Ronald Reagan: Champion of Conservative Values and the American Dream

1. Ronald Reagan • 1981-1989

2. Living Room Candidate http://www.livingroomcandidate.org/commercials/1980 Reagan, Carter, Anderson 1980 http://www.livingroomcandidate.org/commercials/1984 Reagan, Mondale 1984

3. The Reagan Revolution: Crash Course US History #43 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2h4DkpFP_aw 14 min.

4. Former California Governor and Actor Ronald Reagan had popular appeal. He promised Americans a “New Beginning” and the restoration of confidence in America both at home and abroad. His goals were reminiscent of the 1950’s. Reagan referred to “the good old days” in his prepared patriotic speeches.

5. Like the Republicans before him, he promoted a conservative approach to government and the economy. He brought back the notion that the Cold War was real and just around the corner. His first priority was the inflation he said was caused by the “big government” created by the previous Democrats all the way back to FDR.

6. Reagan was the first president to serve out 2 full terms since Eisenhower. His policy issues are separated by his terms.

7. Reagan’s First-Term Foreign Policy Issues: Reagan described the Soviet Union as the Evil Empire – a reference from the movie “Star Wars.” He planned a tough stand against Communism.

8. Middle East Reagan sent U.S. Marines into Lebanon as part of U.N. Peace Keeping Forces. The Marines became targets of terrorists. Reagan admitted the peace-keeping mission had failed and withdrew American troops.

9. Intervention in Central America Reagan, like John Foster Dulles believed that unstable conditions led nations toward communism. He asked Congress for aid as well as military intervention for Latin American groups fighting communist take-overs in their nations. When Congress denied such aid, Reagan found “creative” ways to reappropriate monies. Intervention in the following nations occurred during his tenure in office: El Salvador, Nicaragua, Grenada

10. Détente Reagan’s attitude about communism toughened after the Polish government cracked down on the independent labor party, Solidarity. Détente was not restored till his second term.

11. Terrorism Shortly after Ronald Reagan took the oath of office on inauguration day 1981, the hostages were released after 444days as captives at the American Embassy in Teheran. During his presidency, Islamic fundamentalists engaged in more and more terrorist activity globally.

12. Reagan’s First-Term Domestic Policy Issues: Reagan supported programs similar to Eisenhower and Nixon. He supported “New Federalism” turning over federal control of programs begun in the New Deal to the states.

13. Supply-side Economics/ Reaganomics The economy continued to get worse. Reagan targeted inflation as his top priority. Reagan called for a cut in taxes for businesses and citizens with high incomes. He felt these groups would reinvest in the community creating a trickle down effect.

14. Balanced Budget The economy was still suffering. Reagan tried to balance the federal budget by cutting programs and making sharp cuts in the budget in areas such as the Environmental Protection Agency.

15. Star Wars National security was based upon a strong defense. To this end, Reagan pushed for increased military spending. He asked Congress for monies for the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), a massive satellite system designed to detect and destroy a military air threat from the USSR.

16. Farm Aid The 1980’s were bad for farmers. Reagan paid farmers not to grow crops in order to reduce supply and therefore increase prices.

17. Immigration Reagan clamped down on illegal immigration. In 1986, Congress passed the Immigration Reform and Control Act. It required employers to not hire illegal immigrants.

18. Reagan’s Second-Term Foreign Policy Issues: The Iran-Contra Affair Top presidential aides sold weapons to Iran in exchange for Iranian help in freeing American hostages held in Lebanon. The money taken in for the arms sale was then given to Nicaragua to support contra rebels seeking to oust the Sandinistas who had accepted help from Cuba and the Soviet Union. The blame was placed upon Colonel Oliver North and members of the CIA.

19. Renewal of Détente In 1985 when Mikhail Gorbachev became the leader of the USSR, he announced policies of glasnost and perestroika. This openness and tendency towards free enterprise reopened the possibility of détente.

20. Arms Reduction The US and USSR agreed to eliminate short range and medium range land based missiles.

21. Terrorism Terrorism continued to plague Americans. Italian cruise liner Achille Lauro Pam Am jet bombed over Lockerby, Scotland

22. Ending Apartheid Americans divested their portfolios of stocks of South African companies in order to protest discrimination and racial segregation. Congress proposed economic sanctions, but Reagan vetoed the bill, which was eventually overridden.

23. Reagan’s Second-Term Domestic Policy Issues: By Regan’s second term, he was referred to as the “great communicator.” He promised to make deep cuts in the federal budget in order to balance the budget. His cuts favored the rich.

24. Trade Imbalance The national debt still climbed. Part of the reason for this was the trade imbalance. More American dollars were being shipped out of the country than we were taking in.

25. The War Against Drugs First Lady Nancy Reagan launched the “Just say No to Drugs” Program.