USA- Impact of Reagan on the USA, 1981–96 Flashcards
How was Reagan influenced by supply-side economics?
Influenced by the emphasis on reducing taxes and regulations to stimulate production, investment, and economic growth
What action did Reagan take regarding White House travel expenses?
Travel expenses for White House members were cut by 15% when Reagan took office as part of his broader strategy to reduce government spending.
What was Reagan’s goal for the federal deficit from 1981 to 1986?
Reagan aimed to decrease the federal deficit from 22% of GDP in 1981 to 19% in 1986.
When was the Omnibus Reconciliation Act passed and what change did it make to personal taxes?
The Omnibus Reconciliation Act was passed on 13th Aug 1981. Congress reduced the cut in personal tax from 30% to 25%.
What changes did the Economic Recovery Tax Act introduce and when was it passed?
The Economic Recovery Tax Act, passed on 13th Aug 1981, included a 23% marginal tax cut, a decrease in the highest tax band from 70% to 50%, and a reduction in the lowest tax band from 14% to 11%.
What was the purpose of Reagan’s Executive Order issued on 2nd Mar 1981?
Reagan’s Executive Order issued on 2nd Mar 1981 set up the President’s Economic Policy Advisory Board to advise him on economic policy matters.
What was the purpose of the Executive Order issued on 16th Jun 1981 regarding housing?
Reagan’s Executive Order for the President’s Commission on Housing, issued on 16th Jun 1981, aimed to address housing policy.
What did the Tax Equity and Financial Responsibility Act do and when was it?
The Tax Equity and Financial Responsibility Act, passed on 3rd Sep 1982, tightened tax rules and raised taxes on specific goods like cigarettes and telephone services.
What is the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA)?
The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), passed on 7th Apr 1986, allowed workers to continue health insurance coverage after leaving their job.
What did the Tax Reform Act of 1986 accomplish? When exactly was it passed?
The Tax Reform Act, passed on 22nd October 1986, simplified the tax code and reduced the number of tax brackets.
What was the unemployment rate in 1980 and 1983?
Unemployment rates were 7.1% in 1980 and 9.6% in 1983.
How did inflation change from 1979 to 1982 during Reagan’s presidency?
Inflation rates were 11.3% in 1979, 13.5% in 1980, and decreased to 6.2% in 1982, showing how inflation remained high initially before falling during Reagan’s first term.
How did output per worker per hour change from 1981 to 1983?
Output per worker per hour improved from 1.6 in 1981 to 4.5 in 1983.
How did the government deficit change from 1980 to 1983?
The government deficit grew from $59 billion in 1980 to $208 billion in 1983.
How did government spending on human resources and defense change from 1980 to 1987?
Government spending on human resources decreased from 28% in 1980 to 22% in 1987, while government spending on defense increased from 23% in 1980 to 28% in 1987.
What promise did George H.W. Bush make during his campaign regarding taxes? What happened with this?
George H.W. Bush promised not to raise taxes during his campaign, but ultimately did as president.
What were Clinton’s main focuses during his presidency?
Clinton focused on maintaining low inflation, high employment, reducing the federal deficit, and removing tariffs to promote trade and business growth.
What were the three main campaign points of Clinton?
Clinton’s three main campaign points were addressing medical care, bringing change to Washington, and focusing on ‘the economy, stupid.’
What action was taken to streamline government regulations during Reagan’s presidency?
23,000 pages were removed from the Federal Register to streamline government regulations and reduce unnecessary paperwork.
How much money was saved by a strike force set up to combat government fraud and waste?
$2 billion.
When did Reagan issue an Executive Order to deregulate oil and fuel prices?
28th Jan 1981.
What did Reagan’s Executive Order passed in Jan 29th 1981 accomplish?
Reagan passed an Executive Order stopping wage and price regulation.
What was the purpose of the President’s Council on Integrity and Efficiency, and when was it set up?
The President’s Council on Integrity and Efficiency was set up through an Executive Order on 26th Mar 1981, aimed at improving efficiency and integrity in the federal government.
When was the Presidential Advisory Committee on Federalism established, and what was its purpose?
The Presidential Advisory Committee on Federalism was set up on 8th Apr 1981, designed to address issues related to the balance of power between the federal government and states.
What did the Bus Regulatory Reform Act do and when?
The Bus Regulatory Reform Act, passed on 20th Sep 1982, deregulated the bus industry by removing restrictions on interstate bus services.
