ECONOMIC
REAGANOMICS - Ronald Reagan's policies that go along with the Supply-Side economic theory. The trickle down theory stems from this. The trickle down theory is when the top 10% of the rich people get a tax break. They use the tax break to invest into other companies. The middle class and the poor class are then able to get a job.
SOCIAL
- WAR ON DRUGS
- Reagan increased punishments and penalties for drug charges
- Reagan's wife started the "Just Say No" campaign to influence people not to do drugs.
- CIVIL RIGHTS
- African Americans were able to vote and be a part of political positions thanks to Reagan
- Reagan was against abortion; federal ban
- Reagan legalized organized school prayer
- Jobs that were once denied to women were now attainable
- Equal Rights Amendment defeated
- AIDS
- a lot of effort was put into the research for the cure
- this brought attention to Gay Rights and drug abusers
- WEALTH GAP
- gap grew exponentially
- top 5th of American's income increased 23%
- bottom 5th American's income increased 9%
- wages remained stagnant
POLITICAL
- CONSERVATIVE SHIFT
- emphasized opposition to abortion, Equal Rights Amendment, homosexuals, and pornography
- was motivated by the fear of excessive federal spending/power
- COLD WAR
- increased military spending
- SDI (Strategic Defense Initiative): a space-based nuclear defense system that increased nuclear weapons
- Iran-Contra Affair
- US sold arms to Iran
- Iran under arms embargo
- US gives arms to Contra to free 6 hostages