The Resurgence of Conservatism The Reagan Years “We the people tell the government what to do. It doesn’t tell us” - Ronald Reagan Created by: Mr. Chansen, Stephen T. Department Head - Sunset High School Dallas Independent School District

Reagan Becomes a Conservative 1932 – Graduated from Eureka College1932 – Graduated from Eureka College Became a radio broadcaster & then a Hollywood actor by the late 1930s.Became a radio broadcaster & then a Hollywood actor by the late 1930s – Became president of the Screen Actors Guild (A union for actors)1947 – Became president of the Screen Actors Guild (A union for actors) As its leader, he testified before the House Un-American Activities Committee during the 2 nd Red Scare.As its leader, he testified before the House Un-American Activities Committee during the 2 nd Red Scare. He had been a liberal Democrat, but became Conservative after dealing with many Communists within the union.He had been a liberal Democrat, but became Conservative after dealing with many Communists within the union. 1950s – Travels the nation to promote a T.V. show he hosted1950s – Travels the nation to promote a T.V. show he hosted During the trip he met many people who complained about “big government”During the trip he met many people who complained about “big government” 1966 – Ran and won for the governorship of California.1966 – Ran and won for the governorship of California. Ran as a committed conservative and winsRan as a committed conservative and wins Re-elected in 1970Re-elected in years later president of the U.S.10 years later president of the U.S.

Election of 1980 Americans are frustrated with current governmentAmericans are frustrated with current government Reagan’s Campaign Promises:Reagan’s Campaign Promises: Cut taxesCut taxes Increase defense spending (More money for the military)Increase defense spending (More money for the military) Reagan wins the social conservatives by calling for an Amendment to ban abortions.Reagan wins the social conservatives by calling for an Amendment to ban abortions. Reagan easily wins the electionReagan easily wins the election The Republican Party also wins control of the Senate for the first time since 1954.The Republican Party also wins control of the Senate for the first time since 1954.

Reaganomics Reagan thought that the way to fix the U.S. and its problems was to get Americans to believe in themselves again.Reagan thought that the way to fix the U.S. and its problems was to get Americans to believe in themselves again. Chief economic problem was Stagflation.Chief economic problem was Stagflation. Reagans solution was to embrace supply-side economics.Reagans solution was to embrace supply-side economics. Supply-side Economics – economic theory that lower taxes will boost the economy as businesses and individuals invest their money, thereby creating prosperity and economic growth that will offset the tax cuts.Supply-side Economics – economic theory that lower taxes will boost the economy as businesses and individuals invest their money, thereby creating prosperity and economic growth that will offset the tax cuts. Asked the Federal Reserve to keep interest rates highAsked the Federal Reserve to keep interest rates high Asked Congress to pass a massive 25% tax cutAsked Congress to pass a massive 25% tax cut Critics called this “Reaganomics” or “trickle-down economics,” and argued that this would make the businesses and rich more wealthy but very little would “trickle down” to the average American.Critics called this “Reaganomics” or “trickle-down economics,” and argued that this would make the businesses and rich more wealthy but very little would “trickle down” to the average American.

Cutting Programs A result of his tax cuts was a national deficitA result of his tax cuts was a national deficit Deficit – the amount by which expenses exceed income.Deficit – the amount by which expenses exceed income. To balance the budget, Reagan proposed to cut government spending in Social programs like:To balance the budget, Reagan proposed to cut government spending in Social programs like: Food stampsFood stamps School lunchesSchool lunches Medicare paymentsMedicare payments Unemployment compensationUnemployment compensation Student LoansStudent Loans Congress struggled and debated, but eventually passed most of Reagan’s suggestions.Congress struggled and debated, but eventually passed most of Reagan’s suggestions. However, the debate convinced Reagan that Congress would never pass enough cuts to balance the budget.However, the debate convinced Reagan that Congress would never pass enough cuts to balance the budget.

Economy & Re-Election Reagan also thought that regulation of industry was hurting the economy.Reagan also thought that regulation of industry was hurting the economy. His 1 st act as president was to get rid of price-controls for oil and gasoline.His 1 st act as president was to get rid of price-controls for oil and gasoline. Also deregulated large parts of: broadcasting, banking, and automotive industries.Also deregulated large parts of: broadcasting, banking, and automotive industries. Eased EPA restrictions and allowed increased mining & drilling on public landEased EPA restrictions and allowed increased mining & drilling on public land This angered many environmentalistsThis angered many environmentalists 1984 – U.S. was in biggest economic boom in its history, and Reagan won a landslide re-election victory.1984 – U.S. was in biggest economic boom in its history, and Reagan won a landslide re-election victory.

Shifting the Courts Reagan made a point of trying to only appoint Federal judges who followed the original intent of the Constitution.Reagan made a point of trying to only appoint Federal judges who followed the original intent of the Constitution. He nominated moderate-conservative Sandra Day O’Connor, who became the 1 st female Supreme Court Justice in 1981.He nominated moderate-conservative Sandra Day O’Connor, who became the 1 st female Supreme Court Justice in – Reagan replaced retiring Chief Justice Burger with conservative Justice William Rehnquist as Chief and judge Antonin Scalia to fill Rehnquist’s opening.1986 – Reagan replaced retiring Chief Justice Burger with conservative Justice William Rehnquist as Chief and judge Antonin Scalia to fill Rehnquist’s opening.

