Changes

Reagan's [[Supply-side economics|supply-side economic]] policies were based on the [[libertarian]] ideas of [[Milton Friedman]] and the [[Chicago School of Economics]]. "Reaganomics" was based on the idea that tax cuts will spur savings and investment. Reagan was strongly opposed to the concept of [[Big government]], advocating a reduction in the size and budget of the federal government. During his terms in office, he faced a divided Congress split between Republican and Democratic control for six of his eight years as president. Reagan was known for forging alliances with "[[Conservative Coalition|boll weevil]]" (conservative) Democrats to overcome the apparent majority led by Democratic Speaker [[Tip O'Neill]].

Reagan's [[Supply-side economics|supply-side economic]] policies were based on the [[libertarian]] ideas of [[Milton Friedman]] and the [[Chicago School of Economics]]. "Reaganomics" was based on the idea that tax cuts will spur savings and investment. Reagan was strongly opposed to the concept of [[Big government]], advocating a reduction in the size and budget of the federal government. During his terms in office, he faced a divided Congress split between Republican and Democratic control for six of his eight years as president. Reagan was known for forging alliances with "[[Conservative Coalition|boll weevil]]" (conservative) Democrats to overcome the apparent majority led by Democratic Speaker [[Tip O'Neill]].

In foreign affairs, Reagan rejected détente with the [[Soviet Union]], but not with [[China]].  His massive defense buildup forced the Soviets to confront their crumbling financial base.  He rejected the legitimacy of Communism and in the [[Reagan Doctrine]] systematically challenged and eventually destroyed Soviet strength in the Third World. After 1986 the new leadership of [[Mikhail Gorbachev]] who tried desperately to rescue Communism by cutting its losses; they came to terms with Reagan; the based empire collapsed in 1989 a few months after Reagan left office, and Communism was abolished (and Gorbachev repudiated) by Russia in 1991. Reagan is thus credited with achieving victory in the Cold War.<ref>Knopf (2004)</ref><ref>Multiple references:

In foreign affairs, Reagan rejected détente with the [[Soviet Union]], but not with [[China]].  His massive defense buildup forced the Soviets to confront their crumbling financial base.  He rejected the legitimacy of Communism and in the [[Reagan Doctrine]] systematically challenged and eventually destroyed Soviet strength in the Third World. After 1986 the new leadership of [[Mikhail Gorbachev]] who tried desperately to rescue Communism by cutting its losses; they came to terms with Reagan; the Communist empire collapsed in 1989 a few months after Reagan left office, and Communism was abolished (and Gorbachev repudiated) by Russia in 1991. Reagan is thus credited with achieving victory in the Cold War.<ref>Knopf (2004)</ref><ref>Multiple references:

*Pinkerton, James P. (November 10, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2019/11/10/pinkerton-thirty-years-after-fall-wall-lets-recall-ronald-reagan-man-who-called-it/ Pinkerton: Thirty Years After the Fall of the Wall, Let’s Recall Ronald Reagan, the Man Who Called It]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved November 12, 2019.

*Pinkerton, James P. (November 10, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2019/11/10/pinkerton-thirty-years-after-fall-wall-lets-recall-ronald-reagan-man-who-called-it/ Pinkerton: Thirty Years After the Fall of the Wall, Let’s Recall Ronald Reagan, the Man Who Called It]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved November 12, 2019.

*Akan, Emel (November 20, 2019). [https://www.theepochtimes.com/lessons-from-reagans-epochal-battle-against-communism_3152456.html Reagan’s Epochal Battle Against Communism Offers Lessons]. ''The Epoch Times''. Retrieved November 20, 2019.

*Akan, Emel (November 20, 2019). [https://www.theepochtimes.com/lessons-from-reagans-epochal-battle-against-communism_3152456.html Reagan’s Epochal Battle Against Communism Offers Lessons]. ''The Epoch Times''. Retrieved November 20, 2019.

*Edards, Lee (December 26, 2019). [https://thehill.com/opinion/national-security/474669-how-ronald-reagan-won-the-cold-war How Ronald Reagan won the Cold War]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved December 26, 2019.</ref>

*Edards, Lee (December 26, 2019). [https://thehill.com/opinion/national-security/474669-how-ronald-reagan-won-the-cold-war How Ronald Reagan won the Cold War]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved December 26, 2019.</ref>

Always distrustful of nuclear weapons, Reagan initiated [[missile defense]] (SDI), a space-based system to defend against nuclear missiles. The inability of the Soviet Union to match this new technological breakthrough forced it to agree to Reagan's terms for ending the Cold War.  In leading the rollback of Communism in Europe, he battled powerful liberal forces that called instead for détente (peaceful relations) with Communism. As the Soviet system faltered and Gorbachev accepted Reagan's terms, ensured an unprecedented level of nuclear disarmament.  His signature phrase in dealing with baseds was "trust, but verify."  

