Introduction
Ronald Reagan (1911-2004) was the 40th president of the United States of America from January 20, 1981 to January 20, 1989. He was a Republican and served two terms in office. He is considered by many people as one of the greatest presidents in American history. Section 1 of this paper begins by explaining why Reagan is considered a great president by many people, and also gives some background information on the state of the economy he had inherited. Section 2 reflects on Reagan’s domestic record, in particular three negative economic consequences that resulted from his policies and occurred during his presidency. Section 3 considers two aspects of Reagan’s foreign policy: the US invasion of Grenada, and the Iran-Contra
…show more content…
There are five main reasons why Reagan is admired by large segments of the American public. Firstly, he is considered to have been a staunch patriot and a charismatic leader (Spinrad, 1991). These qualities were needed in a president at the time due to the influence of the Soviet Union and the threat of communism. It was also important due to Americans being demoralised from the failure in Vietnam. Secondly, the six months leading up to the end of his second term were characterised by increased cooperation with the Soviet Union’s Mikhail Gorbachev to reform the union. It eventually resulted in the total collapse of the Soviet Union and Reagan is credited for assisting in the eradication of the communist threat. The third, and more controversial reason for Reagan’s popularity, is the Ronald Reagan Legacy Project funded by conservative Americans (Norquist, n.d.). The project aims to instil the legacy of Reagan by lobbying to name buildings, roads, and landmarks after the president. This boosts the image and prestige of the president in the eyes of the people, especially for people who did not live during his presidency or do not know much about him.
The fourth reason for Reagan’s popularity is that he is perceived to have drastically improved the US economy and lives of Americans. One of the ways to understand this is by comparing the shape of the US economy when he took office to its shape when he left. The US
Ronald Reagan, President of the United States from 1981 through 1989, created economic policies throughout his presidency that aimed to pull the United States out of a recession. His policies, called Reaganomics, reduced government spending and reduced tax rates in order to foster economic growth. Reagan also appointed many conservative judges to the Supreme Court and federal courts in order to shift ideologies to the right. Because of this, Reagan was both underrated and overrated as a president.
Ronald Wilson Reagan, the 40th president of the United States of America was best known for his acting career before entering the political arena. Reagan’s great public speaking skills, wonderful sense of humor, and little to no experience in politics landed him the highest position in government in the United States of America. He was empowered by his supporter and doubted by skeptics like any ordinary president. Through it all, history and facts regard him as one of the most effective and accomplished Presidents of all times. As a matter of fact, leaving office in 1989, Reagan held a high approval rating leaving him, as one of the highest rated departed presidents in modern time. Unarguably, based on results, Reagan provided equal opportunities
Although he was a generally controversial president, Ronald Reagan’s policy decisions to stimulate economic prosperity, known as Reaganomics, were legitimately beneficial to the United States of America. First, in order to substantiate the success of Reagan’s economic policy decisions one must first grasp the varying levels of importance for each aspect of his plan. As Reagan’s policies were substantial decisions that defined his presidency and alienated an entire population of more economically liberal people, it makes sense that an understanding of his emphasis on certain decisions would lead to a more persuasive argument. Next, the negation of well formed and logical criticisms of Reagan’s economic policies also lend to the support of their benefits and success. Acknowledging a sensible counterargument and addressing specific points of critical analysis serves to further enhance the argument for the success of Reagan’s decisions. Furthermore, strong economic growth and the curbing of federal domestic power reinforce the accomplishments of Reaganomics. Though the U.S. did see economic growth, Reaganomics was not purely an economic plan, as cuts in government power, not including the military, benefitted the average American citizen. Moreover, Ronald Reagan’s economic decisions regarding Soviet foreign policy were also extremely beneficial to the United States. The tough decisions to further the national deficit proved a worthy sacrifice in pressuring the collapse
One major reason Ronald Reagan was able to defeat Carter in the election of 1980 was because Carter failed to rescue the hostages from the American embassy, prior to the election. He had already run for president in 1968 and in 1976, but didn’t win until 1980 as a Republican nominee because he established himself as the conservative candidate with the support of like-minded organizations such as the American Conservative Union. Reagan had several policies to try to recover the economy, one of them being deregulation, in which he advocated limiting government involvement in business. Following this policy, he deregulated several industries from government control. Another policy was to reduce inflation by controlling the growth of the money
Ronald Reagan is to this date the oldest serving president, and the effects of his presidency have affected not only the United States of America but most of the world as well. The consensus among historians is that Ronald Reagan left a lasting legacy that was a great one in numerous ways. His Reaganomics improved America’s economy greatly, and secured its future economic prosperity. He also fought communism head on and was able to end it in most parts of the world, but more importantly in Soviet Russia. However, in doing so he got wrapped up in the Iran-Contra Affair, which will forever be tied to his name in a negative regard. Within America, Reagan was able to improve society such as his success in curbing the use of illegal drugs.
