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'''Ronald Wilson Reagan''' (February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004, age 93) served as the 40th [[President of the United States of America]] from 1981 to 1989. He was the 33rd Governor of [[California]] (1967–1975), following a successful career in film and television.  He was one of the greatest American Presidents and part of the conservative movement since the late 1970s.  His victorious presidential debate with Jimmy Carter a week before the 1980 presidential election was the most-watched presidential debate in history until [[Donald Trump]]'s first debate with [[Hillary Clinton]] in 2016.

'''Ronald Wilson Reagan''' (February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004, age 93) was the 40th [[President of the United States of America]] from 1981 to 1989, and the 33rd Governor of [[California]] (1967–1975), following a successful career in film and television.  He was one of the greatest American Presidents and part of the conservative movement since the late 1970s.  His victorious presidential debate with Jimmy Carter a week before the 1980 presidential election was the most-watched presidential debate ever until [[Donald Trump]]'s first debate with [[Hillary Clinton]] in 2016.

Reagan was a [[movement conservative]] who succeeded in moving the nation to the right in terms of reducing federal regulation and lowering taxes. He promoted individual liberty and the conviction that government was the problem and private enterprise the solution.  He cut taxes but despite his proposals, spending and the federal deficit went up. After a short sharp recession early in his first term, the economy was strong by 1984. Proclaiming "It's Morning Again in America", Reagan carried 49 of 50 states to win reelection. He moved the [[Supreme Court]] and the federal courts to the right with his appointments.  

Reagan was a [[movement conservative]] who succeeded in moving the nation to the right by reducing federal regulation and lowering taxes. He promoted individual liberty and the conviction that government was the problem and private enterprise the solution.  He cut taxes and slowed the growth in federal spending. After a short sharp recession early in his first term, the economy was strong by 1984. Proclaiming "It's Morning Again in America," Reagan carried 49 of 50 states to win reelection. He moved the [[Supreme Court]] and the federal courts to the right with his appointments.  

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 would 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 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:

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, by the [[Reagan Doctrine]], systematically challenged and eventually destroyed Soviet strength in the Third World. After 1986, the new leadership of [[Mikhail Gorbachev]] 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 Communists 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, this 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>

As a great communicator, and leader of the Republican party, he added a new base of "Reagan Democrats" (blue-collar workers who were social conservatives), religious [[evangelical]]s, and [[neoconservative]]s; his success became the model for Republicans into the 21st century.  

As a great communicator and leader of the Republican party, he added a new base of "Reagan Democrats" (blue-collar workers who were social conservatives), religious [[evangelical]]s, and [[neoconservative]]s; his success became the model for Republicans into the 21st century.  

By all accounts, including by many of his adversaries, Reagan was a highly intelligent individual with an excellent sense of humor. He also contributed many new well-thought-through [[insight]]s to the general public that were not previously available.<ref>Tear Down This Wall, Laffer Curve, etc. See [[conservative insights]]</ref>

By all accounts, including by many of his adversaries, Reagan was intelligent with an excellent sense of humor. He contributed many tremendous new [[insight]]s to the general public that were not previously available.<ref>Tear Down This Wall, Laffer Curve, etc. See [[conservative insights]]</ref>

[[File:Reagan's signature.jpg|Right|285px|thumb|Ronald Reagan's signature]]

[[File:Reagan's signature.jpg|Right|285px|thumb|Ronald Reagan's signature]]

[[File:Reagan-at-durenberger-rally.jpg|Right|500px|thumb|Ronaldus Magnus]]

[[File:Reagan-at-durenberger-rally.jpg|Right|500px|thumb|Ronaldus Magnus]]

*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.

*Our goals complement each other. We're not cutting the budget simply for the sake of sounder financial management. This is only a first step toward returning power to the States and communities, only a first step toward reordering the relationship between citizen and government. We can make government again responsive to the people by cutting its size and scope and thereby ensuring that its legitimate functions are performed efficiently and justly.<ref>[http://acuf.org/issues/issue13/040606news.asp Ronald Reagan's Conservative Legacy, ACUF]</ref> Reagan rose to power speaking of [[Traditional values]] such as hard work, faith, family, God and patriotism (ideas that liberals call "racist"). Reagan strongly opposed progressive taxation, redistribution of wealth, the welfare state, and nationalization.

*Our goals complement each other. We're not cutting the budget simply for the sake of sounder financial management. This is only a first step toward returning power to the States and communities, only a first step toward reordering the relationship between citizens and government. We can make the government again responsive to the people by cutting its size and scope and thereby ensuring that its legitimate functions are performed efficiently and justly.<ref>[http://acuf.org/issues/issue13/040606news.asp Ronald Reagan's Conservative Legacy, ACUF]</ref> Reagan rose to power speaking of [[Traditional values]] such as hard work, faith, family, God and patriotism (ideas that liberals call "racist"). Reagan strongly opposed progressive taxation, redistribution of wealth, the welfare state, and nationalization.

Political analyst Henry Olsen argues in ''The Working Class Republican'' that Reagan's political views were more closely aligned with [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]] than typically thought, and that Reagan was more of a traditional blue-collar, working-class conservative than a libertarian.<ref>Olsen, Henry (2017). ''The Working Class Republican''. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 9780062475268.</ref><ref>Hayward, John (November 1, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/radio/2017/11/01/henry-olsen-reagan-trump-blue-collar-coalitions-mirror-images/ Henry Olsen: Reagan and Trump Blue-Collar Coalitions Are ‘Mirror Images of Each Other’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved November 3, 2017.</ref>

Political analyst Henry Olsen argues in ''The Working Class Republican'' that Reagan's political views were more closely aligned with [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]] than typically thought, and that Reagan was more of a traditional blue-collar, working-class conservative than a libertarian.<ref>Olsen, Henry (2017). ''The Working Class Republican''. New York: HarperCollins. ISBN 9780062475268.</ref><ref>Hayward, John (November 1, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/radio/2017/11/01/henry-olsen-reagan-trump-blue-collar-coalitions-mirror-images/ Henry Olsen: Reagan and Trump Blue-Collar Coalitions Are ‘Mirror Images of Each Other’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved November 3, 2017.</ref>

==Early life==

==Early life==

[[File:Ronald Reagan Young Boy.jpg|left|160px|thumb|Jack Reagan, Neil, Ronald, and his mother Nelle (from left to right) Photograph circa 1916–17.]]

[[File:Ronald Reagan Young Boy.jpg|left|160px|thumb|Jack Reagan, Neil, Ronald, and his mother Nelle (from left to right) Photograph circa 1916–17.]]

Reagan was born in [[Tampico, Illinois]], the second son of John (Jack) Edward and Nelle Wilson Reagan. The family finally settled in Dixon, Illinois in 1920 after years of moving from town to town. Jack Reagan nicknamed his younger son “Dutch", claiming he looked like “a fat little Dutchman.”<ref>[http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/reference/facts.html Ronald Reagan Facts]: Physical Description, Favorites, Dislikes, Firsts in Life, Nickname, and Religion</ref> Reagan's father was a working-class Irish Catholic, and an active Democrat. Unemployed during the [[Great Depression]], Jack Reagan held a minor position in the [[WPA]] during the [[New Deal]]. Reagan recalled numerous alcoholic episodes that cost his father many job opportunities. Nelle Reagan, a devout member of the [[Disciples of Christ]], greatly influenced her son, who remained a lifelong Protestant.  

Reagan was born in [[Tampico, Illinois]], the second son of John (Jack) Edward and Nelle Wilson Reagan. The family finally settled in Dixon, Illinois, in 1920 after years of moving from town to town. Jack Reagan nicknamed his younger son “Dutch", claiming he looked like “a fat little Dutchman.”<ref>[http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/reference/facts.html Ronald Reagan Facts]: Physical Description, Favorites, Dislikes, Firsts in Life, Nickname, and Religion</ref> Reagan's father was a working-class Irish Catholic, and an active Democrat. Unemployed during the [[Great Depression]], Jack Reagan held a minor position in the [[WPA]] during the [[New Deal]]. Reagan recalled numerous alcoholic episodes that cost his father many job opportunities. Nelle Reagan, a devout member of the [[Disciples of Christ]], greatly influenced her son, who remained a lifelong Protestant.  

[[File:Reagan_graduation.jpg|right|160px|thumb|1932 photo taken after his graduation from Eureka College]]

[[File:Reagan_graduation.jpg|right|160px|thumb|1932 photo taken after his graduation from Eureka College]]

He attended [[Eureka College]], a small Disciples school where he developed a reputation as a "jack of all trades", excelling in campus politics, sports and theater. Reagan was a member of several athletic organizations including the football and track teams, the basketball cheerleading squad, and captain of the swimming team.  He was also yearbook editor and was elected student body president. Reagan was a political liberal at that point and led a student revolt against the college president. In his first year at Eureka, the president of the college tried to cut back the faculty. Reagan helped organize a student strike. He received his degree in economics and sociology in 1932.<ref>[http://www.asanet.org/students/famous.cfm Famous Sociology Majors]</ref>

He attended [[Eureka College]], a small Disciples school where he developed a reputation as a "jack of all trades", excelling in campus politics, sports and theater. Reagan was a member of several athletic organizations including the football and track teams, the basketball cheerleading squad, and captain of the swimming team.  He was also the yearbook editor and was elected student body president. Reagan was a political liberal at that point and led a student revolt against the college president. In his first year at Eureka, the president of the college tried to cut back the faculty. Reagan helped organize a student strike. He received his degree in economics and sociology in 1932.<ref>[http://www.asanet.org/students/famous.cfm Famous Sociology Majors]</ref>

To pay for college, Reagan worked many low-wage jobs such as cooking hamburgers and washing tables. He also worked as a lifeguard at Lowell Park on the Rock River in Dixon for seven summers, where he saved seventy-seven swimmers from drowning.<ref>[https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/timeline/reagan/ Timeline of Ronald Reagan’s Life], [[PBS]]</ref>

To pay for college, Reagan worked many low-wage jobs such as cooking hamburgers and washing tables. He also worked as a lifeguard at Lowell Park on the Rock River in Dixon for seven summers, where he saved seventy-seven swimmers from drowning.<ref>[https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/timeline/reagan/ Timeline of Ronald Reagan’s Life], [[PBS]]</ref>

===Reagan as Disciple===

===Reagan as Disciple===

Reagan took religious values into the presidency that he learned from his [[Disciples of Christ]] background at home and at Eureka College, a Disciples school. He was strongly influenced by Ben Hill Cleaver, the minister of the First Christian Church<ref>The formal name of the denomination is the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).</ref>  in Dixon, Illinois, during the 1920s, and by Reagan's mother, Nelle, an active member of the church. At many points the positions taken by the Disciples Church of Reagan's youth coincided with the words, if not the beliefs of the latter-day Reagan. These positions included faith in Providence, the association of America's mission with God's will, belief in progress, trust in the work ethic and admiration for those who achieved wealth, an uncomfortableness with literature and art that questioned the family or challenged notions of proper sexual behavior, the presumption that poverty is an individual problem best left to charity rather than the state, sensitivity to problems involving alcohol and drugs, and reticence to use government to protect civil rights for minorities. Reagan's experiences in the church and with the Cleavers provided early training in public speaking and offered a way of learning in which acting played a central part. Reagan's use of the jeremiad and his fusing of Judeo-Christianity and patriotism into a civil religion also have their roots in this early period. For her part, Nelle was a pillar of the church and the one who provided stability to the shaky Reagan family when the head was drunkard and a poor provider. She helped spark her son's interest in acting and believed the stage could be a force for noble purposes.<ref>Stephen Vaughn, "The Moral Inheritance of a President: Reagan and the Dixon Disciples of Christ." ''Presidential Studies Quarterly'' 1995 25(1): 109-127. 0360-4918</ref>

