Ronald Reagan's Presidency

Ronald Reagan's Presidency

1981-1989

Start

Index

1. Resurgence

8. Reaganomics

2. New Conservatism

9. Jarrett Book, p. 344

3. Phyllis Schlafly

10. Challenges During Reagan's Presidency

4. Sandra Day O'Connor

11. Changing Demographic Patterns

5. The Heritage Foundation

6. The National Rifle Association

12. The War on Drugs

7. The "Moral Majority"

13. The AIDS Epidemic

Resurgence

an increase or revival after a period of little activity, interest, or popularity

Conservatism

commitment to traditional values

How did Reagan implement New Conservatism?

• less government control
• cut federal programs and spending
• loosened restrictions on business
• increased private competition
• increased military spending

Prominent Figures and Groups During the 1980s

This 2020 show featuring Cate Blanchett is all about Phyllis Schlafly.

Phyllis Schlafly

• Schlafly believed that women should remain in traditional roles. Her views were shared by many that felt that families had been weakened in recent years.
• She was an outspoken critic of the women’s liberation movement and any equal rights amendment.

Sandra Day O'Connor

The Supreme Court had appointed the first African American justice, Thurgood Marshall, in 1967.

In 1981, Reagan appointed the first female to the Supreme Court, Sandra Day O'Connor.

Think of representation when contructing your answer on your notes.

Why is it important to have a woman in the Supreme Court?

The Heritage Foundation

The Heritage Foundation focuses on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, values, and a strong national defense. The Heritage Foundation influenced Reagan's policies because they were conservative.

Lobby groups have powerful influence on the political process. Because they can help a candidate be elected, they support candidates that support their beliefs.

National Rifle Association

• The NRA. had mostly stayed out of politics until its members became concerned with more gun control laws being passed.
• In the 1980 election, the NRA supported Ronald Reagan, marking the first time the group supported a specific candidate.
• Many people felt that gun ownership symbolized freedom from government control.
• New Conservatism leans toward wanting more freedom with guns instead of having more gun control laws.

The "Moral Majority"

• Started in 1979, the group was socially conservative and anti-communist.
• The group made telephone calls and held rallies in support of the election of Ronald Reagan.
• The Moral Majority’s goal was to mobilize conservative Americans to become politically active on issues they thought were important.
• For some, the “Moral Majority” established a religious connection and even an obligation to vote a particular way for elections.

Domestic and Foreign Policy

Reaganonmics

Reagan's economic policies at home (domestic)

Reaganomics

stagflation= inflation + high unemployment

Reagan cut taxes and relaxed business regulations to increase the supply of goods.

His administration believed this would drive down prices, stop inflation, and decrease unemployment.

The economy began to come out of a recession in 1983 as tax cuts and increased military spending encouraged greater business activity.

Reagan's Foreign Policy

Click on the following images to find the answers to the first 3 bullet points at the top of page 3!

Jarrett Book (p. 344)

• Reagan believed that the U.S. had to continue to act as the world's principal defender of freedom and democracy.

Challenges During Reagan's Presidency

Increasing government spending on the military resulted in the national debt doubling.

As the economy improved, trade increased.

In 1986, Reagan ordered the bombing of Libya after it was discovered that they sponsored terrorist attacks.

+Soldiers Barracks

+Trade deficit

+Debt

Changing Demographic Patterns

Technological advances like hydroelectric dams and air conditioning began to change migration patterns in the United States. In the 1970s, people began to move from the Northeast and Midwest toward areas in the South and West.

Social Issues Under Reagan

War on Drugs

Nancy Reagan

Analyze the graph to compare Nixon and Reagan's actions to end the War on Drugs.

The AIDS Epidemic

The first case of AIDS was reported in the United States in 1981.