What was the purpose of the Garn-St Germain Depository Institutions Act of 1982?
The Garn-St Germain Depository Institutions Act, passed on 15th Oct 1982, deregulated savings and loan institutions to increase their competitiveness.
What did the Shipping Act of 1984 accomplish?
The Shipping Act, passed on 20th Mar 1984, loosened regulations on both U.S. and foreign shipping industries to encourage competition.
What impact did the Cable Communications Act of 1984 have on the industry?
The Cable Communications Act, passed on 30th Oct 1984, deregulated the cable industry.
What was the purpose of the Foreign Trade and Competitiveness Act and when was it passed?
The Foreign Trade and Competitiveness Act, passed on 23rd Aug 1988, allowed the president to negotiate trade treaties to benefit the U.S. economy.
What did the Competitive Equality in Banking Act address and when was it?
The Competitive Equality in Banking Act, passed in 1987, provided funding to save failing savings and loan institutions during the crisis in the banking industry.
How much did George Bush’s Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act (FIRREA) cost, and what was its purpose? Also when was the act passed?
George Bush’s Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act (FIRREA), passed in 1989, cost $150 billion to address the crisis in the savings and loan industry.
How many textile plants were closed between 1980 and 1985, and what impact did this have on jobs?
Between 1980 and 1985, 250 textile plants were closed, causing the loss of 300,000 jobs as the industry faced increasing global competition.
What was Reagan’s approach to welfare, and what did he focus on instead?
Reagan tried to change ‘welfare’ to ‘workfare’, focusing on promoting employment and self-sufficiency rather than reliance on government assistance.
How many states were running work programs by January 1987?
By Jan 1987, 42 states were running work programs.
How did the number of low-income homes available to families change between 1970 and 1985?
In 1970, 2.4 million low-income homes were available to families who applied, and by 1985, that number increased to 3.7 million.
How much did funding for homeless projects increase between 1984 and 1988?
Funding for homeless projects increased from $300 million in 1984 to $1.6 billion in 1988.
What was the purpose of the McKinney Act and when was it passed?
The McKinney Act, passed in 1987, established the Federal Emergency Management Food and Shelter Program to provide aid for homeless individuals.
What did the Job Training Partnership Act accomplish and when was it passed?
The Job Training Partnership Act, passed on 13th October 1982, shifted job training responsibilities from the federal level to state and private programs.
What change did the Social Security Reform Bill introduce and when was it?
The Social Security Reform Bill, passed on 20th Apr 1983, linked payments to inflation to ensure benefits kept up with rising costs.
What did the McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance Act aim to address? When was it passed?
The McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance Act, passed on 22nd July 1987, focused on providing more comprehensive support to homeless individuals.
What was the purpose of the Family Support Act? When was it passed?
Passed on the 13th Oct 1988. The Family Support Act promoted work and provided welfare-to-work programs.
How did average mortgage debt and the rate of foreclosure (when they take your house cus you cant afford it) change between 1980 and 1987?
Between 1980 and 1987, average mortgage debt increased by 30%, and the rate of foreclosure quadrupled during this period.
How did workers’ leisure time change between 1973 and 1987?
In 1973, workers had an average of 26 hours of leisure time per week, which decreased to 16 hours per week by 1987, reflecting longer working hours.
How did the number of racial discrimination lawsuits compare between Reagan’s and Nixon’s first six months?
Racial discrimination lawsuits in Reagan’s first six months totalled 5, compared to 24 during Nixon’s first six months, indicating a shift in civil rights enforcement.
What percentage of funding for bilingual education was withdrawn by the Reagan administration?
40% of funding for bilingual education was withdrawn by the Reagan administration as part of its budget cuts.
How many new small businesses were formed between 1981 and 1982?
500,000 new small businesses were formed between 1981 and 1982, reflecting the entrepreneurial environment encouraged by Reagan’s policies.
In 1980, what percentage of farmers were receiving 60% of the subsidy funds, and what does this indicate?
In 1980, 17% of farmers were receiving 60% of the subsidy funds, highlighting the concentration of subsidies among larger, wealthier farms.
What organization was set up in 1986 to advocate for small family farms?
The National Save the Family Farm Coalition was set up in 1986 to advocate for small family farms affected by economic policies and farm consolidation.
How many farms were sold each month in 1983, and what did this reflect?
In 1983, about 500 farms were sold each month, illustrating the financial struggles facing farmers during the period.
What percentage of the population in Detroit and Cleveland were living below the poverty line?
