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The Reagan Years

The Reagan Years. Supporters of Reagan Election of 1980. Opponents of the status quo Anti-communist conservatives Christian conservatives “Reagan Democrats” “Neo-conservatives”. The Election of 1980. The New Conservative Coalition The NEW RIGHT. The NEW RIGHT - a political coalition of:

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The Reagan Years

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  1. The Reagan Years

  2. Supporters of ReaganElection 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 CoalitionThe 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 PolicyReagan 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

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