President Reagan

Reagan Revolution Ronald Reagan’s policies had an impact on the relationship between the federal and state governments. The conservative political philosophy of President Reagan prompted a re-evaluation of the size and role of government in the economy and society of contemporary America.

President Reagan and Conservative Republicans advocated for: Tax cuts – Reaganomics or Trickledown Economics Transfer of responsibilities to state governments Appointment of judges/justices who exercised “judicial restraint” Reduction in the number and scope of government programs and regulations Strengthening of the American military

Supply-Side Economics Taxes go Personal income and business profits go People would spend or invest this extra income Economy would expand and new jobs would be created Eventually more taxes would be paid, allowing Congress to balance the budget

business owners have $100 each Government takes 70% out in taxes You need $10 for operation costs You pay workers $10 each How many workers can you hire? Each worker makes 5 tootsie rolls each 10 total per business owner Each tootsie roll sells for $2 each Results: Business owners have $20 each 6 workers have $10 each unemployed

business owners have $100 each Government takes 30% out in taxes You need $10 for operation costs You pay workers $10 each How many workers can you hire? Each worker makes 5 tootsie rolls each 30 total per business owner Each tootsie roll sells for $2 each Results: Business owners have $60 each 18 workers have $10 each No unemployment

1983 Business owners decide to pay workers $1 extra Workers make 7 tootsie rolls each Results: Business owners have $74 each 24 workers have $11 each No unemployment If you are a business owner would you continue to reinvest or pocket your profits?

How is wealth distributed in the United States? Divide the U.S. Population into 5 sections: Tell me how much of the countries money belongs to each section. Each section being equal would be socialism. For example: Top 20:30% of money Upper-Middle: 25 % Middle: 20 % Lower-Middle:15% Bottom:10% Bottom 20 % Lower- Middle 20 % Middle 20 % Upper- Middle 20 % Top 20%

Write a paragraph (5 complete sentences) explaining your thoughts on supply-economics. In what ways is supply-side economics effective? In what ways is it ineffective? Do you think our country should use supply-side economics? Why or why not?

The “Reagan Revolution” extended beyond his tenure in office with: The election of Reagan’s vice president, George H. W. Bush The election of centrist (moderate or in the political center) Democrat William Clinton The republican sweep of congressional elections and statehouses in the 1990s with the “Contract for America” The election of George W. Bush (son of George H. W. Bush)

Presidents since 1988  With the end of the Cold War, the United States changed its goals and policies.  Involvement in conflicts in other areas of the world has been an integral part of the United States foreign policy in the modern era.

George H. W. Bush  Fall of Communism in Eastern Europe Reunification of Germany Collapse of Yugoslavia Break-up of the soviet state  Persian Gulf War First war in which American women served in a combat role Operation Desert Storm

The End of the Cold War & the Persian Gulf War

Richard B. Cheney: Secretary of Defense, George H. W. Bush: President, Colin L. Powell: Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff,

The end of Soviet Communism 1989: Communist regimes fall in Eastern European states. Berlin Wall opened in 1989, removed by : Communist Party dissolved in Soviet Union. 1991: Soviet Union dissolves, replaced by Commonwealth of Independent States

Fall of the Wall Boris Yeltsin, Russian President,

Fall of U.S.S.R. undercuts Communist efforts elsewhere Nicaragua: peace negotiated between Sandinistas and contras in Sandinistas voted out of power in 1990.

More trouble in the Persian Gulf August 2, 1990: Iraq invades Kuwait. Kuwait “annexed” Saddam Hussein, Aug. 8. Aug. 5: Bush declares will wage war to restore Kuwaiti independence if necessary.

Larger dangers Unchallenged Iraqi occupation of Kuwait threatened: Saudi Arabia other regional Arab regimes Israel Iraq also possessed chemical and biological weapons.

Operation DESERT SHIELD Goal: Protect Saudi Arabia Begins August 7, Thousands of troops transported by air Millions of tons of equipment and fuel transported by sea.

Diplomacy Bush Administration builds a coalition of 24 nations to confront Iraq: 23 countries provide naval forces; 22 ground troops; 12 provide air units Other counties also help pay the bills: U.S. costs about $60-70 billion – foreign contributions covered $50 billion (not counting services in kind).

The problem of Israel The coalition included many Arab states. Israeli participation would have complicated the position of allied Arab governments, leading to their withdrawal from the war. Bush Administration successfully keeps Israel out of the conflict.

The Role of the United Nations Bush Administration uses the UN as a forum to build and maintain the coalition against Iraq. Gets UN to impose various sanctions upon Iraq between August and November UN Security Council authorized use of force against Iraq if it did not withdraw from Kuwait by January 15, 1991.

Increasing the commitment October 1990: Bush wanted a plan to kick Iraq out of Kuwait. Military planners fail to come up with convincing plans given projected force levels. November 1990: Bush increases number of U.S. troops to facilitate offensive operations.

The Powell Doctrine U.S. military action: should be used only as a last resort. only for a clear national security risk. force, when used, should be overwhelming and disproportionate to the force used by the enemy. there must be strong support for the campaign by the general public. there must be a clear exit strategy.

U.S. manpower 237,800 Reservists & National Guardsmen (& women) were called to active duty during the Gulf War. 40,000 in August 187,000 between November 1990 and January ,000 volunteered for active duty

H. Norman Schwarzkopf, Jr. Commander, U.S. Central Command and of coalition forces in the Gulf.

The plan to attack Iraq Month-long air campaign Preliminary goal of destroying Iraqi air defenses. Other targets included military and industrial facilities, first in Iraq, then Kuwait If needed, ground offensive would follow air operations.

The ground plan

Operation DESERT STORM January 15, 1991: Ordered by President George H. W. Bush January 17: air operations began February 24: ground campaign launched February 28: ceasefire and coalition victory.

High-tech air war Smart bombs, precision-guided munitions. Advanced air control & target acquisition systems. New planes

Scud Attacks Iraq launches missiles at Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain. Coalition responds with “Great Scud Hunt,” sending planes and special operations units to locate and destroy these weapons.

“The 100-hour War” Coalition ground forces blast through Iraqi defenses. Highly effective artillery and air support. Iraqi forces not as numerous or tough as anticipated. Failure: Republican Guard divisions escape.

“The Highway of Death” Fears of public reaction to large numbers of Iraqi casualties helps push for quick conclusion to hostilities.

Assessment Casualties: US – 613: 146 killed, 467 wounded. Coalition – 410: 92 killed, 318 wounded. Iraqi – 12,000 killed, about 86,000 surrendered. Kuwaiti independence restored. Iraqi strategic military capability devastated.

Problems for the future Saddam Hussein remains in power in Iraq.