Period+5+1980s

__ America's Evolution in Government During the 1980s __
Connor Hichens, Marshall Theyel, Mehtab Riar, and Michael Roytman

__** Historical Context **__

 The 1980s signified a return to conservatism in government as Ronald Reagan was elected president in 1980 against Democratic opponent Jimmy Carter. Running on a platform of a number of tax cuts, decreased spending on various government-run social programs, and elimination of government-set restrictions on the economy, Reagan’s administration appealed to America’s growing sentiment that the most effective government is one that governs the least.

 As president, Reagan attempted to stimulate the economy using a number of tax breaks, called **supply-side economics**. The policy of supply side economics, or “Reaganomics”, is a policy that promotes economic growth in a “trickle down” manner by supporting the supply of goods. In order to do this, this policy called for cuts to the marginal tax rates, with the assumption that these tax breaks would encourage production and strengthen incentives for work, leading to a decrease in economic inflation. Although though the immediate effect would be negative, the money saved by the cut taxes would be put back into the economy for a larger tax base and result in higher federal revenues; essentially, the increased prosperity would overcome the disadvantages of a lower tax rate.

 Along with reforming the country’s tax code, Reagan also initiated **budget cuts to social programs** with the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. Reagan's tax cuts resulted in a lack of available funds for social programs for the poor and increased the gap between the wealthy and the poor. Reagan felt that if people depended on welfare to provide them with food and shelter, it would discourage them from working their way out of poverty and subsequently improving the economy.

 Another issue that Reagan had to deal with was **union busting**. With union workers wanting more rights, higher pay, and better working conditions, Reagan had to decide whether or not to give into their demands. In the case of the **Air Traffic Controller's Strike in 1981**, he did not give in. The federal air traffic controllers went on strike because they wanted better working conditions, a 32 hour work week, and better pay. Reagan threatened that if they did not return to work, their jobs would be terminated, and when they did not return to work, Reagan fired 11,345 air strike workers in a controversial move.

 The last issue Reagan had to deal with was the **War on Drugs**. During the 1980s, Reagan had to deal with the increased use of marijuana and cocaine. His wife, Nancy Reagan, started the **“Just Say No” campaign**, which attempted to reach out to the public and tell them to stop taking drugs. Then, in 1983, the **Drug Abuse Resistance Education**, or D.A.R.E., was initiated in schools to help persuade kids to pledge to stop using drugs.

__** Key Elements of the 1980s **__
 * **President Reagan**
 * **Supply-side Economics**
 * **War on Drugs**

__** President Ronald Reagan **__



= The links below provide other more detailed biographies of Ronald Reagan. =
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The link below provides an overall time-line of the progression of the Reagan administration.
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__** Supply Side Economics **__



The links below provide useful information on Reagan's domestic, economic policies.
 * [|Reagan's First Inaugural Address]
 * [|Reagan's Second Inaugural Address]

__** War on Drugs **__



 Following his election in 1980, Ronald Reagan began an extensive campaign and effort to rid America of illegal narcotics, most prominently cocaine, heroin, crack, and marijuana. As opposed to President Clinton’s stance on the issue of illegal drugs, for example, Reagan’s administration advocated disruption of the illegal drug trade and prohibition instead of support for rehabilitation.

 Although Reagan had begun initiatives to attack the issue of drugs as early as 1981, to the public, he officially announced his war on drugs on August 4, 1986, when he stated “a national crusade against drugs -- a sustained, relentless effort to rid America of this scourge -- by mobilizing every segment of society against drug abuse.” Billions of dollars were funneled into the drug war, increasing federal spending on the issue of illegal drug use from $1.5 billion in 1981 to approximately $12 billion in 1992.

Particularly problematic was the issue of crack use, which soared in the course of the 1980s due to its relatively low cost, particularly in poor, urban communities. Although many people in high society dabbled in drug use, people in low-income situations were most often the ones prosecuted for their drug use, not the rich; this was extremely controversial and the source of much anti-Reagan criticism.

Ronald Reagan was very vocal in support of his War on Drugs, especially when addressing the general public in his seventh State of the Union message, airing on American television January 25, 1988. The following is an embedded video recording of the address, which brings to light the Reagan Administration’s dedication to eradicating drug use; to view the section concerned with the War on Drugs, watch from 27:07 – 28:15. A transcript of this particular part is also provided below.

media type="youtube" key="rG-DZqOX_wc" height="390" width="480" align="center"

“And now let me turn to three other matters vital to family values and the quality of family life. The first is an untold American success story. Recently, we released our annual survey of what graduating high school seniors have to say about drugs. Cocaine use is declining and marijuana use was the lowest since surveying began. We can be proud that our students are "just saying no" to drugs. But let us remember what this menace requires—commitment from every part of America and every single American—a commitment to a drug-free America. The war against drugs is a war of individual battles, a crusade with many heroes—including America's young people, and also someone very special to me. She has helped so many of our young people to say "no" to drugs. Nancy, much credit belongs to you, and I want to express to you your husband's pride and your country's thanks. Surprised you, didn't I?” [|(Transcript)]

media type="youtube" key="xtih-rOXXPw" height="390" width="480" align="center"

The video above is of a popular anti-drug commercial publicized by the organization Partnership for a Drug-Free America, which was aired during the the War on Drugs era in the 1980s. ([]) The video above describes Nancy Reagan's opinion on drugs. She talks about the many effects drugs have on the human body and on newborn infants. She also talks about crack, which was a new and extremely popular drug during 1980s.

The links below provide a more extensive and in-depth look at Reagan's War on Drugs.
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__** Analysis **__

Reagan greatly changed the economic system in the United States during the 1980’s. He took away many of the taxes that helped fund social programs for the poor and used a more capitalist system. In this sense, by removing some of the socialist policies, Reagan undid what Franklin D Roosevelt had done in the 30’s with the New Deal. Reagan also made the government more involved with the people in response to the “War on Drugs.” New programs such as DARE were created to help protect the people, and the people could feel that the government really did want to help them.

__** Sources **__

[|Budget Cuts to Social Programs] [|Economics and Reagan] [|Reaganomics] [|Union Busting] [|Air traffic controllers strike] @http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/ronaldreaganThe @http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/06/opinion/06bartlett.html?_r=1 @http://www.econlib.org/library/Enc/SupplySideEconomics.html http://pages.stern.nyu.edu/~nroubini/SUPPLY.HTM @http://zfacts.com/metaPage/lib/US-National-Debt-GDP.gif []