The Resurgence Of Conservatism Chapter 41

Jimmy Carter Elected 1976 Could not control inflation or foreign affairs Ted Kennedy attempted to run as Dem in death of young girl who drowned haunted him

Ronald Reagan Republicans chose conservative and former actor Ronald Reagan Political philosophy that condemned federal intervention in local affairs, favoritism for minorities, and the elitism of bureaucrats

Election of 1980 Ronald Reagan defeated Jimmy Carter January 20, Inauguration Day – Iran released American hostages after 444 days Reagan assembles conservative cabinet

Reagan A major goal of Reagan was to reduce the size of the government by shrinking the federal budget and cutting taxes Proposed a new federal budget that called for cuts of $35 billion, mostly in social programs like food stamps and federally- funded job-training centers.

Reagan Shot ! March 6, Reagan was shot. 12 days later, Reagan recovered and returned to work. John Hinckley – shot Reagan in hopes of gaining attention from actress Jodie Foster

The Battle of the Budget Reagan called for tax cuts amounting to 25% across-the-board reductions over a period of 3 years Budgetary discipline and tax reduction, the “supply-side” economics Reagan hoped would stimulate new investment, boost productivity, promote dramatic economic growth, and reduce the federal deficit. The economy slipped into its deepest recession since the 1930s as unemployment rose and banks closed.

Money in the 1980s For the first time in the 20 th century, income gaps widened between the rich and the poor Some economists blamed increased military spending Reagan gave the Pentagon nearly $2 trillion in the 1980s. He plunged the government into major deficit that made the New Deal look cheap.

The Cold War Renewed Reagan’s strategy for dealing with the USSR was simple: expanding U.S. military capabilities, threaten the Soviets with an expensive new round in the arms race.

Star Wars March Reagan announced defense system called the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), also known as Star Wars. The plan called for orbiting battle stations in space that could fire laser beams to vaporize intercontinental missile on liftoff. Very expensive and still not completed today!

International Conflict Under Reagan 1982 – Israel invades Lebanon – 200 Marines killed by bomb in barracks 1980 – US forces sent to El Salvador to back up US led puppet govt – Island of Grenada – US forces sent to stop Communist takeover

Election of 1984 Reagan easily defeated Walter Mondale Geraldine Ferraro – Mondale’s VP candidate was first woman to run on major party ticket 1985 – Mikhail Gorbachev becomes Premier of Russia

Gorbachev March 1985 – becomes Chairman of Soviet Communist Party Glasnost and Perestroika – programs designed to give some freedom back to Soviets

Reagan and Gorbachev December 1985, Reagan and Gorbachev signed the IFN treaty, banning all intermediate-range nuclear missiles from Europe. The two leaders capped their friendship in May 1988 at a final summit in Moscow.

Iran Contra Oliver North was brought to trial for selling arms to Nicaragua despite a ban on funding the Sandinista The money was intended Iran…where Muslim Groups continued to capture Americans