...Ronald Reagan: Underrated, Overrated or Both Erica Boozer HIS/145 April 10, 2014 Tee Swan Ronald Reagan: Underrated, Overrated or Both Was President Reagan overrated or underrated? This is such a controversial question. Some believe he was overrated while others believe the latter. Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th president of the United States. Reagan was born in Tampico, Illinois on February 6, 1911. In 1920, after living in a series of towns as a child, Reagan family settled in Dixon, Illinois. Here his father opened a shoe store (biography, 2014). Reagan graduated high school in 1928 and continued his adult education at Eureka College in Illinois. Here, he was an athlete and scholar. He played football, ran track, and was captain of the swim team. He also acted in school plays and was president of the student council (biography, 2014). Reagan graduated in 1932 and in the latter part of the thirties he signed a seven year contract with Warner Brothers studio. He starred in over 50 movies during his time as a Hollywood actor (biography, 2014). Political Career Reagan started his political ventures in 1964. He gave a televised speech for Barry Goldwater who was a Republican presidential candidate at the time. Two years later he became the governor of California and was re-elected for a second term in 1970 (biography, 2014). After two failed bids for the Republican presidential nomination, Reagan finally made it in 1980 when he beat Democratic incumbent and current...
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...Ronald Wilson Reagan was born on February 6, 1911 in Tampico, Illinois and was loved and cared for by Jack Reagan and Nelle Reagan with his older brother Neil Reagan. Growing up Ronald was mostly raised by his mother instead of his acholic father. Ronald has a memory of his father where he found his father drunkenly passed out in the snow and Ronald had to carry him inside. Nelle raised Ronald in her church the disciples of Christ, where she taught Ronald about the dangers of alcoholism and catholic beliefs. Ronald has looked up to his mother Nelle because of her charitable deeds mostly helping the church and people and staying active in their community. Nelle encouraged Ronald and Neil since they were young. Dixon high school in Tampico, Illinois was where Ronald Reagan graduated. He was student body president which meant he had to represent students, organize events, and set up important meetings and agendas. Another school activity Ronald was involved with was school plays which helped his acting which would come in handy later for his acting career. To pay for college at Eureka College in Eureka, Illinois Ronald had to take multiple jobs as to cleaning tables and working as a life guard. According to news reports from late 1928 he saved 77...
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...inflation was 4.1%, and national pride had never been as high as it was (Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Library). This drastic change in America can be credited to Ronald Wilson Reagan and his presidency. Many people thought that the former actor could not lead the nation into a time of prosperity, let alone become president. Ronald Reagan was the most successful president of the modern area. Ronald Reagan was a hard worker, who followed his gut, allowing him to become the one of the most productive presidents in all of American history. Ronald Wilson Reagan was born on February 6, 1911....
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...When I say the name Ronald Reagan what comes to mind, some might say just our fortieth president, but lots of people say he was the best president of the twentieth .century in the USA. Ronald Reagan was the oldest person to run for president. He was the oldest, but he was a great president. Ronald Wilson Reagan was born on February 6 1911 on a Monday in Tampico, Illinois. Reagan lived in Tampico Illinois and saw frightening situations. This influenced him to help his family move to a better town. Reagan played American football as a teen . He also had fun with his family. Reagan's adulthood was a good experience for him. Before he became president, he was a Hollywood actor. Reagan had fun on set and enjoyed action parts. Reagan got married twice, to Jane Wyman and Nancy Reagan. He has two sons and three daughters....
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...The Reagan Doctrine The Reagan Doctrine popularized during the two-term presidency of Ronald Wilson Reagan was one which he hinted to in his 1985 State of the Union Address. He affirmed to the American public and the world that “We must not break faith with those who are risking their lives--on every continent from Afghanistan to Nicaragua--to defy Soviet aggression and secure rights which have been ours from birth. Support for freedom fighters is self-defense.” (Reagan, 1985, Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents 21, no. 6). This theme was expanded upon afterwards by then Secretary of State George Shultz, and picked up by journalists, most notably Charles Krauthammer who was first to give the Reagan Doctrine its name in his column in the April 1, 1985 issue of Time magazine. The Reagan Doctrine contended that the United States had a duty to oppose the spread of communist dictatorships and to support the freedom fighters that were part of insurgencies defying Soviet aggression. Its policies were rooted in the 1950s anti-communist doctrines long supported by Americans; however it differed in that “containment” was no longer its only goal. Under the Reagan doctrinal policy it was now permissible to support freedom fighters seeking to throw off governments in counties suffering under communist domination. The rhetorical outpouring of the Reagan Doctrine was much more universal than its actual enactment of policy. This was attributed largely to the impact on U.S. interests...
