American Experience: The Presidents Season 1 Episode 15

Ep 15. Reagan, Part 2

  • TV-PG
  • February 23, 1998
  • 42 min

In the second part of the Reagan episode of American Experience: The Presidents, the focus is on the last four years of Reagan's presidency. This period was marked by the Iran-Contra scandal in which senior officials in Reagan's administration secretly facilitated the sale of arms to Iran in exchange for seven American hostages held in Lebanon. The profits from these sales were then used to fund Contra rebels in Nicaragua, despite a congressional ban on such aid.

The episode delves into the various players involved in the scandal, including Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North, who was at the center of the operation. North became a national figure as the hearings in Congress were televised, and he was eventually convicted of three felonies related to his involvement in Iran-Contra. However, his convictions were later overturned on appeal due to the fact that his testimony was immunized under a grant of use immunity.

The episode also explores the role of Reagan himself in the scandal, and the question of whether he knew about the details of the operation. While Reagan claimed to have no knowledge of the diversion of funds to the Contras, some witnesses testified otherwise. The episode considers the possibility that Reagan - a man who was intensely concerned with the fate of American hostages abroad - may have approved the arms sales to Iran in the hopes of securing the release of the hostages.

Beyond Iran-Contra, the episode covers other key events during Reagan's second term, including his efforts to reform the tax code and his historic summit with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in Reykjavik, Iceland. This summit marked a turning point in the Cold War, with Reagan proposing the elimination of all nuclear weapons within a decade. While the negotiations ultimately stalled, they set the stage for the eventual arms reduction agreements that would be signed in the years to come.

Throughout the episode, American Experience: The Presidents provides insightful commentary from a range of historians, political insiders, and journalists who offer context and analysis of Reagan's presidency. The series highlights key moments and decisions that shaped Reagan's legacy, and offers a nuanced view of the man who many credit with revitalizing American conservatism and promoting a more assertive American foreign policy.

Overall, the second part of the Reagan episode of American Experience: The Presidents is a comprehensive and fascinating look at a pivotal period in American history. Through insightful interviews and thoughtful analysis, the episode offers a deeper understanding of the man, the presidency, and the era in which Reagan navigated the complex and often dangerous world of American politics.

This episode doesn't appear to be available from any streaming services. Add this show to your Watchlist to get notified when new episodes are available.
Description
  • First Aired
    February 23, 1998
  • Content Rating
    TV-PG
  • Runtime
    42 min
  • Language
    English