The Nicaraguan Revolution
www.slideshare.net/dschaenman

Flip Flap!
• tell me about...William Walker
• why did I have you learn about him?

Background
• historical social conditions
• exports: coffee, sugar, cotton and timber
• U.S. intervention in the civil war (1926-33)
• Anastasio Somoza vs Augusto Sandino
• Somoza Dynasty 1936-1979

Somoza and Sons
...43 years of dictatorship...
• strong supporters of anti-Communism and
U.S. business investments
• massive corruption
• Bay of Pigs
• 1972 earthquake
6.2 Richter Scale
5,000 killed
$800 mil

The Revolution Begins!
• restrictions on the press
• increase in public protests
• Sandinistas increase in popularity
• middle/upper class flight
• plea to the U.S.--how will Carter respond?

Nature of the Revolt
• brutality of the National Guard
• rocket attacks, teenagers and mutilations
• Bill Stewart, ABC News
• forced resignation of Somoza
• moderate reforms enacted

Preview of U.S.
Responses
Somoza may be a son-of-a-bitch, but at least he’s our son-of-a-bitch
--FDR (alleged)
• President Carter: concern for human rights?
• President Reagan: good old-fashioned Cold
warrior

Sandinistas and Carter
• desire for moderation from the U.S.
• relationship quickly sours
• econ aid from the Soviets
• aid to El Salvador

Fateful Day...November 4, 1979
• Iranian Hostage Crisis 444 days
• Operation Eagle Claw
• Iran vs Iraq War 1980-88
• impact on Carter’s policies and the election

Reagan and the Contras
• fear of “another Cuba”
• 1984 election of Daniel Ortega
• freedom fighters or terrorists?
• impact of Vietnam
• Contra attacks on infrastructure
• Dewey Clarridge (CIA)
• attacks on civilians

Iran Contra Connection
• Boland Amendment
• Hostage Crisis, Part II: Lebanon 1985
• U.S.-->Israel-->Iran-->Lebanon
• profit from missile sales-->Nicaragua

Iran Contra Scandal
• How did people find out?
• Eugene Hasenfuss
• Lebanese newspaper
• Congressional investigation
• What did Reagan know?

Significance of the
Iran-Contra Affair
• Once again, can we trust our government?
• What happens when our leaders lie?
• What policies are we prepared to support
to achieve our goals?
• Who’s watching the government?
• How does this impact democracy?