Much like Napoleon Dynamite, Justin Bieber, and da Bears, Ronald Reagan and his presidency are extremely polarizing. For years, republicans look to Reagan as a great example of conservatism, while democrats labeled Reagan as an extremist and a Great Prevaricator. Many policies and behaviors were neither flagrantly good nor bad, it merely depends on the political perspective of the individual. Undisputedly, the modern world still witnesses the effects of the Reagan era. The legacy of Reagan’s Presidency justifies his place among the greatest presidents in American history.
Ronald Reagan’s vast popularity originated from his vivid personality. Reagan repeatedly demonstrated enthusiasm and optimism in speeches, interviews, and debates. His …show more content…
To lower taxes in the 1980’s, many programs lost a percentage of federal funding, except the military, which encountered a significant budget increase. The Reagan Administration lead a major military increase greater than Nixon, Carter, and Ford combined. This national defense increase led to an investment in numerous nuclear warheads, advanced missiles, and an anti-ICBM (Intercontinental Ballistic Missile) system. This increase nearly led to an arms race with Russia, but the government in the Soviet Union knew that their economy would be unable to compete. Instead, Mikhail Gorbachev, acting Soviet leader, agreed to sign the INF (Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces) Treaty, which compelled the U.S. and Russia to disassemble nuclear missiles with a range of 500-5,500 kilometers (Druckman, 1991). This agreement served as the first major step in improving relations with Russia and ending the Cold War. Along with ending the Cold War, President Reagan intended to combat communism by funding a Nicaraguan anti-communist militia. Although the plan ultimately failed, it proved that protecting Americans and the values they stand for was worth fighting
Ronald Reagan’s vast popularity originated from his vivid personality. Reagan repeatedly demonstrated enthusiasm and optimism in speeches, interviews, and debates. His …show more content…
To lower taxes in the 1980’s, many programs lost a percentage of federal funding, except the military, which encountered a significant budget increase. The Reagan Administration lead a major military increase greater than Nixon, Carter, and Ford combined. This national defense increase led to an investment in numerous nuclear warheads, advanced missiles, and an anti-ICBM (Intercontinental Ballistic Missile) system. This increase nearly led to an arms race with Russia, but the government in the Soviet Union knew that their economy would be unable to compete. Instead, Mikhail Gorbachev, acting Soviet leader, agreed to sign the INF (Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces) Treaty, which compelled the U.S. and Russia to disassemble nuclear missiles with a range of 500-5,500 kilometers (Druckman, 1991). This agreement served as the first major step in improving relations with Russia and ending the Cold War. Along with ending the Cold War, President Reagan intended to combat communism by funding a Nicaraguan anti-communist militia. Although the plan ultimately failed, it proved that protecting Americans and the values they stand for was worth fighting