The Reagan Presidency

The Presidency Overview

Ronald Reagan was elected President on November 4, 1980.
Heralded the rise of the new right/conservative Republican wing.
Reagan focused on reducing federal government involvement, cutting taxes, and lifting business restrictions.
Strong anti-communist stance and distrust of the Soviet Union, labeling it an "evil empire".
Advocated for military strengthening, supporting the MX missile system and Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI).

Inherited an economy with double-digit inflation and high interest rates.
Promoted "supply side economics"; tax cuts to stimulate economic growth.
Enacted $39 billion in budget cuts and a 25% tax cut over three years.
Initial drop in inflation but led to a severe recession and high unemployment.
Adjusted policies to control rising deficits and interest rates, leading to economic growth and low unemployment by 1988.
Economic gains came with record deficits and national debt.
Supported free trade, including the Free Trade Agreement with Canada.

Enacted major tax cuts and the Tax Reform law of 1986.
Supported Social Security reform and immigration legislation.
Expanded Medicare to protect against catastrophic health costs.
Appointed three Supreme Court justices, including Sandra Day O’Connor, the first female.
Policies often unpopular with minority groups and labor leaders.
Promoted federalism and private sector initiatives.
Nancy Reagan led the anti-drug "just say no" campaign.

Centered on preventing communist expansion.
Supported anti-communist efforts in Nicaragua, El Salvador, Grenada, and Afghanistan.
Advocated negotiating with the Soviet Union from a position of strength.
INF Treaty signed to reduce nuclear arsenals; START talks initiated.
Managed peaceful removals in Haiti and the Philippines.
Firm stance against terrorism; retaliated against Libya.
Iran-Contra affair was a significant scandal involving arms sales to Iran.

Reagan’s presidency led to a refocused social, business, and international agenda.
Strengthened the Republican Party's core beliefs: lower taxes, less government, strong military.
Known as "The Great Communicator," with high personal approval ratings.
His presidency saw the decline of the Soviet Union and the fall of the Berlin Wall.