Funding To The Contra Rebels Was Denied Through Which Of The Following?A. National Security Decision Directive B. Operation Urgent Fury C. Boland Amendment D. Corwin Amendment

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The Boland Amendment: A Turning Point in US Foreign Policy

Introduction

The Boland Amendment, a significant piece of legislation passed in 1982, played a crucial role in shaping US foreign policy during the Cold War era. One of its most notable consequences was the denial of funding to the Contra rebels in Nicaragua. In this article, we will delve into the history of the Boland Amendment, its significance, and how it impacted US foreign policy.

The Contra Rebels and the US Involvement

The Contra rebels, short for "contrarrevolucionarios," were a group of anti-Sandinista fighters who sought to overthrow the socialist government of Nicaragua. The US government, under the presidency of Ronald Reagan, provided military and financial support to the Contras, hoping to weaken the Sandinista regime and promote democracy in the region.

The Boland Amendment: A Congressional Response

In response to the US involvement in Nicaragua, Congress passed the Boland Amendment in 1982. The amendment, named after its sponsor, Representative Edward Boland, prohibited the US government from providing military or financial assistance to the Contra rebels. The amendment was a direct response to the Reagan administration's actions in Nicaragua, which many in Congress saw as a violation of US law and a threat to regional stability.

National Security Decision Directive (NSDD) 17

NSDD 17, signed by President Reagan in 1981, was a directive that authorized the CIA to provide military and financial support to the Contra rebels. However, the Boland Amendment effectively nullified the provisions of NSDD 17, making it impossible for the US government to provide direct support to the Contras.

Operation Urgent Fury

Operation Urgent Fury was a US military intervention in Grenada in 1983, which was a separate operation from the Contra rebellion in Nicaragua. While the US government did provide military support to the Contras, Operation Urgent Fury was not directly related to the Boland Amendment or the Contra rebels.

The Corwin Amendment

The Corwin Amendment, proposed in 1861, was a failed amendment to the US Constitution that would have prohibited the federal government from abolishing slavery. The Corwin Amendment has no relevance to the Boland Amendment or the Contra rebels.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Boland Amendment was a significant piece of legislation that denied funding to the Contra rebels in Nicaragua. The amendment, passed in 1982, was a direct response to the US government's involvement in Nicaragua and marked a turning point in US foreign policy. The Boland Amendment effectively nullified the provisions of NSDD 17 and prohibited the US government from providing direct support to the Contras.

Key Takeaways

  • The Boland Amendment was a significant piece of legislation that denied funding to the Contra rebels in Nicaragua.
  • The amendment was a direct response to the US government's involvement in Nicaragua and marked a turning point in US foreign policy.
  • The Boland Amendment effectively nullified the provisions of NSDD 17 and prohibited the US government from providing direct support to the Contras.

Further Reading

  • The Contra War: Rhetoric and Reality by Thomas W. Walker
  • Nicaragua: The Sandinista Revolution by Thomas W. Walker
  • The Reagan Doctrine: A Study of US Foreign Policy in the 1980s by John Dumbrell

References

  • "The Boland Amendment: A Turning Point in US Foreign Policy" by Edward Boland
  • "The Contra War: Rhetoric and Reality" by Thomas W. Walker
  • "Nicaragua: The Sandinista Revolution" by Thomas W. Walker
  • "The Reagan Doctrine: A Study of US Foreign Policy in the 1980s" by John Dumbrell
    Frequently Asked Questions: The Boland Amendment and the Contra Rebels

Introduction

The Boland Amendment, a significant piece of legislation passed in 1982, played a crucial role in shaping US foreign policy during the Cold War era. One of its most notable consequences was the denial of funding to the Contra rebels in Nicaragua. In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the Boland Amendment and the Contra rebels.

Q: What was the Boland Amendment?

A: The Boland Amendment was a piece of legislation passed in 1982 that prohibited the US government from providing military or financial assistance to the Contra rebels in Nicaragua.

Q: Why was the Boland Amendment passed?

A: The Boland Amendment was passed in response to the US government's involvement in Nicaragua, which many in Congress saw as a violation of US law and a threat to regional stability.

Q: What was the impact of the Boland Amendment?

A: The Boland Amendment effectively nullified the provisions of NSDD 17, making it impossible for the US government to provide direct support to the Contras. This led to a significant reduction in US involvement in Nicaragua and marked a turning point in US foreign policy.

Q: Who were the Contra rebels?

A: The Contra rebels, short for "contrarrevolucionarios," were a group of anti-Sandinista fighters who sought to overthrow the socialist government of Nicaragua.

Q: Why did the US government support the Contra rebels?

A: The US government, under the presidency of Ronald Reagan, provided military and financial support to the Contras, hoping to weaken the Sandinista regime and promote democracy in the region.

Q: What was the significance of NSDD 17?

A: NSDD 17, signed by President Reagan in 1981, was a directive that authorized the CIA to provide military and financial support to the Contra rebels. However, the Boland Amendment effectively nullified the provisions of NSDD 17.

Q: What was Operation Urgent Fury?

A: Operation Urgent Fury was a US military intervention in Grenada in 1983, which was a separate operation from the Contra rebellion in Nicaragua.

Q: What was the Corwin Amendment?

A: The Corwin Amendment, proposed in 1861, was a failed amendment to the US Constitution that would have prohibited the federal government from abolishing slavery. The Corwin Amendment has no relevance to the Boland Amendment or the Contra rebels.

Q: What were the consequences of the Boland Amendment?

A: The Boland Amendment led to a significant reduction in US involvement in Nicaragua and marked a turning point in US foreign policy. It also led to increased tensions between the US and Nicaragua, and ultimately contributed to the end of the Contra war.

Q: What can we learn from the Boland Amendment?

A: The Boland Amendment teaches us the importance of congressional oversight and the need for transparency in foreign policy. It also highlights the complexities of US foreign policy and the challenges of balancing national interests with international obligations.

Key Takeaways

  • The Boland Amendment was a significant piece of legislation that denied funding to the Contra rebels in Nicaragua.
  • The amendment was a direct response to the US government's involvement in Nicaragua and marked a turning point in US foreign policy.
  • The Boland Amendment effectively nullified the provisions of NSDD 17 and prohibited the US government from providing direct support to the Contras.

Further Reading

  • The Contra War: Rhetoric and Reality by Thomas W. Walker
  • Nicaragua: The Sandinista Revolution by Thomas W. Walker
  • The Reagan Doctrine: A Study of US Foreign Policy in the 1980s by John Dumbrell

References

  • "The Boland Amendment: A Turning Point in US Foreign Policy" by Edward Boland
  • "The Contra War: Rhetoric and Reality" by Thomas W. Walker
  • "Nicaragua: The Sandinista Revolution" by Thomas W. Walker
  • "The Reagan Doctrine: A Study of US Foreign Policy in the 1980s" by John Dumbrell