America in the 1980's

Question 1

Election of 1980

Answer 1

• Lack of support for Carter because of failures in his presidency
• Reagan gets the entire Republican Party behind him
  - Gains 90% of the electoral vote
• Republicans control the Executive and Legislative branches for the 1st time since 1954

Question 2

Ronald Reagan

Answer 2

• Staunch conservative republican
• Has a large following:
  - Mainly lower / middle class southern & midwesterners
  - Had strong opinions on religions, gun ownership, immigration, & abortion)
• Goals:
  - Bring back trickle down theory and reduce federal spending programs
  - Appoint more conservative judges
  - End the Cold War

Question 3

Reaganomics

Answer 3

• Ronald Reagan’s new fiscal policy
• Cut down federal income tax to promote trickle down theory
• Upper class will gain more wealth
• Upper tax bracket : 70% to 50 %
• Lower tax bracket : 14% to 11 %
• Slows down the recession

Question 4

Problems with Reaganomics

Answer 4

• Trying to end the Cold War accompanied by reducing tax cuts creates Federal deficits
• Reagan had spent more than any president before him
• First time since WWI that the U.S. is a nation in debt

Question 5

Sandra Day O’Connor

Answer 5

• 1st woman to be appointed to the Supreme Court
• Appointed by Ronald Reagan
• Conservative judge

Question 6

Reagan’s Cold War Strategy

Answer 6

• Increase relations between the Soviet Union and China

- Limit the spread of Communism (especially in the Western Hemisphere / Middle East)

Question 7

Boland Agreement

Answer 7

• In Nicaragua, the Contras and Sandinistas (Communists) were fighting for control
• U.S. funds and gives weapons to the Contras
• The money and guns are used to take over the Central American narcotics trade
• This agreement stops the funding of the Contras

Question 8

Iran-Contra Affair

Answer 8

• Iraq invades Iran to take over oil and uses chemical weapons
• Weapons are sold to Iran, the profits going back to the Contras in Nicaragua
• U.S. violates Boland Agreement, funds Iraq as well
• Ronald Reagan knew and set the orders, but had early onset Alzheimer’s
• Like Watergate Scandal

Question 9

Soviet Afghan War

Answer 9

• U.S. secretly funds the mujahideen (against the Soviets)
• Unlimited budget, spending amounts to 500 million
• 1988 & 1989 end of Communism / Cold War

Question 10

Election of 1988

Answer 10

• Reagan’s Vice President wins, George Bush I

- Wants to continue Reagan’s policies

Question 11

George Bush I’s Goals

Answer 11

• Reduce the economic deficit
• Officially end the Cold War
• Keep balance in the Middle East