Reagan took religious values into the presidency that he learned from his [[Disciples of Christ]] background at home and at Eureka College, a Disciples school. He was strongly influenced by Ben Hill Cleaver, the minister of the First Christian Church<ref>The formal name of the denomination is the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).</ref>  in Dixon, Illinois, during the 1920s, and by Reagan's mother, Nelle, an active member of the church. At many points, the positions taken by the Disciples Church of Reagan's youth coincided with the words, if not the beliefs, of the latter-day Reagan. These positions included faith in Providence, the association of America's mission with God's will, belief in progress, trust in the work ethic and admiration for those who achieved wealth, an uncomfortableness with literature and art that questioned the family or challenged notions of proper sexual behavior, the presumption that poverty is an individual problem best left to charity rather than the state, sensitivity to problems involving alcohol and drugs, and reticence to use government to protect civil rights for minorities. Reagan's experiences in the church and with the Cleavers provided early training in public speaking and offered a way of learning in which acting played a central part. Reagan's use of the jeremiad and his fusing of Judeo-Christianity<ref>[https://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/ronaldreaganreligiousliberty.htm Ronald Reagan]. National Affairs Campaign Address on Religious Liberty (Abridged) - delivered 22 August 1980, Dallas Reunion Arena, Dallas, Texas.</ref><ref>Tom Freiling (2003). ''Reagan's God and Country: A President's Moral Compass''. p. 19.</ref><ref>Reagan, R. (2005). Memorial Services in the Congress of the United States and Tributes in Eulogy of Ronald Reagan, Late President of the United States. United States: U.S. Government Printing Office, [https://books.google.com/books?id=L-Oup8TM63MC&pg=PA24 p. 24].</ref><ref name=ae1966/> and patriotism into a civil religion also have their roots in this early period. For her part, Nelle was a pillar of the church and the one who provided stability to the shaky Reagan family when the head was a drunkard and a poor provider. She helped spark her son's interest in acting and believed the stage could be a force for noble purposes.<ref>Stephen Vaughn, "The Moral Inheritance of a President: Reagan and the Dixon Disciples of Christ." ''Presidential Studies Quarterly'' 1995 25(1): 109-127. 0360-4918</ref>

==Hollywood==

==Hollywood==

[[File:Reagan1953.jpg|thumb|left|250px|1953 film ''Law and Order'', starring Reagan and Dorothy Malone]]

[[File:Reagan1953.jpg|thumb|left|250px|1953 film ''Law and Order'', starring Reagan and Dorothy Malone]]

In 1937 Reagan traveled to [[Hollywood]] to cover the Chicago Cubs's spring training games and look at prospects in the film industry.  Warner Brothers studio offered him a one-year contract with a starting salary of $200 a week. He made his first on-screen debut in the 1937 movie ''Love is On the Air'',<ref>[http://www.tcm.com/this-month/article/161292|0/Love-is-On-the-Air.html Love is on the Air]</ref> then became famous starring in numerous "B" movies, where he typically played a supporting character rather than the leading role. In 1941 Reagan gave a well-received performance in the [[Academy Award|Oscar]] nominated film ''Kings Row''.  Other notable movies include ''Knute Rockne'', ''The Hasty Heart'', and the film ''Brother Rat'', which is where Reagan first met his future wife Jane Wyman.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=7rBLCZuEOswC&pg=PA189 President Reagan: The Role of a Lifetime]</ref>  During the war Reagan was in the Air Force where he was assigned to make training films.

In 1937 Reagan traveled to [[Hollywood]] to cover the Chicago Cubs' spring training games and look at prospects in the film industry.  Warner Bros. studio offered him a one-year contract with a starting salary of $200 a week. He made his first on-screen debut in the 1937 movie ''Love is On the Air'',<ref>[http://www.tcm.com/this-month/article/161292|0/Love-is-On-the-Air.html Love is on the Air]</ref> then became famous starring in numerous "B" movies, where he typically played a supporting character rather than the leading role. In 1941 Reagan gave a well-received performance in the [[Academy Award|Oscar]] nominated film ''Kings Row''.  Other notable movies include ''Knute Rockne'', ''The Hasty Heart'', and the film ''Brother Rat'', which is where Reagan first met his future wife Jane Wyman.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=7rBLCZuEOswC&pg=PA189 President Reagan: The Role of a Lifetime]</ref>  During the war Reagan was in the Air Force, where he was assigned to make training films.

===Military Service===

===Military Service===

Intertwined with his career as an actor, Reagan also served in the military. He enlisted in the Army Enlisted Reserve on April 29, 1937, and transferred to the Army Air Forces (AAF) in 1942.<ref name=service>[https://reaganlibrary.archives.gov/archives/reference/military.html Military Service of Ronald Reagan]</ref>  Poor eyesight kept him from being sent into overseas combat.  He would instead produce training films for the AAF Public Relations and subsequently, to the 1st Motion Picture Unit in Culver City, California.

Intertwined with his career as an actor, Reagan also served in the military. He enlisted in the Army Enlisted Reserve on April 29, 1937, and transferred to the Army Air Forces (AAF) in 1942.<ref name=service>[https://reaganlibrary.archives.gov/archives/reference/military.html Military Service of Ronald Reagan]</ref>  Poor eyesight kept him from being sent into overseas combat.  He would instead produce training films for the AAF Public Relations and, subsequently, for the 1st Motion Picture Unit in Culver City, California.

By the end of the war, his units had produced some 400 training films for the Army Air Forces.  He resumed his Hollywood career on release in 1946, and his Reserve Commission automatically terminated on April 1, 1953.

By the end of the war, his units had produced some 400 training films for the Army Air Forces.  He resumed his Hollywood career on release in 1946, and his Reserve Commission automatically terminated on April 1, 1953.

While serving, Reagan was promoted several times. On January 4, 1943, he was promoted to First Lieutenant.  On July 22, 1943, was promoted to Captain.<ref name=service />

While serving, Reagan was promoted several times. On January 4, 1943, he was promoted to First Lieutenant.  On July 22, 1943, he was promoted to Captain.<ref name=service />

===Return to Hollywood===

===Return to Hollywood===

[[Image:Reagantheater.jpg‎|right|thumb|205px|Ronald Reagan and General Electric Theater. 1954–62.]]

[[Image:Reagantheater.jpg‎|right|thumb|205px|Ronald Reagan and General Electric Theater. 1954–62.]]

Reagan's movie career faded in the late 1940s but he made a successful transition to television, especially as a host, and became a celebrity on the speakers' circuit. He traveled the country as a motivation speaker for [[General Electric]], attracting highly appreciative audiences for his polished, witty speeches based on a wide reading in current events and libertarian economic principles. Reagan also starred in the 1960s television series ''[[Death Valley Days]].'' By 1964, he had appeared in more than fifty films.

Reagan's movie career faded in the late 1940s, but he made a successful transition to television, especially as a host, and became a celebrity on the speakers' circuit. He traveled the country as a motivational speaker for [[General Electric]], attracting highly appreciative audiences for his polished, witty speeches based on a wide reading in current events and libertarian economic principles. Reagan also starred in the 1960s television series ''[[Death Valley Days]].'' By 1964, he had appeared in more than fifty films.

===Friendship with Billy Graham===

===Friendship with Billy Graham===

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 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."

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 an 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==

While remaining a Democrat in the 1950s, Reagan started to increasingly hold conservative points of view. After actively supporting [[Richard Nixon]]'s campaign for president in 1960, Reagan switched political parties and officially became a Republican in 1962. He realized that he had diverged greatly from the tax-and-spend liberalism of the Democratic Party.  As a part of Reagan's change in viewpoints, he came to be a fan of former president [[Calvin Coolidge]], and would later replace a painting of Truman with that of Coolidge in the White House Cabinet Room.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1981/07/04/opinion/calvin-reagan.html Calvin Reagan], [[The New York Times]]</ref>

Reagan married Nancy Davis on March 4, 1952, at The Little Brown Church, located in the San Fernando Valley, California.  Nancy Davis's father was a strongly [[conservative]] neurosurgeon from the [[Midwest]], Dr. Loyal Davis, who had a big political influence on Reagan.  By 1961, Reagan wrote a lengthy [[conservative]] article that was published by the [[Association of American Physicians and Surgeons]],<ref>https://jpands.org/vol27no4/reagan.pdf</ref> a conservative group of doctors founded in 1943.

 

Reagan remained a registered Democrat in the 1950s, but actively supporting [[Richard Nixon]]'s campaign for president in 1960 and had been developing [[conservative]] viewpoints while working for [[General Electric]].<ref>https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2016/01/ronald-reagans-conservative-conversion-as-spokesman-for-general-electric-during-the-1950s.html</ref>  In 1962, Reagan felt that the [[Democrat Party]] had left him and he publicly switched his political party to become a Republican. He fully rejected the tax-and-spend liberalism of the Democratic Party, and its appeasement of [[communism]].  As a part of Reagan's change in viewpoints, he came to be a fan of former president [[Calvin Coolidge]], and would later replace a painting of Truman with that of Coolidge in the White House Cabinet Room.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1981/07/04/opinion/calvin-reagan.html Calvin Reagan], [[The New York Times]]</ref>

==1964==

==1964==

Conservatives nationwide saw Reagan as their new star when his campaigning for Senator [[Barry Goldwater]] in 1964 was better received than Goldwater's own speeches. He raised an unprecedented eight million dollars for Goldwater. Despite Goldwater's defeat, Reagan's 1964 "[[Time for Choosing]]" speech helped launch his political career and made him became a probable candidate for governor of California.

Conservatives nationwide saw Reagan as their new star when his campaigning for Senator [[Barry Goldwater]] in 1964 was better received than Goldwater's own speeches. He raised an unprecedented eight million dollars for Goldwater. Despite Goldwater's defeat, Reagan's 1964 "[[Time for Choosing]]" speech helped launch his political career and made him a strong potential candidate for governor of California.

==Governor of California (1967–1975)==

==Governor of California (1967–1975)==

[[Image:Reagangovernor.jpg‎|left|thumb|275px|Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan at the Victory celebration for California Governor at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, California 11/8/66.]] In the 1966 gubernatorial campaign, conservatives generally supported Reagan over George Christopher, the Republican mayor of [[San Francisco]]. Reagan defeated Christopher, and incumbent [[liberal]] [[Democrat]] [[Pat Brown]] in the general election, taking fifty-three of California's fifty-eight counties. Reagan's strategists wanted to emphasize libertarian support for smaller government and less taxation, as the state verged on a revolt against high property taxes.  As student and black unrest exploded in the headlines, Reagan's call for [[Law and order]] won the votes of former liberals.  Reagan's victory marked the end of New Deal liberalism in California.<ref>Dallek, Matthew. "Liberalism Overthrown." ''American Heritage'' (1996) 47(6): 39+ Fulltext online at Ebsco</ref>  

[[Image:Reagangovernor.jpg‎|left|thumb|275px|Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan at the Victory celebration for California Governor at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, California 11/8/66.]] In the 1966 gubernatorial campaign, conservatives generally supported Reagan over George Christopher, the Republican mayor of [[San Francisco]].  

