RONALD REAGANRONALD REAGAN1980-19881980-1988

President Ronald ReaganPresident Ronald Reagan

Won over jimmy Carter by largest Won over jimmy Carter by largest margin in American history 489-49margin in American history 489-49

Never won Academy AwardNever won Academy Award Joined army in 1942 and oversaw Joined army in 1942 and oversaw

training moviestraining movies Nicknames: Dutch, the GipperNicknames: Dutch, the Gipper

Reagan AdministrationReagan Administration

ConservativeConservative Anti abortionAnti abortion

Ronald Ronald ReaganReagan

CA. Governor Reagan CA. Governor Reagan Anti-communistAnti-communist ““Black and white”Black and white” ““New Day in America”New Day in America” Charismatic Charismatic Channeled anger of Channeled anger of

mainstream white mainstream white America at minorities, America at minorities, immigrants, feminists, immigrants, feminists, taxes, affirmative taxes, affirmative action, big governmentaction, big government

Reagan’s Conservative Reagan’s Conservative VisionVision

Vietnam was a Vietnam was a “Noble Cause” “Noble Cause”

Renew the Cold Renew the Cold WarWar

American PowerAmerican Power Patriotism Patriotism TraditionalismTraditionalism State’s RightsState’s Rights ““Individualism”Individualism” Feel GoodFeel Good

ReaganomicsReaganomics

Reagan's economic policy was based on Reagan's economic policy was based on supply-side economics supply-side economics

tax reductions would stimulate economic tax reductions would stimulate economic recoveryrecovery

substantial reductions in government substantial reductions in government assistance programs and servicesassistance programs and services

Reagan's theory was that the wealth Reagan's theory was that the wealth created by increased business activity created by increased business activity would "trickle down" to those in needwould "trickle down" to those in need

ReaganomicsReaganomics

Pay fewer taxes leading to more Pay fewer taxes leading to more savingssavings

Banks could loan moreBanks could loan more Supplies of goods increases driving Supplies of goods increases driving

the prices down.the prices down.

Reaganomics: “Trickle-Reaganomics: “Trickle-Down” Down”

DOD spending up 45%DOD spending up 45% $3 trillion debt, 1981-9$3 trillion debt, 1981-9 Rising # of Fortune 500 companiesRising # of Fortune 500 companies Expansion of “working poor”Expansion of “working poor” Decline in real wagesDecline in real wages Household debtHousehold debt Deregulation and Savings & Loan Crisis Deregulation and Savings & Loan Crisis

$500 b$500 b Tax cuts boosted elite incomesTax cuts boosted elite incomes Privatization and deregulationPrivatization and deregulation

The New Class WarfareThe New Class Warfare

De-industrializationDe-industrialization 1 million manuf. Jobs 1 million manuf. Jobs

lost in 1982lost in 1982 Growth of non-union Growth of non-union

service sector, service sector, minimum wage jobsminimum wage jobs

Unions lost millions of Unions lost millions of membersmembers

Federal subsidies to Federal subsidies to corporationscorporations

Under ReaganUnder Reagan

118 million new jobs were created 118 million new jobs were created trade with foreign countries increased.trade with foreign countries increased. the gap between the rich and the poor the gap between the rich and the poor

widened widened workers saw their jobs go to overseas workers saw their jobs go to overseas

workersworkers Some attributed the 1987 stock Some attributed the 1987 stock

market crash to Reaganomics. market crash to Reaganomics.

Reagan characterized the Soviet Union as Reagan characterized the Soviet Union as being committed to "the promotion of world being committed to "the promotion of world revolution and a one-world Socialist or revolution and a one-world Socialist or Communist state" that threatened free Communist state" that threatened free people everywherepeople everywhere

He believed that communism needed to be He believed that communism needed to be fought all over the world and later fought all over the world and later demonstrated this commitment by demonstrated this commitment by intervening in Angola, Afghanistan, and intervening in Angola, Afghanistan, and Central America. Central America.

