Ronald Reagan
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Two Views: Liberal and Conservatives
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Liberals – Favored government intervention to help the needy.
Conservatives – Favored allowing the free market, private
organizations, and individuals take care of the needy.
Both agree on core American values such as freedom and
equality.
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Ideas and Goals of Liberalism – Government should play a
bigger role in improving the lives of Americans
1.
2.
3.
4.
Social programs that helped the poor , unemployed , elderly
Laws that protect the rights of minorities & women.
Greater government regulation of industry.
Foreign policy = cooperating w/ international organizations, UN.
Chapter 19: The Conservative Resurgence 1980-1993
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Ideas and Goals of Conservatism – A large central
government endangered economic growth and individual
choice.
1.
2.
3.
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Liberal policies of the 60s and 70s left a legacy of rising inflation
and enormous waste.
Criticized the liberal solution of “throwing money” at social
problems.
Sought to reduce taxes and limit government regulation of
industry in order to promote economic growth.
Neoconservatives or Traditionalist – warned about the dangers
posed to society by abandoning traditional values in favor of the new
freedoms exemplified by the counterculture and advertized by mass
media.
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Anticommunism Conservatism – No more détente w/ USSR.
Chapter 19: The Conservative Resurgence 1980-1993
•
The New Right Chimes IN – Liberal policies were the cause of
stagflation
– Policies taxed citizens and businesses too heavily and spent too
much $$ on the wrong programs.
– Complained about unfunded mandates- programs required but
not paid for by the federal government.
– Criticized federal welfare programs – awarded lack of effort.
The great Society programs made poverty worse. Decline in the
traditional family.
– Affirmative action promoted reverse discrimination
– “Sagebrush Rebels” wanted the Fed Gov’t to release control of
Western Lands to the states and let them decide how best to use
the lands resources for economic advantage.
Chapter 19: The Conservative Resurgence 1980-1993
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Moral Majority – founded by the Reverend Jerry Falwell, was a
political organization working to fulfill religious goals.
– Opposed the Supreme court decisions which forbade religious
teaching in schools (1962 - Engle v. Vitale), and legalized
abortion (1973 – Roe v. Wade)
– Condemned Equal Rights Amendment and homosexuality.
– Boosted the Republican Party’s chances of winning the
presidency by reaching out to Americans who traditionally not
participated in the political process.
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Demographic trends also boost Conservatism
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Movement to the suburbia – which struggled during stagflation
Move from the Rust Belt to Sun Belt turned the Deep South from
democratic to republican. Opposed 60s civil rights movement.
Ronald Reagan
• Oldest President ever to be elected at 69
years of age
• As a master humorist, the president used his
story telling ability to me a point, deflect
criticism, and win over doubters
• To avoid long interviews with the press, he
took questions with his helicopter roaring in
the background
• Ronald Reagan envisioned a smaller
government, a greater America
Biography
• Born Feb. 6, 1911
• Attended Eureka
College
• President of the Screen
:
Actors
Guild
• His First Wife Jane
Wyman had two
children, Maureen and
Michael
• Second Wife, Nancy
Davis, had two children,
Patricia and Ronald
The Reagan Revolution
• Although Reagan began his political life as a Democrat, by 1962
he found his home in the Republican Party.
• In 1966 he became the governor of California.
– Had trouble meeting his goals for cutting the size of government
– After two terms as governor, he wanted to run for the presidency
• Reagan was the hero of a growing movement called the New
Right.
• His powerful personality, optimism, and acting skills drew many
Americans—even Democrats—to his side.
The New Right
The New Right was a coalition of conservative media
commentators, think tanks, and grassroots Christian
groups.
The New Right endorsed school prayer, deregulation, lower
taxes, a smaller government, a stronger military, and the
teaching of a Bible-based account of human creation.
They opposed gun control, abortion, homosexual rights,
school busing, the Equal Rights Amendment, affirmative
action, and nuclear disarmament.
Reagan gave the New Right an eloquent and persuasive
voice and he drew many Americans to his side.
