Reagan and Bush

Generalization: Ronald Reagan and George Bush put together a new political coalition, a coalition which enabled them to reverse some of the damage done to America by 20 years of liberal social and economic policies. However, despite the many successes of Reagan and Bush, the two men left their "conservative revolution" far from complete. Comment.

Potential ID’s: RONALD REAGAN, SDI, OLLIE NORTH, ROBERT BORK, TED KENNEDY, SUPPLY SIDE ECONOMICS, AIDS, GEORGE BUSH, "READ MY LIPS," DAN QUAYLE, GULF WAR

I.   Introduction

II.   Reagan background to 1980

III.   Reagan’s basic program
A.   Strong defense
B.   Aggressive foreign policy
C.   Cuts in government spending
D.   Supply-side economics

IV.   Reagan’s appeal to social conservatives

V.   Reagan/Bush vs. Carter/Mondale

VI.   Reagan keeps his campaign promises
A.   Reagan tax cut
B.   Strengthening of defense/aggressive foreign policy (e.g., Grenada)

VII.   Results of Reagan’s policies

VIII.   A new mandate for Reagan: Reagan/Bush vs. Mondale/Ferraro (Morning in America!)

IX.   Liberal attempts to derail conservative revolution
A.   Deficit?
B.   Iran-Contra

X.   The liberals defend their last bastion: the courts stay liberal
A.   Bork hearings

XI.   Problems with the Reagan economic program

XII.   Reagan’s failure on social issues

XIII.   Reagan’s great success: victory in the Cold War!

XIV.   Bush
A.   Background
B.   Bush keeps together Reagan’s coalition
C.   Attacks on Bush
D. Bush successes