 

 

 

 

 

Reagan defeated Christopher, and incumbent [[liberal]] [[Democrat]] [[Pat Brown]] in the general election, taking fifty-three of California's fifty-eight counties. Reagan's strategists wanted to emphasize libertarian support for smaller government and less taxation, as the state verged on a revolt against high property taxes.  As student and black unrest exploded in the headlines, Reagan's call for [[Law and order]] won the votes of former liberals.  Reagan's victory marked the end of New Deal liberalism in California.<ref>Dallek, Matthew. "Liberalism Overthrown." ''American Heritage'' (1996) 47(6): 39+ Fulltext online at Ebsco</ref>  

Reagan inherited an enormous budget deficit from the Brown administration. In his first year as Governor, Reagan froze government spending and cut ten percent of the spending budget in each department of the government. At the end of his two terms, the $194 million deficit had been transformed into a $550 million surplus. The ''San Francisco Chronicle'' editorialized, "We exaggerate very little when we say that Reagan has saved the state from bankruptcy.<ref>[http://www.livingroomcandidate.org/commercials/1980 1980 Reagan VS. Carter VS. Anderson]</ref>

Reagan inherited an enormous budget deficit from the Brown administration. In his first year as Governor, Reagan froze government spending and cut ten percent of the spending budget in each department of the government. At the end of his two terms, the $194 million deficit had been transformed into a $550 million surplus. The ''San Francisco Chronicle'' editorialized, "We exaggerate very little when we say that Reagan has saved the state from bankruptcy.<ref>[http://www.livingroomcandidate.org/commercials/1980 1980 Reagan VS. Carter VS. Anderson]</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>

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 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>

Reagan supported and signed laws to liberalize [[abortion]] in California (before the Supreme Court issued ''[[Roe v. Wade]]''), but later turned strongly against abortion.

Reagan supported and signed laws to liberalize [[abortion]] in California (before the Supreme Court issued ''[[Roe v. Wade]]''), but later turned strongly against abortion.

Another inconsistency - the unborn have property rights protected by law. A man can will his estate to his wife and children and any children yet to be born of his marriage. Yet the proposed abortion law would deny the unborn the protection of the law in preserving its life.

Another inconsistency - the unborn have property rights protected by law. A man can will his estate to his wife and children and any children yet to be born of his marriage. Yet the proposed abortion law would deny the unborn the protection of the law in preserving its life.

I went to the lawyers on my staff and posed a hypothetical question. What if a pregnant woman became a widow during her pregnancy and found her husband had left his fortune to her and the unborn child. Under the proposed abortion law, she could take the life of her child and inherit all of her husband's estate. Wouldn't that be murder for financial gain? The only answer I got was that they were glad I wasn't asking the questions on the bar exam.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=MH7b57xk6jIC&pg=PA52 Speaking My Mind: Selected Speeches]</ref></blockquote>

I went to the lawyers on my staff and posed a hypothetical question. What if a pregnant woman became a widow during her pregnancy and found her husband had left his fortune to her and the [[unborn child]]. Under the proposed abortion law, she could take the life of her child and inherit all of her husband's estate. Wouldn't that be murder for financial gain? The only answer I got was that they were glad I wasn't asking the questions on the bar exam.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=MH7b57xk6jIC&pg=PA52 Speaking My Mind: Selected Speeches]</ref></blockquote>

==The New Republican Party==

==The New Republican Party==

At the 1975 [[Conservative Political Action Conference]], Reagan talked about the new Republican Party in a speech titled "''[[Let Them Go Their Way]]''", a party that was a striking contrast to the Democrat party.  He called for bold colors that would be contrasted against pale pastels.  This is one of Reagan's most quoted lines from any speech.<ref>[http://www.westernfreepress.com/2013/03/14/reagan-at-cpac-in-1975-let-them-go-their-way/ Reagan at CPAC in 1975: "Let Them Go Their Way"]</ref>

At the 1975 [[Conservative Political Action Conference]], Reagan talked about the new Republican Party in a speech titled "''[[Let Them Go Their Way]]''", a party that was a striking contrast to the Democrat party.  He called for bold colors that would be contrasted against pale pastels.  This is one of Reagan's most quoted lines from any speech.<ref>[http://www.westernfreepress.com/2013/03/14/reagan-at-cpac-in-1975-let-them-go-their-way/ Reagan at CPAC in 1975: "Let Them Go Their Way"]</ref>

At the time, voters were of the belief that because Republicans did very little in the way of conservative principles and values, that there was little to no difference between the two parties.  Reagan's main point was that instead of organizing a new third party, why not organize a new first party.

At the time, voters were of the belief that because Republicans did very little in the way of conservative principles and values, that there was little to no difference between the two parties.  Reagan's main point was that instead of organizing a new third party, why not organize a new first party?

==Presidential Campaigns==

==Presidential Campaigns==

{{Main|United States presidential election, 1980}}

{{Main|United States presidential election, 1980}}

Before the general election, Reagan faced a Republican primary challenge from the more moderate [[George H. W. Bush]]. Bush was highly established and respected as having served as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, ambassador to People's Republic of China and the United Nations, former chairman of the National Republican Committee, and two-term Congressman from [[Texas]]. Bush referred to Reagan's economic policies as "voodoo economics." After Bush won a surprising victory in the January 21st [[Iowa]] State primary, Reagan surged ahead after he outwitted Bush in the New Hampshire debate.  During that debate, Reagan uttered the famous phrase "I'm paying for this microphone!"<ref>[https://usatelections.wordpress.com/2015/07/31/10-memorable-moments-from-past-primary-debates/ 10 memorable moments from past primary debates], [[USA Today]]</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRI6iSrS1kc Ronald Reagan's famous line, "I am paying for this microphone"]</ref>  After winning Iowa and losing New Hampshire, Bush had another win in the Massachusetts primary, then Reagan began sweeping primaries and crushed all of his opponents.<ref>[http://www.unionleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/99999999/NEWS0605/110509963 1980: Reagan begins his sweep], [[New Hampshire Union Leader]]</ref>  Bush dropped out on May 26, leaving Reagan as the presumptive nominee. Ironically, he named George H. W. Bush as his running mate at the convention.<ref>[https://partners.nytimes.com/library/politics/camp/800717convention-gop-ra.html Reagan Wins Nomination and Chooses Bush as Running Mate After Talks With Ford Fail], [[The New York Times]]</ref>  

Before the general election, Reagan faced a Republican primary challenge from the more moderate [[George H. W. Bush]]. Bush was highly established and respected as having served as Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, ambassador to the People's Republic of China and the United Nations, former chairman of the National Republican Committee, and two-term Congressman from [[Texas]]. Bush referred to Reagan's economic policies as "voodoo economics." After Bush won a surprising victory in the January 21st [[Iowa]] State primary, Reagan surged ahead after he outwitted Bush in the New Hampshire debate.  During that debate, Reagan uttered the famous phrase "I'm paying for this microphone!"<ref>[https://usatelections.wordpress.com/2015/07/31/10-memorable-moments-from-past-primary-debates/ 10 memorable moments from past primary debates], [[USA Today]]</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRI6iSrS1kc Ronald Reagan's famous line, "I am paying for this microphone"]</ref>  After winning Iowa and losing New Hampshire, Bush had another win in the Massachusetts primary, then Reagan began sweeping primaries and crushed all of his opponents.<ref>[http://www.unionleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/99999999/NEWS0605/110509963 1980: Reagan begins his sweep], [[New Hampshire Union Leader]]</ref>  Bush dropped out on May 26, leaving Reagan as the presumptive nominee. Ironically, he named George H. W. Bush as his running mate at the convention.<ref>[https://partners.nytimes.com/library/politics/camp/800717convention-gop-ra.html Reagan Wins Nomination and Chooses Bush as Running Mate After Talks With Ford Fail], [[The New York Times]]</ref>  

Reagan was able to crusade against the failures of incumbent Democrat, President [[Jimmy Carter]]. There was runaway [[stagflation]], soaring [[interest rates]], persistent [[unemployment]], a series of humiliations abroad, and a weakened [[military]] in the face of growing Soviet superpower. As Reagan put it, "I'm told I can't use the word depression. Well, I'll tell you the definition. A recession is when your neighbor loses his job; depression is when you lose your job. Recovery is when Jimmy Carter loses his." The most pressing foreign policy crisis was that [[Iran]]ian President [[Ayatollah Khomeini]] was holding fifty-two Americans hostage. All of Carter's diplomatic attempts had failed.

Reagan was able to crusade against the failures of the incumbent Democrat, President [[Jimmy Carter]]. There was runaway [[stagflation]], soaring [[interest rates]], persistent [[unemployment]], a series of humiliations abroad, and a weakened [[military]] in the face of a growing Soviet superpower. As Reagan put it, "I'm told I can't use the word depression. Well, I'll tell you the definition. A recession is when your neighbor loses his job; depression is when you lose your job. Recovery is when Jimmy Carter loses his." The most pressing foreign policy crisis was that [[Iran]]ian President [[Ayatollah Khomeini]] was holding fifty-two Americans hostage. All of Carter's diplomatic attempts had failed.

The phrase "There you go again", which Reagan used in the Reagan-Carter Debate on October 28, 1980, became a defining phrase of the campaign.<ref>[https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/Decoder/2012/1001/Presidential-debate-what-to-look-for-beyond-who-wins-or-loses-video Presidential debate: what to look for beyond who wins or loses]</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qN7gDRjTNf4 Reagan-Carter Oct. 28, 1980 Debate - "There You Go Again"]</ref>

The phrase "There you go again", which Reagan used in the Reagan-Carter Debate on October 28, 1980, became a defining phrase of the campaign.<ref>[https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/Decoder/2012/1001/Presidential-debate-what-to-look-for-beyond-who-wins-or-loses-video Presidential debate: what to look for beyond who wins or loses]</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qN7gDRjTNf4 Reagan-Carter Oct. 28, 1980 Debate - "There You Go Again"]</ref>

[[File:2000px-ElectoralCollege1980.png|right|thumb|325px|Reagan's 1980 landslide]]

[[File:2000px-ElectoralCollege1980.png|right|thumb|325px|Reagan's 1980 landslide]]

Reagan feared that the [[Soviet Union]]'s military had become much more powerful then the United States'. He proposed stronger defense systems and a larger military. Carter fought back, lashing out at Reagan as a dangerous radical who would unleash nuclear war. A liberal Republican [[John Anderson]] ran a third party campaign which received 7% of the popular vote. Reagan won a landslide victory - receiving 51% of the popular vote and winning 44 of 50 states. In the 20th century, only two presidents received a larger electoral majority: Franklin Roosevelt in 1936 and Richard Nixon in 1972.<ref>[http://www.trivia-library.com/c/biography-of-us-president-ronald-reagan-part-8-campaign.htm Biography of U.S. President Ronald Reagan]</ref>  His long coattails brought in the first Republican Senate in years, but the Democrats still controlled the House. The election marked the last hurrah of the New Deal era, the final collapse of the [[New Deal Coalition]] and indeed the end of liberalism as a coherent policy.<ref>Busch 2005</ref>

