RONALD REAQAN
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Ronald Reagan became the nation’s fortieth President
in 1981 largely through the conservation he demon
strated as Governor of California in restoring that state
to financial stability. The nation was plagued with pro
blems both at home and abroad, and Reagan pledged
his administration to solving those problems The
general feeling among Americans was one of pessimism with a sagging economy and a
declining faith in what lay ahead. The problem with the Soviet Union and its invasion of
Afghanistan, plus the Iranian hostage crisis, made Reagan’s campaign promises seem almost
hopeless. But Ronald Reagan was a gifted speaker and those behind the scenes in his cam
paign skillfully maneuvered well past Jimmy Carter in the election itself. Once in office, he
quickly began to implement his program to lower the rate of inflation and pump lifeblood back
into the American economy. Congress went along with most of Reagan’s plans to cut taxes
and curb government spending. But a severe recession hit the United States in 1981 that put
thousands of people out of work. Conditions gradually did improve, however, even though it
took longer than Reagan had promised. By the election of 1984, voters liked his policies and
programs well enough to reelect him by a landslide over Democratic opponent Walter Mon
dale.
Reagan was born in 1911, in Tampico, Illinois, the son of a shoe salesman. His parents mov
ed to Dixon when he was 9 years old, and there Reagan was extremely active in sports as he
went through elementary and high school. After that he enrolled in Eureka College where he
played football, was captain of the swimming team and appeared in several college plays. His
first job after college was WOC radio in Davenport, Iowa, where he worked as a sports an
nouncer. In 1 937, while in California covering the spring training of the Chicago Cubs, he
landed a job in Hollywood, and his motion picture career was on the road. He married actress
Jane Wyman, and the couple had a daughter and adopted a son; however that marriage end
ed in divorce. Reagan later married Nancy Davis, and she and Reagan had two children.
Reagan’s movie career involved his appearance in over fifty films, and he also became involv
ed in television. But he had always been interested in politics. In 1 964 he gained national at
tention as a politician when he made a rousing speech on behalf of Republican candidate
Barry Goldwater. In 1966 he ran for Governor of California and won over the incumbent Pat
Brown by a landslide. He was reelected in 1970, and it was here that he laid his groundwork
necessary for running for the presidency.
The Reagan years did provide an expanded economy with the creation of 16 million new jobs
and imposed more regulation spending restraints, but the huge budget deficit and trade gap
he left behind made the U.S. the world’s biggest debtor, a problem that will no doubt haunt
his successor for years to come.
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RONALD REAGAN
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Presidential Trivia
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1. Although he never served in Congress, Ronald Reagan was twice elected Governor of
where he earned a reputation for wise fiscal spending.
2. Although Ronald Reagan gained popularity for his widespread budget cuts, there was
one area of the budget he insisted on spending more.
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3. Ronald Reagan’s economic policies were referred to by the news media as
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4. An attempted assassination was made on President Reagan in 1981 in this city.
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5. Ronald Reagan hosted this TV weekly duing the 1950’s.
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6. Reagan’s most famous role as a movie star was when he played Notre Dame football
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7. Ronald Reagan’s autobiography was called
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8. In 1976 Ronald Reagan made a serious challenge for the Republican nomination, but lost
out to__________________________
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9. Although Reagan successfully recovered quickly from the 1981 attempt on his life,
Reagan’s press secretary
was seriously wounded.
10. Reagan defeated both the 1976-80 President and his Vice President. He defeated
President
in the election of 1980 and then defeated the
President’s Vice President
in the election of 1984.
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11. Ronald Reagan persuaded Congress to sell military planes to this Middle Eastern country
because it supplies us with much oil.
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12. Reagan’s alma mater_________________________________________________________
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RONALD REAGAN
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Name
For Thinking and Discussing
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1.
What problem did Ronald Reagan face when he first entered office?
2.
How did Ronald Reagan’s handling of the office of Governor of California help him win
the presidency?
3.
How would Reagan’s background as an announcer and then actor have helped him to
win the presidency when, in fact, many Americans were criticizing that background
when he was campaigning.
4.
In 1984, Reagan was re-elected by an even wider margin than he won in 1980. What fac
tor contributed to his landslide victory?
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