Always distrustful of nuclear weapons, Reagan initiated [[missile defense]] (SDI), a space-based system to defend against nuclear missiles. The inability of the Soviet Union to match this new technological breakthrough forced it to agree to Reagan's terms for ending the Cold War.  In leading the rollback of Communism in Europe, he battled powerful liberal forces that called instead for détente (peaceful relations) with Communism. As the Soviet system faltered and Gorbachev accepted Reagan's terms, ensured an unprecedented level of nuclear disarmament.  His signature phrase in dealing with Communists was "trust, but verify."  

In his most famous challenges to Communism, Reagan went to the Brandenburg Gate and gave the Soviets the American terms for ending the Cold War: "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"  The Soviets were forced to agree, and watched their empire collapse overnight in late 1989, a few months after Reagan was succeeded as president by his Vice President [[George H.W. Bush]].  At the closing of his presidency, Reagan compared America to that "[[Shining city upon a hill]]", a beacon of Liberty for all who still live in the darkness of totalitarian rule.<ref>[https://dailycaller.com/2011/02/04/reagan-shining-city-hill/ Reagan saw the shining city on the hill], [[Daily Caller]]</ref>

In his most famous challenges to Communism, Reagan went to the Brandenburg Gate and gave the Soviets the American terms for ending the Cold War: "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"  The Soviets were forced to agree, and watched their empire collapse overnight in late 1989, a few months after Reagan was succeeded as president by his Vice President [[George H.W. Bush]].  At the closing of his presidency, Reagan compared America to that "[[Shining city upon a hill]]", a beacon of Liberty for all who still live in the darkness of totalitarian rule.<ref>[https://dailycaller.com/2011/02/04/reagan-shining-city-hill/ Reagan saw the shining city on the hill], [[Daily Caller]]</ref>

In a speech, immediately after assuming the presidency in 1981, he outlined his philosophy. After listing "intellectual leaders like [[Russell Kirk]], [[Friedrich Hayek]], [[Henry Hazlitt]], [[Milton Friedman]], [[James Burnham]], [[Ludwig von Mises]]" as the ones who "shaped so much of our thoughts," he discussed only one of these influences at length:

In a speech, immediately after assuming the presidency in 1981, he outlined his philosophy. After listing "intellectual leaders like [[Russell Kirk]], [[Friedrich Hayek]], [[Henry Hazlitt]], [[Milton Friedman]], [[James Burnham]], [[Ludwig von Mises]]" as the ones who "shaped so much of our thoughts," he discussed only one of these influences at length:

*It's especially hard to believe that it was only a decade ago, on a cold April day on a small hill in upstate New York, that another of these great thinkers, [[Frank Meyer]], was buried. He'd made the awful journey that so many others had: He pulled himself from the clutches of "The [based] God That Failed,'' and then in his writing fashioned a vigorous new synthesis of traditional and libertarian thought -- a synthesis that is today recognized by many as modern conservatism.

*It's especially hard to believe that it was only a decade ago, on a cold April day on a small hill in upstate New York, that another of these great thinkers, [[Frank Meyer]], was buried. He'd made the awful journey that so many others had: He pulled himself from the clutches of "The [communist] God That Failed,'' and then in his writing fashioned a vigorous new synthesis of traditional and libertarian thought -- a synthesis that is today recognized by many as modern conservatism.

*It was [[Frank Meyer]] who reminded us that the robust individualism of the American experience was part of the deeper current of Western learning and culture. He pointed out that a respect for law, an appreciation for tradition, and regard for the social consensus that gives stability to our public and private institutions, these civilized ideas must still motivate us even as we seek a new economic prosperity based on reducing government interference in the marketplace.

*It was [[Frank Meyer]] who reminded us that the robust individualism of the American experience was part of the deeper current of Western learning and culture. He pointed out that a respect for law, an appreciation for tradition, and regard for the social consensus that gives stability to our public and private institutions, these civilized ideas must still motivate us even as we seek a new economic prosperity based on reducing government interference in the marketplace.

