Ronald ReaganObjective: Analyze the Presidency of Reagan

Conservative Movement

• As the 1970s progressed, right-wing groups gained strength across the country.

• The voice of the conservative movement became known as the New Right.

Conservative Movement

• Conservative:– Support traditional family values, oppose gay

marriage

Conservative Movement

• Conservative:– Oppose abortion

Conservative Movement

• Conservative:– Oppose affirmative action: forcing employers

and colleges to give special consideration to women and minorities, even if they were less qualified.

Conservative Movement

• Conservative: – Evangelical Christians

Conservative Movement

• Conservative:– Promote patriotism and support the troops

1980 Election

• In 1980, Jimmy Carter was finishing his first term.

• The 1980 election pitted Carter against Republican nominee Ronald Reagan.

1980 Election

• Reagan’s career started in Hollywood, where he acted in 53 films.

1980 Election

• As president of the Screen Actors Guild, Reagan worked to remove Communist influences from the movie industry.

1980 Election

• Politically, Reagan had been a conservative Republican since the 1950s.

1980 Election

• In 1966, Reagan was elected governor of California.

• Reelected in 1970.

1980 Election

• Reagan appealed to conservative Americans’ traditional values.

• Also, the Iranian hostage crisis, a weak economy, and high inflation, hurt Carter’s popularity.

1980 Election

• To voters, Reagan appeared relaxed, charming, and affable.

• In contrast to Carter, who often seemed stiff and nervous.

1980 Election

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

1980 Election

• In 1980, Reagan and V.P. George Bush defeated Carter by a narrow majority.

• Also, Republicans gained control of the Senate for the first time since 1954.

Reaganomics

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

Reaganomics

• 1. 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

Reaganomics

• 3. increased defense spending– From 1981-1984, the Defense Department

budget almost doubled.

Reaganomics

• Reagan revived two controversial weapons systems—the MX missile and the B-1 bomber.

Reaganomics

• Despite these measures, problems continued to plague the economy.

• Tax cuts helped the rich, while social welfare cuts had hurt the poor.

Reaganomics

• Despite large budget cuts, government spending was still greater than revenue received through tax dollars.

Reaganomics

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

Deregulation

• Reagan sought to reduce the size of the federal government, through less interference in industry.

Deregulation

• Reagan removed price controls on oil.

• Eliminated federal health and safety inspections for nursing homes

Deregulation

• Also, deregulated the airline, savings, and loan industries.

• Reagan cut the budget of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

1984 Election

• In 1984, Reagan was extremely popular, and he easily won reelection against Democrat Walter Mondale.

1988 Election

• By the end of Reagan’s second term, Americans still saw little reason for change.

• Most Americans were economically comfortable.

1988 Election

• Republican George Bush was elected in 1988, vowing to continue Reagan’s legacy.

• “Read my lips: no new taxes.”