Ronald Reagan and the 1980’s

Election of 1980 Reagan vs Carter –Reagan wins mil. Why does Reagan win? –Seen as “return to earlier time.” Vietnam / Watergate Economic woes Communism was spreading. –Familiarity “The Great Communicator” –Iran Hostage Crisis Iran’s Ayatollah Khomeini holds 66 Americans hostage –Carter fails to get them released.

Why Was Reagan So Popular? the-story-of-us/videos/the-great- communicator#the-great-communicatorhttp:// the-story-of-us/videos/the-great- communicator#the-great-communicator v0vT8http:// v0vT8

The “Reagan Revolution” “Reagan Revolution” –Implements genuinely conservative policies First time since President Herbert Hoover Rebirth of Republican Party –Aspects Restricted/dismantled many New Deal/Great Society programs Low taxes Fighting the Cold War

Economy of the 1980s “Reaganomics” –Reducing taxes on wealthy, businesses “Supply-side” or “trickle- down” economics –Pros? Cons? De-regulation –Wall Street Led to rise of the “Yuppies” –Young Urban Professionals –End of social programs Poverty in urban ghettos grows Drugs = “Crack” –Inner-city gangs Gap between rich and poor grows!

Reaganomics – Pros and Cons

Fighting the “Evil Empire” Continued support of Taliban (Mujahedeen) in Afghanistan. Invasion of Grenada (1981) –Take out Marxist pro-Castro government. Containment? Truman Doctrine? Defense Spending –Can Soviets keep pace? –SDI Strategic Defense Initiative –“Star Wars” 4 Summit Meetings with Gorbachev –Discussed arms reduction “The Wall” speech –June 12 th, 1987

Source: Center for Defense Information 2004 Yearbook

Source: U.S. Office of Management and Budget

Reagan Legacy Stated commitment to reducing size of government. –Did not dramatically reduce bureaucracy Restored national pride –Americans feel confident for first time since Kennedy –End of the American “Malaise” Growing liberal- conservative divide –Reagan seen as prototypical conservative today Renewed the Cold War. –End to “Détente” –IS REAGAN RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FALL OF THE SOVIET UNION?

Reagan Videos eudn8http:// eudn8 QDXE5g&feature=relatedhttp:// QDXE5g&feature=related

Social Aspects of the 1980s Technology –Personal Computers –Personal gaming systems –Personal music players “Decade of Decadence” –Clothing styles –Changes in music Rap Hip Hop Pop “Heavy Metal” Youth / Teenage culture –MTV: 1981 AIDS Epidemic –Over 100,000 dead by end of 80’s.

The Fall of the Soviet Union By 1980, the USSR was in very poor economic and social condition, but is Ronald Reagan the reason why the Soviet Union fell? –Perestroika USSR begins “restructuring” economically –Glasnost USSR begins embracing free speech –1990 – Berlin Wall falls –1991 – USSR falls apart

Iran-Contra Deal struck to exchange weapons for American hostages held by Iranian terrorists (Hezbollah) in Lebanon. –Positives? American prisoners released. –Negatives? Violated embargo with Iran Negotiating with terrorists? Money made from sale of weapons used to fund anti-Communist forces in Nicaragua (Contras) At first, Reagan denied the operation. –Later defended the “good intentions” of the actions. –Never directly connected to Reagan. Then vice-president Bush will issue six pardons during his presidency. Reagan's image suffered as a result of Iran-Contra. –Popularity ultimately rebounded. Left office with the highest approval rating of any president since Franklin Roosevelt.