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...Ronald Wilson Reagan, born February 6th, 1911, was the son of Nelle and John Reagan. He was born in Tampico, Illinois, but moved repeatedly throughout his childhood. His mother was very religious, while his father was an alcoholic. Ronald Reagan’s religious views and acting skills were developed during these years as he participated in church activities, along with maintaining a relationship with the pastor’s daughter. He attended high school in Dixon, eventually enrolling at Eureka College as a freshman in 1928 (Thill, Scott). Ronald Reagan attended Eureka College in Eureka, Illinois. Although he was active in the drama society and played gridiron football, he only received passing grades. He was elected class president his senior year due...
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...Who Is Ronald Reagan Ronald Wilson Reagan is the former governor of California, a former Hollywood actor, but he will most be remembered as the 40th President of the United States of America. Ronald Reagan is the most underrated President in the history of this great country. His contributions to the growth of the United States economy throughout his two terms in office are un-matched. He successfully curbed inflation and reduced government spending, ended the Cold War, fought hard against the war on drugs, and successfully survived several assassination attempts. Ending the Cold War The Cold War was a state of political and military tension after World War II between powers in the Western Bloc and powers in the Eastern Bloc. The cold was started in 1947 and lasted until its official ending in 1991. It was referred to as the “Cold War” because instead of using actual weapons the two sides used verbal weapons in the form of information and threats. Enter Ronald Reagan, 40th President of the United States. Reagan was determined to end the Cold War and therefore introduced what would become known as the Reagan Doctrine. The Reagan Doctrine took the United States cold war plan into Third World Countries and provided military and economic support to various dictatorships in these countries to help aid the resistance of any revolutionary movement. He also armed oppositional armies so that they may rise up against any pro-Soviet government. The outcome of all of Reagan’s efforts...
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...the Rhetorical Situation in Ronald Reagan’s Challenger Address. In this article, using the rhetorical situation, I will dissect the logical circumstance of the authentic discourse "The Challenger Address" conveyed by the 40th president of the United States, Ronald Reagan. The rhetorical situation is comprises of four components: audience, event, speaker and occasion, each one surveying the nature of discourse. Americans had elevated requirements of the space programs, which proposed to give the United States an extraordinary feeling of accomplishment. The importance of the space project lies basically in which symbolized American grandness in science and innovation (Lambright). Therefore, the gathering of people of Reagan's discourse was American open; the individuals who had encountered the shocking national misfortune of seven American space explorers came about because of the disappointment of space administration. Confirmations of Reagan continually including American subjects predominate...
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...On Feb. 6, 1911 a child named Ronald Wilson Reagan was born in a small town, Tampico, Illinois. His parents are the late Nelle Wilson and John ("Jack") Reagan. Ronald grew up with one brother by the name of Neil ("Moon") Reagan. The Reagans moved quite a few times throughout Ronald’s childhood before settling down in Dixon Illinois. Although Reagan Majored in Sociology and Economics, his love was in entertainment. In 1936 he accepted a position with the radio station WHO in Des Moines, Iowa as a sports caster. Only a year later, Reagan went on to Hollywood in Los Angeles, California to establish his acting career. His acting career lasted 25 years. Reagan became known for his political abilities in 1964 when he preformed a television speech that supported Senator Barry Goldwater’s campaign for presidency. Although Goldwater lost, the speech was moving none the less. After the speech was delivered, a group of Republicans in California approached Reagan and convinced him to run in the 1966 election for the seat of governor of California. Reagan beat out Democrat Edmund G. Brown, his opponent, by nearly a million votes. In the Race for presidency in 1980 Regan’s opponent was Jimmy Carter. Carter’s nervous mannerisms were no match for Regan’s charm and public appeal. Carter's 41% of votes was dwarfed by Reagan’s 51%. Reagan became known as "the great communicator.” Reagan became the 40th President of the United States of America. Reagan spoke out publicly against federal...
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...Ronald Reagan: Tribute to D-Day “These are the boys of Pointe du Hoc. These are the men who took the cliffs. These are the champions who helped free a continent. These are the heroes who helped end a war.” These words spoken by then President, Ronald Reagan are just one example of the many that shows his respect and gratitude towards all the service men that fought during WWII, more specifically D-Day. His speech was a moving tribute that moved some to tears and encouraged peace and disarmament talks between the US and the Soviet Union. Background of Ronald Reagan Ronald Wilson Reagan was born on February 6, 1911 in Tampico Illinois to Jack and Nelle Reagan. Ronald had one brother named Neil Reagan. As a child, Reagan often moved therefore he could not make close friendships. At the age of 12, Reagan joined the Disciples of Christ religion, much like his mother, while his brother stayed in the Roman Catholic Church. Reagan...
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...Ronald Wilson Reagan was born February 6, 1911 in a town called Tampico Illinois. His parents, Jack and Nelle Reagan were loving parents they were somewhat poor. His father worked as a shoe salesman, and they moved around during Ronald’s early years until they settled down in a town in Illinois called Dixon. As a child Ronald didn’t exactly like his name so he had the nickname “Dutch” that his father gave him for the reason that his dad said when he was born he looked like a small fat Dutchman. When he was in his high school years he was a lifeguard at a park by Rock River where he rescued 77 people. He ended up graduating from Dixon high school in 1928. He then found a job in Iowa where he was a sports announcer. He then got on with...
