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Ronald Reagan

Ronald Reagan. Two Views: Liberal and Conservatives Liberals – Favored government intervention to help the needy. Conservatives – Favored allowing the free market, private organizations, and individuals take care of the needy. Both agree on core American values such as freedom and equality.

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Ronald Reagan

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  1. Ronald Reagan

  2. Two Views: Liberal and Conservatives Liberals – Favored government intervention to help the needy. Conservatives – Favored allowing the free market, private organizations, and individuals take care of the needy. Both agree on core American values such as freedom and equality. Ideas and Goals of Liberalism – Government should play a bigger role in improving the lives of Americans Social programs that helped the poor , unemployed , elderly Laws that protect the rights of minorities & women. Greater government regulation of industry. Foreign policy = cooperating w/ international organizations, UN.

  3. Chapter 19: The Conservative Resurgence 1980-1993 Ideas and Goals of Conservatism – A large central government endangered economic growth and individual choice. Liberal policies of the 60s and 70s left a legacy of rising inflation and enormous waste. Criticized the liberal solution of “throwing money” at social problems. Sought to reduce taxes and limit government regulation of industry in order to promote economic growth. Neoconservatives or Traditionalist – warned about the dangers posed to society by abandoning traditional values in favor of the new freedoms exemplified by the counterculture and advertized by mass media. Anticommunism Conservatism – No more détente w/ USSR.

  4. Chapter 19: The Conservative Resurgence 1980-1993 The New Right Chimes IN – Liberal policies were the cause of stagflation Policies taxed citizens and businesses too heavily and spent too much $$ on the wrong programs. Complained about unfunded mandates- programs required but not paid for by the federal government. Criticized federal welfare programs – awarded lack of effort. The great Society programs made poverty worse. Decline in the traditional family. Affirmative action promoted reverse discrimination “Sagebrush Rebels” wanted the Fed Gov’t to release control of Western Lands to the states and let them decide how best to use the lands resources for economic advantage.

  5. Chapter 19: The Conservative Resurgence 1980-1993 Moral Majority – founded by the Reverend Jerry Falwell, was a political organization working to fulfill religious goals. Opposed the Supreme court decisions which forbade religious teaching in schools (1962 - Engle v. Vitale), and legalized abortion (1973 – Roe v. Wade) Condemned Equal Rights Amendment and homosexuality. Boosted the Republican Party’s chances of winning the presidency by reaching out to Americans who traditionally not participated in the political process. Demographic trends also boost Conservatism Movement to the suburbia – which struggled during stagflation Move from the Rust Belt to Sun Belt turned the Deep South from democratic to republican. Opposed 60s civil rights movement.

  6. Ronald Reagan • Oldest President ever to be elected at 69 years of age • As a master humorist, the president used his story telling ability to me a point, deflect criticism, and win over doubters • To avoid long interviews with the press, he took questions with his helicopter roaring in the background • Ronald Reagan envisioned a smaller government, a greater America

  7. Biography • Born Feb. 6, 1911 • Attended Eureka College • President of the Screen Actors Guild • His First Wife Jane Wyman had two children, Maureen and Michael • Second Wife, Nancy Davis, had two children, Patricia and Ronald :

  8. The Reagan Revolution • Although Reagan began his political life as a Democrat, by 1962 he found his home in the Republican Party. • In 1966 he became the governor of California. • Had trouble meeting his goals for cutting the size of government • After two terms as governor, he wanted to run for the presidency • Reagan was the hero of a growing movement called the New Right. • His powerful personality, optimism, and acting skills drew many Americans—even Democrats—to his side.

  9. The New Right The New Right was a coalition of conservative media commentators, think tanks, and grassroots Christian groups. The New Right endorsed school prayer, deregulation, lower taxes, a smaller government, a stronger military, and the teaching of a Bible-based account of human creation. They opposed gun control, abortion, homosexual rights, school busing, the Equal Rights Amendment, affirmative action, and nuclear disarmament. Reagan gave the New Right an eloquent and persuasive voice and he drew many Americans to his side.

  10. Reagan’s Allies • The New Right grew in influence with the rise of televangelism. • One leader of the New Right, Rev. Jerry Falwell founded a political activist organization called the Moral Majority in 1979. The New Right • Reagan’s acting skills served him well in politics. • Reagan became known as the Great Communicator on the campaign trail. • As president, Reagan was called the Great Persuader. A Powerful Personality • Reagan’s wife, Nancy Reagan, was one of his greatest allies. • She ran the White House, advised her husband, and fiercely protected his interests. Nancy Reagan

  11. Before National Politics Goldwater speech 1964

  12. Accomplishments • Elected President in 1980 and in 1984 • Governor of California 1966-1974 • Restored Prosperity with his “Reagan Style” of Government • His Foreign Policy was “Peace through Strength” • Largest Income Tax Cut in United States History

  13. Reagan Quotes • Republicans believe that every day is the Fourth of July, but the Democrats believe that everyday is April 15th. • When I’ve heard all I need to make a decision, I don’t take a vote. I make a decision. • The problem is not that people are taxed too little, the problem is that government spends too much.

  14. With the close election victory in 1980, the Reagan revolution would bring a significant shift in the political direction of the nation. “Reaganomics” – Sometimes called the theory of Supply-side economics. Rests on the assumption that if taxes are reduced, people will work more and have more money to spend, causing the economy to grow. The government will then collect more taxes. But in order to cut taxes and balance the budget, Reagan would need to reduce federal spending on programs favored by both democrats and republicans. Economic Recovery Act of 1981 – Reduced taxes by 25% over 3 years.

