The Conservative The Conservative AscendancyAscendancy

Ronald ReaganRonald Reagan

Anticommunism Antigovernment

Antitax

Ronald Reagan

ReaganomicsReaganomics Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981

Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1981

Cut back in rules governing business activity

Little government restriction on business

Recession of 1982

- Inherited from Carter

- Deepened

Recovery begins in 1983

Deficit spending and large national debt

Foreign PolicyForeign Policy

Policy resembled a 1950s and early 1960s policyPolicy resembled a 1950s and early 1960s policy

Military BuildupMilitary Buildup

Strategic Defense InitiativeStrategic Defense Initiative

Deterioration of U.S.-Soviet relationsDeterioration of U.S.-Soviet relations

-Soviets shot down Korean airliner in 1983-Soviets shot down Korean airliner in 1983

-Soviet Union and Eastern Europe boycott of 1984 Olympic -Soviet Union and Eastern Europe boycott of 1984 Olympic Games in Los AngelesGames in Los Angeles

Gorbachev takes leadership of U.S.S.R. in 1985Gorbachev takes leadership of U.S.S.R. in 1985

Glasnost and perestroikaGlasnost and perestroika

50 percent cut in strategic weapons proposed by Gorbachev50 percent cut in strategic weapons proposed by Gorbachev

““Zero option” for intermediate nuclear forces (INF)Zero option” for intermediate nuclear forces (INF)

Reagan Doctrine in Central America Reagan Doctrine in Central America

Iran-Contra ScandalIran-Contra Scandal

Terrorism in Middle EastTerrorism in Middle East

Pro-Iraqi in Iran-Iraq WarPro-Iraqi in Iran-Iraq War

Negotiations with Iranian governmentNegotiations with Iranian government

-Supply of weaponry in exchange for release -Supply of weaponry in exchange for release of hostages by radical Islamic groups in of hostages by radical Islamic groups in LebanonLebanon

Congressional hearings on investigation of Congressional hearings on investigation of scandalscandal

Reagan pleaded ignorantReagan pleaded ignorant

Technological Technological Advancements and Advancements and

ConsumerismConsumerism Silicon Valley

Computers

Growing influence of television

Money, Status, and Power

Rap, heavy metal music, MTV

A time of prosperity?A time of prosperity?

DrugsDrugsAIDSAIDSHomelessnessHomelessnessFederal deficit and the Gramm-Rudman ActFederal deficit and the Gramm-Rudman ActWall Street decline of 1987Wall Street decline of 1987Inequality in wealthInequality in wealthRace riots in Los Angeles- caused by police brutalityRace riots in Los Angeles- caused by police brutality

George BushGeorge Bush

Elected in 1988 against Michael Dukakis

Persian Gulf War

Recession

Race Riots

Immigration

Gorbachev and the Collapse Gorbachev and the Collapse of Communismof Communism

Free elections in Free elections in satellite countriessatellite countries

Tearing down of the Tearing down of the Berlin WallBerlin Wall

Gorbachev leaves the Gorbachev leaves the Communist partyCommunist party

Gorbachev resignsGorbachev resigns

Commonwealth of Commonwealth of Independent States Independent States recognizedrecognized

Soviet Union Soviet Union dissolveddissolved

Persian Gulf WarPersian Gulf War

Saddam HusseinSaddam Hussein

Oil in KuwaitOil in Kuwait

Operation Desert Operation Desert StormStorm

Bush’s approval Bush’s approval rating- 90%rating- 90%

Bill ClintonBill Clinton Elected in 1992Elected in 1992 Baby boom presidentBaby boom president Health care reformHealth care reform Progress towards equality: women Progress towards equality: women and minoritiesand minorities Hillary ClintonHillary Clinton Booming economyBooming economy NAFTA- North American Free Trade NAFTA- North American Free Trade AgreementAgreement