... to governing by electing Ronald Reagan, who powerfull

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10th American HistoryUnit VI Looking Toward
the Future

• Chapter 22 A Conservative Era
• Section 1 Reagans First Term

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Reagans First Term

• The Main Idea
• In 1980 Americans voted for a new approach to
  governing by electing Ronald Reagan, who
  powerfully promoted a conservative agenda.
• Reading Focus
• As the 1980 presidential election approached, why
  was America a nation ready for change?
• What was the Reagan revolution, and who supported
  it?
• What were the key ideas of Reagans economic
  plan, and what were its effects?

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(No Transcript)
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President Reagans Legacy- 442 min.
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As the 1980 presidential election approached, why
was America a nation ready for change?

• Low Spirits
• People lacked confidence in government.
• The turbulent 1960s, Watergate, the Soviet
  invasion of Afghanistan, the Iranian hostage
  crisis, and long gasoline lines put Americans in
  an uneasy mood.
• Critics said Carter blamed Americans for the
  crisis in confidence instead of fixing the
  problems.
• A conservative movement that opposed liberal
  social and racial policies was growing.

• The 1980 Election
• Reagan promised to return the country to a
  simpler time of low taxes, smaller government, a
  strong military, and conservative moral values.
• Focused on family, work, neighborhood, peace,
  and freedom.
• Reagan asked if people were better off than they
  were four years ago.
• Reagan and his running mate, George H.W. Bush,
  won in a landslide Republicans also gained
  control of the Senate.

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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 Americanseven Democratsto his
  side.

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The Rise of the Right (0143)
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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.
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Reagans Allies

• 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.

The New Right

• Reagans 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.

A Powerful Personality

• Reagans wife, Nancy Reagan, was one of his
  greatest allies.
• She ran the White House, advised her husband, and
  fiercely protected his interests.

Nancy Reagan
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Reagans Presidential Agenda

• Reduce the federal bureaucracy, deregulate
  certain industries, cut taxes, increase the
  defense budget, take a hard line with the
  Soviets, and appoint conservative judges
• In his first few months as president, Reagan got
  much of what he wanted.
• Image grew stronger as he survived an
  assassination attempt
• Proved himself capable of decisive action when he
  fired 13,000 striking air traffic controllers

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The Assassination Attempt on Reagan (0242)
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Labor in the 1980s

• Air traffic controllers strike.
• On August 3, 1981 nearly 13,000 of the 17,500
  members of the Professional Air Traffic
  Controllers Organization (PATCO) walked off the
  job, hoping to disrupt the nation's
  transportation system to the extent that the
  federal government would accede to its demands
  for higher wages, a 32 hour work week, updated
  computer equipment and better retirement benefits
  after 20 years.
• The president announced the striking workers were
  in violation of the law, and he fired them, with
  little apparent remorse. Organized labor was
  furious while the public had a more mixed
  reaction. Even those within his own
  administration had their doubts about the move.
• Decline of smokestack industries.
• Give-backs
• Strikes and changes in relations of business and
  labor.

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Ronald Reagan and the Air Traffic Control Workers
(0250)
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Reaganomics

• Reagans 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

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Reagan and the U.S. Economy-527 min.
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Reagans Economic Policies -

• Reaganomics
• Supply-side Economics
• Reducing Government
• Domestic Programs
• Defense Spending
• Troubled Economy
• Tax Cuts
• Growing Federal Debt- National Debt
• Balance the budget amendment

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Reagans Economic Policies- 133 min.
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Reagans 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.

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The Effects of Reaganomics

• Claimed the tax breaks simply made the rich
  richer, said wealth did not trickle down to the
  working class
• Said that tax cuts combined with increased
  military spending would drive the federal deficit
  higher

Critics of Reaganomics

• Vice President Bush had questioned plan to cut
  taxes and increase military budget during the
  Republican nomination race, calling Reagans plan
  voodoo economics.

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.

Recession and Recovery
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Ronald Reagan's Domestic Agenda (0405)