  15. Chapter 19: The Conservative Resurgence 1980-1993 Economic Recovery Act of 1981 – Reduced taxes by 25% over 3 years. Richest Americans received the biggest tax cut. Why? Would use the money they saved to invest back in the economy in the form of new businesses. Cut $40 billion from federal budget. Mostly on social programs. Deregulation – removal of governmental control over industry. Deregulated airline, tele-communications, and banking industries. Also cut funding for federal agencies that oversaw many other agencies. Despite Reagan’s economic policies, the economy experienced a severe recession from 1980 – 1982. 10% unemployment! Loss of blue collar jobs, and farms to oversea competitions. Policies to fight inflation from the 1970s Increase in immigration, both legal and illegal

  16. Chapter 19: The Conservative Resurgence 1980-1993 Reagan also increased defense spending, in place of détente. But he did not get the cuts in government spending in order to pay for it. Budget Deficit – Shortfall between the amount of money spent and the amount taken in by the government. ($79 b to $221 B in 5 years). National Debt – Amount of money the federal government owes to owners of government bonds. Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act of 1985 – balance budget by 1990. Record high federal budget deficit in the early 1990s Savings and Loan (S&L) crisis – In 1989 banks failed due to fraudulent behaviors and risky loans. Deregulation to blame for risky investments. Spent $200 billion to bail out failed banks. With the economic upswing in1983 Reagan uses that momentum to win 1984 election against Walter Mondale and the 1st woman VP nominee, Geraldine Ferraro. But not Congress

  17. Chapter 19: The Conservative Resurgence 1980-1993 Reagan leaves legacy by trying to overturn the liberal slant on the supreme court. Appoints conservative justices Sandra Day O’Connor, 1st female justice, Antonin Scalia, and Anthony Kennedy. Appoints well-known conservative William Rehnquist as Chief Justice. Challenging domestic issues Reagan faced: Professional Air Traffic Controller Organization (PATCO) Strike - Instead of negotiating with them, Reagan fired the federal workers for going on strike. Social Security – More older people, but not enough money to pay social security – Social Security Reform Act – increased minimum age of retirement and increased payroll taxes to help pay it. Public education – showing lower scores on standardized tests. Public schools were not preparing students well enough. Reagan provided the voucher program which gave parents government check to help pay for private schools. Hoped to force public schools to do better.

  18. Reagan Public Approval Ratings

  19. Reagan’s Clarity • Strong Defense • Cut taxes • Cut Spending • Balance the Budget

  20. New Deal Coalition Democratic South African-Americans Union members Urban North Immigrant/newer ethnic groups Farmers Reagan Coalition Midwest small towns Wealthiest Americans Hawks on foreign policy Blue Collar in North and Midwest (union and non-union) White Southerners Evangelicals Yuppies Realignment

  21. Presidential Power and Persuasion LBJ Model Pres Congress People

  22. Presidential Power and Persuasion Reagan Model Pres People Congress

  23. Reagan Media Strategy • Bully Pulpit • Stage Events in Controlled Settings • Feed the Media • Consistency of Message • Selling the President • Popularity is Power

  24. The Ultimate Example • Berlin 1987

  25. Iran-Contra • Comparison to other scandals • When Congress tries to restrain presidential actions • Ignore Congress • Reinterpret the law

  26. The Iran Contra Scandal Contras Private US $ Foreign Gov’t $ $$$ Hostages weapons weapons Swiss bank accounts; controlled by North Iran US Israel

  27. Supply-side Economics Tax cuts and business incentives stimulate investment. Investment encourages economic growth. A growing economy results in more goods and services. Theory appealed to conservatives who supported free enterprise and minimal government regulation. David A. Stockman Reagan appointed this controversial young budget director to implement his economic plan. Stockman asked Congress for tax cuts. Tax cuts would stimulate businesses who would pay more taxes and eliminate any budget deficit. Congress passed many of the main components of Reaganomics. Reagan’s Economic Plan

  28. The Effects of Reaganomics • Claimed the tax breaks simply made the rich richer, said wealth did not “trickle down” to the working class • Said that tax cuts combined with increased military spending would drive the federal deficit higher Critics of Reaganomics • Vice President Bush had questioned plan to cut taxes and increase military budget during the Republican nomination race, calling Reagan’s plan “voodoo economics.” “Voodoo Economics” • During 1981 and 1982 the nation suffered the worst recession since the Great Depression. • Unemployment rose and government revenues fell. • Federal spending soared and the federal deficit skyrocketed. Recession and Recovery

  29. Reaganomics • Reagan’s plan for tax and spending cuts • Two goals • Reduce taxes to stimulate economic growth • Cut the federal budget • Based on supply-side economics • A theory that says breaks for businesses will increase supply of goods and services, aiding the economy

  30. 3. Decade of Neglect From: ARMING AMERICA: Attention and Inertia in U.S. National Security Spending http://dept.lamar.edu/polisci/TRUE/True_art_tlp.html

  31. Soviet ICBMs 1980s-90s • From, US Dept of Defense, Soviet Military Power, 1987: http://www.fas.org/irp/dia/product/smp_87_ch2.htm

  32. Strategic Defense Initiative Reagan’s SDI speech, March 23, 1983 From: http://www.milnet.com/pentagon/spacecom/sdi.gif

  33. Congressional Restrictions on Arms Sales in 1980s Arms Export Control Acts • No arms sales to nations determined to be sponsors of terrorism (US State Dept determines which nations fit into this category; it included Iran) • No arms sales of over $25 m in value without congressional approval (1974); A 1976 bill lowered this to $14 m for sophisticated weaponry and $50 m for other items • Both the House and Senate would have to reject the arms sales

  34. [Cardboard Ronald Reagan], March 5, 1987

  35. Reagan and the Berlin Wall

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