The Last 35 YearsOutcomes: Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, & George

Bush Sr.

Ronald Reagan

Ronald Reagan

6. Ronald Reagan Pros

a. Iran hostages were set free while he gave his inaugural address

b. Contemplated SDI or Star Wars; missile defense system – scared S.U.; escalated the Cold War once more

c. Mikhail Gorbachev came to power in the Soviet Union; worked with Reagan and helped bring democratic and social reforms to S.U.

d. Was re-elected to second term in 1984 with defeat of Walter Mondale

e. Budgeted $1.7B for the war on drugs

f. Cold War was nearly won by the time he left office

Reaganomics

Ronald Reagan

7. Ronald Reagan Cons

a. Reaganomics was controversial (Pro?)i. Use the trickle down theory of economics

ii. Large tax cuts

iii. Inflation slowed while unemployment was reduced

iv. Largely increased defense spending

v. Federal budget deficits and the national debt increased

b. Iran-Contra scandal uncovered; secret U.S. arms sales to Iran were used to fund Contras rebels in Nicaragua

c. Challenger Space Shuttle exploded in mid air January 28, 1986

Challenger Explosion

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