4/30/13. Reagan Presidency. Chapter 40. Election of Ronald Reagan (R) v. Jimmy Carter (D)

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1 Reagan Presidency Chapter 40 Election of 1980 Ronald Reagan (R) v. Jimmy Carter (D) 1

Reagan s Conservative Platform Thought federal government was too big and too

conservative Christian values Stance on prayer on p.

shot in 1981 outside Washington DC building.

Returned to work less than 2 weeks later Standing ovation when he addressed

2 Reagan s Conservative Platform Thought federal government was too big and too involved in local affairs (result of 1960s) Wanted traditional family and conservative Christian values Stance on prayer on p. 966 New Right and Moral Majority supported Reagan Assassination Attempt Reagan shot in 1981 outside Washington DC building. James Brady and two others also shot. Reagan rushed to hospital, but survived. Returned to work less than 2 weeks later Standing ovation when he addressed Congress The shooter John Hinckley shot Reagan. Found not guilty for reason of insanity. Sent to mental institution. Said he shot Reagan to impress Jodie Foster. 2

Congress cut taxes by 25% Cut federal spending--reagan cut federal budget by $35 billion Most of cuts were in social programs Reagan accused of favoring the rich and business Congress rubber-stamped

3 Supreme Court Reagan appointed a number of conservatives to the Supreme Court. Also appointed first female justice: Sandra Day O Connor. Reagan s Economic Philosophy Supply-side Economics (or Reaganomics) Cut taxes hoping increased spending would follow and stimulate the economy, investments, boost productivity, reduce federal deficit Congress cut taxes by 25% Cut federal spending--reagan cut federal budget by $35 billion Most of cuts were in social programs Reagan accused of favoring the rich and business Congress rubber-stamped almost everything due to Reagan s landslide victory (mandate) Results of Reagan s Plan Economy slid into recession and several banks failed by 1982 Unemployment hit 11% Some blamed the struggles from the 1970s Economy will turn around in 1983 Increased criticism as some believed his tax cuts favored rich Gap between rich and poor did grow Yuppies Record number of millionaires 3

Reaganomics in the Long Run Escalation of Cold War in Reagan years caused dramatic increase in defense spending Federal spending actually increased With tax cuts, federal deficit hit

borrowing from other countries Escalation of Cold War Reagan called USSR focus of evil in the modern world Defeat USSR by increasing defense spending and expanding arms race Hoping

4 Reaganomics in the Long Run Escalation of Cold War in Reagan years caused dramatic increase in defense spending Federal spending actually increased With tax cuts, federal deficit hit $2 trillion by end of 1980s (now $15.6 trillion--$138,000 per taxpayer in 2012) Increased U.S. borrowing from other countries Escalation of Cold War Reagan called USSR focus of evil in the modern world Defeat USSR by increasing defense spending and expanding arms race Hoping USSR would spend their way into bankruptcy (it worked) and give in to US demands Star Wars 1983: Reagan announces U.S. investing into Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) or Star Wars Never worked But, did cause USSR to increase its own defense spending hurting its economy 4

More Hostilities in 1983 USSR shot down a Korean passenger plane which was violating its air space A number of Americans killed US cut off arms negotiations in 1983 USSR boycotted 1984

Economy on upswing. Several invasions of other countries shows strength. Election in 1984. Election of 1984 Democratic Candidates Walter Mondale ran for Democrats.

5 More Hostilities in 1983 USSR shot down a Korean passenger plane which was violating its air space A number of Americans killed US cut off arms negotiations in 1983 USSR boycotted 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles US invaded Lebanon to help Israel Mission marked by suicide bomber driving truck into Marine barracks killing over 200 U.S. removed troops with no peace obtained Teflon President US invaded Grenada to squash a pro-marxist military coup attempt (successful mission) Many thought Reagan was doing great job. Economy on upswing. Several invasions of other countries shows strength. Election in Election of 1984 Democratic Candidates Walter Mondale ran for Democrats. Chose Geraldine Ferraro as his running mate. Mondale wins one state and DC. 5

Election Results Mikhail Gorbachev Becomes leader of USSR in 1985 Glastnost: openness Tried to rid USSR of repressive tactics Perestroika: restructuring Revive struggling Soviet economy by

6 Election Results Mikhail Gorbachev Becomes leader of USSR in 1985 Glastnost: openness Tried to rid USSR of repressive tactics Perestroika: restructuring Revive struggling Soviet economy by introducing free-market practices Reagan and Gorbachev worked hard to end Cold War INF Treaty signed in 1987: all intermediaterange missiles banned in Europe Iran-Contra Sandinistas: Anti-American revolutionaries that overthrew the longtime dictator of Nicaragua in 1979 Sandinistas were pro-soviet Also shipping weapons to a group trying to overthrow the democratic government in El Salvador Contras: Anti-Sandinista group trying to fight them in Nicaragua 6

Reagan Tries to Help Contras Reagan goes to Congress to

authorizes CIA to engage in covert operations to help

East Iran Iran was fighting a war with Iraq in 1985 Iran

7 Reagan Tries to Help Contras Reagan goes to Congress to get approval for aid to Contras Congress refuses Reagan authorizes CIA to engage in covert operations to help Contras short of fighting Lebanon Lebanon was pro- Iran and anti-israel and U.S. Lebanon holding American hostages as leverage in Middle East Iran Iran was fighting a war with Iraq in 1985 Iran needed weapons American diplomats see a solution to the problems in Nicaragua and Lebanon 7

The Iran-Contra Scandal American diplomats arranged for: Sale of arms to Iran Iran to negotiate for the release of American hostages in Lebanon Remember our policy is not to negotiate with

knowledge Stories of Reagan sleeping in meetings Oliver North and John Poindexter took fall Congress condemns secrecy, deception, and Reagan s lack of knowledge of activities Congress Mad!

8 The Iran-Contra Scandal American diplomats arranged for: Sale of arms to Iran Iran to negotiate for the release of American hostages in Lebanon Remember our policy is not to negotiate with terrorists Money from sale of arms would be funneled to the Contras Goes against Congressional ban on helping Contras Reagan states diplomats activities were done without authorization and knowledge Stories of Reagan sleeping in meetings Oliver North and John Poindexter took fall Congress condemns secrecy, deception, and Reagan s lack of knowledge of activities Congress Mad! Reagan s Final Two Years Major recession hit in 1987 Continued to negotiate with Soviet Union to end Cold War Economic woes and Iran-Contra hurt his popularity Presidency ended rather quietly in

B. Reagan s anti-government message regarding: size of government, budget, taxes

B. Reagan s anti-government message regarding: size of government, budget, taxes Chapter 40: The Resurgence of Conservatism, 1980-1992 (Pages 966-988) Name Per. Date Row I. Introduction A. Factors which led to the development of a conservative movement B. Issues and causes of the New