Reagan Revolution Todays Objective After todays lesson students

Reagan Revolution

Today’s Objective After today’s lesson, students will be able to… Assess Reagan’s presidency in both the domestic and foreign sectors Essential Skill: Explicitly assess information and draw conclusions

Briefing Proactive alternative to 1970 s malaise Optimistic & confident Skillful orator (actor) Reenergized Answer America for stagflation…

The Reagan Background Hollywood Actor in 1937, made 53 films Although Reagan began his political life as a Democrat, by 1962 he found his home in the Republican Party In 1966, he became the governor of California Had After trouble meeting his goals for cutting the size of government two terms as governor, he wanted to run for the presidency Reagan was the hero of a growing movement called the New Right His powerful personality, optimism, and acting skills drew many Americans – even Democrats – to his side Reagan’s wife, Nancy Reagan, was one of his greatest allies.

“New Right” Conservative Shift Scope of government should be as small as possible; “necessary evil. ” Free market economy: minimal regulation and intervention Reduce Cold taxes; eliminate wasteful social programs warrior “hawks”; Emphasize religion defense spending traditional moral values and Christian

Reaganomics Regan’s Two plan for tax and spending cuts goals Reduce Cut the federal budget Based A taxes to stimulate economic growth on supply-side economics theory that says breaks for businesses will increase supply of goods and services, aiding the economy

Reaganomics Free from the burden of heavy taxes and government regulation, American capitalism would surge to new heights 25% income tax cuts for individuals and businesses Reduce government spending; cut social welfare program Deregulate private business Raise interest rates (and limit amount of the money in circulation) to reduce inflation Results: Initial recession and then growth Budget deficits and disparity of wealth

Unemployment

Income Tax Rate How does income tax rate impact the government’s budget? How does income tax rate impact government spending>

Peace via Strength

Strategic Defense Initiative Announced AKA in March 1983 “Star Wars” Sought to develop a system to destroy incoming missiles

Latin America & Middle East Policy El Salvador Violent civil war between Marxist guerillas and government troops supported by armed extremist groups Reagan administration supported Jose Napoleon Duarte – a moderate leader who won the 1984 election

Latin America & Middle East Policy Nicaragua US backed Anastasio Somoza Debayle was ousted by the Sandinistas – a Marxist group Reagan cut off aid to Nicaragua saying that the Sandinistas were backed by the USSR Reagan then allowed the CIA to equip and train a Sandinista opposition group called the Contras Boland Amendment: Congress banned all further direct or indirect U. S. support of the Contras

Latin America & Middle East Policy Grenada Island was tied to Communist Cuba Reagan sent 2, 000 troops in 1983 to overthrow the pro. Cuban government 18 U. S. soldiers die

Latin America & Middle East Policy Lebanon Muslim Israel US A and Christian groups waged a civil war invaded Lebanon to expel the PLO sent 800 peacekeepers suicide bomber killed 241 marines Reagan withdrew the troops

Iran-Contra Affair 1979: Nicaraguan Civil War 1984: Congress banned aid to Contras US covertly sells arms to Iran in order to get US hostages released in Lebanon Violated Reagan’s policy against negotiations 1987 – Profits used to fund Contras in order to overthrow Sandinistas How much did Reagan know? Ordered support for Contras, knew about arms-for-hostages deal, unaware of Contra funding 11 Convicted & 6 pardoned by President H. W. Bush

Changes in the Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev: General Secretary of the Communist Party, 1985 -91. Sought better relations with the West Pursued internal reforms (perestroїka, glasnost).

Cold War Ends Causes Mikhail Gorbachev, Afghanistan, E. Europe demands change, massive U. S. military buildup 1987 – Reagan’s speech at Berlin Wall 1989 – Fall of the Berlin Wall 1989 – Poland, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Afghanistan, Bulgaria, Romania 1991 – USSR dissolves