In Detroit and Cleveland, 20% of the population were living below the poverty line.
Where were most new businesses and jobs located in 1987?
75% of new businesses and 60% of new jobs were located in California and the East Coast, showing the concentration of economic growth in those areas.
What was Bush’s average approval rating?
Bush’s average approval rating was 61.
What was Reagan’s initial approval rating, and what was his average approval rating?
Reagan’s initial approval rating was 68, while his average approval rating was 52.
What was Carter’s approval rating before the 1980 election?
Carter’s approval rating before the 1980 election was 28.
What was Clinton’s average approval rating?
Clinton’s average approval rating was 55.
How many Republicans were in the House of Representatives during Bush’s first term?
In Bush’s first term, there were 175 Republicans in the House of Representatives.
How many Republicans were in the House of Representatives during Reagan’s first term?
In Reagan’s first term, there were 189 Republicans in the House of Representatives.
Reflecting a strong Republican influence in Congress during his early presidency.
When did the Iran-Contra affair take place, and what was it about?
The Iran-Contra affair took place in 1986, a major political scandal involving covert arms sales and illegal funding of Nicaraguan rebels.
Where were the Contra rebels based, and what was their role?
The Contra rebels were based in Nicaragua, where they fought against the Sandinista government, with U.S. support during the Reagan administration.
By 1988, which political party had a majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate?
By 1988, the Democratic Party had a majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Who was Jesse Jackson, and what did he advocate for during his presidential runs?
Jesse Jackson, a Baptist minister and civil rights activist, ran twice for the Democratic Presidential nomination, advocating for social justice and equality.
What was the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC), and when was it formed?
The Democratic Leadership Council (DLC) was formed after the 1984 election, seeking to modernize the Democratic Party and make it more centrist.
What role did Bill Clinton play in the Democratic Leadership Council in 1990?
In 1990, Bill Clinton was the chairman of the Democratic Leadership Committee, playing a key role in shaping the party’s direction.
What issues did the Christian right raise during Reagan’s presidency?
The Christian right became more outspoken under Reagan, raising issues like abortion, teenage pregnancy, and school curriculums.
How many people watched the first televised Presidential debate in 1960?
The first televised Presidential debate in 1960 was watched by 70 million people, marking a milestone in political media coverage.
How many viewers watched the Reagan-Carter debate in 1980?
The Reagan-Carter debate in 1980 attracted 80.6 million viewers, one of the most-watched presidential debates in history.
How many viewers watched the 1984 election?
The 1984 election had 67.5 million viewers, showcasing strong public interest in that election.
How many viewers watched the 1988 election?
The 1988 election had 65.1 million viewers
How many viewers watched the 1996 election?
The 1996 election saw 36.3 million viewers.
What show did Reagan host and when? What did this train him to do?
From 1954 to 1962, Reagan hosted a highly popular prime-time TV programme, ‘General Electric Theatre’. This trained him how to connect with a TV audience.
What was Reagan’s personality/presentation like?
He was charming, trustworthy, and had an appealing TV presence due to retaining his movie-star looks.
What question did Reagan ask the audience in the last presidential debate before the 1980 election?
‘Are you better off than you were four years ago?’ (few could answer yes)
What was Reagan the leader of which contributed to his negotiating skills?
Reagan’s election as leader of the actors’ union helped him acquire valuable negotiating skills.
What shows decrease in worker security?
Deregulation weakened worker safety protections, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) consistently favoured businesses over workers.
What was outcome of 1984 election?
Reagan re-elected in a landslide victory.
When did Reagan sign the bill about savings and loans and what did this lead to?
In 1982, he signed the bill which expanded federal insurance for S&L depositors and allowed risky investments. Lax oversight led to industry-wide fraud and collapse, requiring a $132 billion taxpayer-funded bailout—the costliest financial scandal in U.S. history.
What did Regan do despite teenage pregnancy rates rising?
He persuaded Congress to outlaw Medicaid-funded abortions for poor women and to fund ‘chastity clinics’ (advice centres) where they would be encouraged to avoid sex.
Who was Reagan’s actor friend who died of AIDS and how did Reagan respond?
Despite Rock Hudson’s AIDS-related death in 1985, Reagan avoided endorsing condoms and was slow to support AIDS research funding.
Evidence of growth in drug use during Reagan years?
About 40 million Americans used illegal drugs; half of those under 45 had tried marijuana, and crack cocaine was widely affordable, even for those poorer in society.
pg 219
