Reagan Revolution Part II

II. Foreign Policy Core belief was the Soviets were behind all disturbances US needed to pursue massive arms buildup and acquire advanced technology US would be actively involved in Third World countries by resisting communism and asserting American interest “Detente” became “Evil Empire”

The “Vietnam Syndrome” Believed the war could have been won without Washington tying hands War seen as noble, unselfish struggle Cult of the POW’s/MIA’s Deer Hunter/Rambo Brought redemption of national honor

Central America Most important place to combat the Soviet menace Reagan supported the Contras (counter revolutionaries) against the Sandanistas (communist rebels trying to establish communist government)

Star Wars 1983, Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI); nicknamed Star Wars create a shield of new weapons capable of intercepting and destroying nuclear weapons Gramm-Rudman Act pressured Congress and the President to reduce the deficit and balance the budget

Soviet Relations improved when Mikhail Gorbachev opened Soviet society and implemented democratic reforms 1986, INF treaty called for removal of all intermediate range nuclear weapons in Europe

Iran-Contra Affair Advisors sold weapons to Iranians in exchange for hostages. Money was used secretly to support the Contras in Nicarauga

II. 1984 Election Democrats Walter Mondale nominated was Carter’s VP Geraldine Ferraro nominated as VP First women place on national ticket Reagan wins easily

III. Reagan’s Legacy Supreme Court more conservative Appointed first women to Supreme Court - Sandra Day O’Connor Restored faith in government Renewed Patriotism Political shift moved to the Right Aided in decline of Soviet Union Reagans Problems Inequality escalated federal debt grew mismanagement and fraud in industry

IV. The 1980’s Society became polarized Rich got richer and poor got poorer income gap grew Patriotism Increased Vietnam vets seen as heroes Music resembled patriotism Bruce Springsteen - “Born in the USA” Lee Greenwood - “Proud to Be an America” 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles

Consumer Consumption people celebrated the pursuit of wealth “Decade of Greed” YUPPIES - Young Urban Professionals; became the group people wanted to be Social Problems Rise of AIDs War on Drugs