Late 20 th Century Society Chris Palkovics, Ryan Kelly, Ryan Rugel, Hannah Moore

Thesis/Theme The purpose of Reaganomics, also known as trickle-down economics, was to provide economic benefits to business and the upper class that would then benefit the poor and improve the economy as a whole. However his policies failed. The wealthy benefitted while the lower class remained in poverty. >

Background Sunbelt/Snowbelt communities The Celebration of Wealth Two Tiered Society Epidemics Changes in American Communities

Storyline Reagan's presidency was a time of “Boom and Bust”: Bust for poor boom for wealthy Reagan promoted Americans to gain wealth Theme of power and money dominated popular culture Americans became obsessed with gaining wealth Increased poverty

Outcome Increased drug use Increase in the amount of homeless people Increase in the spread of AIDS Increase in poverty Amount of immigrants increased, most of them illegal

Impact Large development in technology Silicon Valley MTV: music videos made by Madonna and Michael Jackson Movement to Sunbelt states caused poverty in the Northern States

Celebration of Wealth Theme of money, status, and power dominated popular culture Reagan believed that in this country, “Remains a country where someone can always get rich” The rich faired very well, accounted for the majority of America’s net worth Other affluent Americans also received increase in income Opportunities provide an economic ladder to Americans

A Two Tiered Society Trickle-down/Supply Side policies created wider gap between poor and rich Drastic increase in rate of Americans in poverty Few new jobs paid over the amount of poverty-level income Lower end of gap defined by minorities Intercity high school dropouts increase, crime rate increases Civil right achievements begin to fade

Epidemics Drugs Arrival of crack spreads increasing addiction, distribution, and crime rate Reagan launches “war on drugs” Aids New medical phenomenon Majority of cases within homosexuals Ignored by Reagan administration Homelessness Growing numbers in people sleeping in public areas