“Peace through strength” Reagan rejected both the previous U.S. policies of “Containment” and “Détente,” and instead simply labeled the Soviet Union “an evil empire.”Reagan rejected both the previous U.S. policies of “Containment” and “Détente,” and instead simply labeled the Soviet Union “an evil empire.” It was Reagans policy to oppose evil, not contain or negotiate with it, but to destroy it.It was Reagans policy to oppose evil, not contain or negotiate with it, but to destroy it. Launched a $1.5 Trillion military build-upLaunched a $1.5 Trillion military build-up This was meant to bankrupt the Soviets if they tried to keep up and spend the same amount or more.This was meant to bankrupt the Soviets if they tried to keep up and spend the same amount or more. Went after nations who supported terroristsWent after nations who supported terrorists Libya was hit with air strikes after it supported an attackLibya was hit with air strikes after it supported an attack The massive spending created many new jobs in the defense industry.The massive spending created many new jobs in the defense industry. Despite the idea of supply-side economics that government cuts would balance the budget, the new military spending increased the annual national deficit from $80 Billion to over $200 Billion.Despite the idea of supply-side economics that government cuts would balance the budget, the new military spending increased the annual national deficit from $80 Billion to over $200 Billion.

The Reagan Doctrine Reagan’s policy was to support ANYONE fighting against Soviet/Communist aggression ANYWHEREReagan’s policy was to support ANYONE fighting against Soviet/Communist aggression ANYWHERE 1979 – Soviets invade Afghanistan, U.S. helps train, fund, and supply several groups who fight them including the Mujahideen, a group that would eventually give birth to Al-Qaeda – Soviets withdraw.1979 – Soviets invade Afghanistan, U.S. helps train, fund, and supply several groups who fight them including the Mujahideen, a group that would eventually give birth to Al-Qaeda – Soviets withdraw – Pro-Soviet rebels in Nicaragua over-through the pro-American dictator and accept Cuban & Soviet aid.1979 – Pro-Soviet rebels in Nicaragua over-through the pro-American dictator and accept Cuban & Soviet aid – Grenada, radical Marxists over-through the government. Reagan sends in U.S. troops to defeat the rebels and Cuban troops there and set up an anti- communist government1983 – Grenada, radical Marxists over-through the government. Reagan sends in U.S. troops to defeat the rebels and Cuban troops there and set up an anti- communist government

Iran-Contra Scandal In 1979, when the Nicaraguan rebels overthrew the pro-American dictator, Regan began to secretly arm a different group of rebels called Contras.In 1979, when the Nicaraguan rebels overthrew the pro-American dictator, Regan began to secretly arm a different group of rebels called Contras. Congress found out and banned any further aid.Congress found out and banned any further aid. A few of Reagan’s advisors simply decided to ignore Congress and began to illegally fund the Contra by way of Iran.A few of Reagan’s advisors simply decided to ignore Congress and began to illegally fund the Contra by way of Iran. This was done by first secretly selling weapons to Iran (an enemy & terrorism sponsor) in exchange for releasing U.S. hostages. Then any profits made from the sales were given to the Contras.This was done by first secretly selling weapons to Iran (an enemy & terrorism sponsor) in exchange for releasing U.S. hostages. Then any profits made from the sales were given to the Contras – The Operation is discovered and broadcast over the news. Several men, including Marine Colonel Oliver North, senior National Security Council members, and CIA officials admitted to their crime. Congress investigates and determined that Reagan knew nothing about the money being sent to the Contras.1986 – The Operation is discovered and broadcast over the news. Several men, including Marine Colonel Oliver North, senior National Security Council members, and CIA officials admitted to their crime. Congress investigates and determined that Reagan knew nothing about the money being sent to the Contras.

Military Build-up Reagan places missiles in Western Europe to counter those of the Soviet Union.Reagan places missiles in Western Europe to counter those of the Soviet Union. Protesting erupted in many parts of the world.Protesting erupted in many parts of the world. Reagan offered to cancel the missiles if the Soviets would agree to remove their missiles.Reagan offered to cancel the missiles if the Soviets would agree to remove their missiles. He also proposed the Strategic Arms Reduction Talks (START) to reduce the number of nuclear weapons on both sides by half, but the Soviets refused.He also proposed the Strategic Arms Reduction Talks (START) to reduce the number of nuclear weapons on both sides by half, but the Soviets refused. He hated the MAD policy, and sought a way to defend the U.S. from nuclear missiles.He hated the MAD policy, and sought a way to defend the U.S. from nuclear missiles. MAD (Mutual Assured Destruction) – the strategy assuming that, as long as two countries can destroy each other with nuclear weapons, they will be afraid to use them.MAD (Mutual Assured Destruction) – the strategy assuming that, as long as two countries can destroy each other with nuclear weapons, they will be afraid to use them. “Star Wars” – In March 1983, he proposed the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) to develop weapons that could destroy incoming missiles and provide a sort of umbrella for the U.S. in the event of a nuclear war.“Star Wars” – In March 1983, he proposed the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) to develop weapons that could destroy incoming missiles and provide a sort of umbrella for the U.S. in the event of a nuclear war.

Beginning of the End 1985 – Mikhail Gorbachev becomes leader of the Soviet Union.1985 – Mikhail Gorbachev becomes leader of the Soviet Union. Agrees to resume arms-reduction negotiations / knows the U.S.S.R. cannot keep up with U.S. spending.Agrees to resume arms-reduction negotiations / knows the U.S.S.R. cannot keep up with U.S. spending. Meets with Reagan several times.Meets with Reagan several times. 1 st summit ended in a stalemate.1 st summit ended in a stalemate. Reagan, standing at the Berlin Wall, publicly challenged Gorbachev and the Soviets to make reforms, and to “tear down this wall!”Reagan, standing at the Berlin Wall, publicly challenged Gorbachev and the Soviets to make reforms, and to “tear down this wall!” 1987 – both leaders signed the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty.1987 – both leaders signed the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. Gorbachev then pushed through more reforms which eventually led to the collapse of the Soviet Union.Gorbachev then pushed through more reforms which eventually led to the collapse of the Soviet Union.