The American President’s 1980-present

1. The American President’s 1980-present Mr.Mancuso Terre Haute South Vigo High School

2. Ronald Reagan -Quick Facts • Feb. 6, 1911-June 5, 2004. • 40th President of the United States (1981-1989) • Also an actor, broadcaster, and former governor of California • Defeated incumbent Jimmy Carter in 1980 Presidential Election 489 electoral votes to 49

3. Why did Reagan Win? • Good public speaker • Iran Hostage Situation • Came from California (many electoral votes

4. Reaganomics • Lower the top income tax rates would spur economic growth • Known as Reaganomics • Businesses would then create jobs • Cut federal income taxes by 25 percent

5. Reaganomics Tax cuts favored wealthy Americans (people who voted for Reagan) Deficit in the federal government. Results: inflation drops to 4 percent (was 10 percent) Some people argued that the poor did not benefit (did not get as big of a tax cut)

6. Cold War Relations • Increased military spending early in the decade • Pentagon budget went from $150 billion to $250 billion by 1985 • Strategic Defense Initiative (Star Wars)

7. Star Wars • Critics of Reagan’s SDI called the plan “Star Wars” after hit movie series. • Untested technological theories • A missile defense system • Expensive • Would upgrade the arms race.

8. More U.S./Soviet relations • Mixed relations between the superpowers. • Soviet’s shot down Korean Airliner on September 1, 1983. • All passengers (269) dead • Soviet’s boycotted 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles after the United States boycotted the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow.

9. 1984 Election • Reagan defeated Walter Mondale (right) in 1984. • Electoral votes were 525 for Reagan to 13 for Mondale (one of the biggest margins ever) • This showed that the public was behind Reagan

10. Other Reagan Highlights • Appointed Sandra Day O’Connor as the first woman justice on the Supreme Court • Embracing of Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev • Arms reduction with the Soviet Union

11. Iran/Contra Affair • Most serious crisis in Reagan’s term • U.S. ships arms (guns) to Iran. • Profits went to supply the Contras (fighting Nicaraguan government). • Also tied to this was secretly bargaining for release of U.S. hostages in Lebanon by Iranian groups • Caused mistrust of government

12. Legacy of Reagan • Helped end the Cold War • Improved economy • Deficit • Arms reductions • Popular President

13. George H.W. Bush Quick Facts • Born 1924 • President from 1989-1993 (41st President) • Ronald Reagan’s Vice President 1981-1988 • Defeated Democrat Michael Dukakis 426 electoral votes to 111 electoral votes • Also served as a Congressman from Texas • Served in World War II

14. The End of the Cold War • Had to deal with the collapse of the Soviet Union • Helped with the end of Communism and the re-unification of Germany • Friend of Gorbachev • Continued Reagan’s legacy

15. The Persian Gulf War • August 1990-Iraq invades Kuwait to control oil fields. • United States backed Saddam against Iran • Bush rushes to the defense of Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. • Desert Shield-protect Saudi Arabia

16. Desert Storm

17. Desert Storm • President Bush and the United Nations built a coalition to oppose Saddam Hussein. • Several of the countries were mortal enemies (Israel and Syria/Jordan) • 690,000 troops fought in the conflict which began January 16, 1991. • Air War proved coalitions power. • Ground war began on February 23rd.

18. Casualties • Coalition victory. • 150 killed 450 wounded for the Americans. • Emergence of leaders such as General Norman Schwarzkopf, Secretary of Defense Dick Chaney and General Colin Powell

19. Why Not Baghdad • Uncertainty of Middle East without Saddam? • Possible riots • Who to replace Saddam? • Saddam better than other possibilities? • People criticize Bush for this.

20. Bush versus Clinton

21. 1992 Election • Economy floundered near the end of Bush’s campaign. • Bush had to raise taxes after he promised “No New Taxes” • Ross Perot runs as 3rd party candidate. (took votes away from Bush) • Clinton wins election 370-160

22. The Clinton Bio (1946- • Democratic President of the United States 1992-2000. • Served 5 terms as governor of Arkansas • Married to Hillary Rodham Clinton (political marriage) • Good economy during his tenure

23. The Clinton Era • Tried to get universal health care passed (it didn’t) • Negotiated peace between Israel and Egypt (mortal enemies) • Humanitarian missions with UN in Somalia and Bosnia • Defeated Bob Dole in 1996 election.

24. Criticisms of Clinton • Soft on terrorism-did not go after terrorists/Bin Laden after 1993 World Trade Center Attack • Soft on Iraq after Iraq evaded UN inspectors. • Impeachment after Monica Lewinsky scandal.

25. Clinton Scandals • 1994-former Arkansas state employee said that Clinton sexually harassed her. • Whitewater. • Improper relationship (affair) with an intern Monica Lewinsky. Lied to the grand jury, led to impeachment. • Not convicted in impeachment trial, but will scar his legacy according to some historians.

26. Overall Legacy • Good economic times • Great Public speaker • Family man • Democratic party has not been the same since he left office. • Wants to run for 3rd term, probably will not happen. • Campaigns for human rights now with former President Bush.

27. George W. Bush • Republican • Born in 1946 • Former owner of the Texas Rangers • Former governor of Texas • Won election in 2000 over Al Gore and in 2004 John Kerry

28. The Bush Presidency • 9/11-effect on the economy • War with the media • Asian Economic recession catching up with America • Tax cuts similar to Reagan • Iraq • Hurricane Katrina • War on Terrorism

29. Future Questions • What is the future for the war on terror? Iran? Korea? • Who is the enemy? • Osama bin Laden • Who will win in 08? Hilary Clinton? Newt Gingrich?