Cultural and political image of Ronald Reagan
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Former United States President Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) continues to be a dominating figure in today's political world.
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[edit] As Governor of California
Reagan served as Governor of California from 1967 to 1975 before his ascension to the presidency. He took a hard line against the protest movements at college campuses during the decade,[1] focusing especially on the University of California at Berkeley. He sent the California Highway Patrol and later the National Guard onto the campus to quell the protests, killing one and injuring many others.[2] This displayed a tough nature within Reagan to the people of California and the nation, but also marked the beginning of his turbulent relationship with education.[3]
[edit] The Reagan years
According to author Gil Troy, Reagan's inauguration as president marked a shift in policy from the difficult 1970s.[4] Reagan redefined the political agenda of the times, advocating lower taxes, a liberal economic philosophy, and a stronger military.[5] His first year in office built on that image, and garnered much support after the 1981 assassination attempt on his life.[4]
Reagan's role in the Cold War further enhanced his image as a different kind of leader. He and Soviet Union Leader Mikhail Gorbachev set up four "summit" conferences to try and negotiate a peaceful end to the Cold War,[6] resulting in the landmark Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF).[7]
There was a "great devide" that existed between Reagan and racial minorities, but a reconciliation came about sometime in the 1980s, evident from the rise of African Americans in the media.[4] For the first time since the 1960s, the federal government stopped actively promoting programs designed to promote social and economic advancement for minority groups, for Reagan felt that many of the programs increased racial and ethnic division.[5] He was particularly opposed to affirmative action.[5]
Reagan emphasized family values in his campaigns and during his presidency, although he was the first president to have been divorced and experienced periods of estrangement with all four of his children.[8] Reagan's first lady, Nancy, caused a stir, and subsequent embarrassment to the administration, when it was revealed that she had consulted an astrologer to help coordinate the president's schedule after the 1981 assassination attempt.[9]
The president's way of speaking, pro-America rhetoric, negotiation skills, as well as use of the growing media market played his part in defining the 1980s and his future legacy.[4][5]
[edit] Humor
Reagan was known to gibe frequently during his lifetime, and was famous for his storytelling.[10]
[edit] Legacy
- See also: List of honors named for Ronald Reagan
When Ronald Reagan died, thousands of people turned out to pay their respects and view his casket, both in Washington and California.
Reagan is a dominating policial figure whose influence continues in present times. During the 2008 Republican presidential primary elections, each of the candidates invoked Reagan's name frequently, and two of the debates were held at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.[11]
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ Perlstein, Rick. What's the Matter With College?. The New York Times Magazine. Retrieved on 2008-03-08.
- ^ "Postscript to People's Park", Time, February 16, 1970. Retrieved on 2007-12-09.
- ^ Kahn, Jeffery. "Ronald Reagan launched political career using the Berkeley campus as a target", UC Berkeley News, June 8, 2004. Retrieved on 2008-03-08.
- ^ a b c d Sherman, Matthew C (September 22, 2006). Troy, Gil. Morning in America: How Ronald Reagan Invented the 1980s.(Book review). International Social Science Review. High Beam Encyclopedia. Retrieved on 2008-03-04.
- ^ a b c d "Ronald Reagan". MSN Encarta. Retrieved on 2008-03-04.
- ^ "Toward the Summit; Previous Reagan-Gorbachev Summits", The New York Times, May 28, 1988. Retrieved on 2008-03-08.
- ^ "1987: Superpowers to reverse arms race", BBC, 2003. Retrieved on 2008-03-08.
- ^ Hendrix, Anastasia. "Trouble at home for family values advocate", The San Francisco Chronicle, June 6, 2004. Retrieved on 2008-03-04.
- ^ Seaman, Barrett. "Good Heavens!", Time, CNN, May 16, 1988. Retrieved on 2008-03-04.
- ^ "Ronald Reagan, Master Storyteller", CBS, June 6, 2004. Retrieved on 2008-03-04.
- ^ Donovan, John. "In Search of a Reagan Renaissance", ABC, February 6, 2008. Retrieved on 2008-03-04.
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