From the Age of Limits to the Age of Reagan Chapter 33

Gerald R. Ford

First action as president: Ford pardons Nixon

Prices continue to rise Ford has a plan

Lynette ‘Squeaky’ Fromm Sarah Jane Moore Lynette ‘Squeaky’ Fromm

Jimmy Carter

Jimmy Carter Governor of Georgia Peanut farmer Campaigns as an outsider to Washington

Killer rabbit

Problems for Carter *as “outsider” can get little passed thru Congress *High interest rates to slow economy and inflation – 20% *higher oil prices

Carter’s approval rating at 26% Lower than Nixon’s

“Malaise” Speech Carter gives speech on TV -America has crisis of confidence -dial down thermostat -drive 55mph

Foreign Policy Policy based on Human Rights instead of “selfish interests” *boycotts 1980 Olympics in Moscow to protest USSR invasion of Afghanistan

Camp David Accords Carter has Menachem Begin and Anwar el Sadat come to Camp David to negotiate a treaty

January 1979 the Shah of Iran flees his country Control goes to the Ayatollah Khomeini who sets up an Islamic nation

The Shah comes to the US for medical treatment Days later an armed mob attacks the US embassy and takes US personnel hostage

The hostages stay in Iran for 444 days, being released hours after Carter is no longer President

Rise of the Sunbelt 1970’s saw a demographic shift to the South and Southwest especially Florida, Texas and California Midwest is called Rustbelt

Sagebrush Rebellion *late 1970’s *opposition to environmental laws and restrictions on development *felt West was victim of government control

Religious Revival *Evangelical Christianity *Moral Majority Christian Coalition

The New Right *Richard Viguerie *revival of the Goldwater wing of the Republican party *need of front man

1980 election

Reagan Coalition *corporate/finance *neo-conservatives *religious right *West *Boll weevils

Supply side economic Or Reaganomics Trickle down theory

Keys: *tax cuts *budget cuts *deregulation

Increase in debt 1980 - $901b 1991 - 3.5t *entitlement programs *tax cut *military spending

How to solve: *Can’t cut entitlements *won’t cut military *cut social programs Ketchup is now a vegi vegetable

Foreign Policy *Soviets – ‘The Evil Empire’ *Reagan Doctrine – will help anyone opposed by communism

Election of 1984 Democrats nominate former VP Walter Mondale Geraldine Ferraro nominated as VP

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Strategic Defense Initiative *SDI *Outer space protection against enemy attack

Nicaragua *US supported leader overthrown by socialist group the Sandinistas *US supports Contras

Contras

Invasion of Grenada

Changes in Soviet Union Pressure within the Eastern Bloc – Solidarity Afghanistan

1989 Eastern Europe breaks away from USSR 1991 Soviet Union collapses

Reagan at the Wall

Reagan orders air strikes against Libya in retaliation for Khadfi’s support of terrorism Line of Death

Problems: *EPA officials resign-fail to enforce regulations *CIA & Defense officials resign over insider trading

Attorney General Ed Meese resigns over questionable finances Labor Secretary resigns-indicted on Racketeering charges

*Savings & Loan Scandal *Iran/Contra – Arms for Hostages

Election of 1988

George H.W. Bush J. Danforth Quayle

Michael Dukakis

“read my lips, no new taxes” Presidency of H.W. Bush *Panama – Noriega *Poor economy “read my lips, no new taxes” *Operation Desert Storm

8 days

William Jefferson Clinton

Bush Clinton Perot 38% 43% 19% 168 370 0

Problems for Clinton *Whitewater *Travelgate *Monica

Achievements for Clinton *NAFTA *Reduces debt/balances budget *Attempts Health Care *Peace keepers in Serbia & Somalia

Newt Gingrich

Contract for America *Welfare reform *term limits *balance budget amendment *tough crime laws

Social Trends Civil Rights and Great Society: Creates more opportunities Greater sense of despair for those who can’t make it

Opportunities: *350% increase in Black is college (12% of college pop.) *Increase in Black professionals *Rise of Black Middleclass

As successful Blacks move to Burbs, Innercities left with only poor

By 1980’s 33% live in poverty Young Black males: <50% graduate >60% unemployment

Increase in the number of single parent homes 1960 20% 1990 60% 8 Days

Rodney King 32 killed in rioting