REAGAN’S PRESIDENCY

REAGAN, GHW BUSH, CLINTON, GEORGE W. BUSH, OBAMA

REAGAN’S PRESIDENCY• Highlights: 1981-1989

– Iranian hostages released– Reaganomics “supply-side” economics– Assassination attempt Mar. 1981—John Hinckley, Jr.– Air Traffic controllers strike– Sandra Day O’Connor—appointed to Sup. Ct.– Reagan heightens “Cold War” –massive military spending, B-1, Star Wars

initiative– Polish “Solidarity” movement—Lech Walesa– Breakdown of Geneva Conference– Falkland Islands War Eng-Argentina– Lebanon Crisis– Civil Wars in El Salvador and Nicaragua– Invasion of Grenada– 1986 GRAMM-RUDMAN-HOLLINGS ACT– Tax Cut– Iran-Contra Affair

• JAN 1986 SPACE SHUTTLE “CHALLENGER” EXPLODED SHORTLY AFTER LIFT-OFF. KILLED ALL 7 ON BOARD.

• AIDS EPIDEMIC BEGINS IN US– 1987• FOREIGN AFFAIRS 2ND TERM

• SOVIET LEADER MIKHAIL GORBACHEV STARTS:– GLOSNOST– PERESTROIKA

• US AND USSR ELIMINATES INTERMEDIATE MISSILES—GENEVA CONFERENCE 1985-1988-- ENDS COLD WAR

• PHILLIPINE REVOLT• LIBYAN CRISIS• PAN AMERICAN FLIGHT 103 LOCKERBIE, SCOTLAND

• PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION 1988• REPUBLICAN GEORGE HW BUSH• DEMOCRAT MICHAEL DUKAKIS• ISSUES• OUTCOME

• CANDIDATES:• REPUBLICANS: GEORGE W. BUSH/DICK CHENEY• DEMOCRATS: AL GORE/JOE LIEBERMAN• ISSUES:• RESULTS:• RETURN TO CONSERVATIVE DOMESTIC POLITICS:• 2001 .COM BOOM ENDED. US ENTERED INTO A RECESSION.• REVENUE SURPLUSES DWINDLED.• “BUSH TAX CUTS” LOWERED TAXES FOR THE UPPER 20%.• DEFICIT SPENDING RETURNED.• GOVT. ENERGY POLICY BENEFITTED BIG OIL COMPANIES, OIL PRICES ROSE AND SO DID

GASOLINE PRICES. EXXON TURNED A RECORD PROFIT.• “DRILL IN THE ANWAR”, AND YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK.• EDUCATION: “NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND” PASSED.• FOREIGN AFFAIRS:• SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 TERRORIST ATTACKS ON THE WORLD TRADE CENTER AND THE

PENTAGON. AL QAEDA LED BY OSAMA BIN LADEN TAKES CREDIT FOR ATTACKS. BUSH DECLARES WAR ON TERRORISM.

• “BUSH DOCTRINE”—’IF YOU ARE NOT FOR US, YOU ARE AGAINST US’.• ECONOMIC CONDITIONS WORSENED.-STOCK MARKET DROPPED.• 2003 “IRAQI FREEDOM”—WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION.• 2007 BUSH’S APPROVAL RATINGS LOWEST OF ALL TIME -- 17%