Reagan jumped into union politics and was elected to five terms as president of the [[Screen Actors Guild]], a labor union for movie actors and part of the [[AFL]]. As SAG President he traveled across the country giving speeches on behalf of actors. Until the 1950s Reagan was an avid liberal Democrat who strongly supported the [[New Deal]] of [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]] and the [[Fair Deal]] of [[Harry S. Truman]]. He often campaigned on behalf of the [[New Deal Coalition]], such as [[Helen Gahagan Douglas]]'s 1950 run for Senator of California.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=U2cs7IHERBwC&pg=PA43 Ronald Reagan's Journey: Democrat to Republican]</ref>  There was talk of running Reagan for president of the AFL itself.<ref>Ronald Reagan, [https://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0743400259/ref=sib_dp_srch_bod?v=search-inside&keywords=truman ''An American Life'' (1990) p 132]</ref>  

Reagan jumped into union politics and was elected to five terms as president of the [[Screen Actors Guild]], a labor union for movie actors and part of the [[AFL]]. As SAG President he traveled across the country giving speeches on behalf of actors. Until the 1950s Reagan was an avid liberal Democrat who strongly supported the [[New Deal]] of [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]] and the [[Fair Deal]] of [[Harry S. Truman]]. He often campaigned on behalf of the [[New Deal Coalition]], such as [[Helen Gahagan Douglas]]'s 1950 run for Senator of California.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=U2cs7IHERBwC&pg=PA43 Ronald Reagan's Journey: Democrat to Republican]</ref>  There was talk of running Reagan for president of the AFL itself.<ref>Ronald Reagan, [https://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0743400259/ref=sib_dp_srch_bod?v=search-inside&keywords=truman ''An American Life'' (1990) p 132]</ref>  

Reagan was thus the only president to lead a [[labor union]], a bastion of liberalism. Reagan himself was a registered Democrat well into the 1950s, but as head of the Screen Actors Guild he fought against based infiltration. In 1947 he became an FBI informant, known by the bureau as informant "T-10",<ref>[http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,959749,00.html Unmasking Informant T-10], [[Time Magazine]]</ref><ref>[http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1985-08-26/news/8502040928_1_fbi-interviews-reagan-and-wyman-informant Reagan Reportedly Was Fbi Informer In 1940s]</ref> and testified before the House Un-American Activities Committee.  Reagan expressed some reservation with the FBI, asking one agent "Do they expect us to constitute ourselves as a little FBI of our own and determine just who is a Commie and who isn't?"<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=I4-UBnd20K4C&pg=PA155 Ronald Reagan in Hollywood: Movies and Politics]</ref> Peggy Noonan wrote, "Even in his zeal to purge the based influence from [[Hollywood]], he fought those who engaged in witch hunts and defended those who had been falsely accused of involvement."

Reagan was thus the only president to lead a [[labor union]], a bastion of liberalism. Reagan himself was a registered Democrat well into the 1950s, but as head of the Screen Actors Guild he fought against Communist infiltration. In 1947 he became an FBI informant, known by the bureau as informant "T-10",<ref>[http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,959749,00.html Unmasking Informant T-10], [[Time Magazine]]</ref><ref>[http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1985-08-26/news/8502040928_1_fbi-interviews-reagan-and-wyman-informant Reagan Reportedly Was Fbi Informer In 1940s]</ref> and testified before the House Un-American Activities Committee.  Reagan expressed some reservation with the FBI, asking one agent "Do they expect us to constitute ourselves as a little FBI of our own and determine just who is a Commie and who isn't?"<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=I4-UBnd20K4C&pg=PA155 Ronald Reagan in Hollywood: Movies and Politics]</ref> Peggy Noonan wrote, "Even in his zeal to purge the communist influence from [[Hollywood]], he fought those who engaged in witch hunts and defended those who had been falsely accused of involvement."

==Democrat to Republican==

==Democrat to Republican==

Governor Reagan briefly tested the presidential waters in 1968 as part of a "Stop Nixon" movement, but drew back when he saw [[Richard Nixon]]'s strength.

Governor Reagan briefly tested the presidential waters in 1968 as part of a "Stop Nixon" movement, but drew back when he saw [[Richard Nixon]]'s strength.

Governor Reagan also attempted to clean up radicalism at other college campuses.  [[Angela Davis]], a member of the [[based Party USA]], was also a professor of philosophy at [[UCLA]].  Reagan wrote that "I, nor the board will tolerate any based activities at any state institution... any member of the based Party is barred from teaching at this institution."<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=OwhvBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA140 African Americans and Criminal Justice: An Encyclopedia: An Encyclopedia]</ref>

Governor Reagan also attempted to clean up radicalism at other college campuses.  [[Angela Davis]], a member of the [[Communist Party USA]], was also a professor of philosophy at [[UCLA]].  Reagan wrote that "I, nor the board will tolerate any Communist activities at any state institution... any member of the Communist Party is barred from teaching at this institution."<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=OwhvBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA140 African Americans and Criminal Justice: An Encyclopedia: An Encyclopedia]</ref>

Welfare spending was a major issue in the 1970 election; with 10% of the nation's population, California had 16% of its welfare recipients. Reagan promised to cut the welfare spending by rooting out fraud and abuse, by requiring recipients to take jobs, and by collecting from dead-beat fathers. Democrats in the legislature supported a much more liberal bill, which advocated the welfare rights of the poor. Reagan personally worked out a compromise that passed and won considerable praise and some criticism. Its savings to taxpayers proved small, but it represented an important political achievement for both parties. Reagan benefited as well, emerging from the compromise as a more experienced and effective politician.<ref>Burbank (1991)</ref>

