President Reagan

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Transcript of President Reagan

Ronald Reagan

BiographyBorn in Tampico, IL in 1911Eureka CollegeEconomics, sociology, footballSports announcerU. of Iowa footballChicago CubsHollywood career begins in 1937Appeared in 53 films over 2 decadesThe Gipper in Knute Rockne, All AmericanFirst wifeJane Wyman, an actress2 children2nd wifeNancy Davis, an actress2 more childrenServed as SAG President from 1947-1952, 1959Fervent anti-communist; testified before HUAC

Political CareerAn admirer of FDR, a DemocratShifted to the right during the 50s, after marrying NancyFormally switched to GOP in 62Campaigned for Goldwater in 64

Governor of CA (1967-1975)Won election in 1966Conservative, tough on war protesters @ Cal-Berkeley, pro-lifeRe-elected in 1970Advocated against the welfare stateLess govt regulation of the economy

Presidential Election of 1976Reagan challenged incumbent Ford in bid to be GOP candidateFord narrowly beat Reagan for Republican nodFord loses to Carter that November

Election of 1980Carters approval rating was lowIranian hostage crisisWeak economyReagan chose primary opponent George H.W. Bush as running matePromised lower taxes, less govt interference & strong national defense

Reagan wins 50.7% of the popular vote to Carters 41%Reagan wins 44 states & 489 electoral votesOldest man elected ever, 69 y.o.

First Term (1981-1985)Inaugural addressGovernment is not the solution to our problems; government is the problem.Assassination attemptMarch 30, 1981John Hinckley, Jr.Near Washington Hilton HotelShot in chest & right armHinckley was obsessed w/ Jodie FosterFound not guilty, insanity

First Term (1981-1985)Reagan joked in operating room, I hop you are all RepublicansReleased after two weeksHelped his approval ratingUp to 73%

The Reagan ShootingCBS ClipReagan Shooting: A Closer Call Than We Knew

First Term (1981-1985)Air Traffic Controllers Strike, summer of 81PATCO, union of federal air traffic controllersSought better working conditions, including better pay & a 32-hour workweekReagan: If they do not report for work w/in 48 hrs. they have forfeited their jobs & will be terminated.11K+ were fired by Reagan

ReaganomicsSupply-side economics & free-market fiscal policyHoped to stimulate the economy w/ tax cutsEconomic Recovery Tax Act of 1981Top bracket of income taxes reduced from 70% to 50%Peace through strengthDefense spending increases 40% between 81 & 85

ReaganomicsInflation during Carters Presidency=12.5%; Reagan=4.4%Unemployment rate in 81=7.5%; 89=5.4%10.8% in 82GDP grew rapidlyCritics labeled policies trickle-down economicsGap between rich & poor continued to growMinorities/poor felt Reagan was indifferent to their plightFroze minimum wage @ $3.35Cut govt spending in many areas, including: Medicaid, Food Stamps, & the EPA

First Term (1981-1985)Reversal of dtenteMassive military/defense build-upJune 8, 1982, in front of British Parliament, the forward march of freedom & democracy will leave Marxism-Leninism on the ash-heap of history.Calls the Soviet Union an evil empireReagan Doctrine: support for anti-Communist revolutions around the world1983, Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), Star WarsPotential missile defense system

Star Wars

First Term (1981-1985)U.S. forces in Grenada, 1983U.S. victory w/in weeksconstitutional govt19 American casualtiesU.S. forces in Lebanon, 1983Peace-keeping missionBeirut barracks bombed241 American servicemen killedMarines withdrawn

1984 Summer Olympics in Los AngelesUSSR boycottsAmericans dominate

Election of 1984Reagan proclaims it is morning again in AmericaDemocrats choose former VP Walter MondaleMondale chooses Geraldine Ferraro as his VP candidate1st female on major party ticketSome questioned Reagans age (73) He seemed confused & forgetful at timesRumors of Alzheimers swirledReagan, I will not make age an issue of this campaign. I am not going to exploitmy opponents youth & inexperience.

Reagan wins 49 states

Second Term (1985-1989)Challenger explosion, Jan. of 867 killed, including teacher Christa McAuliffeMany saw it live on TVReagan had announced a war on drugs in 1982Passed a drug enforcement bill in 86; budgeted $1.7 billion1st Lady Nancy founded the Just Say No drug awareness campaign

Second Term (1985-1989)Iran-Contra Affair, 1986Scandal that shook Reagan administrationProceeds from secretive arms sales to Iran were used to fund Contras in Nicaragua, even though funding this group had been made illegal by CongressContras were fighting the Cuban-supported SandinistasReagan proclaimed he knew nothing of the plotAn investigation found no evidence linking Reagan to the planLost some of Americas trust; popularity fell

Second Term (1985-1989)Heavy military spending, collectivized farming & planned manufacturing had put a burden on Soviet spendingSoviet economy was stagnant under GorbachevReagan had 4 summits w/ Gorbachev between 85 & 88INF & START IIs the Soviet Union still an evil empire? No!Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!1987Wall torn down in November of 89Cold War declared over in December of 89Soviet Union collapsed in 1991

Supreme CourtAppointeesSandra Day OConnor, 19811st female on SCAntonin Scalia, 1986Still in officeWilliam Rehnquist raised to Chief Justice, 1986Anthony Kennedy, 1988Still in officeSC became more conservative

Etc. Revival of patriotismResistance to civil rights & womens movement grewERA rejected in 82Fight for homosexual rights increasingly polarizedBacklash as AIDs spreadFarm crisisFalling prices, oversupplyBankruptcies, foreclosures, debtGovt spending on ag. increases greatly, $20 billion/yearFarm Aid concerts, est.19851987 @ Memorial Stadium

Etc.Economy shifts away from manufacturingDownsizingHits Northeast & Upper MidwestRust BeltWealth inequalityNations richest 400 tripled their wealth during the Reagan yearsS & L ScandalDeregulationSavings & loans banks took advantage of new laws, made huge fortunes for themselvesRisky investmentsEntitlements continue to grow as America agesReagan tried, but could not restrain these programs

Reagans Lasting Legacy????The Good.The Bad