USA- Impact of Reagan on the USA, 1981–96

Question 1

How was Reagan influenced by supply-side economics?

Answer 1

Influenced by the emphasis on reducing taxes and regulations to stimulate production, investment, and economic growth.

Question 2

What action did Reagan take regarding White House travel expenses?

Answer 2

Travel expenses for White House members were cut by 15% when Reagan took office as part of his broader strategy to reduce government spending.

Question 3

What changes did the Economic Recovery Tax Act introduce and when was it passed?

Answer 3

The Economic Recovery Tax Act, passed on 13th Aug 1981, included a 23% marginal tax cut, a decrease in the highest tax band from 70% to 50%, and a reduction in the lowest tax band from 14% to 11%.

Question 4

What was the purpose of the Executive Order issued on 16th Jun 1981 regarding housing?

Answer 4

Reagan’s Executive Order for the President’s Commission on Housing, aimed to address housing policy.

Question 5

What is the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) and when was it passed?

Answer 5

The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), passed on 7th Apr 1986, allowed workers to continue health insurance coverage after leaving their job.

Question 6

What did the Tax Reform Act of 1986 accomplish?

Answer 6

The Tax Reform Act, passed on 22nd October 1986, simplified the tax code and reduced the number of tax brackets.

Question 7

What was the unemployment rate in 1980 and 1983?

Answer 7

Unemployment rates were around 7% in 1980 and around 10% in 1983.

Question 8

How did inflation change from 1979 to 1982 during Reagan’s presidency?

Answer 8

Inflation rates were around 11% in 1979 and decreased to around 6% in 1982.
showing how inflation fell during Reagan’s first term.

Question 9

What action was taken to streamline government regulations during Reagan’s presidency?

Answer 9

23,000 pages were removed from the Federal Register to streamline government regulations and reduce unnecessary paperwork.

Question 10

How much money was saved by a strike force set up to combat government fraud and waste?

Answer 10

$2 billion.

Question 11

When did Reagan issue an Executive Order to deregulate oil and fuel prices?

Answer 11

28th Jan 1981.

Question 12

When was the Presidential Advisory Committee on Federalism established, and what was its purpose?

Answer 12

The Presidential Advisory Committee on Federalism was set up on 8th Apr 1981, designed to address issues related to the balance of power between the federal government and states.

Question 13

What was Reagan’s approach to welfare, and what did he focus on instead?

Answer 13

Reagan tried to change ‘welfare’ to ‘workfare’, focusing on promoting employment and self-sufficiency rather than reliance on government assistance.

Question 14

How many states were running work programs and by when?

Answer 14

By Jan 1987, 42 states were running work programs.

Question 15

How did the number of low-income homes available to families change between 1970 and 1985?

Answer 15

In 1970, 2.4 million low-income homes were available to families who applied, and by 1985, that number increased to 3.7 million.

Question 16

How much did funding for homeless projects increase between 1984 and 1988?

Answer 16

Funding for homeless projects increased from $300 million in 1984 to $1.6 billion in 1988.

Question 17

What did the Job Training Partnership Act accomplish and when was it passed?

Answer 17

The Job Training Partnership Act, passed on 13th October 1982, shifted job training responsibilities from the federal level to state and private programs.

Question 18

What change did the Social Security Reform Bill introduce and when was it?

Answer 18

The Social Security Reform Bill, passed on 20th Apr 1983, linked payments to inflation to ensure benefits kept up with rising costs.

Question 19

What was the purpose of the Family Support Act? When in the late 80s was it passed?

Answer 19

Passed on the 13th Oct 1988. The Family Support Act promoted work and provided welfare-to-work programs.

Question 20

How did average mortgage debt and the rate of foreclosure (when they take your house cus you cant afford it) change between 1980 and 1987?

Answer 20

Between 1980 and 1987, average mortgage debt increased by 30%, and the rate of foreclosure quadrupled during this period.

Question 21

How did workers’ leisure time change between 1973 and 1987?

Answer 21

In 1973, workers had an average of 26 hours of leisure time per week, which decreased to 16 hours per week by 1987, reflecting longer working hours.

Question 22

How did the number of racial discrimination lawsuits compare between Reagan’s and Nixon’s first six months?

Answer 22

Racial discrimination lawsuits in Reagan’s first six months totalled 5, compared to 24 during Nixon’s first six months, indicating a shift in civil rights enforcement.

Question 23

How many new small businesses were formed between 1981 and 1982?

Answer 23

500,000 new small businesses were formed between 1981 and 1982, reflecting the entrepreneurial environment encouraged by Reagan’s policies.

Question 24

In 1980, what percentage of farmers were receiving 60% of the subsidy funds, and what does this indicate?

Answer 24

In 1980, 17% of farmers were receiving 60% of the subsidy funds, highlighting the concentration of subsidies among larger, wealthier farms.

