1. RONALD REAGAN President 1980-1988
His major goal was to reduce the size of the Federal government by cutting programs
Was known as the “Great Communicator”
Vowed to never negotiate with terrorist
Credited with restoring pride in America

2. Reaganomics
“Government is not the solution to our problem, government is the problem.”
Supply Side Economics Cut all taxes. “Trickle Down.”
Cut Taxes
Cut Inflation
Continued Deregulation

3. Social Conservatism The Moral Majority Anti-abortion
Defender of School prayer.
Supported by “Televangelists”.

4. Large Deficit
Resurgence of Conservatism rejection of ’60s radicalism
Conservative: A person who believes governments power, particularly in the economy, should be limited in order to maxize indivual freedom.

5. End of The Cold War
Reagan spent billions on Defense to bring the Soviets to the negotiation table
Reagan uses SDI ( Strategic Defense Initiative) to break the back of the Soviet Union
SDI- was started to create the technology to protect the US from the Soviet missiles

6. Within a few years the Soviet Union (USSR)would collapse and cease to exist

7. Civil Wars in Central America
US moves to stop communism in Latin America
Invades Grenada to crush a communist uprising
Gives aid to El Salvador and Nicaraguan freedom fighters (Contras) to fight against communism

8. Iran-Contra Scandal
A Congressional investigation into unlawful conduct by the Office of the President
7 American hostages were being held in Lebanon by Muslim extremist
CIA secretly sells weapons to Iran to release the hostages and uses profits to support Contras (rival, opposing) in their fight against communism in Central America
The major problem here is the U.S. was supporting Iraq during the war.