1. The Reagan Years

2. Supporters of Reagan Election of 1980
Opponents of the status quo
Anti-communist conservatives
Christian conservatives
“Reagan Democrats”
“Neo-conservatives”

3. The Election of 1980

4. The New Conservative Coalition The NEW RIGHT
The NEW RIGHT - a political coalition of:
Conservative evangelical Christians
Moral Majority founded by Rev. Jerry Falwell - Baptist minister (founder - Liberty University - Lynchburg, VA)
To restore Christian Values in America
Southern Democrats
Reduction of Social Programs
Called for reduction in size and scope of government
“Reagan Democrats”
Favored return of US military prominence
Patriotic focus

5. “Reaganomics” Too much government is the problem Cut domestic programs
Increased defense spending
Cut personal income taxes
Would:
promote and create new jobs
encourage capital investment, and
lead to stimulated industrial growth
Critics called it “voodoo economics”

6. Economic Recovery Tax Act
Cut taxes in a way that favored the wealthy
Three-year rate reduction
Did not trickle down as promised
Changed the distribution of wealth
Shrinking middle class
Decline in home-ownership
Cuts in the federal budget accompanied tax cuts

7. Impacts of Reaganomics
Deregulation of business
Environment: “Sagebrush rebellion”
Decreased government control in many areas
Huge increase in the national debt
US became the largest debtor nation
Response included cutting programs that benefited the poor.
Increased number of corporate takeovers

8. Reagan and Military Buildup
Sharp increase in military spending = buildup
New weapons and new technology
Neoconservatives (Neo-cons = Dick Cheney, Don Rumsfeld, Condoleeza Rice, Colin Powell, etc.)
Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) = better known as Star Wars

9. Foreign Policy Reagan and the Cold War
Reagan Doctrine
Nicaragua
Grenada
Evil Empire
Gorbachev
Missile build-up
SDI

10. Iran Contra Affair/The Teflon President
Arms for hostages deal
Sold arms to Iran in exchange for their help
Funneled the profits from the sale to the Contra rebels
Congressional hearings to uncover the policy
Oliver North was fired for his involvement
Reagan was never linked to the events