1. Reagan Revolution Part II

2. II. Foreign Policy
Core belief was the Soviets were behind all disturbances
US needed to pursue massive arms buildup and acquire advanced technology
US would be actively involved in Third World countries by resisting communism and asserting American interest
“Detente” became “Evil Empire”

3. The “Vietnam Syndrome”
Believed the war could have been won without Washington tying hands
War seen as noble, unselfish struggle
Cult of the POW’s/MIA’s
Deer Hunter/Rambo
Brought redemption of national honor

4. Central America
Most important place to combat the Soviet menace
Reagan supported the Contras (counter revolutionaries) against the Sandanistas (communist rebels trying to establish communist government)

5. Star Wars
1983, Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI); nicknamed Star Wars
create a shield of new weapons capable of intercepting and destroying nuclear weapons
Gramm-Rudman Act
pressured Congress and the President to reduce the deficit and balance the budget

6. Soviet Relations
improved when Mikhail Gorbachev opened Soviet society and implemented democratic reforms
1986, INF treaty called for removal of all intermediate range nuclear weapons in Europe

7. Iran-Contra Affair
Advisors sold weapons to Iranians in exchange for hostages.
Money was used secretly to support the Contras in Nicarauga

8. II. 1984 Election Democrats Walter Mondale nominated was Carter’s VP
Geraldine Ferraro
nominated as VP
First women place on national ticket
Reagan wins easily

9. III. Reagan’s Legacy Supreme Court more conservative
Appointed first women to Supreme Court - Sandra Day O’Connor
Restored faith in government
Renewed Patriotism
Political shift moved to the Right
Aided in decline of Soviet Union
Reagans Problems
Inequality escalated
federal debt grew
mismanagement and fraud in industry

10. IV. The 1980’s Society became polarized
Rich got richer and poor got poorer
income gap grew
Patriotism Increased
Vietnam vets seen as heroes
Music resembled patriotism
Bruce Springsteen - “Born in the USA”
Lee Greenwood - “Proud to Be an America”
1984 Olympics in Los Angeles

11. Consumer Consumption
people celebrated the pursuit of wealth
“Decade of Greed”
YUPPIES - Young Urban Professionals; became the group people wanted to be
Social Problems
Rise of AIDs
War on Drugs