Iran-Contra Affair, Iran-Contra Affair, 1980s1980s

1979 election in Nicaragua1979 election in Nicaragua SandinistasSandinistas U.S. opposed themU.S. opposed them Sold military land & weapons Sold military land & weapons

to Iran (Khomeini), in return to Iran (Khomeini), in return for release of hostagesfor release of hostages

Used weapons against IraqUsed weapons against Iraq Gave $ to “Contras” who Gave $ to “Contras” who

fought Sandinistasfought Sandinistas Col. Oliver NorthCol. Oliver North Illegal sale of US property Illegal sale of US property

w/o Congressional approvalw/o Congressional approval Aid to Contras violated the Aid to Contras violated the

Boland AmendmentsBoland Amendments

Iran-Iran-contracontra scandal and Watergate scandal and Watergate secret operations were being run out secret operations were being run out

of the White House without public of the White House without public knowledgeknowledge

Both involved illegal diversions of Both involved illegal diversions of funds, and both resulted in funds, and both resulted in congressional hearingscongressional hearings

Air Traffic Controllers strikeAir Traffic Controllers strike

1981 air traffic controller1981 air traffic controller StrikeStrike Reagan gave them Reagan gave them An ultimatum mostAn ultimatum most Lost their jobsLost their jobs

1981 AIDS identified1981 AIDS identified

41,027 persons are dead and41,027 persons are dead and71,176 persons diagnosed with AIDS in the 71,176 persons diagnosed with AIDS in the US.US.

Sandra Day O’ConnorSandra Day O’Connor

First female Supreme CourtFirst female Supreme Court Justice 1981-2006Justice 1981-2006

1984 election1984 election

Reagan /BushReagan /Bush Mondale/ Ferraro (first woman)Mondale/ Ferraro (first woman)

1986 Challenger1986 Challenger

SDI: Star WarsSDI: Star Wars

The intent of this program was to The intent of this program was to develop a sophisticated anti-ballistic develop a sophisticated anti-ballistic missile system in order to prevent missile system in order to prevent missile attacks from other countries missile attacks from other countries

Eventually abandonedEventually abandoned

““Tear Down This Wall”Tear Down This Wall”

International EventsInternational Events

End of the Cold End of the Cold WarWar

Reagan: “Evil Reagan: “Evil Empire”Empire”

Mikhail GorbachevMikhail Gorbachev Fall of the Berlin Fall of the Berlin

WallWall Collapse of USSRCollapse of USSR Reagan took credit Reagan took credit

for the end of the for the end of the Cold WarCold War

GorbachevGorbachev

Glasnost:openessGlasnost:openess Perestroika: Perestroika:

restructuringrestructuring ChernobylChernobyl Released political Released political

prisonersprisoners

Nobel Peace 1990Nobel Peace 1990

Dissolved Dissolved Communist PartyCommunist Party

Pripyat, once inhabited by 50,000 residents , workers and scientists

1 15 minute shift per day 1 15 minute shift per day

Legacies of the Reagan EraLegacies of the Reagan Era The ‘Reagan Revolution’ in the economy created The ‘Reagan Revolution’ in the economy created

many new millionaires and the economy climbed, many new millionaires and the economy climbed, recovering from recession in ’82-83 and surviving recovering from recession in ’82-83 and surviving Black Monday in ’87Black Monday in ’87

The Reagan years were often called ‘The Undoing The Reagan years were often called ‘The Undoing of the Great Society.’ The poor and often blue of the Great Society.’ The poor and often blue collar workers were affected by a cut in social collar workers were affected by a cut in social programs to pay for the tripling of the defense programs to pay for the tripling of the defense budgetbudget

Rising Crime rate in the 1980s that was curbed Rising Crime rate in the 1980s that was curbed during the Clinton years of the 1990sduring the Clinton years of the 1990s

