Chapter 40: End Of The Cold War Era

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Chapter 40: End of the Cold War Era

Not since Teddy Roosevelt, does the book spend so much time profiling a candidate and President. And well it should. Ronald Reagan changed the course of the U.S. from where you left off in the last chapter (poor self-esteem from recession, Americans held hostage in Iran, oil woes, Soviet invasion of Afghanistan), and brought on what you know today as “the Right Wing” (back then, “The New Right”) and the current conservative Republican Party. Carefully read pages 966 & 967 to fully appreciate the birth of our modern Republican Party. (Understand, by the year 2000, Reagan was hailed as such a hero to our country and the Republican mantra, that when he died a few years ago, his open casket laid in state at the nation’s capitol, with thousands streaming by to say farewell.)

1. So, list what this “New Right” is for and against. They were set on changing the society in America. They were anti-porn, abortion, homosexuality, and feminism.

2: ID: Neoconservatives:
They acted against liberal welfare programs and policies. They were a small and influential group that championed free market capitalism liberated from government restraints and took tough anti-Soviet positions in foreign policy.
3: Reagan’s previous jobs in life?
Sports announcer in Iowa, acted in Hollywood, Governor of California.

4: How many states did Reagan win electorally? (If you sit there and physically count on the map, well, that is sad… You don’t need to if you understand.)
49.

5. Not since FDR, had we had a President that created quick, memorable, likable slogans and could fire off cutting but likable one-liners at a moment’s notice.
For example, “Government is not the solution, ________________________.
And by this President Reagan meant …what? (outlined extensively throughout 969)

*As to Congress: Check out the political cartoon lower right of page 969.
Many Americans just expected the government to fix their social and economic problems. He thought that the government has always been spending too much money.
6. What government programs (or types of programs) did Reagan get drastically cut?
Food stamps and federally funded job training centers. Most social programs.

7. As to taxes, Reagan got them ______________ by _____%_.
Reduce by 25%.
8. ID: Supply-side Economics. The book does not really define this. The book talks about it, and its effects, but does not define it. So, look it up. Also called, “Trickle-Down economics” and “Reaganomics.”
Economic growth can be achieved and sustained by lowering income tax and capital gains tax rates. Also by allowing greater flexibility by reducing regulation.
9. ID: Yuppies. (Ask your parents or grandparents if they were Yuppies, or what they thought of them.)
The younger, hip people that were into the “good life”. They were highly mobile, moved around, no kids, and traveled abroad. Lots of $$$$

10. As to Defense expenditures, did Reagan increase or decrease, and by how much?
Increased. Reagan cascaded nearly $2 trillion onto the Pentagon.
11. A) Now, taking the info from questions 6, 7, 8 & 10, into account, Ronald Reagan, the father of modern conservatives, did WHAT to our federal deficit? (Now, easy, you Republicans. Take slow, steady breaths…)
Increased our deficit. B) Caution: If you are a true-red Republican, make sure you have a friend or family member standing by before your work an answer to this next question. Turn, for a moment, to page 967, and study the chart and its write-up on this topic. By what PERCENTAGE did Reagan policies increase or federal deficit. That number is not written for you. You have to study the chart and figure it out. Your answer can be roughly rounded.
350%
(Dang, there are some Republicans that are flat-out feeling faint right now!) C) Sticking with Reaganomics and page 976 (and top of 977), how did middle-class household income go during