Ronald Reagan
Adolescence
"most ordinary beginnings" near sighted competitive played football in college self motivated middle class
Were they successful?
"Most successful president since FDR"
legacy and impact on America
"We are still living in the Reagan era" Frequently cited by democrats and republicans alike Reagan legacy project - name things after Reagan Michael Reagan, spreads the legacy of his father establish better relationship with Soviet Union Reinvigorated conservative party
Ronald Raegan
40th president, 1981-1989, 2 terms
Party
At first democratic and a supporter of communism, changed over night with an actors strike became FBI informant for Hollywood anti-communist investigations
Foreign Affairs
Destroying nuclear weapons "star wars" - never became a reality ended the cold war, strengthened relationships with Gorbachev very reluctant to send troops into war only used troops 3 times fought communism by supporting guerrilla resistance movements
Year/place of birth
February 6, 1911 Tampico, Illinois
Scandals?
Iran Contra Affair - US selling arms to Iran, profit used to help Contras in Nicaragua to coup the Gov
one time that their actions coincided with their political and social beliefs
When he spoke for Goldwater "the speech" - attach on liberalism seemed more like the presidential candidate than Goldwatter Social beliefs: crackdown on UC campus protests. "follow the rules or get out."
Was he well liked
Yes
What leadership qualities did he portray before, during and/or after his Presidency?
charismatic, popular, patriotic
Who influenced his values?
lifegaurding father = alchoholic - able to stay out of the nasty parts of his life acting = realized the power to move people FDR - was a democrat at first "Nancy Davis saved my soul" -shrude politician - personale director - will they work with my husbands policies? The GE years -able to meet the real faces of America -developed self confidence and skills: hones his messages Lemuel Boulware -changed the politics of blue collar america, from new deal to anti-communism, and patriotism Became conservative at GE
Early politics, leadership roles before president
president of the screen actors guild spokesman for GE republican governor of California
Military?
reserave officer at the beginning of WWII regretted not seeing military action (eyesight), instead worked in the Military film production
Work
sucssesful lifegaurd - someone who saved people's lives performer radio personailty budding actor later became a salesman for GE - much more success
Domestic Affairs
tried to fix economy - Reaganomics - cut taxes, less gov spending/regulation (welfare, public goods), "let economy work itself out," trickle down effect - however, recession followed except he raised military spending