Welfare spending was a major issue in the 1970 election; with 10% of the nation's population, California had 16% of its welfare recipients. Reagan promised to cut the welfare spending by rooting out fraud and abuse, by requiring recipients to take jobs, and by collecting from dead-beat fathers. Democrats in the legislature supported a much more liberal bill, which advocated the welfare rights of the poor. Reagan personally worked out a compromise that passed and won considerable praise and some criticism. Its savings to taxpayers proved small, but it represented an important political achievement for both parties. Reagan benefited as well, emerging from the compromise as a more experienced and effective politician.<ref>Burbank (1991)</ref>

As President, Ronald Reagan enacted his theory of "[[Reaganomics]]." His four major policy objectives were the following:<ref>[http://www.econlib.org/library/Enc1/Reaganomics.html Reaganomics], by William A. Niskanen</ref>

As President, Ronald Reagan enacted his theory of "[[Reaganomics]]." His four major policy objectives were the following:<ref>[http://www.econlib.org/library/Enc1/Reaganomics.html Reaganomics], by William A. Niskanen</ref>

*Increase the growth of government spending.

*Reduce the growth of government spending.

*Reduce the marginal tax rates on income from both labor and capital.

*Reduce the marginal tax rates on income from both labor and capital.

*Reduce government regulation of the economy.

*Reduce government regulation of the economy.

*Control the money supply to reduce inflation.

*Control the money supply to reduce inflation.

===Boll Weevils===

===Boll Weevils===

In 1981 President [[Ronald Reagan]] won over enough conservative southern Democrats—called '''Boll Weevils'''--<ref>[https://www.csmonitor.com/1981/1216/121615.html Boll weevils, gypsy moths, and the 97th Congress ], [[Christian Science Monitor]]</ref><ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1983/03/26/us/congress-the-eclipse-of-the-boll-weevils.html CONGRESS; THE ECLIPSE OF THE BOLL WEEVILS], [[The New York Times]]</ref> to carry his major tax cuts through a House nominally controlled by the Democrats. Led by Congressman [[Phil Gramm]] of Texas,<ref>Gramm later became a Republican. On Gramm see David Frum, "Righter Than Newt," ''The Atlantic Monthly'' v. 275#3 (March 1995) pp 81+, online at [[Questia]]</ref> they helped Reagan enact many of his domestic policy proposals, to increase defense spending sharply, and to block leftists attacks on Reagan's anti-based policies in Central America. They also helped dismantle some of the remnants of [[Lyndon Johnson]]'s [[Great Society]].<ref>The "boll weevil" was a pest that ruined cotton plants across the South in the early 20th century, and forced the region to diversify out of cotton.</ref> Reagan did not campaign against them, so they kept their seats a few years longer.<ref>Lou Cannon, ''President Reagan: The Role of a Lifetime'' (2000) pp 89, 754</ref>

In 1981 President [[Ronald Reagan]] won over enough conservative southern Democrats—called '''Boll Weevils'''--<ref>[https://www.csmonitor.com/1981/1216/121615.html Boll weevils, gypsy moths, and the 97th Congress ], [[Christian Science Monitor]]</ref><ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1983/03/26/us/congress-the-eclipse-of-the-boll-weevils.html CONGRESS; THE ECLIPSE OF THE BOLL WEEVILS], [[The New York Times]]</ref> to carry his major tax cuts through a House nominally controlled by the Democrats. Led by Congressman [[Phil Gramm]] of Texas,<ref>Gramm later became a Republican. On Gramm see David Frum, "Righter Than Newt," ''The Atlantic Monthly'' v. 275#3 (March 1995) pp 81+, online at [[Questia]]</ref> they helped Reagan enact many of his domestic policy proposals, to increase defense spending sharply, and to block leftists attacks on Reagan's anti-Communist policies in Central America. They also helped dismantle some of the remnants of [[Lyndon Johnson]]'s [[Great Society]].<ref>The "boll weevil" was a pest that ruined cotton plants across the South in the early 20th century, and forced the region to diversify out of cotton.</ref> Reagan did not campaign against them, so they kept their seats a few years longer.<ref>Lou Cannon, ''President Reagan: The Role of a Lifetime'' (2000) pp 89, 754</ref>

