The 1980’s President Ronald Reagan and the Rise of Conservatism

Ronald Reagan Movie actor in the 1940 and 50’s Governor of California from ‘67- ’75 Reagan defeated Jimmy Carter in the election of 1980.

Conservative Reagan was a conservative Republican In his inauguration speech he said, “…government is not the solution to our problem. Government is the problem.”

Two Views LiberalsConservatives believe in spending on govt. programs to help people believe in small govt. and more individual self reliance Higher taxes on the wealthy Lower taxes for all, wealthy and business More liberals in Democratic Party More conservatives are Republican Party

Reaganomics Reagan believed in lower taxes and smaller government He cut government programs such as food stamps and school loans He reduced taxes, especially for the wealthy

Supply Side Economics Lower government taxes --> businesses hire workers--> consumers buy more products --> Overall economy improves

Reagan’s Foreign Policy Reagan believed in “peace through strength” He increased military spending and gave aid to guerrillas fighting communist governments

The Reagan Doctrine He had the CIA give weapons to Afghans fighting Soviet troops He also sent money the “contras,” a group fighting the Nicaraguan government

Star Wars Reagan supported a nuclear missile defense system called SDI SDI, called Star Wars, was to put weapons into space that could intercept Soviet missiles

Berlin Wall Speech Reagan went to the Berlin and said to the Soviet leader, “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.”

Arms Agreement Gorbachev promised more freedom in the Soviet Union Reagan negotiated an arms agreement with Gorbachev, to reduce nuclear weapons

Iran-Contra Scandal After Congress decided no weapons should go the Contras in Nicaragua Reagan secretly sold weapons to the Iran and funded the contras.

Economic Improvement By the time Reagan left office Americans enjoyed lower taxes, and lower unemployment and inflation rates compared with the 70’s.

Adding to the Deficit Although Reagan promised to balance the budget, the deficit grew because he cut taxes, while vastly expanding military spending.

Give President Reagan a Grade OK, now it is your turn to grade President Reagan. Watch the video on Ronald Reagan and grade him on each of his policies.

George H. W. Bush Elected President Reagan’s Vice President, George HW Bush, defeated the Democratic challenger for the Presidency in 1988 (This is President George W. Bush’s father)

The Fall of Communism The Berlin Wall fell in 1989 Communism in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe ended 15 independent nations formed End of the Cold War

Persian Gulf War Iraq’s Saddam Hussein invaded neighboring Kuwait for its oil The US formed a coalition of 29 countries and defeated Iraqi forces in Kuwait