Invasion+of+Grenada

=Invasion of Grenada=

==Overview== The Invasion of Grenada took place on October 25th, 1983. The U.S. military was trying to stop a military coup that had overthrown the democratic government. This was the first time since the conflict in Vietnam, that American soldiers went into combat. It was also another conflict that occurred during the Cold War, the main countries involved were America and Cuba.

**Main Point**
A bloody coup began a new Marxist regime in the island nation of Grenada. It was believed to be an ally of Fidel Castro, the leader of communist Cuba. Bernard Coard led this coup with the help of the native Grenada troops along with a handful of Cuban troops. The troops that remained loyal to the democratic Grenada were defeated and on the run. President Reagan saw this as a great opportunity to crush the Cuban army and cripple Fidel Castro's army. While the coup was going on, a group of 1000 American students were studying there, giving Reagan the perfect excuse to launch a military campaign. Also an American Marine base in Beirut was attacked by a suicide Muslim bomber killing 240 American soldiers on Oct. 23, 1983. These two reasons made the American public completely support the invasion, because something had to be done to stop these chain of events from getting worse. Reagan assigned Joseph Metcalf to design an operation to overtake the island. Metcalf came up with Operation: Urgent Fury. It would consist of aerial attacks and bombings along with a ground-force invasion. On Oct 25 the operation took off. When the initial 1000 soldiers landed they were in for a very tough fight, but in the course of a week 6000 more soldiers joined the fighting and the island fell to the Americans in less than two weeks. The government was restored and helped out by the Americans. Even with the fighting ended, American troops remained in Grenada until December to help stabilize the nation.

Conclusion/Historical Significance
Operation Urgent Fury had been a great success. The communists were dealt a severe blow and at a very low cost of American lives. The total casualties for the conflict on both sides didn't top the 150 mark. In the aftermath, America had to deal with an unhappy U.N. along with a disappointed U.K.. These groups believed that America had violated codes, and were enforcing imperialistic ideas, which America was fighting the Cold War to stop Russia from doing it to other nations. However back home President Reagan got nothing but cheers and thanks from the American Public. They had know nothing but defeat after Vietnam and the downward spiraling of the Cold War, along with the scandal of Watergate. Finally America had finally found a just cause and was victorious.