Iran-Contra Affair
Metropolitan State University professor Douglas Rossinow talked about the Iran-Contra affair. The Iran-Contra affair stemmed from Reagan administration officials funding of the Contras, who were fighting against the Sandinista regime in Nicaragua, with money from the sale of arms to Iran. The arms were being sold to Iran in the hope of gaining the release of American hostages.
Description
Metropolitan State University professor Douglas Rossinow discusses the Iran-Contra affair and the role of the Reagan administration.
Bell Ringer Assignment
- Who were the Contras? What was their purpose?
- What was the Reagan administration’s relationship with the Contras?
- Explain the debate between Reagan and Congress during the crisis in Nicaragua.
- Describe the situation occurring in the “Eastern Front” of this scandal.
- What was the National Security Council’s role in the Iran-Contra affair? How was this against the NSC’s purpose, and why did the Reagan administration use the NSC for the situation?
Additional Resources
Participants
Vocabulary
- Beirut
- Contras
- Iran
- National Security Council
- Nicaragua