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