Ronald Reagan, a conservative Republican, won the 1980 presidential election by a landslide. He was reelected in 1984 with one of the largest margins in US history.
Reagan's campaign united a New Right coalition including economic conservatives, the Christian Right, working-class whites, and advocates of aggressive Cold War policies.
Initially, Reagan introduced large tax cuts but proposed select tax increases as deficits grew. Inflation and unemployment fell, but the national debt nearly tripled during his presidency.
Political Career
Reagan served as President from 1981-1989 and led a successful coalition of political conservatives.
Born in 1911 in Illinois, he attended Eureka College, was a Hollywood actor, and served six terms as head of the Screen Actors Guild.
Initially a liberal Democrat, he became a Republican in 1962 due to his shift towards free-market conservatism.
As Governor of California (1967-1975), Reagan was critical of the expansion of government.
1980 Presidential Campaign
Reagan's platform included tax cuts, increased defense spending, deregulation, and balancing the federal budget.
He aimed to end the double-digit inflation of Carter's presidency and restore national confidence and international standing.
Addressed concerns of the Religious Right: advocated for spiritual values, proposed constitutional amendments to ban abortion and allow school prayer.
Known as The Great Communicator for his effective public speaking: optimistic and humorous.
Reaganomics
Reagan's supply-side economic policies, or Reaganomics, aimed to grow the economy by cutting taxes and deregulating industries.
Belief that lower taxes would lead to reinvestment by corporations and wealthy individuals, boosting job creation and economic growth.
Implemented a 25% income tax reduction over three stages and lowered the top marginal rate to 28% through the Tax Reform Act of 1986.
Deregulation included industries like trucking and telephone, and reduced clean air standards for cars.
Despite rhetoric against government, tax receipts remained similar to previous administrations.
Domestic Policy and Government Spending
Reagan managed to cut spending on food stamps, low-income housing, and school lunch programs, and reduced federal expenditures on education.
Promoted transferring federal control and expenditures to state governments.
Discussion Points
Why Reagan switched party affiliations in the 1950s.
The effectiveness of supply-side economics.
Attributes of Reagan's public speaking that earned him the title "The Great Communicator."
Additional Notes
Article by John Louis Recchiuti, licensed under CC-BY-NC-SA 4.0.