However, as America’s ‘father figure’ in the 1980s However, as America’s ‘father figure’ in the 1980s – he restored national pride on many levels after – he restored national pride on many levels after the down decade of the 1970sthe down decade of the 1970s

George I: 1988-1992George I: 1988-1992

Connecticut Connecticut FamilyFamily

Director of CIADirector of CIA VP to ReaganVP to Reagan Invasion of Invasion of

PanamaPanama Iranian Revolution Iranian Revolution

and Iran-Iraq War and Iran-Iraq War Over 60% of global Over 60% of global

oil oil

Bush I to Bush II: The Bush I to Bush II: The 1990s1990s

Post Cold WarPost Cold War Unclear foreign policyUnclear foreign policy Who is the enemy now?Who is the enemy now? Focused on domestic issuesFocused on domestic issues Gulf WarGulf War NAFTA(North American Free Trade NAFTA(North American Free Trade

Agreement)Agreement) New DemocratsNew Democrats Balanced BudgetBalanced Budget ImmigrationImmigration 2000 Election2000 Election

Middle EastMiddle East Persian Gulf War Persian Gulf War of 1991of 1991 Iraq invaded KuwaitIraq invaded Kuwait Sent 200,000 troops to Saudi Arabia Sent 200,000 troops to Saudi Arabia

(Desert Shield) warn Saddam Hussein(Desert Shield) warn Saddam Hussein Increased troops to 430,000 and in Increased troops to 430,000 and in

February 1991 invaded Iraq to free February 1991 invaded Iraq to free KuwaitKuwait

Control of the media, “smart bombs”, Control of the media, “smart bombs”, and Colin Powell’s “overwhelming and Colin Powell’s “overwhelming force” doctrineforce” doctrine

ContinuedContinued Americans with Disabilities ActAmericans with Disabilities Act Clean Air ActClean Air Act Corporate MergersCorporate Mergers

Computers, Autos, financial industryComputers, Autos, financial industry Indian Gaming and Regulatory Act, Indian Gaming and Regulatory Act,

19881988 Indian CasinosIndian Casinos

1991 Rodney King, police brutality, 1991 Rodney King, police brutality, and “riots / rebellion” in Los Angelesand “riots / rebellion” in Los Angeles Police acquittedPolice acquitted Over 50 died, $1 billion in damageOver 50 died, $1 billion in damage

A “New Democrat”: A “New Democrat”: 1992-20001992-2000

Arkansas Gov.Arkansas Gov. Working class, single Working class, single

parent householdparent household Charismatic Charismatic Sexual issues…Sexual issues… Opposed Vietnam Opposed Vietnam

WarWar New DemocratNew Democrat Fiscally conservativeFiscally conservative Socially moderateSocially moderate Multilateralism Multilateralism

Main Issues and EventsMain Issues and Events Tried to allow gays and lesbians to Tried to allow gays and lesbians to

openly serve in the militaryopenly serve in the military FailedFailed. Cultural conservatives and military . Cultural conservatives and military

leaders opposed it. “Don’t ask, don’t tell.” leaders opposed it. “Don’t ask, don’t tell.” Tried to reform health care system Tried to reform health care system

to benefit the poor and uninsured. to benefit the poor and uninsured. FailedFailed. Pharmaceutical industry, doctors, . Pharmaceutical industry, doctors,

republicans opposed it.republicans opposed it. Balance the Budget. Balance the Budget.