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...Reagan Analysis Paper Reagan Analysis Paper Introduction Ronald Wilson Reagan was the fortieth president of the United States. A two term president, he served from 1981-1989. President Reagan won a landslide victory over Jimmy Carter running on a political platform consisting of jump starting the economy and bringing inflation down. This was to be accomplished through lowering taxes and cutting government spending. Many people consider Reagan an outstanding president but this paper contends he was an overrated president. This is based on the management of three issues facing his presidency. These are: economic policies, ending the Cold War, and the Iran-Contra affair. Economic Policies Throughout Reagan’s campaign he assaulted the Carter administration’s free-spending (Moss & Thomas, 2013, pp-208-210). He made promises to cut spending, but ultimately spent more. The most common misconception is that Reagan saved our economy with his famous Reaganomics. This of course included the modern trickle-down theory or supply-side economics, which included major tax decreases, specifically on the wealthy. These tax decreases, coupled with high military spending, created a massive debt and led the country into one of the worst depressions since the Great Depression. When Reagan entered the presidency in 1981 the national debt was at $900 billion. By the time he left it had over tripled to $2.8 trillion. To top it off, many of the military projects the money was used...
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...Ronald Reagan is arguably one of the greatest presidents of the United States of America. Some say he is the greatest, some do not, but I say he is one of our best presidents. Reagan has affected this country through his character, defense strategies, and many other perks. President Reagan’s legacy has left people wanting his portrait on Mount Rushmore and onto United States currency. Overall, Ronald Reagan has left America with the confidence we all so greatly needed. In this paper, I will tell you all about President Reagan’s life and how Ronald Reagan affected America. February 6th, 1911 in Tampico, Illinois, a U.S. legend, named Ronald Wilson Reagan, was born on the second floor of his parent’s apartment. Ronald’s parent’s names were Nelle Wilson Reagan and John Edward Reagan. Ronald’s father, nicknamed “Jack”, was a shoe salesman that owned his own shoe store in Dixon, Illinois, which is where the...
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...1: Compare and Contrast Effective and Ineffective Leaders Ronald Reagan Ronald Wilson Reagan; (February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004) was an American actor and politician. He was the 40th President of the United States (1981–89). Prior to his presidency, he served as the 33rd Governor of California (1967–75). Reagan had many achievements throughout his presidency. Two of which, are as listed: 1. Ending the Cold War: The Cold War had raged since World War II and communism‘s quest for world domination remained an existential threat to the United States when President Reagan took office. Reagan reversed the policy of detente and stood firm against the Soviet Union, calling it the Evil Empire and telling Mikhail Gorbachev to “tear down this wall” in Berlin. He was relentless in pushing his Strategic Defense Initiative and gave aid to rebels battling Soviet-backed Marxists from Nicaragua to Angola. Those efforts were critical in the ultimate collapse of the Soviet empire and essentially ended the Cold War. 2. Reaganomics: Reagan’s mix of across-the-board tax cuts, deregulation, and domestic spending restraint helped fuel an economic boom that lasted two decades. Reagan inherited a misery index (the sum of the inflation and unemployment rates) of 19.99%, and when he left office it had dropped to 9.72%. President Obama take note: Under Reaganomics, 16 million new jobs were created. “In his lifetime, Ronald Reagan was such a cheerful and invigorating presence that it was easy...
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...Ronald Wilson Reagan, born February 6, 1911, served the United States as the 40th president from 1981 to 1989. Reagan was the first and only movie actor elected to office. During his two-terms in office, Reagan had many accomplishments; cutting taxes, strengthened and increased national defense spending, and through foreign policy pursued “peace through strength.” (Freidel & Sidey, 2006). The primary strength Reagan possessed in office was his oratory skills, in which he was dubbed “The Great Communicator”. The presidency of Ronald Reagan corresponded with a “long period of dramatic economic growth and the beginning of a momentous change in international relations.” (Brinkley, 2002). Through legislation, Reagan stimulated the economic growth, curbed inflation, and increased U.S. employment. By cutting taxes and Government expenditures Reagan overhauled the income tax code. By which, he removed many deductions and made exempt millions of low-income people. As the end of his term neared, our nation enjoyed “its longest recorded period of peacetime prosperity without recession or depression.” (Freidel & Sidey, 2006). Another achievement of Reagan was his plan, Supply Side Economics. In a plan, he felt in order to improve the economy, the industries needed to be built up through “entrepreneurial skills” and the corporate wealth would “trickle down to the people.” (The 40th US President - Ronald Reagan). Raised in the small town of Dixon, Illinois, his parents Jack...
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