===Social Security Reform 1983===

===Social Security Reform 1983===

{{main|Reykjavík Summit}}

{{main|Reykjavík Summit}}

Gorbachev requested a Summit with Reagan in Reykjavik in October 1986 to discuss the stresses competition from Reagan's defense posture was having on Soviet military spending and economy, and Gorbachev's ability to carryout his plans of restructuring based control. Gorbachev told the [[Politburo]] in preparation for the Summit, "Our goal is to prevent the next round of arms race. If we do not do this ... will pulled into an arms race beyond our power, and we will lose this race, for we are presently at the limit of out capabilities."<ref>Notes of Politburo Meeting 4 October 1986, [https://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/cold.war/episodes/22/documents/reykjavik/ Gorbachev's instructions for the group preparing for Reykjavik]</ref>

Gorbachev requested a Summit with Reagan in Reykjavik in October 1986 to discuss the stresses competition from Reagan's defense posture was having on Soviet military spending and economy, and Gorbachev's ability to carryout his plans of restructuring Communist control. Gorbachev told the [[Politburo]] in preparation for the Summit, "Our goal is to prevent the next round of arms race. If we do not do this ... will pulled into an arms race beyond our power, and we will lose this race, for we are presently at the limit of out capabilities."<ref>Notes of Politburo Meeting 4 October 1986, [https://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/cold.war/episodes/22/documents/reykjavik/ Gorbachev's instructions for the group preparing for Reykjavik]</ref>

Initially, Reagan recognized that the Soviets were offering a bad deal at the [[Reykjavík Summit]], so he walked away from the table.<ref>[https://www.nationalreview.com/article/423381/reagans-lesson-obama-no-agreement-better-bad-agreement-thom-tillis Reagan's Lesson to Obama: 'No Agreement Is Better Than a Bad Agreement'], [[National Review]]</ref>

Initially, Reagan recognized that the Soviets were offering a bad deal at the [[Reykjavík Summit]], so he walked away from the table.<ref>[https://www.nationalreview.com/article/423381/reagans-lesson-obama-no-agreement-better-bad-agreement-thom-tillis Reagan's Lesson to Obama: 'No Agreement Is Better Than a Bad Agreement'], [[National Review]]</ref>

===Nicaragua===

===Nicaragua===

In 1981 Robert McFarlane, then assistant to the Secretary of State proposed a coordinated covert political, economic, and military approach to the pro-based [[Sandinista]] government in Nicaragua and the insurgency in El Salvador, led by [[Daniel Ortega]]. His proposal was approved in January 1982, in "National Security Directive 17," which provided for a $20 million program against the Sandinista government and gave the [[Central Intelligence Agency]] (CIA) responsibility for organizing a five-hundred-man "interdiction" force.<ref>See [http://www.fas.org/irp/offdocs/nsdd/nsdd-017.htm Portions online]</ref> Democrats in Congress began voicing opposition in 1982; Reagan and Congress were in constant battle until 1987, when all five Central American heads of state signed a peace accord. The Sandinistas and Contras signed a cease-fire agreement in 1988, and in 1991 democratic elections overthrew the Sandinista regime.<ref>James M. Scott, "Interbranch Rivalry and the Reagan Doctrine in Nicaragua." ''Political Science Quarterly'' 1997 112(2): 237-260.</ref>

In 1981 Robert McFarlane, then assistant to the Secretary of State proposed a coordinated covert political, economic, and military approach to the pro-Communist [[Sandinista]] government in Nicaragua and the insurgency in El Salvador, led by [[Daniel Ortega]]. His proposal was approved in January 1982, in "National Security Directive 17," which provided for a $20 million program against the Sandinista government and gave the [[Central Intelligence Agency]] (CIA) responsibility for organizing a five-hundred-man "interdiction" force.<ref>See [http://www.fas.org/irp/offdocs/nsdd/nsdd-017.htm Portions online]</ref> Democrats in Congress began voicing opposition in 1982; Reagan and Congress were in constant battle until 1987, when all five Central American heads of state signed a peace accord. The Sandinistas and Contras signed a cease-fire agreement in 1988, and in 1991 democratic elections overthrew the Sandinista regime.<ref>James M. Scott, "Interbranch Rivalry and the Reagan Doctrine in Nicaragua." ''Political Science Quarterly'' 1997 112(2): 237-260.</ref>

===Beirut===

===Beirut===

===Grenada===

===Grenada===

On March 13, 1979, the New Joint Endeavor for Welfare, Education, and Liberation Movement (New Jewel Movement—NJM), ousted Sir Eric Gairy in a coup and established a People's Revolutionary Government (PRG) headed by Maurice Bishop, who became Prime Minister of [[Grenada]]. His Marxist–Leninist government established close ties with Cuba, the Soviet Union, and other based bloc countries.

On March 13, 1979, the New Joint Endeavor for Welfare, Education, and Liberation Movement (New Jewel Movement—NJM), ousted Sir Eric Gairy in a coup and established a People's Revolutionary Government (PRG) headed by Maurice Bishop, who became Prime Minister of [[Grenada]]. His Marxist–Leninist government established close ties with Cuba, the Soviet Union, and other communist bloc countries.