SucceededSucceeded. Returned taxes on the rich back . Returned taxes on the rich back to previous levels. Cut spending. Increased to previous levels. Cut spending. Increased tax credit for low income familiestax credit for low income families

Early 1990sEarly 1990s Post-Cold War eraPost-Cold War era

No communist “menace” No communist “menace” Base closuresBase closures

Economic growthEconomic growth Wealth discrepancies, “knowledge economy”Wealth discrepancies, “knowledge economy” Demise of UnionsDemise of Unions

Deep political divisionsDeep political divisions Ongoing “Culture Wars” Ongoing “Culture Wars” Global Warming and environmental Global Warming and environmental

pollutionpollution Consumer DebtConsumer Debt

““Contract with Contract with America”America”

1994 Congressional 1994 Congressional ElectionsElections

Newt GingrichNewt Gingrich Speaker of the Speaker of the

HouseHouse Welfare “Reform”Welfare “Reform” Balanced BudgetBalanced Budget More prisons & More prisons &

harder sentencesharder sentences Defense spendingDefense spending End abortionEnd abortion 39% voted39% voted

Continued…Continued… Bill and MonicaBill and Monica Cover-upCover-up House: Articles of House: Articles of

ImpeachmentImpeachment Senate: NoSenate: No

1993: North 1993: North American Free Trade American Free Trade AgreementAgreement

1994: General 1994: General Agreement on Tariffs Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and Trade

1995: Oklahoma City 1995: Oklahoma City and Timothy McVeighand Timothy McVeigh

The 2000 ElectionThe 2000 Election Most bitterly Most bitterly

contested election in contested election in 100 years100 years

Gore/LiebermanGore/Lieberman Moderate populismModerate populism Shadow of ClintonShadow of Clinton

Bush/CheneyBush/Cheney ““Compassionate Compassionate

Conservative” Conservative” Roughly ½ of eligible Roughly ½ of eligible

voters went to pollsvoters went to polls Voting irregularitiesVoting irregularities FloridaFlorida

The Aftermath….The Aftermath…. Close election in FloridaClose election in Florida Bush lead pop vote in FL, Gore wanted recount in 4 Bush lead pop vote in FL, Gore wanted recount in 4

Democratic countiesDemocratic counties Ballot irregularities, inaccurate registration, Ballot irregularities, inaccurate registration,

incomplete lists, old voting machines, butterfly ballots, incomplete lists, old voting machines, butterfly ballots, hanging chadshanging chads

Katherine Harris (R-Sec State & manager of Bush Katherine Harris (R-Sec State & manager of Bush campaign in FL) refused recount, declared Bush winnercampaign in FL) refused recount, declared Bush winner

Florida Supreme Court approved recountFlorida Supreme Court approved recount Bush appealed to U.S. Supreme CourtBush appealed to U.S. Supreme Court 5-4 Court supported Bush and ruled against it5-4 Court supported Bush and ruled against it Gore won national popular voteGore won national popular vote Bush won electoral college vote (Mainly because all Bush won electoral college vote (Mainly because all

ballots were not counted in FL, he kept the 27 electoral ballots were not counted in FL, he kept the 27 electoral votes)votes)

Bush IIBush II Reversal of Clinton’s Reversal of Clinton’s

policiespolicies $1.3 Trillion tax cut$1.3 Trillion tax cut Economic recessionEconomic recession Globalization Globalization Rolled back Rolled back

environmental environmental protectionprotection

2000 census and 2000 census and multiple identitiesmultiple identities

Immigration, borders Immigration, borders and cheap laborand cheap labor

US & GlobalizationUS & Globalization The very same capitalist system promoted by The very same capitalist system promoted by

the US, exported globally, brought changes to the US, exported globally, brought changes to the USthe US Immigration to US fueled by globalization and Immigration to US fueled by globalization and

movement of capital, search for cheap labormovement of capital, search for cheap labor Global capital left the US, wages declined, cheap Global capital left the US, wages declined, cheap

goods imported, produced by lower wage goods imported, produced by lower wage workersworkers Attack on unions, benefits, entitlements Attack on unions, benefits, entitlements ““Wal-Mart economy”Wal-Mart economy”

Small population, massive resource use & Small population, massive resource use & pollutionpollution

2000 Mexico was second largest trading partner2000 Mexico was second largest trading partner Cultural intermixture vs. fear and reactionCultural intermixture vs. fear and reaction