Reagan feared that the [[Soviet Union]]'s military had become much more powerful than the United States'. He proposed stronger defense systems and a larger military. Carter fought back, lashing out at Reagan as a dangerous radical who would unleash nuclear war. A liberal Republican [[John Anderson]] ran a third-party campaign which received 7% of the popular vote. Reagan won a landslide victory - receiving 51% of the popular vote and winning 44 of 50 states. In the 20th century, only two presidents received a larger electoral majority: Franklin Roosevelt in 1936 and Richard Nixon in 1972.<ref>[http://www.trivia-library.com/c/biography-of-us-president-ronald-reagan-part-8-campaign.htm Biography of U.S. President Ronald Reagan]</ref>  His long coattails brought in the first Republican Senate in years, but the Democrats still controlled the House. The election marked the last hurrah of the New Deal era, the final collapse of the [[New Deal Coalition]] and indeed the end of liberalism as a coherent policy.<ref>Busch 2005</ref>

====Suburban Swimming Pool====

====Suburban Swimming Pool====

[[Image:Reagan 1981 Inauguration.jpg|right|thumb|325px|President Elect Reagan being sworn in for his first term in the 1981 Inauguration Ceremony at the U.S. Capitol]]

[[Image:Reagan 1981 Inauguration.jpg|right|thumb|325px|President Elect Reagan being sworn in for his first term in the 1981 Inauguration Ceremony at the U.S. Capitol]]

Ronald Reagan was sworn in as the 40th President of the United States on January 20, 1981. On that same day, Ayatollah released the hostages after keeping them in captivity for 444 days. At the inauguration, the invocation and benediction were delivered by Reverend Donn Moomaw, Reagan's pastor at Bel Air Presbyterian Church in Hollywood.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=wF_kAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA15-IA103 The Living Church, Volume 182]</ref>

Ronald Reagan was sworn in as the 40th President of the United States on January 20, 1981. On that same day, Ayatollah released the hostages after keeping them in captivity for 444 days. At the inauguration, the invocation and benediction were delivered by Reverend Donn Moomaw, Reagan's pastor at Bel Air Presbyterian Church in Hollywood.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=wF_kAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA15-IA103 The Living Church, Volume 182]</ref>

Once in office, Reagan vowed a shift in federal power, back to states and localities.<ref name=localities>[https://www.nytimes.com/1981/03/21/us/reagan-vows-shift-in-federal-powers.html REAGAN VOWS SHIFT IN FEDERAL POWERS], [[The New York Times]]</ref>  When the Federal [[Air Traffic Controllers]] struck illegally, Reagan showed he was playing hardball and gave them 48 hours before he fired all who hadn't gone back to work (11,359).

Once in office, Reagan vowed a shift in federal power, back to states and localities.<ref name=localities>[https://www.nytimes.com/1981/03/21/us/reagan-vows-shift-in-federal-powers.html REAGAN VOWS SHIFT IN FEDERAL POWERS], [[The New York Times]]</ref>  When the Federal [[Air Traffic Controllers]] struck illegally, Reagan showed he was playing hardball and gave them 48 hours before he fired all who hadn't gone back to work (11,359).

===Assassination Attempt===

===Assassination Attempt===

Outside the Washington Hilton Hotel<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=tMrEP4Y6whwC&pg=PA64 The Reagan Era from the Iran Crisis to Kosovo]</ref> on March 30, 1981, Reagan was shot by [[John W. Hinckley]] near the heart after giving a routine speech.<ref>The assassin was [[John Hinckley]], a mentally disturbed man who didn't shoot Reagan for political reasons, but instead did to impress an actress he had never met.</ref>  Surgeons at [[George Washington University]] Hospital saved his life and despite his age, he recovered quickly.  Prior to the operation, Reagan looked up at the doctors and said "I Hope you're all Republicans". Dr. Joseph Giordano, the head surgeon at GWU Hospital confirmed the story, and replied to the president "We are all Republicans today".<ref>[http://urbanlegends.about.com/od/historical/a/ronald_reagan.htm Ronald Reagan: Grace Under the Scalpel]</ref>

Outside the Washington Hilton Hotel<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=tMrEP4Y6whwC&pg=PA64 The Reagan Era from the Iran Crisis to Kosovo]</ref> on March 30, 1981, Reagan was shot by [[John W. Hinckley]] near the heart after giving a routine speech.<ref>The assassin was [[John Hinckley]], a mentally disturbed man who didn't shoot Reagan for political reasons, but instead did to impress an actress he had never met.</ref>  Surgeons at [[George Washington University]] Hospital saved his life and despite his age, he recovered quickly.  Prior to the operation, Reagan looked up at the doctors and said "I hope you're all Republicans."  Dr. Joseph Giordano, the head surgeon at GWU Hospital confirmed the story, and replied to the president "We are all Republicans today."<ref>[http://urbanlegends.about.com/od/historical/a/ronald_reagan.htm Ronald Reagan: Grace Under the Scalpel]</ref>

To his wife Nancy he said, "honey, I forgot to duck."<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1981/03/31/us/honey-i-forgot-to-duck-injured-reagan-tells-wife.html 'Honey, I Forgot To Duck,' Injured Reagan Tells Wife], ''The New York Times'', March 31, 1981.</ref>

White House Press Secretary [[James Brady]] was shot in the head, became permanently disabled; Brady then became an icon of the [[gun control|anti-gun]] movement.  

White House Press Secretary [[James Brady]] was shot in the head, and became permanently disabled; Brady then became an icon of the [[gun control|anti-gun]] movement.  

The assassination attempt came at a critical moment and disarmed the opposition in Congress, enabling Reagan to pass his major legislation even though the Democrats controlled the House.

The assassination attempt came at a critical moment and disarmed the opposition in Congress, enabling Reagan to pass his major legislation even though the Democrats controlled the House.

{{Main|United States presidential election, 1984}}

{{Main|United States presidential election, 1984}}

In 1984, Reagan was re-elected in a landslide, winning every state except Mondale's home state of Minnesota and the District of Columbia, creating a record 525 electoral vote total (of 538 possible), and received 58.8%. of the popular vote.<ref>[https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/electoral-college/scores.html#1984 National Archives]</ref><ref>[http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/national.php?f=0&year=1984 Leip, David: 1984 Presidential Election Results.]</ref>  At the second inaugural, the Reverend Timothy Healy delivered the invocation, and the Reverend Peter Gomes delivered the benediction.<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1988&dat=19850119&id=MGwiAAAAIBAJ&sjid=_6sFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1381,1418388&hl=en The Argus-Press - Jan 19, 1985]</ref> In his Second Inaugural Address after winning the election, Reagan asked two of his most well-remembered questions: "''If not us, who? And if not now, when?''"

In 1984, Reagan was re-elected in a landslide, winning every state except Mondale's home state of Minnesota and the District of Columbia, creating a record 525 electoral votes (out of 538 possible), and received 58.8% of the popular vote.<ref>[https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/electoral-college/scores.html#1984 National Archives]</ref><ref>[http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/national.php?f=0&year=1984 Leip, David: 1984 Presidential Election Results.]</ref>  At the second inaugural, the Reverend Timothy Healy delivered the invocation, and the Reverend Peter Gomes delivered the benediction.<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1988&dat=19850119&id=MGwiAAAAIBAJ&sjid=_6sFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1381,1418388&hl=en The Argus-Press - Jan 19, 1985]</ref> In his Second Inaugural Address after winning the election, Reagan asked two of his most well-remembered questions: "''If not us, who? And if not now, when?''"

During his second term, Reagan helped end the Cold War with the help of Margaret Thatcher and some assistance from Pope John Paul II and Mikhail Gorbachev by recognizing the weakness of the Soviet economy and spent them out of existence by their not being able to compete with defense spending.

During his second term, Reagan helped end the Cold War with the help of Margaret Thatcher and some assistance from Pope John Paul II and Mikhail Gorbachev by recognizing the weakness of the Soviet economy and spent them out of existence by their not being able to compete with defense spending.

Early on in his presidency, Reagan brought up the issue of prayer in schools, which was banned in 1962 by the Supreme Court in [[Engel v. Vitale]].  He proposed a constitutional amendment<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1982/05/18/us/reagan-proposes-school-prayer-amendment.html Reagan Proposes School Prayer Amendment], [[The New York Times]]</ref> that contained the following language: "Nothing in this Constitution shall be construed to prohibit individual or group prayer in public schools or other public institutions. No person shall be required by the United States or by any state to participate in prayer".

Early on in his presidency, Reagan brought up the issue of prayer in schools, which was banned in 1962 by the Supreme Court in [[Engel v. Vitale]].  He proposed a constitutional amendment<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1982/05/18/us/reagan-proposes-school-prayer-amendment.html Reagan Proposes School Prayer Amendment], [[The New York Times]]</ref> that contained the following language: "Nothing in this Constitution shall be construed to prohibit individual or group prayer in public schools or other public institutions. No person shall be required by the United States or by any state to participate in prayer".

Reagan revived the issue in 1984<ref>[https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=40205 Address Before a Joint Session of the Congress on the State of the Union], January 25, 1984</ref> noting the beliefs of the [[Founding Fathers]] on the importance of faith.  He said: "America was founded by people who believed that God was their rock of safety. He is ours. I recognize we must be cautious in claiming that God is on our side, but I think it's all right to keep asking if we're on His side."  Also in 1984, the Supreme Court reviewed a case regarding a moment of silence in schools.<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2245&dat=19840712&id=vogzAAAAIBAJ&sjid=dDIHAAAAIBAJ&pg=5416,1067751 Reagan urges school 'moment of silence']</ref><ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1984/12/05/us/high-court-weighs-silence-in-school-for-prayer-or-meditation.html High Court Weighs Silence in School for Prayer or Meditation], [[The New York Times]]</ref>  In [[Wallace v. Jaffree]], the court ruled 6–3 against.<ref>[http://articles.latimes.com/1985-06-04/news/mn-6462_1_voluntary-prayer High Court Bars Moments of Silence for School Prayer : But Would Approve Meditation], [[Los Angeles Times]]</ref> Reagan received the support of boxing legend [[Muhammad Ali]] who said, "He's keeping God in schools and that's enough."<ref>https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2016/06/10/when-muhammad-ali-endorsed-ronald-reagan/?utm_term=.e84c75ad95f2</ref>  

Reagan revived the issue in 1984<ref>[https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=40205 Address Before a Joint Session of the Congress on the State of the Union], January 25, 1984.</ref> noting the beliefs of the [[Founding Fathers]] on the importance of faith.  He said: "America was founded by people who believed that God was their rock of safety. He is ours. I recognize we must be cautious in claiming that God is on our side, but I think it's all right to keep asking if we're on His side."  Also in 1984, the Supreme Court reviewed a case regarding a moment of silence in schools.<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2245&dat=19840712&id=vogzAAAAIBAJ&sjid=dDIHAAAAIBAJ&pg=5416,1067751 Reagan urges school 'moment of silence']</ref><ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1984/12/05/us/high-court-weighs-silence-in-school-for-prayer-or-meditation.html High Court Weighs Silence in School for Prayer or Meditation], [[The New York Times]]</ref>  In [[Wallace v. Jaffree]], the court ruled 6–3 against.<ref>[http://articles.latimes.com/1985-06-04/news/mn-6462_1_voluntary-prayer High Court Bars Moments of Silence for School Prayer: But Would Approve Meditation], [[Los Angeles Times]]</ref> Reagan received the support of boxing legend [[Muhammad Ali]] who said, "He's keeping God in schools and that's enough."<ref>https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2016/06/10/when-muhammad-ali-endorsed-ronald-reagan/?utm_term=.e84c75ad95f2</ref>  

Toward the end of his presidency in 1987, Reagan called for Congress to act.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=NefcAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA56 Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: Ronald Reagan, 1987]</ref>  In an address to Congress on January 27, he said: "The 100th Congress of the United States should be remembered as the one that ended the expulsion of God from America's classrooms".<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1987/01/28/nyregion/high-court-accepts-appeal-of-moment-of-silence-law.html High Court Accepts Appeal of 'Moment of Silence' Law], [[The New York Times]]</ref>

Toward the end of his presidency in 1987, Reagan called for Congress to act.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=NefcAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA56 Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: Ronald Reagan, 1987]</ref>  In an address to Congress on January 27, he said: "The 100th Congress of the United States should be remembered as the one that ended the expulsion of God from America's classrooms".<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1987/01/28/nyregion/high-court-accepts-appeal-of-moment-of-silence-law.html High Court Accepts Appeal of 'Moment of Silence' Law], [[The New York Times]]</ref>

On August 13, 1981, Reagan signed the Kemp-Roth [[Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981]] bill into law, reducing the tax burden on American citizens.