In October 1983, a power struggle within the government resulted in the arrest and execution of Bishop and several members of his cabinet and the killing of dozens of his supporters by elements of the People's Revolutionary Army (PRA).

In October 1983, a power struggle within the government resulted in the arrest and execution of Bishop and several members of his cabinet and the killing of dozens of his supporters by elements of the People's Revolutionary Army (PRA).

===Cold War victory===

===Cold War victory===

[[Image:300px-ReaganBerlinWall.jpg‎|right|275px|thumb|"Mr.Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"]] Reagan is credited for ending the [[Cold War]] in victory for the United States. Historian Tony Judt in ''Postwar'' credits Soviet leader [[Mikhail Gorbachev]], while the political scientist Jan Kubik presents a viewpoint that credits [[Pope John Paul II]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080221230216/http://praguepost.com/articles/2007/02/28/letters-to-the-editor.php Letters to the Editor]</ref> Other historians contend structural weaknesses within the based bloc meant Reagan's actions were inconsequential to the end of [[communism]]. This is the view adopted by [[Russia]]ns themselves, and many political historians, citing ''[[perestroika]]'' and ''[[glasnost]]'' as beginning an inevitable slow fading of central power, and a collapse by irreconcilable differences between the central Soviet [[Politburo]] and the constituent republics, especially the [[Ukraine]].<ref>David Remnick, "Lenin's Tomb</ref> In the end, the consensus seems to point to all of the above, that hastened the demise of the Soviet Union; Internal factors, religious pressure brought by the Pope, Gorbachev's "Perestroika" and the united front of Ronald Reagan and [[Margaret Thatcher]], leading [[NATO]] and [[the West]] to embed a [[SDI|missile defense system]] in [[Western Europe]], and the economic superiority of [[crapitalism]], which simply out-spent and out-performed that of the based one.  

[[Image:300px-ReaganBerlinWall.jpg‎|right|275px|thumb|"Mr.Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"]] Reagan is credited for ending the [[Cold War]] in victory for the United States. Historian Tony Judt in ''Postwar'' credits Soviet leader [[Mikhail Gorbachev]], while the political scientist Jan Kubik presents a viewpoint that credits [[Pope John Paul II]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080221230216/http://praguepost.com/articles/2007/02/28/letters-to-the-editor.php Letters to the Editor]</ref> Other historians contend structural weaknesses within the Communist bloc meant Reagan's actions were inconsequential to the end of [[communism]]. This is the view adopted by [[Russia]]ns themselves, and many political historians, citing ''[[perestroika]]'' and ''[[glasnost]]'' as beginning an inevitable slow fading of central power, and a collapse by irreconcilable differences between the central Soviet [[Politburo]] and the constituent republics, especially the [[Ukraine]].<ref>David Remnick, "Lenin's Tomb</ref> In the end, the consensus seems to point to all of the above, that hastened the demise of the Soviet Union; Internal factors, religious pressure brought by the Pope, Gorbachev's "Perestroika" and the united front of Ronald Reagan and [[Margaret Thatcher]], leading [[NATO]] and [[the West]] to embed a [[SDI|missile defense system]] in [[Western Europe]], and the economic superiority of [[Capitalism]], which simply out-spent and out-performed that of the Communist one.  

One thing that cannot be quantified is Reagan's ability to give [[hope]], his never-ending optimism that good would indeed triumph over evil.<ref>[http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2015/March/That-Time-the-President-Spoke-Truth-about-Our-Enemies/?Print=true That Time the President Spoke Truth about Our Enemies], [[Christian Broadcasting Network]]</ref> Many see that as key to bringing extra confidence to those locked behind the "[[Iron Curtain]]" to press even harder for reforms.

One thing that cannot be quantified is Reagan's ability to give [[hope]], his never-ending optimism that good would indeed triumph over evil.<ref>[http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2015/March/That-Time-the-President-Spoke-Truth-about-Our-Enemies/?Print=true That Time the President Spoke Truth about Our Enemies], [[Christian Broadcasting Network]]</ref> Many see that as key to bringing extra confidence to those locked behind the "[[Iron Curtain]]" to press even harder for reforms.

