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The Reagan Years

Explore the political landscape of the Reagan era, from the supporters of Reagan's presidency to the controversies surrounding his economic policies, military buildup, and foreign affairs decisions. Learn about Reaganomics, the New Right coalition, the Iran-Contra Affair, and the dynamics of the Cold War under Reagan's leadership.

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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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