Ronald Reagan, the fortieth president of the United States of America, was arguably the best president the United States has ever had. Raised in rural Illinois, Reagan grew up as country boy, and kept his ideals and faith through his presidency. Reagan never faltered when he dealt with communism, dealt with a slipping economy, or in any other foreign affairs. His strong convictions led him to being one of the greatest presidents in the history of the United States. (Thomas, 22)
In conclusion, President Reagan was operative in convincing his audience that he was the right choice for who should lead the U.S. I firmly believe that Ronald Reagan was the last good President we had in office. He not only kept to his word, but also was able to inspire the American people and remind them what hope was and what it looked and felt like. Shown through this piece, it is evident that he was an eloquent communicator and an overall persuasive orator. By using pathos, rhetorical questioning,
Thesis Statement: Ronald Reagan’s presidency was one of the most successful in United States history because he revitalized the failing economy, used his remarkable communication skills to reestablish America’s lost morale, and even played a vital role in ending the Cold War.
Born on February 6, 1911, Ronald Reagan lived an eventful life, but he did not become President of the United States until the age of 65. He picked George H. W. Bush as his running mate in the 1980 republican ticket. The incumbent, Jimmy Carter had no chance of retaining the presidency, the economy was stagnant, and America’s influence in the world was on the decline. Just two months into Reagan’s Presidency, it almost came to an abrupt end with the bullet of a would-be assassin; of course the President survived, and went on to contribute to the end of the cold war. The Contra scandal threatened Reagan’s Presidency, however, but for anyone to say he is overrated, should take a close look at
Reagan was willing to lift the morale of the country, inject optimism and lead to victory in the cold war against communism. To do so, he decided to show his mandate in the recovery of the economic welfare. He made it very clear in the speech of his inauguration: “It is my intention to curb the size and influence of the Federal government.” and averred that the secret to America’s wealth was that “here in this land we unleashed the energy and individual genius of man.” The Reaganite mission to restore popular faith in capitalism and individualism as social norms made substantial head ways in the 1980s, gains for American conservatism that liberals have not succeeded in reversing. Reagan is part of a select group of political leaders, including Thomas Jefferson and W. Wilson, whose names because watchwords for political creeds and stances toward Reagan was indeed the guy for the job as his ideals and promises couldn 't been more like what the people wanted.
Ronald Reagan was a very popular person before, during, and after his time of presidency. He went from a mere radio announcer, to the head of the United States of America. Ronald had defeated most of the world’s problems with Communism, improved the economy, and handled terrorist threats like a pro. Ronald quickly took America’s heart with his honorable deeds and doings. He was very famous by the time he became deceased. (Ronald Reagan Facts.)
President Ronald Reagan, the man who is accredited with ended the forty six year cold war was elected on Nov. 4, 1980. Reagan won his election with fifty percent of the popular vote over former President Jimmy Carter who had forty one percent. While Reagan as a president is praised for such successes as strengthening the national defense, stimulating growth in the U.S. economically, and as mentioned before he is considered the President who ended the Cold War. President Reagan had achieved many things by the end of his administration, but just as he had many successes his presidency was plagued with shortcomings and a handful of what could be considered flat out failures. The purpose of this writing is to establish and identify the ‘cons’ or failures of the Reagan administration, and provide a brief description of each different aspect of the administration.
The United Sates was in trouble. It was a time of crisis after the Carter era. America was in a state of economic and moral despair. Foreign threats were emerging. The country needed not only a new president, but an influential hero. To truly solidify a place in history as a hero, a president has to take control and address the problems facing the country. Ronald Reagan was one of the most influential presidents of all time because he renewed the American spirit through his unique vision, advanced and protected democracy and capitalism, and stimulated economic growth and development.
Prior to 1980, the Democrats had dominated the Republicans for several decades. (Meyer, 2005). However, on December 1, 1980, Reagan garnered 91 percent of the electoral votes becoming the first Republican presidential candidate to defeat a Democrat since 1888 when Benjamin Harrison won the presidential elections. Prior to this period, the democrats had controlled both the House of Representative and the Senate. According to Troy (2012), Ronald Reagan has remained the most influential U.S. president since Franklin D. Roosevelt. Even after Reagan’s retirement from the presidency of the US, his revolution, restoration, and rediscovery continued to shape the US. Under Reagan’s presidency and his revolution, US has emerged as the world’s only superpower and started enjoying a capitalist resurgence at home and abroad. The Reagan revolution has had long-term outcomes on social, political, and economic landscape.
As President, Ronald Reagan encountered many significant events; from surviving an assassination attempt, to the space shuttle Challenger disaster. Perhaps the most significant event was the economic downturn. He came to office (much like President Obama) in the midst of an economic crisis; however, President Reagan was able to turn the economy around. How did he do this? In order to answer this question, you must first ask what the economy was like when he was sworn into office, how his policy changed from the prior administration’s policy, and how it contrasts our present economic policy.