On August 13, 1981, Reagan signed the Kemp-Roth [[Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981]] bill into law, reducing the tax burden on American citizens.

[[File:Time-8-17-81.jpg|thumb|250px| ''Time'' Aug 17, 1981. [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,949316,00.html read story]]]

[[File:Time-8-17-81.jpg|thumb|250px| ''Time'' Aug 17, 1981. [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,949316,00.html read story]]]

Fueled by an over spending [[Congress]] that steadfastly refused Reagan's budget proposals, the national debt increased 160% during his two terms in office. However, the economic growth that resulted from tax cuts made deficits as a percentage of [[GDP]] lower than what they had been in during the previous decade of stagflation. The period of high [[inflation]] and [[unemployment]] when Reagan took office was over after eight years of his presidency. In 1986 Reagan signed the [[Tax Reform Act of 1986]], which obtained an overhaul of the income tax code and eliminated many deductions and exempted millions of people with low incomes. The [[income tax]] rates of the top personal tax bracket dropped from 70% to 28% in 7 years. At the same time, Reagan sought to close tax loopholes so that the wealthy would not be able to get away with paying less tax than low to middle-income earners. By the end of his administration, the Nation was enjoying its longest recorded period of peacetime prosperity without [[recession]] or [[depression]].<ref>[https://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/rr40.html Ronald Reagan]</ref>

Fueled by an over spending [[Congress]] that steadfastly refused Reagan's budget proposals, the national debt increased 160% during his two terms in office. However, the economic growth that resulted from tax cuts made deficits as a percentage of [[GDP]] lower than what they had been during the previous decade of stagflation. The period of high [[inflation]] and [[unemployment]] when Reagan took office was over after eight years of his presidency. In 1986 Reagan signed the [[Tax Reform Act of 1986]], which obtained an overhaul of the income tax code, eliminated many deductions, and exempted millions of people with low incomes. The [[income tax]] rates of the top personal tax bracket dropped from 70% to 28% in 7 years. At the same time, Reagan sought to close tax loopholes so that the wealthy would not be able to get away with paying less tax than low to middle-income earners. By the end of his administration, the Nation was enjoying its longest recorded period of peacetime prosperity without [[recession]] or [[depression]].<ref>[https://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/rr40.html Ronald Reagan]</ref>

====PATCO Strike====

====PATCO Strike====

On 3 August 1981, 13,000 air traffic controllers, members of the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (PATCO), walked off the job. PATCO had supported Reagan in the 1980 election but now was making exorbitant demands regarding high raises, early retirement, and reduced hours. The Federal Aviation Administration made a generous offer but PATCO said no and called a strike.  PATCO assumed it would shut down all air traffic and paralyze the economy, forcing the government to surrender, but they misjudged Ronald Reagan. Under federal law, the strike was illegal. Reagan ordered the strikers as a group to return to work. Some returned but most did not; he ordered individual strikers to return, and again most refused. Reagan was ready; secretly the Transportation Secretary Drew Lewis had readied military replacements.  It was the first time in over 50 years in a major strike that replacements were used. Two days later, the president fired 11,000 strikers, and they never were rehired. The planes were flying and labor unions suffered their worst defeat since the 1920s. Reagan's dramatic action energized corporations to resist union demands, and sped up the rapid decline in union membership and the political power of union bosses.<ref>"Turbulence in the Tower," [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,949316,00.html ''Time'' Aug. 17, 1981]; Paul L. Butterworth, et al., "More than a Labor Dispute: The PATCO Strike of 1981," ''Essays in Economic & Business History'' 2005  23:125-139</ref>

On August 3, 1981, 13,000 air traffic controllers, members of the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (PATCO), walked off the job. PATCO had supported Reagan in the 1980 election but by the summer of 1981 was making exorbitant demands regarding high raises, early retirement, and reduced hours. The Federal Aviation Administration made a generous offer but PATCO said no and called a strike.  PATCO assumed it would shut down all air traffic and paralyze the economy, forcing the government to surrender, but they misjudged Ronald Reagan. Under federal law, the strike was illegal. Reagan ordered the strikers as a group to return to work. Some returned but most did not; he ordered individual strikers to return, and again most refused. Reagan was ready; secretly the Transportation Secretary Drew Lewis had readied military replacements.  It was the first time in over 50 years in a major strike that replacement workers were used. Two days later, the president fired 11,000 strikers, and they never were rehired. The planes were flying and labor unions suffered their worst defeat since the 1920s. Reagan's dramatic action energized corporations to resist union demands, and sped up the rapid decline in union membership and the political power of union bosses.<ref>"Turbulence in the Tower," [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,949316,00.html ''Time'' Aug. 17, 1981]; Paul L. Butterworth, et al., "More than a Labor Dispute: The PATCO Strike of 1981," ''Essays in Economic & Business History'' 2005  23:125-139</ref>

===Boll Weevils===

===Boll Weevils===

===Judicial Appointments===

===Judicial Appointments===

[[File:Reagan and Justices.jpg|thumb|250px| From left to right: Justices [[Harry Blackmun]], [[Thurgood Marshall]], [[William Brennan]], Chief Justice [[Warren Burger]], President Reagan, [[Sandra Day O'Connor]], [[Byron White]], [[Lewis F. Powell, Jr.]], [[William Rehnquist]] and [[John Paul Stevens]].]]

[[File:Reagan and Justices.jpg|thumb|250px| From left to right: Justices [[Harry Blackmun]], [[Thurgood Marshall]], [[William Brennan]], Chief Justice [[Warren Burger]], President Reagan, [[Sandra Day O'Connor]], [[Byron White]], [[Lewis F. Powell, Jr.]], [[William Rehnquist]] and [[John Paul Stevens]].]]

President Reagan made a total of 381 judicial appointments; 83 to US Court of Appeals, 290 to US District Courts, and 5 to the Supreme Court. 11 were not confirmed.<ref>[https://www.boundless.com/u-s-history/textbooks/boundless-u-s-history-textbook/the-conservative-turn-of-america-1968-1989-30/the-reagan-administration-228/battles-in-the-courts-and-congress-1289-8810/ President Reagan's Court appointees included: Sandra Day O'Connor, Anton Scalia, Anthony Kennedy, and William Rehnquist as Chief Justice.]</ref>

President Reagan made a total of 381 judicial appointments; 83 to the U.S. Courts of Appeals, 290 to U.S. District Courts, and 5 to the [[U.S. Supreme Court]]. Overall, 11 were not confirmed.<ref>[https://www.boundless.com/u-s-history/textbooks/boundless-u-s-history-textbook/the-conservative-turn-of-america-1968-1989-30/the-reagan-administration-228/battles-in-the-courts-and-congress-1289-8810/ President Reagan's Court appointees included: Sandra Day O'Connor, Anton Scalia, Anthony Kennedy, and William Rehnquist as Chief Justice.]</ref>

====Supreme Court====

====Supreme Court====

Reagan fulfilled a promise he unnecessarily made in his 1980 presidential campaign to appoint the first women to the [[U.S. Supreme Court]].<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1291&dat=19801015&id=4zxUAAAAIBAJ&sjid=s40DAAAAIBAJ&pg=4187,2916117&hl=en Reagan pledges woman on court], [[Associated Press]]</ref> On July 7, 1981, he chose the first person he interviewed, without even bothering to interview other candidates, by nominating little-known Arizona judge [[Sandra Day O'Connor]] to become an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. O'Connor succeeded Justice [[Potter Stewart]].  Liberals, who had been ready for a knock-down battle, were stunned that Reagan had appointed a [[feminist]] and welcomed her nomination.  [[Pro-life]] groups pointed out that her record indicated her support of [[abortion]]; [[movement conservative]]s [[Jerry Falwell]] opposed her confirmation and Howard Phillips testified against it.  Phillips prophetically declared, "People say you can't tell how a Supreme Court nominee will turn out once on the bench. I respectfully disagree. In most cases, it's very clear. I opposed the nomination of Sandra Day O'Connor because it was very clear that she had a pro-[[abortion]] record in the Arizona State Senate and as a judge in Arizona. She was also allied with [[Planned Parenthood]]."  With enthusiastic liberal support for O'Connor, she was confirmed by the Senate by a 99–0 vote on September 21 and took her seat September 25.

Reagan fulfilled a promise he unnecessarily made in his 1980 presidential campaign to appoint the first woman to the [[U.S. Supreme Court]].<ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1291&dat=19801015&id=4zxUAAAAIBAJ&sjid=s40DAAAAIBAJ&pg=4187,2916117&hl=en Reagan pledges woman on court], [[Associated Press]]</ref> On July 7, 1981, he chose the first person he interviewed, without even bothering to interview other candidates, by nominating little-known Arizona judge [[Sandra Day O'Connor]] to become an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. O'Connor succeeded Justice [[Potter Stewart]].  Liberals, who had been ready for a knock-down battle, were stunned that Reagan had appointed a [[feminist]] and welcomed her nomination.  [[Pro-life]] groups pointed out that her record indicated her support of [[abortion]]; [[movement conservative]]s [[Jerry Falwell]] opposed her confirmation and Howard Phillips testified against it.  Phillips prophetically declared, "People say you can't tell how a Supreme Court nominee will turn out once on the bench. I respectfully disagree. In most cases, it's very clear. I opposed the nomination of Sandra Day O'Connor because it was very clear that she had a pro-[[abortion]] record in the Arizona State Senate and as a judge in Arizona. She was also allied with [[Planned Parenthood]]."  With enthusiastic liberal support for O'Connor, she was confirmed by the Senate by a 99–0 vote on September 21 and took her seat on September 25.