Reagan’s Allies
The
New Right
A Powerful
Personality
Nancy
Reagan
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The New Right grew in influence with the rise of
televangelism.
•
One leader of the New Right, Rev. Jerry Falwell
founded a political activist organization called the Moral
Majority in 1979.
•
Reagan’s acting skills served him well in politics.
•
Reagan became known as the Great Communicator on
the campaign trail.
•
As president, Reagan was called the Great Persuader.
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Reagan’s wife, Nancy Reagan, was one of his greatest
allies.
•
She ran the White House, advised her husband, and
fiercely protected his interests.
Before National Politics
Goldwater speech 1964
Accomplishments
• Elected President in
1980 and in 1984
• Governor of
California 1966-1974
• Restored Prosperity
with his “Reagan
Style” of
Government
• His Foreign Policy
was “Peace through
Strength”
• Largest Income Tax
Cut in United States
Reagan Quotes
• Republicans believe that every day is the Fourth
of July, but the Democrats believe that everyday
is April 15th.
• When I’ve heard all I need to make a decision, I
don’t take a vote. I make a decision.
• The problem is not that people are taxed too
little, the problem is that government spends too
much.
•
With the close election victory in 1980, the Reagan revolution
would bring a significant shift in the political direction of the
nation.
– “Reaganomics” – Sometimes called the theory of Supplyside economics.
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•
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Rests on the assumption that if taxes are reduced, people will
work more and have more money to spend, causing the
economy to grow.
The government will then collect more taxes.
But in order to cut taxes and balance the budget, Reagan
would need to reduce federal spending on programs favored
by both democrats and republicans.
Economic Recovery Act of 1981 – Reduced taxes by 25%
over 3 years.
Chapter 19: The Conservative Resurgence 1980-1993
–
•
Economic Recovery Act of 1981 – Reduced taxes by 25% over 3
years.
• Richest Americans received the biggest tax cut. Why?
– Would use the money they saved to invest back in the
economy in the form of new businesses.
– Cut $40 billion from federal budget. Mostly on social programs.
– Deregulation – removal of governmental control over industry.
Deregulated airline, tele-communications, and banking
industries. Also cut funding for federal agencies that oversaw
many other agencies.
Despite Reagan’s economic policies, the economy experienced a
severe recession from 1980 – 1982. 10% unemployment!
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Loss of blue collar jobs, and farms to oversea competitions.
Policies to fight inflation from the 1970s
Increase in immigration, both legal and illegal
Chapter 19: The Conservative Resurgence 1980-1993
•
Reagan also increased defense spending, in place of détente.
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•
Budget Deficit – Shortfall between the amount of money spent
and the amount taken in by the government. ($79 b to $221 B
in 5 years).
National Debt – Amount of money the federal government
owes to owners of government bonds.
•
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But he did not get the cuts in government spending in order to pay for it.
Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act of 1985 – balance budget by 1990.
• Record high federal budget deficit in the early 1990s
• Savings and Loan (S&L) crisis – In 1989 banks failed due to
fraudulent behaviors and risky loans. Deregulation to blame for
risky investments. Spent $200 billion to bail out failed banks.
With the economic upswing in1983 Reagan uses that momentum to
win 1984 election against Walter Mondale and the 1st woman VP
nominee, Geraldine Ferraro. But not Congress
Chapter 19: The Conservative Resurgence 1980-1993
•
Reagan leaves legacy by trying to overturn the liberal slant on the
supreme court.
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Appoints conservative justices Sandra Day O’Connor, 1st female justice,
Antonin Scalia, and Anthony Kennedy.
Appoints well-known conservative William Rehnquist as Chief Justice.
Challenging domestic issues Reagan faced:
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Professional Air Traffic Controller Organization (PATCO) Strike Instead of negotiating with them, Reagan fired the federal workers for
going on strike.
Social Security – More older people, but not enough money to pay
social security – Social Security Reform Act – increased minimum age
of retirement and increased payroll taxes to help pay it.
