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'''Ronald Wilson Reagan''' (February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004, aged 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 was 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.

'''Ronald Wilson Reagan''' (February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004, aged 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 was 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 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 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.  

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."  

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.