Ronald Reagan Objective Analyze the Presidency of Reagan

Ronald Reagan Objective: Analyze the Presidency of Reagan

Conservative Resurgence • As the 1970 s progressed, right-wing groups gained strength across the country. • The voice of the conservative movement became known as the New Right.

New Right Conservative Movement – Support traditional family values, oppose gay marriage, often very religious – Moral Majority organization gets involved in political elections

Conservative Resurgence – Oppose abortion, known as “Right to Life” movement

Conservative Resurgence – Oppose affirmative action policies: those policies forcing employers and colleges to give special consideration to women and minorities, even if they were less qualified.

Conservative Resurgence – Promote patriotism and “support the troops”

1980 Election • Reagan appealed to these conservative Americans’ traditional values.

1980 Election • Reagan’s ability to simplify issues, and give clear answers earned him the nickname, “The Great Communicator. ”

Reaganomics • Reagan’s package of new economic policies was dubbed “Reaganomics” and consisted of three parts:

Reaganomics • 1. government budget cuts – Less government spending on social programs, such as food stamps, welfare, Medicaid, school lunches, and student loans.

Reaganomics • 2. tax cuts – Less taxes people save more money banks loan more money to businesses business expands, productivity improves, and prices fall – Known as “Supply side” economics or “trickle down” theory

Reganomics – 3. Deregulation of business • Less regulation and rules for businesses to follow = more profits for corporations

Reaganomics • 4. increased defense spending – From 1981 -1984, the Defense Department budget almost doubled.

Reaganomics • Despite these measures, problems continued to plague the economy. • Tax cuts helped the rich, while social welfare cuts had hurt the poor.

Reaganomics • By the end of his first term, the national debt had doubled.

Other Challenges • Under Reagan, NASA took a hit when the space shuttle, the Challenger exploded mid flight https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=j 4 JOjc DFt. BE • Reagan survived an assassination attempt. https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=EYI 79 z iwh 0 w

His Legacy • According to most ranking systems (liberal and conservative), Ronald Reagan usually ranks between 8 th and 25 th in terms of the best U. S. Presidents in history. For those who are conservative, he was one of America’s best leaders, pulling us out of recession and winning the Cold War. For liberals, he favored the rich with conservative policies, ran up the debt, and was connected to other scandals.