Public education – showing lower scores on standardized tests. Public
schools were not preparing students well enough.
•
Reagan provided the voucher program which gave parents government
check to help pay for private schools. Hoped to force public schools to do
better.
Reagan Public Approval Ratings
Reagan’s Clarity
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•
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•
Strong Defense
Cut taxes
Cut Spending
Balance the Budget
Realignment
New Deal Coalition
Reagan Coalition
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Democratic South
African-Americans
Union members
Urban North
Immigrant/newer ethnic
groups
• Farmers
Midwest small towns
Wealthiest Americans
Hawks on foreign policy
Blue Collar in North and
Midwest (union and
non-union)
• White Southerners
• Evangelicals
• Yuppies
Presidential Power and
Persuasion
LBJ Model
Pres
Congress
People
Presidential Power and
Persuasion
Reagan Model
Pres
People
Congress
Reagan Media Strategy
•
•
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•
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Bully Pulpit
Stage Events in Controlled Settings
Feed the Media
Consistency of Message
Selling the President
Popularity is Power
The Ultimate Example
• Berlin 1987
Iran-Contra
• Comparison to other scandals
• When Congress tries to restrain
presidential actions
– Ignore Congress
– Reinterpret the law
The Iran Contra Scandal
Private US $
Foreign Gov’t $
Contras
Swiss bank
accounts;
controlled
by North
$$$
Iran
Hostages
weapons
US
Israel
weapons
Reagan’s Economic Plan
Supply-side Economics
• Tax cuts and business
incentives stimulate
investment.
• Investment encourages
economic growth.
• A growing economy results in
more goods and services.
• Theory appealed to
conservatives who supported
free enterprise and minimal
government regulation.
David A. Stockman
• Reagan appointed this
controversial young budget
director to implement his
economic plan.
• Stockman asked Congress for
tax cuts.
• Tax cuts would stimulate
businesses who would pay
more taxes and eliminate any
budget deficit.
• Congress passed many of the
main components of
Reaganomics.
The Effects of Reaganomics
•
Critics
of
•
Reaganomics
Claimed the tax breaks simply made the rich richer, said wealth
did not “trickle down” to the working class
•
Vice President Bush had questioned plan to cut taxes and
increase military budget during the Republican nomination race,
calling Reagan’s plan “voodoo economics.”
•
During 1981 and 1982 the nation suffered the worst recession
since the Great Depression.
•
Unemployment rose and government revenues fell.
•
Federal spending soared and the federal deficit skyrocketed.
“Voodoo
Economics”
Recession
and
Recovery
Said that tax cuts combined with increased military spending
would drive the federal deficit higher
Reaganomics
• Reagan’s plan for tax and spending cuts
• Two goals
– Reduce taxes to stimulate economic growth
– Cut the federal budget
• Based on supply-side economics
– A theory that says breaks for businesses will
increase supply of goods and services, aiding the
economy
3. Decade of Neglect
From: ARMING AMERICA: Attention and Inertia in U.S. National Security Spending
http://dept.lamar.edu/polisci/TRUE/True_art_tlp.html
Soviet ICBMs 1980s-90s
•
From, US Dept of Defense, Soviet Military Power, 1987:
http://www.fas.org/irp/dia/product/smp_87_ch2.htm
Strategic Defense Initiative
Reagan’s SDI speech, March 23, 1983
From: http://www.milnet.com/pentagon/spacecom/sdi.gif
Congressional Restrictions on
Arms Sales in 1980s
Arms Export Control Acts
• No arms sales to nations determined to be
sponsors of terrorism (US State Dept
determines which nations fit into this
category; it included Iran)
• No arms sales of over $25 m in value without
congressional approval (1974); A 1976 bill
lowered this to $14 m for sophisticated
weaponry and $50 m for other items
– Both the House and Senate would have to reject
the arms sales
[Cardboard Ronald Reagan], March 5, 1987
Reagan and the Berlin Wall