U.S. History/American Studies
Mr. Mintzes
Unit Outline: The Reagan and Bush Era, 1980-1992
Themes:
Highpoint of conservatism
Reducing the role of government
Transition from Cold War to New World Order
The Reagan “Revolution,” 1980-1988
Ronald Reagan
“Great Communicator,”: Former Hollywood actor – gave effective speeches
“Teflon presidency”
1980 election: defeated Carter’s bid for re-election
1984 election: huge victory – true landslide
Conservative Movement: credited with building the conservative movement that united the
Republicans with the Christian right – “family values” – pro-life – etc.
Assassination attempt, 1981: early attempt on his life – wounded – press secretary James
Brady left paralyzed – “Brady gun control law”
“Reaganomics” – Reagan economic policies
Conservatives’ goal: Shrink fed govt., lower fed spending; stimulate business by reducing govt
regulations and lowering taxes – The New Federalism: shift federal programs in education,
health and welfare to the states.
1. Cut Govt programs.
2. Reduce taxes to promote investment – “Supply Side Economics” – “Trickle Down
Economics” – Theory was that by reducing taxes and govt. spending more money
would be available for investment. Investment by companies and by the wealthy
would result in corporate growth, more jobs and more money in circulation.
3. Deregulation: Many businesses and the securities markets were deregulated, meaning
less control by the government
4. RESULTS: While taxes were lower, the rich tended to benefit far more than the
middle or lower classes. 1980s were a time of Wall Street boom – young
stockbrokers made fortunes at an early age – bought big homes and expensive cars
– often were forced to sell them at a loss when the “bubble” burst.
5. INCREASED DEFICITS: government spending increased faster than its income.
Deficits increased – as did govt. borrowing. – interest payments on national debt
became a major part of the annual budget
6. Environmental Policies: environmental protection programs were cut back – more
permits approved from strip mining and off shore drilling
II. American Society in the 1980s
A. Conservatives’ goal: promote traditional morality and values.
1. Judicial power shifts to the right: William Rehnquist as Chief Justice
2. Immigration Control and Reform Act, 1986 – required employers to prove that
employees were “legal”
3. Supreme Court: New Jersey v TLO – schools were permitted to search student
property such as back packs if they had a “reasonable suspicion” instead of
“probable cause”
B. American Society in a Conservative Age
1. Crises in Health, Education and Cities: Higher percentage than ever of people who
could not afford heath insurance – Gap increasing between rich and poor
2. Other Events and Aspects of the 1980s: Growth in “seniors” population – risk that
Social Security and Medicare would be bankrupt by the early 21st century.
III. Foreign Policy
Conservatives’ goal: strengthen the national defense – rebuild the post Vietnam
military
1. Cold War
a. Reagan’ First Term: questioning détente, USSR as the “Evil Empire,” SDI
(“Star Wars” anti-missile defense program.)
b. Second Term: renewal of détente; Gorbachev, INF Treaty, Berlin Wall
2. Intervention in Central America: US intervened in internal struggles and Civil Wars
in Nicaragua, El Salvador and sent American troops to the island of Granada in 1983
when Cuban troops were found to be there. Grenada invasion was billed as a mission to
rescue American medical students going to school in Grenada. Invasion was really
intended to improve US morale.
3. Turmoil in the Middle East: US Marines sent to Lebanon as a peacekeeping force.
Car bomb destroyed their barracks killing over 200. Troops withdrawn the
following year.
4. Terrorism: Global terrorism increased around the world
5. Iran-Contra Affair: US sold arms to Iran in exchange for Iranian help in freeing US
hostages held in Lebanon. Money from arm sales was used to finance the contras
(Nicaraguan rebels) Congress had voted to prohibit supporting the Contras. Reagan
was cleared of any complicity, but high ranking military advisors and CIA officials
were caught.
6. Apartheid ends in South Africa: Congress imposed strict economic sanctions against
South Africa until it ended apartheid even though Reagan vetoed the bill – passed over
his veto.
7. END OF COLD WAR APPROACHES: Some give Reagan credit for winning the
Cold War – maintain that he told Russians (Gorbachev) that US would rebuild US
military and spend more on defense than USSR could afford – would break the
back of the Soviet economy. Gorbachev’s reforms also help to loosen relations
with Soviet Union and give Russian people a taste of better life.
The Bush Presidency, 1988-1992 (George H.W. Bush)
I. Domestic Issues
A. Economy and the Budget: Bush had promised “no new taxes” in his campaign.
Increase in budget deficit resulted in need for higher taxes to increase government
income. Broken promise damaged his chances for re-election
B. Clarence Thomas - Anita Hill Hearings, 1991: Thomas nominated for Supreme Court.
Former aide, now law a professor – Hill testified Thomas had sexually harassed her
when she worked for him years earlier. Senate confirmation hearings were televised –
Hill’s testimony increased awareness of the problem of sexual harassment in the
workplace.
C. Rodney King Beating and L.A. Riots: LA police were videotaped beating a black man
stopped for a traffic violation with nightsticks. Brought national attention to the
problem of racism in police forces and racial profiling.
Case was transferred to a county north of LA with few blacks – police officers were
acquitted. Reaction among African-Americans in LA was violent – rioting for
several days.
II. Events Abroad and Foreign Policy
1. Panama and Noriega: US troops invade Panama and arrest Panamanian Dictator
Noriega. He is tried for drug dealings and imprisoned.
2. Gulf War, 1991; Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm: Iraqi dictator
Saddam Hussein invades Kuwait claiming Kuwait was stealing Iraq’s oil – US and a
coalition of other countries order him to withdraw.
When Iraq does not leave Kuwait the US leads an air and ground assault that
recaptures Kuwait and destroys Iraqi army in just a few days. Ceasefire is
negotiated an US forces do not move on to Baghdad, nor is Saddam removed
from power. Failure to “finish the job” costs Pres. Bush much of his popularity.
3. End of the Cold War: Eastern European countries in Soviet bloc overthrow their
communist governments. Communist party in USSR loses power – is declared illegal –
former Soviet “republics” declare independence – Soviet Union is disbanded – Russian
Federation is formed.