In 1986 [[Warren E. Burger]] announced his retirement from the Court. Reagan nominated [[Antonin Scalia]] to fill the vacant seat, at the same time that he elevated [[William Rehnquist]] for Chief Justice.  Most of the opposition in the Senate focused their opposition on the Rehnquist nomination. Scalia was confirmed by a unanimous 98–0 vote, while Rehnquist was confirmed over substantial opposition.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/22/AR2007082200931.html Rehnquist Confirmed In 65-33 Senate Vote]</ref><ref>[https://www.loc.gov/law/find/nominations/scalia/vote.pdf Floor Vote - Scalia], September 17, 1986</ref>

In 1986 [[Warren E. Burger]] announced his retirement from the Court. Reagan nominated [[Antonin Scalia]] to fill the vacant seat, at the same time that he elevated [[William Rehnquist]] to Chief Justice.  Most of the opposition in the Senate focused on trying to block the Rehnquist nomination. Scalia was confirmed by a unanimous 98–0 vote, while Rehnquist was confirmed over substantial opposition.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/22/AR2007082200931.html Rehnquist Confirmed In 65-33 Senate Vote]</ref><ref>[https://www.loc.gov/law/find/nominations/scalia/vote.pdf Floor Vote - Scalia], September 17, 1986</ref>

=====Robert Bork=====

=====Robert Bork=====

:''"Robert Bork's America is a land in which women would be forced into back-alley abortions, blacks would sit at segregated lunch counters, rogue police could break down citizens' doors in midnight raids, schoolchildren could not be taught about evolution, writers and artists could be censored at the whim of the Government, and the doors of the Federal courts would be shut on the fingers of millions of citizens for whom the judiciary is -- and is often the only -- protector of the individual rights that are the heart of our democracy."''<ref>[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE5DF1E3EF936A35754C0A961948260 WASHINGTON; Kennedy And Bork], [[The New York Times]]</ref>

:''"Robert Bork's America is a land in which women would be forced into back-alley abortions, blacks would sit at segregated lunch counters, rogue police could break down citizens' doors in midnight raids, schoolchildren could not be taught about evolution, writers and artists could be censored at the whim of the Government, and the doors of the Federal courts would be shut on the fingers of millions of citizens for whom the judiciary is -- and is often the only -- protector of the individual rights that are the heart of our democracy."''<ref>[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE5DF1E3EF936A35754C0A961948260 WASHINGTON; Kennedy And Bork], [[The New York Times]]</ref>

The U.S. Senate rejected Bork's confirmation on a 42–58 vote. Reagan then turned to [[Douglas Ginsburg]], who withdrew his name from consideration when it was discovered he smoked [[marijuana]], which was [[illegal]], with his students. Finally, the much less controversial (but more [[liberal]]) Californian [[Anthony Kennedy]] was nominated, who was confirmed on a 97–0 vote.

The U.S. Senate rejected Bork's confirmation on a 42–58 vote. Reagan then turned to [[Douglas Ginsburg]], who withdrew his name from consideration when it was discovered he smoked [[marijuana]], which was widespread but then technically [[illegal]], with his students. Finally, the much less controversial (but more [[liberal]]) Californian [[Anthony Kennedy]] was nominated, who was confirmed on a 97–0 vote.

======"Borking"======

======"Borking"======

{{main|Federalism|Tenth Amendment}}

{{main|Federalism|Tenth Amendment}}

As a staunch supporter of the Republic which our [[Founding Fathers]] created and handed down to us, Reagan signed Executive Order 12612 on October 26, 1987.<ref>[https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=33607 Executive Order 12612 - Federalism]</ref>  The EO recognized that the [[Constitution]] only grants authority to a few, specific [[Enumerated powers]].  Outside of these few areas, the role of the Federal Government should not be a meddlesome one, but that the states should be in charge, where citizens have a more direct and local discretion.  The EO said "Federalism is rooted in the knowledge that our political liberties are best assured by limiting the size and scope of the national government".

As a staunch supporter of the Republic which our [[Founding Fathers]] created and handed down to us, Reagan signed Executive Order 12612 on October 26, 1987.<ref>[https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=33607 Executive Order 12612 - Federalism]</ref>  The EO recognized that the [[Constitution]] only grants authority to a few, specific [[Enumerated powers]].  Outside of these few areas, the role of the federal government should not be a meddlesome one, but the states should be in charge where citizens have a more direct and local discretion.  The EO said, "Federalism is rooted in the knowledge that our political liberties are best assured by limiting the size and scope of the national government."

Executive Order 12612 was rescinded with Executive Order 13083 by the [[authoritarian]] [[Democrat]] [[Bill Clinton]] on May 14, 1998.<ref>[https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=55957 Executive Order 13083 - Federalism]</ref><ref>[https://www.heritage.org/research/reports/1998/06/president-clintons-sellout-of-federalism President Clinton's Sellout of Federalism], [[Heritage Foundation]]</ref>

Executive Order 12612 was rescinded with Executive Order 13083 by the [[authoritarian]] [[Democrat]] [[Bill Clinton]] on May 14, 1998.<ref>[https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=55957 Executive Order 13083 - Federalism]</ref><ref>[https://www.heritage.org/research/reports/1998/06/president-clintons-sellout-of-federalism President Clinton's Sellout of Federalism], [[Heritage Foundation]]</ref>

===War on Drugs===

===War on Drugs===

As President, Reagan declared a "[[War on Drugs]]", which would be policies put forward by the United States and other countries to reduce illegal drug trade. In 1986, President Reagan signed the very prominent Anti-Drug Abuse Act which granted $97 million to build new [[prison]]s, $200 million for drug [[education]] and $241 million for treatment. Overall, $1.7 billion to fight the drug crisis.<ref>[https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/drugs/cron/ Thirty Years of America's Drug War], A Chronology, [[PBS]]</ref> First Lady [[Nancy Reagan]] started a slogan, "[[Just Say No]]" to drug use. The term was used in television advertising, and today there are many "Just Say No" drug clinics. As a result of the policies, [[marijuana]] use dropped from 33% of high-school seniors in 1980 to 12% in 1991.<ref>[https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/drugs/interviews/kleber.html Interview with Dr. Herbert Kleber], [[PBS]]</ref>

As President, Reagan declared a "[[War on Drugs]]", which would be policies put forward by the United States and other countries to reduce illegal drug trade. In 1986, President Reagan signed the very prominent Anti-Drug Abuse Act which granted $97 million to build new [[prison]]s, $200 million for drug [[education]] and $241 million for treatment. Overall, $1.7 billion to fight the drug crisis.<ref>[https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/drugs/cron/ Thirty Years of America's Drug War], A Chronology, [[PBS]]</ref> First Lady [[Nancy Reagan]] started a slogan, "[[Just Say No]]" to drug use. The term was used in television advertising, and today there are many "Just Say No" drug clinics. As a result of the policies, [[marijuana]] use dropped from 33% of high-school seniors in 1980 to 12% in 1991.<ref>[https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/drugs/interviews/kleber.html Interview with Dr. Herbert Kleber], [[PBS]]</ref>

===Illegal immigration===

===Illegal immigration===

November 6, 1986, Reagan signed into law the [[Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986]], also known as the Simpson-Mazzoli Act, named after it's two authors: Romano Mazzoli and [[Alan Simpson]].<ref>[http://humanevents.com/2007/06/04/simpsonmazzoli-twentyone-years-later/ Simpson-Mazzoli: Twenty-One Years Later], [[Human Events]]</ref>

November 6, 1986, Reagan signed into law the [[Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986]], also known as the Simpson-Mazzoli Act, named after it's two authors: Romano Mazzoli and [[Alan Simpson]].<ref>[http://humanevents.com/2007/06/04/simpsonmazzoli-twentyone-years-later/ Simpson-Mazzoli: Twenty-One Years Later], [[Human Events]]</ref>

In his diaries, Reagan wrote that he wanted to sign the bill because of how important it was to regain control of our borders.<ref>[http://www.ontheissues.org/Celeb/Ronald_Reagan_Immigration.htm Ronald Reagan on Immigration]</ref>  But the bill had largely the opposite effect.  By granting a pathway to citizenship (amnesty) to 2.7 million illegal aliens, the law encouraged unlawful entry by more than 10 million additional new illegal aliens. However, Reagan was not enthusiastic about, and did not make an effort to enforce, the law's provision making it illegal for employers to hire illegal aliens.<ref>Kammer, Jerry (January 3, 2019). [https://www.cis.org/Kammer/How-Washington-Post-Expose-Trump-Missed-Story-How-Reagan-Wrecked-Immigration-Reform How the Washington Post Exposé of Trump Missed the Story of How Reagan Wrecked Immigration Reform]. ''Center for Immigration Studies''. Retrieved January 3, 2019.</ref>

In his diaries, Reagan wrote that he wanted to sign the bill because of how important it was to regain control of our borders.<ref>[http://www.ontheissues.org/Celeb/Ronald_Reagan_Immigration.htm Ronald Reagan on Immigration]</ref>  But the bill had largely the opposite effect.  By granting a pathway to citizenship (amnesty) to 2.7 million illegal aliens, the law encouraged unlawful entry by more than 10 million additional new illegal aliens. However, Reagan was not enthusiastic about it, and did not make an effort to enforce, the law's provision making it illegal for employers to hire illegal aliens.<ref>Kammer, Jerry (January 3, 2019). [https://www.cis.org/Kammer/How-Washington-Post-Expose-Trump-Missed-Story-How-Reagan-Wrecked-Immigration-Reform How the Washington Post Exposé of Trump Missed the Story of How Reagan Wrecked Immigration Reform]. ''Center for Immigration Studies''. Retrieved January 3, 2019.</ref>

==Foreign policy==

==Foreign policy==

===Strategic Defense Initiative===

===Strategic Defense Initiative===

Reagan's 1983 [[Strategic Defense Initiative]] became popularly known as "[[Star Wars]]", the name given to it by critics because they thought it was pure fantasy like the popular [[George Lucas]] films. This plan was never fully instituted. Although billions of dollars were spent on development, no space-based missile defense was tested successfully during Reagan's terms in office.  However, the main goal was achieved of forcing the Soviets to realize they could no longer compete in the Cold War.

Reagan's 1983 [[Strategic Defense Initiative]] became popularly known as "[[Star Wars]]", the name given to it by critics because they thought it was pure fantasy like the popular [[George Lucas]] films. This plan was never fully instituted. Although billions of dollars were spent on development, no space-based missile defense was tested successfully during Reagan's terms in office.  However, the main goal was attained in forcing the Soviets to realize they could no longer compete in the Cold War.

The threat the Soviet Union felt from the SDI initiative forced them to negotiate an end to the arms race, according to many involved with diplomacy at the time and can be seen by following Gorbachev's repeated public insistences that the SDI program be discontinued. [[Henry Kissinger]] wrote:  

The threat the Soviet Union felt from the SDI initiative forced them to [[negotiate]] an end to the [[arms race]], according to many involved with diplomacy at the time, and can be seen by following Gorbachev's repeated public insistences that the SDI program be discontinued. [[Henry Kissinger]] wrote:  

:''I know it's an axiomatic view of the Left around the world that missile defense is sinful, and that it's desirable to keep each nation as vulnerable as possible. But that's a debatable premise. The U.S. must defend itself against ''whoever'' has missiles that would threaten the United States. And you don't have to be able to name an enemy.''<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20050308023334/http://www.doublestandards.org/dreifus1.html An interview with Henry Kissinger], by Claudia Dreifus, August 29th, 2001</ref>

:''I know it's an axiomatic view of the Left around the world that missile defense is sinful, and that it's desirable to keep each nation as vulnerable as possible. But that's a debatable premise. The U.S. must defend itself against ''whoever'' has missiles that would threaten the United States. And you don't have to be able to name an enemy.''<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20050308023334/http://www.doublestandards.org/dreifus1.html An interview with Henry Kissinger], by Claudia Dreifus, August 29th, 2001</ref>

===Soviet Union===

===Soviet Union===

Shortly after taking office in 1981 Reagan issued National Security Decision Directive 11–82, (NSDD 11-82), that explicitly made U.S. defense spending a form of economic warfare against the Soviets. The directive was known more unofficially as the Reagan Initiative, and was an incorporation of the principle of [[Peace through strength]].  

