America in the 1980's Flashcards
1
Q
Election of 1980
A
- Lack of support for Carter because of failures in his presidency
- Reagan gets the entire Republican Party behind him
- Gains 90% of the electoral vote - Republicans control the Executive and Legislative branches for the 1st time since 1954
2
Q
Ronald Reagan
A
- Staunch conservative republican
- Has a large following:
- Mainly lower / middle class southern & midwesterners
- Had strong opinions on religions, gun ownership, immigration, & abortion) - Goals:
- Bring back trickle down theory and reduce federal spending programs
- Appoint more conservative judges
- End the Cold War
3
Q
Reaganomics
A
- Ronald Reagan’s new fiscal policy
- Cut down federal income tax to promote trickle down theory
- Upper class will gain more wealth
- Upper tax bracket : 70% to 50 %
- Lower tax bracket : 14% to 11 %
- Slows down the recession
4
Q
Problems with Reaganomics
A
- Trying to end the Cold War accompanied by reducing tax cuts creates Federal deficits
- Reagan had spent more than any president before him
- First time since WWI that the U.S. is a nation in debt
5
Q
Sandra Day O’Connor
A
- 1st woman to be appointed to the Supreme Court
- Appointed by Ronald Reagan
- Conservative judge
6
Q
Reagan’s Cold War Strategy
A
- Increase relations between the Soviet Union and China
- Limit the spread of Communism (especially in the Western Hemisphere / Middle East)
7
Q
Boland Agreement
A
- In Nicaragua, the Contras and Sandinistas (Communists) were fighting for control
- U.S. funds and gives weapons to the Contras
- The money and guns are used to take over the Central American narcotics trade
- This agreement stops the funding of the Contras
8
Q
Iran-Contra Affair
A
- Iraq invades Iran to take over oil and uses chemical weapons
- Weapons are sold to Iran, the profits going back to the Contras in Nicaragua
- U.S. violates Boland Agreement, funds Iraq as well
- Ronald Reagan knew and set the orders, but had early onset Alzheimer’s
- Like Watergate Scandal
9
Q
Soviet Afghan War
A
- U.S. secretly funds the mujahideen (against the Soviets)
- Unlimited budget, spending amounts to 500 million
- 1988 & 1989 end of Communism / Cold War
10
Q
Election of 1988
A
- Reagan’s Vice President wins, George Bush I
- Wants to continue Reagan’s policies
11
Q
George Bush I’s Goals
A
- Reduce the economic deficit
- Officially end the Cold War
- Keep balance in the Middle East