Ronald Reagan Objective: Analyze the Presidency of Reagan

Conservative Movement As the 1970s progressed, right-wing groups gained strength across the country. The voice of the conservative movement became known as the New Right.

Conservative Movement Support traditional family values, oppose gay marriage

Conservative Movement Oppose abortion

Conservative Movement Oppose affirmative action: forcing employers and colleges to give special consideration to women and minorities, even if they were less qualified.

Conservative Movement Evangelical Christians

Conservative Movement Promote patriotism and support the troops

1980 Election In 1980, Jimmy Carter was finishing his first term. The 1980 election pitted Carter against Republican nominee Ronald Reagan.

1980 Election Reagan’s career started in Hollywood, where he acted in 53 films.

1980 Election As president of the Screen Actors Guild, Reagan worked to remove Communist influences from the movie industry.

1980 Election Politically, Reagan had been a conservative Republican since the 1950s.

1980 Election In 1966, Reagan was elected governor of California. Reelected in 1970.

1980 Election Reagan appealed to conservative Americans’ traditional values. Also, the Iranian hostage crisis, a weak economy, and high inflation, hurt Carter’s popularity.

1980 Election To voters, Reagan appeared relaxed, charming, and affable. In contrast to Carter, who often seemed stiff and nervous.

1980 Election Reagan’s ability to simplify issues, and give clear answers earned him the nickname, “The Great Communicator.”

1980 Election In 1980, Reagan and V.P. George Bush defeated Carter by a narrow majority. Also, Republicans gained control of the Senate for the first time since 1954.

Reaganomics Reagan’s package of new economic policies was dubbed “Reaganomics” and consisted of three parts:

Reaganomics 1. budget cuts Less government spending on social programs, such as food stamps, welfare, Medicaid, school lunches, and student loans.

Reaganomics 2. tax cuts Less taxes people save more money banks loan more money to businesses business expands, productivity improves, and prices fall

Reaganomics 3. increased defense spending From 1981-1984, the Defense Department budget almost doubled.

Reaganomics Reagan revived two controversial weapons systems—the MX missile and the B-1 bomber.

Reaganomics Despite these measures, problems continued to plague the economy. Tax cuts helped the rich, while social welfare cuts had hurt the poor.

Reaganomics Despite large budget cuts, government spending was still greater than revenue received through tax dollars.

Reaganomics By the end of his first term, the national debt had doubled.

Deregulation Reagan sought to reduce the size of the federal government, through less interference in industry.

Deregulation Reagan removed price controls on oil. Eliminated federal health and safety inspections for nursing homes

Deregulation Also, deregulated the airline, savings, and loan industries. Reagan cut the budget of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

1984 Election In 1984, Reagan was extremely popular, and he easily won reelection against Democrat Walter Mondale.

1988 Election By the end of Reagan’s second term, Americans still saw little reason for change. Most Americans were economically comfortable.

1988 Election Republican George Bush was elected in 1988, vowing to continue Reagan’s legacy. “Read my lips: no new taxes.”