Question 25

How many farms were sold each month in 1983, and what did this reflect?

Answer 25

In 1983, about 500 farms were sold each month, illustrating the financial struggles facing farmers during the period.

Question 26

What percentage of the population in Detroit and Cleveland were living below the poverty line?

Answer 26

In Detroit and Cleveland, 20% of the population were living below the poverty line.

Question 27

What was Bush's average approval rating?

Answer 27

Bush's average approval rating was 61.

Question 28

What was Reagan’s initial approval rating, and what was his average approval rating?

Answer 28

Reagan’s initial approval rating was 68, while his average approval rating was 52.

Question 29

What was Carter’s approval rating before the 1980 election?

Answer 29

Carter’s approval rating before the 1980 election was 28.

Question 30

What was Clinton’s average approval rating?

Answer 30

Clinton’s average approval rating was 55.

Question 31

What role did Bill Clinton play in the DLC in 1990? And what does DLC stand for

Answer 31

In 1990, Bill Clinton was the chairman of the Democratic Leadership Committee, playing a key role in shaping the party’s direction.

Question 32

What issues did the Christian right raise during Reagan’s presidency?

Answer 32

The Christian right became more outspoken under Reagan, raising issues like abortion, teenage pregnancy, and school curriculums.

Question 33

How many viewers watched the Reagan-Carter debate in 1980?

Answer 33

The Reagan-Carter debate in 1980 attracted 80.6 million viewers, one of the most-watched presidential debates in history.

Question 34

How many viewers watched the 1984 election?

Answer 34

The 1984 election had 67.5 million viewers, showcasing strong public interest in that election.

Question 35

How many viewers watched the 1996 election?

Answer 35

The 1996 election saw just over 36 million viewers.

Question 36

What show did Reagan host and when? What did this train him to do?

Answer 36

From 1954 to 1962, Reagan hosted a highly popular prime-time TV programme, 'General Electric Theatre'. This trained him how to connect with a TV audience.

Question 37

What was Reagan's personality/presentation like?

Answer 37

He was charming, trustworthy, and had an appealing TV presence due to retaining his movie-star looks.

Question 38

What question did Reagan ask the audience in the last presidential debate before the 1980 election?

Answer 38

‘Are you better off than you were four years ago?’ (few could answer yes)

Question 39

What was Reagan the leader of which contributed to his negotiating skills?

Answer 39

Reagan’s election as leader of the actors’ union helped him acquire valuable negotiating skills.

Question 40

What shows decrease in worker security?

Answer 40

Deregulation weakened worker safety protections, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) consistently favoured businesses over workers.

Question 41

When did Reagan sign the bill about savings and loans and what did this lead to?

Answer 41

In 1982, he signed the bill which expanded federal insurance for S&L depositors and allowed risky investments. Lax oversight led to industry-wide fraud and collapse, requiring a $132 billion taxpayer-funded bailout—the costliest financial scandal in U.S. history.

Question 42

What did Regan do despite teenage pregnancy rates rising?

Answer 42

He persuaded Congress to outlaw Medicaid-funded abortions for poor women and to fund ‘chastity clinics’ (advice centres) where they would be encouraged to avoid sex.

Question 43

Who was Reagan's actor friend who died of AIDS and how did Reagan respond?

Answer 43

Despite Rock Hudson's AIDS-related death in 1985, Reagan avoided endorsing condoms and was slow to support AIDS research funding.

Question 44

Evidence of growth in drug use during Reagan years?

Answer 44

About 40 million Americans used illegal drugs; half of those under 45 had tried marijuana, and crack cocaine was widely affordable, even for those poorer in society.

Question 45

What campaign did Nancy Reagan launch and what was ironic about it?

Answer 45

Launched an anti-drugs ‘Just Say No’ campaign, despite her own addiction to prescription medication.

Question 46

Why did Nancy Reagan launch her campaign in the first place? Give specific evidence

Answer 46

She was stung by criticism of her extravagant expenditure, e.g. $200,000 of privately donated money on new White House china.

Question 47

What was ironic about Reagans attempt to crack down on banks that laundered drug money?

Answer 47

It proved difficult because of his own financial deregulation policies.

Question 48

How was homelessness impacted by Reagan's presidency?

Answer 48

Some estimated that the number of homeless doubled from 200,000 to 400,000.

Question 49

What % had no health insurance?

Answer 49

14%

Question 50

How many black federal judges did Regan appoint?

Answer 50

Only 7 of the 368 federal judges he appointed were black

Question 51

Event showing Reagan's dismissive attitude to the NAACP?

Answer 51

As President, he refused to address the NAACP in 1981 because he had planned to go horse riding.

Question 52

What was the limitation to the success of Reagan having a black Cabinet member?

Answer 52

He failed to recognise him at a meeting after six months in office.

Question 53

Positives for women regarding wages during Reagan years?

Answer 53

Women earned on average 62% of what men earned in 1980 but 72% by 1990.

