidency.

Ethan Howard

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RUNNING HEAD: THE REAGAN ERA 1
The Reagan Era
Tanya Robinson
Ms. Nillab Pazhwak, M.Ed., M.A.
POL300- Contemporary International Problems
8/31/14
In your analysis of Ronald Reagan's foreign and domestic policies, you discuss both the
successes and failures of his administration, particularly in regard to the Reagan Doctrine and its
impact on Nicaragua. How did Reagan’s foreign interventions, such as those in Nicaragua,
reflect his broader Cold War strategy, and what were the long-term consequences for U.S.
relations with Latin America? Additionally, how did Reagan's domestic policies, such as tax cuts
and economic reforms, influence the American economy and political landscape?
Word Count Requirement: 800-1000 words.

THE REAGAN ERA 2
On Friday October 16, 1981, President Ronald Reagan wrote in his personal diary,
“Central America is really the world’s next hotspot. Nicaragua is an armed camp supplied by
Cuba and threatening a communist takeover of all of Central America.” (The Reagan Diaries,
2007) For the next eight years as Commander-in-Chief, this mindset would shape his perspective
on the small Third World country about the size of North Carolina. The Administration’s
policies, actions, and attitudes toward Nicaragua and other perceived hostile nations became
known as “Reagan Doctrine.” The defeat of the Nicaraguan Revolution became the “cornerstone
of the Reagan Central American policy and the test case of Reagan Doctrine.” (U.S. Intervention
in the Nicaraguan Elections and American Foreign Policy in the Post-Cold War Era, 1992)
Reagan Doctrine was not a label coined by President Reagan or his administration. It was
a term used later by his critics to define his foreign policy strategy for countries around the
world. The Reagan Doctrine was a strategy to aid anti-communist, or more specifically, anti-
Soviet insurgencies in the Third World during Reagan’s two terms as president from 1981-1989.
The primary goal was to overthrow Marxist regimes and/or prevent Marxist regimes from
becoming established.
Reagan wasted no time getting started in the implementation of his foreign policy. The
Administration’s first comprehensive “U.S. National Security Strategy,” which was a document
approved by the President in May of 1982, stated the objective to “contain and reverse the
expansion of Soviet control and military presence throughout the world, and to increase the costs
of Soviet support and use of proxy, terrorist and subversive forces.” (Presidential Studies, 2006)
Reagan made staunch calls for public support in his efforts. In the State of the Union Address in
1985, for example, he stated that the U.S. must “not break faith with those who are risking their
lives—on every continent, from Afghanistan to Nicaragua—to defy Soviet-supported

THE REAGAN ERA 3
aggression.” One year later he boldly remarked that “America will support with moral and
material assistance your right not just to fight and die for freedom, but to fight and win
freedom…in Afghanistan, in Angola, in Cambodia, and in Nicaragua.” (Political Science
Quarterly, 2007)
In most of these nations, the aggressive policies and actions of Reagan caused severe
damage. In Nicaragua for example, the economy was decimated by U.S. sanctions and
manipulation of its banking institutions. The Administration, supported by Congress, funded a
war against the Sandinista National Liberation Front (Frente Sandinista de Liberación Nacional,
or FSLN). It was a war fought by various Nicaraguan rebel groups, labeled the Contras, which
sought to overthrow the Sandinistas, who came to power after the revolution in 1979.
“The development of Contra forces began in 1981 when Reagan authorized $19.5 million
in funding for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to construct a paramilitary force of 500
Nicaraguan exiles from deposed President Anastasio Somoza’s National Guard.” (International
Security, 1990) Along with congressionally funded aid, members of the Reagan Administration
attained additional funds through the illicit sales of arms to Iran. Funds from these sales were
funneled to the Contras. When this illegal activity was revealed in the “Iran-Contra Affair” in
November of 1986, it led to the indictment and conviction of many of Reagan’s staff.
Reagan policy in Nicaragua was failure in many respects. The Contra war was ill-
conceived and did not enjoy support of the people of Nicaragua. The rebel forces never
legitimately threatened the Sandinista government and military. The U.S. failed to gain
international support for the war or its political and economic actions. In fact, Reagan was

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University

Wilmington University

Subject

Political Science

POL300- Contemporary International Problems The Reagan Era

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