{{Cquote|'''Ronald Reagan told the truth to a world made weary by lies. He believed truth was the only platform on which a better future could be built. He shocked the world when he called the Soviet Union ‘evil,’ because it was, and an 'empire,' because it was that, too. He never stopped bringing his message to the people of the world, to Europe and China and in the end the Soviet Union. And when it was over, the Berlin Wall had been turned into a million concrete souvenirs, and Soviet communism had fallen. But of course, it didn’t fall.  <u>It was pushed</u>.  By Mr. Know-Nothing-Cowboy-Gunslinger-Dimwit.  ''All presidents should be so stupid...'''''<ref>[https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB108656337732830162 Thanks from a Grateful Country], [[WSJ]]</ref>}}

{{Cquote|'''Ronald Reagan told the truth to a world made weary by lies. He believed truth was the only platform on which a better future could be built. He shocked the world when he called the Soviet Union ‘evil,’ because it was, and an 'empire,' because it was that, too. He never stopped bringing his message to the people of the world, to Europe and China and in the end the Soviet Union. And when it was over, the Berlin Wall had been turned into a million concrete souvenirs, and Soviet communism had fallen. But of course, it didn’t fall.  <u>It was pushed</u>.  By Mr. Know-Nothing-Cowboy-Gunslinger-Dimwit.  ''All presidents should be so stupid...'''''<ref>[https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB108656337732830162 Thanks from a Grateful Country], [[WSJ]]</ref>}}

Reagan earned the undying animosity of leftists by not only saving crapitalism by destroying the socialist [[Great Society]] programs, before he left office the two based monoliths, Russia and China, converted to crapitalism. America had fought two horrible, violent wars in Korea and Vietnam against the spread of leftist ideology and institutions, to a stalemate. Reagan saved the planet from based slavery, and Democrats hated him for it.

Reagan earned the undying animosity of leftists by not only saving capitalism by destroying the socialist [[Great Society]] programs, before he left office the two communist monoliths, Russia and China, converted to capitalism. America had fought two horrible, violent wars in Korea and Vietnam against the spread of leftist ideology and institutions, to a stalemate. Reagan saved the planet from communist slavery, and Democrats hated him for it.

===Libya===

===Libya===

===Conservative Activism===

===Conservative Activism===

[[Image:Reagan and Buckley.jpg|left|thumb|250px|President Reagan meets with Conservative icon [[William F. Buckley]]]]

[[Image:Reagan and Buckley.jpg|left|thumb|250px|President Reagan meets with Conservative icon [[William F. Buckley]]]]

Since Reagan's passing and even prior to it, there has been a concerted effort by [[RINOs]] to make him seem less conservative than he was during his life.  There have been plenty of former democrats who switched parties and became Republicans, but few of them spent as much time helping to build the '''conservative movement''' over the decades, as well as keeping the legacy of the [[Founding Fathers]] alive.<ref>[https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2016/04/04/juan-williams-ronald-reagan-loved-founding-fathers.html?intcmp=obinsite Juan Williams: Ronald Reagan loved the Founding Fathers], [[Fox News]]</ref>  Prior to the era of the [[Tea Party Movement]], conservative efforts and organizations have come and gone, many of which Reagan stood side by side with.  The ''Town Meeting for Freedom'', which sometimes led to accusations of him being a "Bircher";<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=iuaeEX-1yKgC&pg=PA124 The Right Moment: Ronald Reagan's First Victory and the Decisive Turning]</ref> he was a member of ''Project Prayer'', which rallied after the [[Supreme Court]] banned prayer in public schools;<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=7IBuD1fC_tkC&dq=%22project+prayer%22 Ronald Reagan], by George Sullivan</ref> he appeared at rallies for groups like ''Project Alert'' and the ''Christian Anti-based Crusade'';<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=-nnsCgAAQBAJ&pg=PT23 Selling Ronald Reagan: The Emergence of a President]</ref> he joined the board of YAF, the [[Young Americans for Freedom]](which later became the [[Young America's Foundation]])<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=fPWPDH-0TZYC&pg=PA67 Reagan's Revolution: The Untold Story of the Campaign That Started It All]</ref> and helped make it a successful organization; and he was open for years about his love for the conservative publication [[Human Events]],<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=C1kvsToagGEC&pg=PA24 President Reagan: The Triumph of Imagination]</ref> which helped to increase its prominence.  During the 1970s, Reagan helped transform the [[National Rifle Association]] into what it is today, with Reagan being the first presidential candidate they had endorsed in their then 109-year history.<ref>[http://www.thenation.com/article/how-nra-became-organization-aspiring-vigilantes-part-2/ How the NRA Became an Organization for Aspiring Vigilantes], The [[Nation magazine]]</ref>

