DRQ Describe one challenge that each of the following presidents had to deal with during their administrations: Nixon Ford Carter

America in low spirits Watergate, economy, hostages Carter’s “malaise speech” The 1980 election Reagan recalls better times Reagan/Bush win by landslide

From actor to governor Reagan = optimism Reagan’s 1964 speech Governor of CA Reagan’s conservative support The New Right Religious backing – Jerry Falwell A powerful personality The “Great Communicator” Nancy Reagan – “Just Say No” Reagan’s presidential agenda Reduce gov’t, cut taxes, USSR Assassination attempt

Supply-side economics David Stockman Stimulate investment Budget deficit tax rates favor wealthy Recession and recovery Gov’t revenue down Gov’t spending up Federal Reserve lowers rates Congress tries to control deficit

The Evil Empire Rejects containment/detente Wants to “destroy communism” Military spending soars “peace with strength” SDI proposed (Star Wars) A weakened Soviet Union Soviet economy shrinking Lech Walesa – “Solidarity” U.S.-Soviet relations warm Mikhail Gorbachev INF Treaty – reduce arms

Upheaval in Latin America Anti-communist support El Salvador, Nicaragua Reagan supports the Contras Tragedy in Lebanon U.S. embassy bombed Marine barracks bombed Victory in Grenada Communist coup defeated Apartheid in South Africa Reagan’s “constructive engagement”

Reagan defies Congress U.S. sells weapons to Iran Money diverted to Contras Lt. Col. Oliver North responsible Reagan admits selling arms Administration involved in cover up

Rep. nominate George H. Bush Jesse Jackson’s impressive showing Dem. nominate Michael Dukakis Bush’s promise – no new taxes “Read my lips”

Glasnost and perestroika Glasnost – “opening” Opened USSR to new ideas Perestroika – “restructuring” Rid USSR of corruption Chernobyl accident cover up

Eastern Europe crumbles Soviet troops out of E. Europe Velvet revolution in Czech. Democracy in Poland/Romania The fall of the Berlin Wall Gates opened – Nov. 9, 1989 Berliners begin tearing down wall East and West Germany reunited The end of the Soviet Union Hardliners seize Gorbachev Boris Yeltsin rescues Gorbachev 1991 – CIS formed - USSR gone START I and START II Treaties

China: democracy crushed Tiananmen Square massacre Panama: a dictator falls Col. Manuel Noriega Drug trafficking U.S. invasion – capture The Persian Gulf War Saddam Hussein invades Kuwait Multi-national coalition formed Operation Desert Storm South Africa: new freedom De Klerk and Nelson Mandela end apartheid

Steve Jobs and Bill Gates introduce personal computers Space shuttle could be reused NASA’s “workhorse” 1986 – the “Challenger” tragedy

Uneven economic growth 1980’s – large GDP growth Alan Greenspan and “the Fed” Rising deficits Deficit and debt skyrocket Financial deregulation Corporate raiders and downsizing Savings and loan crisis Government rescues bankrupt companies Bush and the economy Bush raises taxes – breaks promise

Milestones  More women voting than men  Sandra Day O’Conner  American with Disabilities Act Changes in Immigration law  Increased immigration limits Court battles over social issues  Student searches upheld  School religious groups upheld  Abortion limits clarified Battles over Sup. Ct. nominees  Clarence Thomas – sexual harassment A deadly disease  HIV/AIDS epidemic