Shortly after taking office in 1981 Reagan issued National Security Decision Directive 11–82, (NSDD 11-82), which explicitly made U.S. defense spending a form of economic warfare against the Soviets. The directive was known more unofficially as the Reagan Initiative, and was an incorporation of the principle of [[Peace through strength]].  

The United States would "exploit and demonstrate the enduring economic advantages of the West to develop a variety of [arms] systems that are difficult for the Soviets to counter, impose disproportionate costs, open up new areas of major military competition and obsolesce previous Soviet investment or employ sophisticated strategic options to achieve this end. Reagan's [[Strategic Defense Initiative]] (SDI), or "Star Wars" as the media referred to it, was a costly high-tech research and development program designed to make arms spending a "rising burden on the Soviet economy."<ref>Peter Schweizer , [http://www.reason.com/news/show/28929.html ''Reagan's War: The Epic Story of His Forty Year Struggle and Final Triumph Over Communism''], New York: Doubleday, 2002.</ref>

The United States would "exploit and demonstrate the enduring economic advantages of the West to develop a variety of [arms] systems that are difficult for the Soviets to counter, impose disproportionate costs, open up new areas of major military competition and obsolesce previous Soviet investment or employ sophisticated strategic options to achieve this end. Reagan's [[Strategic Defense Initiative]] (SDI), or "Star Wars" as the media referred to it, was a costly high-tech research and development program designed to make arms spending a "rising burden on the Soviet economy."<ref>Peter Schweizer, [http://www.reason.com/news/show/28929.html ''Reagan's War: The Epic Story of His Forty Year Struggle and Final Triumph Over Communism''], New York: Doubleday, 2002.</ref>

The Reagan Initiative was also concerned with aiding nations in active conflict with the Soviet Union. One such group was the [[mujahideen]] of Afghanistan who were given anti-aircraft missiles to fight the Soviet invaders.  

The Reagan Initiative was also concerned with aiding nations in active conflict with the Soviet Union. One such group was the [[mujahideen]] of Afghanistan who were given anti-aircraft missiles to fight the Soviet invaders.  

A report by the CIA of the critical domestic economic problems and social discontent Soviet General Secretary Gorbachev provided a look what the sources of his principal dilemma-the very reforms needed to deal with the problems would threaten preservation of the [[nomenklatura]] and put at risk Gorbachev's ability to maintain the power to bring about [[Perestroika]].<ref>CIA Assessments of the Soviet Union: [https://www.cia.gov/csi/monograph/russia/enter.html Chapter 5, Enter Gorbachev ], Douglas J. MacEachin, CIA Publications, 1996.</ref>

A report by the CIA, of the critical domestic economic problems and social discontent faced by Soviet General Secretary Gorbachev, provided a look at the sources of his principal dilemma - the very reforms needed to deal with the problems would threaten the preservation of the [[nomenklatura]] and put at risk Gorbachev's ability to maintain the power to bring about [[Perestroika]].<ref>CIA Assessments of the Soviet Union: [https://www.cia.gov/csi/monograph/russia/enter.html Chapter 5, Enter Gorbachev ], Douglas J. MacEachin, CIA Publications, 1996.</ref>

====Reykjavík Summit====

====Reykjavík Summit====

===Dealing with the Soviets===

===Dealing with the Soviets===

Gorbachev, weakened by his nation's economic [[malaise]], frightened by SDI, and committed to reforming the Soviet system before it collapsed, realized he had to end the Cold War to save Communism. Reagan proved willing to deal, but had to face three sources of criticism inside the U.S. The political right represented by the ''[[National Review]]'' and columnists such as [[George F. Will]] feared it was all a Soviet trap. Reagan used his enormous influence within the conservative movement to disarm these critics before disarming the Russians. Second were the "realists", led by Nixon and Henry A. Kissinger, who thought Reagan was going too far. The third group comprised segments of the intelligence community and military; they did not believe that the Soviet Union was as weak as Reagan and secretary of state, George P. Shultz, believed. Reagan, reelected in a landslide and at the peak of his power, pushed ahead with a series of agreements that effectively weakened the Soviet Empire and made it clear America had the initiative.<ref>James Mann, ''The Rebellion of Ronald Reagan'' (2009)</ref>  

Gorbachev, weakened by his nation's economic [[malaise]], frightened by SDI, and committed to reforming the Soviet system before it collapsed, realized he had to end the Cold War to save Communism. Reagan proved willing to deal, but had to face three sources of criticism inside the U.S. The political right represented by [[grassroots]] [[conservatives]], led by [[Phyllis Schlafly]], and also by the ''[[National Review]]'' and columnists such as [[George F. Will]] who feared this was all a Soviet trap. Second were the "realists", led by Nixon and Henry A. Kissinger, who thought Reagan was going too far. The third group comprised segments of the intelligence community and military; they did not believe that the Soviet Union was as weak as Reagan and secretary of state, George P. Shultz, believed. Reagan, reelected in a landslide and at the peak of his power, pushed ahead with a series of agreements that effectively weakened the Soviet Empire and made it clear America had the initiative.<ref>James Mann, ''The Rebellion of Ronald Reagan'' (2009)</ref>  

By the late 1980s, the Soviet Union began unilateral force cuts and troop withdrawals from Eastern Europe, and by May 1989 an unprecedented series of disclosures by senior Soviet officials revealed actual reductions in defense spending for the 1986-1990 and 1991-1995 Five Year Plan periods.<ref>Christopher Wilkinson NATO Review, [http://www.nato.int/docu/review/1991/9102-4.htm Soviet Defense Spending], NATO's Economics Directorate No. 2 - April 1991, Vol. 39 p. 16-22</ref> Genrikh Grofimenko, a former adviser to [[Leonid Brezhnev]], said "Ninety-nine percent of the Russian people believe that [the US] won the Cold War because of your president's insistence on SDI".<ref>Peter Schweizer, ''Reagan’s War''.</ref>  Gennady Gerasimov, the Soviet Foreign Ministry's top spokesman during the 1980s, said "Reagan's SDI was a very successful blackmail.  The Soviet economy couldn't endure such competition."<ref>[https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB122478630951963297 Freedom's Team], [[Wall Street Journal]]</ref>

By the late 1980s, the Soviet Union began [[unilateral]] force cuts and troop withdrawals from [[Eastern Europe]], and by May 1989 an unprecedented series of disclosures by senior Soviet officials revealed actual reductions in defense spending for the 1986-1990 and 1991-1995 Five Year Plan periods.<ref>Christopher Wilkinson NATO Review, [http://www.nato.int/docu/review/1991/9102-4.htm Soviet Defense Spending], NATO's Economics Directorate No. 2 - April 1991, Vol. 39 p. 16-22</ref> Genrikh Grofimenko, a former adviser to [[Leonid Brezhnev]], said "Ninety-nine percent of the Russian people believe that [the US] won the Cold War because of your president's insistence on SDI".<ref>Peter Schweizer, ''Reagan’s War''.</ref>  Gennady Gerasimov, the Soviet Foreign Ministry's top spokesman during the 1980s, said "Reagan's SDI was a very successful blackmail.  The Soviet economy couldn't endure such competition."<ref>[https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB122478630951963297 Freedom's Team], [[Wall Street Journal]]</ref>

Reagan also brought about the collapse of the [[Berlin Wall]], which was a symbol of [[communism]] and oppressed the [[freedom]] of East Berliners that wanted to move to West Berlin.

Reagan also brought about the collapse of the [[Berlin Wall]], which was a symbol of [[communism]] and oppressed the [[freedom]] of East Berliners who wanted to move to West Berlin.

===Containment and the Iranian initiative===

===Containment and the Iranian initiative===

{{main|Containment}}

{{main|Containment}}

In 1985, after Reagan won reelection to his second term, the focus turned from reviving the domestic economy to several foreign policy matters which had been lingering throughout the decade. One such matter involved Iran, a longtime ally of the Western Allies since 1941 that had experienced an [[Islamic Revolution]] in 1979 after President Carter announced [[Human Rights]] had superseded [[Containment]] as the primary focus of American foreign policy. Since 1980, Iran had been enmeshed in a brutal trench war with neighboring Iraq which was emerging as a potent military threat in the region to other allies. Members of the National Security Council staff, along with CIA Director [[William Casey]], persuaded Reagan much could be gained and several problems could be addressed simultaneously with an overture to Iran to restore relations.

In 1985, after Reagan won reelection to his second term, the focus turned from reviving the domestic economy to several foreign policy matters that had been lingering throughout the decade. One such matter involved Iran, a longtime ally of the Western Allies since 1941 that had experienced an [[Islamic Revolution]] in 1979 after President Carter announced [[Human Rights]] had superseded [[Containment]] as the primary focus of American foreign policy. Since 1980, Iran had been enmeshed in a brutal trench war with neighboring Iraq which was emerging as a potent military threat in the region to other allies. Members of the National Security Council staff, along with CIA Director [[William J. Casey]], persuaded Reagan much could be gained and several problems could be addressed simultaneously with an overture to Iran to restore relations.

The objective of the plan was fourfold:

The objective of the plan was fourfold:

[[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.  

[[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.

Columnist Cal Thomas wrote about it like this:  

Columnist Cal Thomas wrote about it like this:  

[[Brian Mulroney]], the [[Canada|Canadian]] Prime Minister, Eulogized Reagan at his state funeral:

[[Brian Mulroney]], the [[Canada|Canadian]] Prime Minister, Eulogized Reagan at his state funeral:

{{cquote|'''Some in the West during the early 1980s believed communism and democracy were equally valid and viable. This was the school of "[[moral equivalence]]." In contrast Ronald Reagan saw Soviet Communism as a menace to be confronted in the genuine belief that its squalid underpinning would fall swiftly to the gathering winds of [[freedom]]. Provided, as he said, that NATO and the industrialized democracies stood firm and united. They did. ''And we know now who was right.'''''<ref>[http://reagan2020.us/eulogies/mulroney.asp Brian Mulroney on Ronald Reagan]</ref>}}

{{cquote|'''Some in the West during the early 1980s believed communism and democracy were equally valid and viable. This was the school of "[[moral equivalence]]." In contrast, Ronald Reagan saw Soviet Communism as a menace to be confronted in the genuine belief that its squalid underpinning would fall swiftly to the gathering winds of [[freedom]]. Provided, as he said, that NATO and the industrialized democracies stood firm and united. They did. ''And we know now who was right.'''''<ref>[http://reagan2020.us/eulogies/mulroney.asp Brian Mulroney on Ronald Reagan]</ref>}}

Former Reagan speech writer [[Peggy Noonan]] paid tribute to the fallen president in a [[Wall Street Journal]] editorial. In it, Noonan noted:  

Former Reagan speechwriter [[Peggy Noonan]] paid tribute to the fallen president in a [[Wall Street Journal]] editorial. In it, Noonan noted:  

{{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 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.

