Weeks 32-35 Modern History IDs

 

Scandal with the Contras

 

Background

 

• Armed opponents of Nicaragua's Sandinista regime (Contras)
• Accused of attacking civilians and crimes against humanity
• Conflict claimed 30,000 lives
• Received aid from Argentina and the United States under President Reagan

 

Iran-Contra Scandal

 

• Reagan sold arms illegally to Iran
• Funds used from these transactions were used to fund the Contras
• Reagan initially denied this, but recanted
• Two men involved in this, Oliver North and John Poindexter were indicted
• Reagan's approval ratings dropped after the affair was made public

 

 

President Ronald Reagan was at the center of the Iran-Contra Scandal, but faced no charges. His approval rate after the incident dropped however.