1. Ronald Reagan

2. Election of 1980 Carter (D) vs Reagan (R)
Issues: hostage crisis, inflation, cold war
Reagan won (VP- George HW Bush)
Oldest man elected to the presidency (70)
Reelected in 1984
Election of 1980

3. Domestic Agenda Reaganomics
Reduce government spending (except military)
Cut taxes (focused on top income brackets)
Encouraged private investment
Debt rose from $700 billion to $3 trillion
War on drugs
Amnesty to illegal immigrants
Appointed first female
Supreme Court Justice
(Sandra Day O’Connor)

4. Foreign Policy
Grenada: coup by a Soviet-allied dictator led to an invasion to overthrow new leader; US successful
Libya: US airstrikes against Libyan terrorists training camps
Iran Contra Scandal: Reagan aides found guilty of selling weapons to Iran to secure the release of hostages taken in Lebanon and funneling money to Contras (anti-communist rebel group) in Nicaragua

5. Grenada

6. Libya

7. Cold War
Increased defense spending; created the Strategic Defense Initiative (known as Star Wars)
Increased anti-communists efforts throughout Europe, Asia, Latin America (use of covert ops)
1985: Gorbachev became new Soviet premier
Glasnost: openness
Perestroika: restructuring of society
Summits: arms limits

8. Social Issues of the 1980’s AIDs
Drug Abuse
“Say No to Drugs” campaign
Poverty
Assassination attempt 3 min.