1. Ronald Reagan
And the 1980s

2. Ronald Reagan – President #40 1981-1989
Governor of California – Optimistic and charismatic
”Great Communicator” – Peace through strength
Figurehead of growing ”New Right” coalition
Endorse school prayer, lower taxes, strong military deregulation, small gov’t
Opposed abortion, gay rights, funding for social programs – welfare, and big gov’t
“Reagan Revolution”

3. Liberalism vs. Conservatism
Gov’t intervention to help poor, unemployed, and elderly
big gov’t regulates industry
Foreign policy – cooperation and diplomacy
Laws that protect rights of minorities and women
Free market economy, private organizations, individual choice – liberal policies of the 60s = inflation
Traditional Christian values
Foreign policy – no détente, more action
Social programs gave poor an easy way out, and were too expensive

4. Sunbelt
Southeast and southwest – grew in population to surpass industrial regions of the northeast
Cheap labor, great weather
Hostile towards federal regulations and social programs
Supported conservatism

5. Moral Majority Founded by Rev. Jerry Falwell Religious group
Evangelical Christians and TV preachers – “televangelists”
Condemned liberal view and called for restoration of traditional morals and values
“Moral Majority” - Raised money to support conservative candidates

7. Supply-Side Economics & Reaganomics
1st year of Reagan’s presidency was the worst economically since 30s
Supply-side economics – economy is weak because taxes were too high
Reduce taxes = more spending = economy will grow
In theory, would promote and create new jobs, encourage capital investment, lead to industrial growth
Reaganomics - Cut taxes on the wealthiest Americans – wealth would “trickle down” to lower classes
Results – Stock market surged, unemployment declined, budget deficit
Reagan spent a lot of money – led to $3.2 trillion federal debt by 1990

9. Small Gov’t in Action Reduced unemployment compensation
Reduced student loan programs, school lunch funding
Lowered welfare benefits
Raised fees for Medicare patients
Deregulated savings and loans industry – increased competition and resulted in lower prices
Cut budget of EPA

10. Iran-Contra Scandal – 1986-87
Congress banned all aid to Nicaraguan rebels (contras) and upholds arms ban against Iran – “Terrorist state”
Reagan supported the rebels who fought by kidnapping, torturing, and executing hostages
Terrorist group (Hezbollah) held American hostages in Lebanon – US sells weapons to Iran in exchange for their release.
Lebanese press released info, which Reagan originally denied – but Iran confirmed deal
The money made from deal was used to fund the Contras
14 gov’t officials indicted for crimes – most pardoned by HW Bush
Worst scandal of Reagan’s presidency

11. Reagan and the Cold War Reagan increased military spending by 35%
Strategic Defense Initiative (Star Wars) – provided shield to block incoming missiles – made Soviets panic
New Soviet leader – Mikhail Gorbachev (1985) – Pledged new reforms to make communist gov’t more open
Reagan – “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall” – wall gates open Nov , torn down soon after
USSR officially falls in 1991 after his resignation = end of Cold War
Funded anti-communist groups in Latin America and Asia – “Cold Warrior”

14. End of the Cold War
By the late 80s Soviet economy was suffering. Gorbachev instituted perestroika – Restructuring – allowed some private enterprise and profit-making
Also implemented glasnost – openness – allowed more freedom of religion and speech allowing people to openly discuss politics
In 1989 revolutions replaced Communist rulers with democratic governments in Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland and Romania
1991 – Communist officials and army officers arrested Gorbachev and sent troops into Moscow – coup is defeated – Gorbachev resigns, Soviet Union dissolves.
Boris Yeltsin, supported by the US, is president of Russia from

15. Other Conflicts
Tiananmen Square - China’s communist leaders determined to stay in power. May 1989 students and workers held demonstrations for democracy in Tiananmen Square, Beijing.
June – gov’t tanks and soldiers entered the square – many died, hundreds arrested
US and other countries stopped arms sales and reduced diplomatic contacts with China
Panama – dictator General Manuel Noriega President Bush ordered an invasion. Noriega was sent to the US to stand trial for drug charges. Troops helped Panamanians organize a new gov’t and hold elections

16. Persian Gulf War President Bush’s biggest crisis.
August 1990, Iraq’s dictator, Saddam Hussein invaded oil-rich Kuwait.
US feared Iraq’s ultimate goal was Saudi Arabia.
United Nation’s imposed economic sanctions on Iraq and demanded their withdrawal from Kuwait
Jan. 16, 1991 coalition forces launched Operation Desert Storm – attack killed thousands of Iraqi soldiers, hundreds of thousands surrendered. Kuwait liberated in just 100 hours.