The Century, America's Time A New World 3 of 3

Summary

The video script recounts the harrowing hijacking of TWA Flight 847 in 1985, the geopolitical tensions of the era, and the rise of Mikhail Gorbachev in the Soviet Union. It highlights the hijacking ordeal, the Reagan administration's controversial negotiations, and the subsequent shift in US-Soviet relations leading to significant disarmament talks. The script also covers the impact of Gorbachev's reforms, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the global movement towards democracy, marking the end of the Cold War and ushering in a new era.

Takeaways

• 🛫 TWA flight 847 was hijacked by two Muslim extremists in 1985, demanding the release of Shiite prisoners held by Israel.
• 👨‍👩‍👦 Paula Sukeforth, a mother of six, was among the 153 passengers on the hijacked flight.
• 🔫 The hijackers threatened to kill passengers every five minutes, leading to the death of Navy diver Robert Stethen.
• 🤝 President Ronald Reagan negotiated with terrorists, leading to the release of some prisoners in exchange for the hostages.
• 📉 The summer of 1987 was challenging for Reagan's administration, with the Iran-Contra affair and the stock market crash.
• 🇷🇺 Mikhail Gorbachev introduced glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring) in the Soviet Union, leading to significant political changes.
• ☮️ Gorbachev and Reagan engaged in multiple summits, including Geneva and Reykjavik, discussing nuclear disarmament.
• 🤝 Gorbachev's visit to Washington in 1987 and Reagan's visit to Moscow in 1988 symbolized the thawing of Cold War tensions.
• 🗽 The 1989 Tiananmen Square protests in China, inspired by Gorbachev's reforms, were violently suppressed, but marked a significant moment in Chinese history.
• 🌍 The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 symbolized the end of the Cold War and the beginning of a new era of freedom and democracy in Eastern Europe.

Q & A

What event is described at the beginning of the transcript?

The transcript begins with the description of the hijacking of TWA flight 847 on June 14, 1985, by two Muslim extremists.

What were the demands of the hijackers of TWA flight 847?

The hijackers demanded the release of all Shiite Muslim prisoners held by Israel.

How did President Ronald Reagan respond to the hijacking of TWA flight 847?

President Reagan abandoned his No-Negotiations policy with terrorists and worked out a deal to free some prisoners held in Israeli jails in exchange for the TWA hostages.

What impact did the Iran-Contra affair have on President Reagan's administration?

The Iran-Contra affair led to Congressional hearings that revealed the administration had illegally sold arms to Iran and funneled the profits to the Contras in Nicaragua, causing President Reagan's popularity to plummet.

What significant event took place on October 19, 1987?

On October 19, 1987, known as Black Tuesday, the stock market went into a free-fall, losing 508 points.

Who came to power in the Soviet Union in 1985 and what policies did he introduce?

Mikhail Gorbachev came to power in the Soviet Union in 1985 and introduced policies of glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring).

What was the outcome of the summit meetings between Reagan and Gorbachev?

The summit meetings initially failed to result in a comprehensive disarmament agreement due to disagreements over the Strategic Defense Initiative, but they eventually led to a more limited arms reduction treaty.

Describe a notable event during Gorbachev's visit to the United States.

During Gorbachev's visit to the United States, his motorcade stopped on Connecticut Avenue, and he got out to greet the crowd, an action that was well-received by the American public.

What was the significance of the events in Tiananmen Square in 1989?

The events in Tiananmen Square in 1989 involved Chinese students and workers demonstrating for democracy, symbolized by the Goddess of Democracy statue, but the demonstrations were brutally crushed by the Chinese government.

What major event in East Germany symbolized the end of the Cold War?

The breaching of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989, symbolized the end of the Cold War and the lifting of the Iron Curtain.

How did the fall of the Berlin Wall affect people around the world?

The fall of the Berlin Wall was seen as a moment of joy and liberation, symbolizing the end of repression and the triumph of freedom and democracy.

What broader historical perspective do some historians hold regarding the end of the 20th century?

Many historians believe that the 20th century effectively ended with the fall of the Berlin Wall and that the 1990s represent the first decade of a new era.