Reagan sparked undying animosity from [[Leftist]]s 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===

===Thatcher on Reagan===

===Thatcher on Reagan===

Upon his death, [[Margaret Thatcher]], in very ill health from a series of strokes, insisted upon traveling to America to bid farewell to her old friend, and taped a stirring tribute to him:  

Upon his death, [[Margaret Thatcher]], in very ill health from a series of strokes, insisted upon traveling to [[America]] to bid farewell to her old friend, and taped a stirring tribute to him:  

{{cquote|'''As Prime Minister, I worked closely with Ronald Reagan for eight of the most important years of all our lives. We talked regularly both before and after his presidency. And I have had time and cause to reflect on what made him a great president. Ronald Reagan knew his own mind. He had firm principles - and, I believe, right ones. He expounded them clearly, he acted upon them decisively. ''When the world threw problems at the White House, he was not baffled, or disorientated, or overwhelmed. He knew almost instinctively what to do.'''''  

{{cquote|'''As Prime Minister, I worked closely with Ronald Reagan for eight of the most important years of all our lives. We talked regularly both before and after his presidency. And I have had time and cause to reflect on what made him a great president. Ronald Reagan knew his own mind. He had firm principles - and, I believe, right ones. He expounded them clearly, he acted upon them decisively. ''When the world threw problems at the White House, he was not baffled, or disorientated, or overwhelmed. He knew almost instinctively what to do.'''''  

At a speech in front of the National Association of Broadcasters on April 13, 1992, Reagan was assaulted by a radical anti-nuclear protester masquerading as a press agent.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1992/04/16/us/protester-at-reagan-speech-had-press-credentials.html Protester at Reagan Speech Had Press Credentials], [[The New York Times]]</ref>  The protester, identified as Rick Paul Springer, was the founder of a group called ''The 100th Monkey''.<ref>[http://articles.latimes.com/1993-07-16/news/mn-13621_1_las-vegas Man Who Disrupted Reagan Speech Flees 4-Month Jail Term]</ref>  At the event, Reagan was awarded a 2-foot statue for his contributions to broadcasting, made out of crystal weighing nearly 30 pounds.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1992/04/14/us/reagan-unhurt-after-man-smashes-30-pound-statue.html Reagan Unhurt After Man Smashes 30-Pound Statue], [[The New York Times]]</ref>  When Springer smashed the statue, some shards did hit Reagan, but he was not hurt.

At a speech in front of the National Association of Broadcasters on April 13, 1992, Reagan was assaulted by a radical anti-nuclear protester masquerading as a press agent.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1992/04/16/us/protester-at-reagan-speech-had-press-credentials.html Protester at Reagan Speech Had Press Credentials], [[The New York Times]]</ref>  The protester, identified as Rick Paul Springer, was the founder of a group called ''The 100th Monkey''.<ref>[http://articles.latimes.com/1993-07-16/news/mn-13621_1_las-vegas Man Who Disrupted Reagan Speech Flees 4-Month Jail Term]</ref>  At the event, Reagan was awarded a 2-foot statue for his contributions to broadcasting, made out of crystal weighing nearly 30 pounds.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1992/04/14/us/reagan-unhurt-after-man-smashes-30-pound-statue.html Reagan Unhurt After Man Smashes 30-Pound Statue], [[The New York Times]]</ref>  When Springer smashed the statue, some shards did hit Reagan, but he was not hurt.

After the secret service rushed the man off stage, Reagan asked the crowd "Was that a democrat by chance?",<ref>[http://www.deseretnews.com/article/221028/NUCLEAR-PROTESTER-RUSHES-REAGAN-SMASHES-STATUE.html?pg=all NUCLEAR PROTESTER RUSHES REAGAN, SMASHES STATUE]</ref> to which the crowd burst into laughter.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaLMmcY3vs0 President Reagan Attacked at NAB Convention Las Vegas April 1992 480p], [[CBS News]] video from 1992</ref>  A spokesman for the [[Secret Service]] said that he was not sure how Springer got so close to Reagan to begin with.<ref>[http://articles.latimes.com/1992-04-19/news/vw-684_1_secret-service-protection How Do You Really Protect a President?], [[Los Angeles Times]]</ref>

After the Secret Service rushed the man off stage, Reagan asked the crowd "Was that a democrat by chance?",<ref>[http://www.deseretnews.com/article/221028/NUCLEAR-PROTESTER-RUSHES-REAGAN-SMASHES-STATUE.html?pg=all NUCLEAR PROTESTER RUSHES REAGAN, SMASHES STATUE]</ref> to which the crowd burst into laughter.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaLMmcY3vs0 President Reagan Attacked at NAB Convention Las Vegas April 1992 480p], [[CBS News]] video from 1992</ref>  A spokesman for the [[Secret Service]] said that he was not sure how Springer got so close to Reagan to begin with.<ref>[http://articles.latimes.com/1992-04-19/news/vw-684_1_secret-service-protection How Do You Really Protect a President?], [[Los Angeles Times]]</ref>

On January 13, 1993 President George H. W. Bush awarded Reagan the Presidential [[Medal of Freedom]]. Reagan was becoming increasingly forgetful.  His last public appearance was on April 27, 1994, at the funeral for President Richard Nixon.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=ewc1V-KnRMYC&pg=PA182 Ronald Reagan: A Biography]</ref> In November 1994, he announced that he had been diagnosed in August with [[Alzheimer's disease]], a degenerative nerve disorder that annihilates the victim's mental capacity.

On January 13, 1993, President [[George H.W. Bush]] awarded Reagan the Presidential [[Medal of Freedom]]. Reagan was becoming increasingly forgetful.  His last public appearance was on April 27, 1994, at the funeral for President [[Richard Nixon]].<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=ewc1V-KnRMYC&pg=PA182 Ronald Reagan: A Biography]</ref> In November 1994, he announced that he had been diagnosed in August with [[Alzheimer's disease]], a degenerative nerve disorder that annihilates the victim's mental capacity.

([[See Reagan's letter to the American people regarding his disease.]])

([[See Reagan's letter to the American people regarding his disease.]])

He died at his [[Los Angeles|Bel Air]] home on June 5, 2004 at the age of 93, making him the second-longest lived president in history after [[Gerald Ford]]. Reagan was buried at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Library, located in Simi Valley, California, on June 11, 2004.<ref>[http://www.reaganfoundation.org/listviewf.aspx?session_args=NCrq/CB0Nbp/onw6gOr7mg==&p=LM2002EX&tx=13&h1=7&h2=3&sw=lm_exhibit&lm=libraryandmuseum&args_a=cms&args_b=32&argsb=N Exhibitions]</ref>

He died at his [[Los Angeles|Bel Air]] home on June 5, 2004, at the age of 93, making him the second-longest lived president in history after [[Gerald Ford]]. Reagan was buried at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Library, located in Simi Valley, California, on June 11, 2004.<ref>[http://www.reaganfoundation.org/listviewf.aspx?session_args=NCrq/CB0Nbp/onw6gOr7mg==&p=LM2002EX&tx=13&h1=7&h2=3&sw=lm_exhibit&lm=libraryandmuseum&args_a=cms&args_b=32&argsb=N Exhibitions]</ref>

==Legacy and Honors==

==Legacy and Honors==

===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-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>

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>

==Family==

==Family==

==Excellent sense of humor==

==Excellent sense of humor==

The opposite of many of today's politicians, Reagan had an excellent sense of humor<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTIfGFJqLko</ref>. When he had almost been assassinated, he removed his oxygen mask and cracked a joke "I hope you're all Republicans".<ref>https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/i-hope-you-are-all-republicans-john-j-miller/</ref> Reagan also poked fun at his age multiple times, such as when he answered a question in a presidential debate against Walter Mondale about his age. His response to that question included the words "I am not going to exploit for political purposes my opponent's youth and inexperience".<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJhCjMfRndk</ref> The one-liner was so humorous and clever that even Mondale genuinely laughed at it. In addition, Reagan had also once humorously remarked that the "nine most terrifying words in the English language are 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help'"<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhYJS80MgYA</ref>

The opposite of many of today's politicians, Reagan had an excellent sense of humor<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTIfGFJqLko</ref>. When he had almost been assassinated, he removed his oxygen mask and cracked a joke "I hope you're all Republicans".<ref>https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/i-hope-you-are-all-republicans-john-j-miller/</ref> Reagan also poked fun at his age multiple times, such as when he answered a question in a presidential debate against Walter Mondale about his age. His response to that question included the words "I am not going to exploit for political purposes my opponent's youth and inexperience".<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJhCjMfRndk</ref> The one-liner was so humorous and clever that even Mondale genuinely laughed at it. In addition, Reagan had also once humorously remarked that the "nine most terrifying words in the English language are 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help'"<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhYJS80MgYA</ref>

==Miscellaneous Facts==

==Miscellaneous Facts==

*Reagan was the first president to break the so-called "Curse of Tippecanoe," i.e., the first president elected in a twenty-year cycle who did not die in office (although an attempt was made on his life in 1981).

*Reagan was the first president to break the so-called "Curse of Tippecanoe," i.e., the first president elected in a twenty-year cycle who did not die in office (although an attempt was made on his life in 1981).

* Flamm, Michael and  John Ehrman. ''Debating the Reagan Presidency'' (2009), key issues explained; includes primary sources

* Flamm, Michael and  John Ehrman. ''Debating the Reagan Presidency'' (2009), key issues explained; includes primary sources

* Berman William C. ''America's Right Turn: From Nixon to Bush.'' (1994).

* Berman William C. ''America's Right Turn: From Nixon to Bush.'' (1994).

* Brownlee, W. Elliot  and Hugh Davis Graham, eds. ''The Reagan Presidency: Pragmatic Conservatism and Its Legacies'' (2003)

* Brownlee, W. Elliot  and Hugh Davis Graham, eds. ''The Reagan Presidency: [[Pragmatic]] Conservatism and Its Legacies'' (2003)

* Campagna; Anthony S. ''The Economy in the Reagan Years: The Economic Consequences of the Reagan Administrations'' Greenwood Press. 1994 [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=28144725 online edition], by conservative

* Campagna; Anthony S. ''The Economy in the Reagan Years: The Economic Consequences of the Reagan Administrations'' Greenwood Press. 1994 [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=28144725 online edition], by conservative

* Cannon, Lou. ''Ronald Reagan: The Presidential Portfolio''. (2001) [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=101553874 online edition]

* Cannon, Lou. ''Ronald Reagan: The Presidential Portfolio''. (2001) [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=101553874 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]

* 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-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.  

* 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]

==External links==

==External links==

*[https://reaganlibrary.archives.gov/archives/photographs/history.html Historical Photographs], from the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum

*[https://reaganlibrary.archives.gov/archives/photographs/history.html Historical Photographs], from the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum

*[https://reaganlibrary.gov/major-speeches-index Ronald Reagan's Major Speeches, 1964-89]

*[https://reaganlibrary.gov/major-speeches-index Ronald Reagan's Major Speeches, 1964-89]

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