1. Reagan and the 1980s

2. Conservatism Distrust government Oppose
Economic regulations
High taxes
Social programs
Americans tired of change and upheaval  want to return to stability and better times

3. Ronald Reagan Irish American
Actor  testified about Communism during Red Scare
Popular national speaker
Governor of California
Won Presidency in Election of 1980

4. Reaganomics
“Trickle down economics”- cut taxes for corporations and wealthy  they’ll have more money to invest and pay employees (middle class and poor Americans)
Corporations will invest
High more workers (create jobs)
Pay workers more money (so they have more money to spend)
25% tax cut
Not enough money coming in to government  cut social programs
Welfare
Medicare
Unemployment Benefits
Student Loans
Housing

5. Foreign Policy
Reagan Doctrine- US should support guerrilla groups fighting to overthrow Communist or pro-Soviet governments
US involvement spreads around the world
Africa: Angola
Central America: Nicaragua, Grenada
Middle East: Afghanistan, Lebanon, Iran
Afghan Rebels
USSR invaded Afghanistan
US supported Afghan guerillas with weapons and money
Weakens Soviet Union
Reduce nuclear weapons with USSR
Mikhail Gorbachev  supports economic + political reforms to end Cold War

6. Life in the 80s Booming economy Media Stockbrokers
Real Estate- Donald Trump
Yuppies- Young Urban Professionals
Baby Boomers
Discount retailing- K-Mart, Walmart, Target
Media
Cable Television- MTV, ESPN, CNN, HBO, BET
Music- Madonna, Michael Jackson, Rap
Sony Walkman
CD players
VCRs- Home Videos
Video Games- Pac Man, Nintendo

7. Social Activism War on Drugs Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)
Fighting drugs in school
Racial profiling
Crack/Cocaine
Crime Rates
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)
Drinking age raised to 21
Stop underage drinking + drunk driving
AIDS  over 100,000 cases between
Gay community
Clash over FDA and government regulations on treatments