Question 54

Evidence of the quieting women's liberation movement/more women's liberation opposition under Reagan?

Answer 54

Beverley LaHaye’s socially conservative Concerned Women for America had 500,000 members — far more than the liberal NOW .

Question 55

When was Reagan's assassination attempt and what was its impact

Answer 55

Seen as a strong leader post-1981 assassination attempt, boosting popularity and support in Congress.

Question 56

When and what was the Iran Contra Affair?

Answer 56

1986-67. Covert arms sales to Iran to fund Contra rebels in Nicaragua (against Congress law).

Question 57

What did Reagan's approval rating fall from and to as a result of the Iran-Contra affair?

Answer 57

From 64% to 44%

Question 58

Despite the Iran Contra affair, what popularity ratings did Reagan's presidency have by its end?

Answer 58

He left the presidency with the highest popularity rating of any outgoing President since polls began

Question 59

Why did many Americans credit the end of the cold war to Reagan?

Answer 59

Many Americans credit Reagan’s massive defence spending with forcing the Soviets into economic strain as they tried to keep up. This pressured them into negotiations.

Question 60

What do historians believe about who is to thank for the end of the cold war?

Answer 60

They say Gorbachev's retreat from the arms race was probably the main factor for the end of the cold war, however, Reagan is credited for agreeing to end the nuclear arms race and building a strong relationship with Gorbachev.

Question 61

Who was Gorbachev?

Answer 61

Leader of the Soviet Union (1985-1991)

Question 62

2 failures/false promises of President Bush?

Answer 62

-Bush pledged to reduce the $2.7 trillion deficit but failed, and it rose to $4 trillion by 1993. -Despite promising "no new taxes," he agreed to a tax increase in November 1990 due to the growing deficit.

Question 63

Evidence of success in Clinton's presidency?

Answer 63

After a shaky start, Clinton cut defence, raised taxes on the wealthy, and balanced the budget while preserving key social programs. By 1996, a booming economy secured his re-election.

Question 64

Clinton was a leading 'New Democrat'. What does this mean? In what aspects was Clinton affected by Reagan's Presidency?

Answer 64

-These were moderate Democrats convinced that the increasingly leftward trajectory of the Democratic Party was making it unelectable. -Whose attitude to big government and social change had been affected by the Reagan years.

Question 65

When did Clinton demonstrate the Regan effect through his words?

Answer 65

He said he wanted to ‘end welfare as we know it’ so that it would ‘cease to be a way of life’.

Question 66

When was the Welfare Reform Act under Clinton, and what was it?

Answer 66

1996. Limited government aid and benefits.

Question 67

Example of a positive impact of the Welfare Act? When was it

Answer 67

1996. Workforce participation among the poorest women rose from 35% to 55% in 3 years.

Question 68

What was Bush like generally?

Answer 68

lacked charisma and seemed unable to cope with many domestic problems

Question 69

What was Clinton like generally?

Answer 69

He had the charisma and great political ability, but his reputation was tarnished by sex scandals.

Question 70

What was Clintons final approval rating? Despite what?

Answer 70

Over 70%. Despite the scandalous affair with Monica Lewinsky that had been exposed, showing changing attitudes.

Question 71

What book emphasises the limited extent of social change in regards to race after Regan's presidency? What did it say?

Answer 71

Andrew Hacker’s influential book 'Two Nations' (1992) claimed that ‘a huge racial chasm remains’ between black and white.

Question 72

How did the number of black Congressmen increase from 1990 to 1992?

Answer 72

45 in 1990, 69 in 1992

Question 73

Example of racism in law enforcement in the early 1990s?

Answer 73

After a high-speed car chase in Los Angeles in 1992, white police caught up with black suspect Rodney King and were filmed beating him up.

Question 74

After Reagans presidency what proportion of Black, Hispanic and Native Americans continued living below the poverty line?

Answer 74

Over 1/4

Question 75

How did racial minority average household incomes compare to the national average following Reagan's presidency?

Answer 75

their average household income was roughly half the national average.

Question 76

Example of Regan racism towards Native Americans.

Answer 76

President Reagan made derogatory remarks about ‘inferior’ Native American culture.

Question 77

What were the numbers of women appointed to Congress by 1992? | how many in house of representatives and how many in senate

Answer 77

28 women in the House of Representatives and two in the Senate.

Question 78

How did Government debt change under Reagan?

Answer 78

under him the national debt tripled to more than $2.6 trillion.

Question 79

What was defence spending like under Reagan?

Answer 79

He dramatically increased defence expenditure from around $160 billion in 1981 to around $300 billion in 1989

Question 80

In 1977 how many viewers did the presidential debates attract?

Answer 80

almost 70 million

Question 81

Which presidents followed Reagan? with dates

Answer 81

Goerge Bush 1989-1993 Bill Clinton 1993-2001