The 1980s APUSH C – Mr. W.

America becomes more conservative Rise of the “Sunbelt” – South and West more conservative Evangelical Christianity (Moral Majority) Tax revolt - Proposition 13 in California Deregulation – leave business alone! Suspicion of “eastern establishment” Reaganomics – “supply-side” economics Rollback of New Deal, Great Society programs

Ronald Reagan Well – known film actor – 1940s and 50s President of Screen Actors Guild Governor of California – 1967 – 1975 Popular spokesperson for conservative groups

Election of 1980 Reagan brought a sunny optimistic outlook to the campaign that contrasted w/ Carter’s dark outlook. The major issues of the campaign were the economy (inflation), and the hostage crisis. Reagan called for tax cuts and restoring America’s “strength” and “pride.” Reagan won , 51% - 41% of pop vote.

Economics – Reaganomics He asked for $40 billion in spending cuts on social welfare and other programs; He asked for 30% reduction in income and corporate tax rates; The EPA eased restrictions on pollution; The Justice Dept. eased enforcement of civil rights laws; National debt soared w/ increased military $$

Gross Debt – Total of how much money the government owes. Public Debt – the amount of money the government owes to its people, through Social Security and Medicare (for example) surpluses that have been loaned out. The gap between the two lines represents the money that we owe to other countries, i.e. China, Japan.

Latin America 1979 – Communists (Sandinistas) take over Nicaragua, defeating a pro-American dictator. Reagan supported the contras, the guerilla forces fighting to topple the Sandinistas – America invades tiny Caribbean island Grenada after Cuban and Russian advisors are seen helping build a large airstrip on the island.

Strategic Defense Initiative 1983, President Reagan announced a scientific breakthrough (hadn’t happened yet). Through a complex shield of lasers and satellites, America could defend itself from an incoming Russian missile attack. Soviets claimed that SDI (or Star Wars) would escalate the arms race, Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev pushed for a 50% reduction of nuclear missiles in 1986 if the U.S. would stop testing SDI. Reagan refused.

1986 – Challenger Space Shuttle Challenger blows up just 73 seconds into its launch in January 1986.

End of the Cold War – Part 1 Both presidents visited each other’s capitols, and soon hammered out the INF Treaty – Intermediate Nuclear Forces – in 1988 that eliminated 2,700 nukes, and allowed inspections from both countries.

Iran-Contra Scandal America sold missile parts to Israel Israel sells missile parts to Iran to fight against Iraq Iran influences terrorists to release American hostages. America uses money from missile sales to fund Contras Contras fight against Communist Sandinistas in Nicaragua Result: Reagan’s presidency was damaged but nothing was ever tied to him.

End of Cold War – Part 2 Gorbachev eases up on control of Poland, East Germany, and other EE nations in They soon strike out on their own and East and West Berlin are reunited. Gorbachev loses power in 1991 as Soviet Union dissolves. Cn0nAlR0

1980s Fashion

1980s Fads

80s Movies Star Wars – Return of the Jedi Ghostbusters Beverly Hills Cop Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade Back to the Future Top Gun E.T. Die Hard