Ronald Reagan

Republican

Elections:

• 1980

• 1984

Political Ad

• Are you better off than you were 4 years ago?

• decrease government and taxes

Assassination Attempt

March 30, 1981

69 days into presidency

Shot in lung but recovered quickly

John Hinkley found not guilty by insanity and is still in psychiatric facility

Iran Contra Affair 2 slides

• During Iran-Iraq war, Iran secretly asked to buy weapons from U.S.

• U.S. Congress prohibited this sale of arms

• Reagan wanted to save 7 American hostages in Lebanon

• Arms-for-hostages deal was reached behind doors

• 1,500 missiles went to Iran / 3 hostages released

-Iran paid $30 million to U.S. for arms Only $12 million was put on the U.S. books. -Lt Col Oliver North had given missing money to rebel Contras in Nicaragua who were fighting the communist government there

-Lebanon exposed the sale

-Reagan went on TV denying he had done this sale for hostages.

Weeks later….Reagan admitted approving the Iran-Contra Affair

Results of Iran-Contra:

- 14 people charged with operational or cover-up crimes - one conviction overturned - President Bush issued 6 pardons- U.S. laws had been broken - Reagan’s image was hurt

Economy under this President

• His economic philosophy was called supply side which became known as “Reaganomics”– economy will trickle down from rich at the top – give tax breaks to the rich and they will use that

money to create businesses and jobs for the rest of the people

Results:– Americans below the poverty line increased– huge increases in military spending– doubled the national debt from the 1970s

1984 1988_

Unemployment: 7.5 5.5

Debt or surplus? debt debt

Campaign promises

• reduce taxes “ no new taxes”• balance the budget and end inflation by 1989• restore military strength (end of Cold War)• cut big government programs – make them

private• never negotiate with terrorists

Promises he kept

• raised taxes 11 times• increase budget debt with military spending• encouraged development of private businesses• fired public union workers • during Iran-Contra affair, he dealt with Iranian

terrorists in Lebanon

Major Events

• Iran-Contra Affair• Cold War - military spending• Berlin Wall came down• 1981 – AIDS first identified. Reagan was slow to

act on the AIDS epidemic

Accomplishments at Home

• began “supply side” economics –” laissez faire”

• largest peacetime buildup of military in U.S. history - up 40%

• busted unions – fired 11,000 air traffic controllers

• granted amnesty to 3 million illegal immigrants

• said American schools were failing – teachers were to blame

Accomplishments Abroad

• Signed agreement with the Soviet Union to reduce nuclear weapons stockpiles

• Wanted Star Wars – a Strategic Defense Initiative that included ground and air based missiles – this failed to win approval (money) in Congress

How he is viewed today..

• called the “great communicator”

• still a huge leader in the Republican Party

• known as an anti-tax hero – although he raised taxes 11 times !

How did he change the country

• peaceful resolution to the Cold War

• reduced inflation and unemployment

• record growth of national debt