Unit 9 apush notes
**Chapter 38: The Election of Ronald Reagan, 1980**
- Ronald Reagan's Background:
- Suited for conservative leadership.
- Aligned with New Right on social issues.
- Condemned activist government and social engineering.
- Championed the "common man" against big government.
- Denounced federal intervention in local affairs and favoritism for minorities.
- Aimed to win over working-class and lower-middle-class white voters from the Democratic party.
- Transition from actor to politician.
- Helped launch political career as governor of California.
- Election of 1980:
- Republican challenge to Democratic hold on the White House.
- Jimmy Carter's administration perceived as bungling and befuddled.
- Carter's inability to control inflation damaging.
- Disaffection with Carter's leadership within Democratic party.
- Senator Edward Kennedy's primary challenge unsuccessful.
- Reagan's popularity and campaign strategy.
- Reagan's victory with over 51% of the popular vote.
- Republicans gain control of the Senate.
- Democratic party's liberal wing targeted for defeat.
- Carter's Legacy:
- Farewell Address emphasizing efforts on arms race, human rights, and environment.
- Admirable humanitarian efforts post-presidency.
- Nobel Peace Prize recipient in 2002.
**The Reagan Revolution**
- Reagan's Inauguration and Goals:
- Iranians release hostages on Inauguration Day.
- Reagan aims for dismantling the welfare state and reducing federal budget.
- Assembles conservative cabinet.
- Reaganomics: push for smaller government, less bureaucracy, and freer markets.
- Reagan's Economic Policies:
- Similar goals to Margaret Thatcher in the UK.
- Common cause with Thatcher on reducing labor unions and government involvement in business.
- Philosophy of free markets and shrinking government.
- Challenges of rising federal spending and budget composition.
- California's Proposition 13 influencing national sentiment.
- Reagan's budget cuts and political maneuvering.
**The Battle of the Budget**
- Reagan's Budget Proposals:
- Congressional acceptance of Reagan's budget.
- Reagan's political skill and effectiveness.
- Tax reforms and reduction of tax rates.
- Supply-side economics theory.
- Initial challenges and economic recession.
- Income gap widening in the 1980s.
- Impact of massive military expenditures on economic prosperity.
- Budget deficits and trade deficit challenges.
**Reagan Renews the Cold War**
- Reagan's Approach to the Soviet Union:
- Tough rhetoric towards Soviets.
- Strategy of negotiating from a position of strength.
- Expansion of U.S. military capabilities.
- Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) announcement.
- Deterioration of relations with Soviets due to various events.
- Breakdown of arms-control negotiations.
**Troubles Abroad**
- Middle East and Central America:
- U.S. involvement in Afghanistan and Lebanon.
- Israel's actions in Lebanon and West Bank.
- Reagan's response to leftist revolution in Nicaragua.
- Military involvement in Central America.
- Invasion of Grenada.
- Terrorist attack in Lebanon and withdrawal of U.S. troops.
**Round Two for Reagan**
- Reagan's Re-election in 1984:
- Confidence bolstered by economic prosperity and foreign policy stance.
- Victory over Walter Mondale.
- Mondale's candidacy tainted by association with Carter administration.
- Reagan's dominance in electoral and popular vote.
- Reagan's Second Term:
- Focus shifts to foreign policy.
- Introduction of Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev.
- Gorbachev's policies of glasnost and perestroika.
- Reagan's negotiations with Gorbachev and signing of INF Treaty.
- Reagan's flexibility and strategic moves in foreign policy.
- Reagan's decisive actions in the Philippines and Libya.
**38-7 The Iran-Contra Imbroglio**
- Reagan's struggles with hostages in Lebanon and the Sandinista government in Nicaragua led to covert actions.
- Secret arms sales to Iran were arranged, diverting funds to Nicaraguan contras.
- The affair broke in 1986, causing controversy and challenging Reagan's credibility.
- Despite revelations, Reagan's popularity endured.
**38-8 Reagan’s Economic Legacy**
- Reagan aimed to invigorate the economy through tax cuts and deregulation.
- However, budget deficits soared, adding nearly $2 trillion to the national debt.
- While deficits hindered the economy, they also limited new social spending, a win for Reagan's anti-government stance.
- Income inequality widened during his presidency.
**38-9 The Religious Right**
- Evangelical Christians, led by Jerry Falwell's Moral Majority, influenced politics in the 1980s.
- Their morally charged approach mirrored left-wing activism.
- Despite scandals, their political influence remained strong.
**38-10 Conservatism in the Courts**
- Reagan's judicial appointments shifted the courts to the right.
- Court rulings undermined affirmative action and abortion rights.
- Abortion rulings in Webster and Casey fueled contentious debates.
**38-11 Referendum on Reaganism in 1988**
- Republicans faced setbacks in the 1986 elections, but Reagan's popularity endured.
- Economic troubles and scandals challenged Reaganism.
- George H. W. Bush won the 1988 election but faced ongoing economic and social challenges.
**38-12 George H. W. Bush and the End of the Cold War**
- Bush took office amid global changes, including democratic movements in communist countries.
- The collapse of the Soviet Union marked the end of the Cold War.
- Bush spoke of a "new world order" but faced challenges in managing post-Cold War dynamics.
**38-13 The Persian Gulf Crisis**
- Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait led to swift international condemnation.
- A coalition led by the U.S. expelled Iraqi forces from Kuwait in Operation Desert Storm.
- The war's success was celebrated, but Saddam's regime survived, leaving the Middle East in turmoil.
**38-14 Bush on the Home Front**
- Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act and pursued environmental reforms.
- He faced criticism for his handling of social issues like affirmative action and abortion.
- Economic struggles, including budget deficits and tax increases, hurt his political standing.