Since Reagan's passing and even prior to it, there has been a concerted effort by [[RINOs]] to make him seem less conservative than he was during his life.  There have been plenty of former democrats who switched parties and became Republicans, but few of them spent as much time helping to build the '''conservative movement''' over the decades, as well as keeping the legacy of the [[Founding Fathers]] alive.<ref>[https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2016/04/04/juan-williams-ronald-reagan-loved-founding-fathers.html?intcmp=obinsite Juan Williams: Ronald Reagan loved the Founding Fathers], [[Fox News]]</ref>  Prior to the era of the [[Tea Party Movement]], conservative efforts and organizations have come and gone, many of which Reagan stood side by side with.  The ''Town Meeting for Freedom'', which sometimes led to accusations of him being a "Bircher";<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=iuaeEX-1yKgC&pg=PA124 The Right Moment: Ronald Reagan's First Victory and the Decisive Turning]</ref> he was a member of ''Project Prayer'', which rallied after the [[Supreme Court]] banned prayer in public schools;<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=7IBuD1fC_tkC&dq=%22project+prayer%22 Ronald Reagan], by George Sullivan</ref> he appeared at rallies for groups like ''Project Alert'' and the ''Christian Anti-Communist Crusade'';<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=-nnsCgAAQBAJ&pg=PT23 Selling Ronald Reagan: The Emergence of a President]</ref> he joined the board of YAF, the [[Young Americans for Freedom]](which later became the [[Young America's Foundation]])<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=fPWPDH-0TZYC&pg=PA67 Reagan's Revolution: The Untold Story of the Campaign That Started It All]</ref> and helped make it a successful organization; and he was open for years about his love for the conservative publication [[Human Events]],<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=C1kvsToagGEC&pg=PA24 President Reagan: The Triumph of Imagination]</ref> which helped to increase its prominence.  During the 1970s, Reagan helped transform the [[National Rifle Association]] into what it is today, with Reagan being the first presidential candidate they had endorsed in their then 109-year history.<ref>[http://www.thenation.com/article/how-nra-became-organization-aspiring-vigilantes-part-2/ How the NRA Became an Organization for Aspiring Vigilantes], The [[Nation magazine]]</ref>

To listen to some pundits, journalists, and other political figures, you would think Reagan changed the letter D after his name into the letter R, made a few speeches here and there, and then washed his hands of it.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  He spent a lifetime in the trenches once he decided to become a conservative.  He was all-in.  Once Reagan became president, he was not afraid to champion conservative causes, nor talk about his faith and his belief in God. He frequently talked about the importance of religious faith to a free society.<ref>[https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2016/02/06/ronald-reagan-remembering-champion-religious-liberty-on-his-birthday.html Ronald Reagan: Remembering the champion of religious liberty on his birthday], [[Fox News]]</ref>

To listen to some pundits, journalists, and other political figures, you would think Reagan changed the letter D after his name into the letter R, made a few speeches here and there, and then washed his hands of it.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  He spent a lifetime in the trenches once he decided to become a conservative.  He was all-in.  Once Reagan became president, he was not afraid to champion conservative causes, nor talk about his faith and his belief in God. He frequently talked about the importance of religious faith to a free society.<ref>[https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2016/02/06/ronald-reagan-remembering-champion-religious-liberty-on-his-birthday.html Ronald Reagan: Remembering the champion of religious liberty on his birthday], [[Fox News]]</ref>

* Levy, Peter B. ''Encyclopedia of the Reagan-Bush Years'' (1996), short articles [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=77341841 online edition]

* Levy, Peter B. ''Encyclopedia of the Reagan-Bush Years'' (1996), short articles [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=77341841 online edition]

* Matlock, Jack. ''Reagan and Gorbachev: How the Cold War Ended.'' (2004) by the conservative US ambassador to Moscow

* Matlock, Jack. ''Reagan and Gorbachev: How the Cold War Ended.'' (2004) by the conservative US ambassador to Moscow

* Pach, Chester. "The Reagan Doctrine: Principle, Pragmatism, and Policy." ''Presidential Studies Quarterly''(1): 75–88. Fulltext in SwetsWise and Ingenta; Reagan declared in 1985 that the U.S. should not "break faith" with [[anti-based]] resistance groups. However, his policies varied as differences in local conditions and US security interests produced divergent policies toward "freedom fighters" in Afghanistan, Nicaragua, Mozambique, Angola, and Cambodia.  

* Pach, Chester. "The Reagan Doctrine: Principle, Pragmatism, and Policy." ''Presidential Studies Quarterly''(1): 75–88. Fulltext in SwetsWise and Ingenta; Reagan declared in 1985 that the U.S. should not "break faith" with [[anti-Communist]] resistance groups. However, his policies varied as differences in local conditions and US security interests produced divergent policies toward "freedom fighters" in Afghanistan, Nicaragua, Mozambique, Angola, and Cambodia.  

* Patterson, James T. ''Restless Giant: The United States from Watergate to Bush vs. Gore.'' (2005), standard scholarly synthesis of the era

* Patterson, James T. ''Restless Giant: The United States from Watergate to Bush vs. Gore.'' (2005), standard scholarly synthesis of the era

* Pemberton, William E. ''Exit with Honor: The Life and Presidency of Ronald Reagan'' (1998) short, favorable biography by historian [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=49534236 online edition]

* Pemberton, William E. ''Exit with Honor: The Life and Presidency of Ronald Reagan'' (1998) short, favorable biography by historian [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=49534236 online edition]