Presidents: Ford to Clinton

What domestic problems did Ford face?

• Nixon pardon

• Inflation

• Recession

• Vetoed more than Hoover, 39 bills in during 15 months

What was memorable about the election of 1976, and the domestic program

of Carter?

• Very low voter turn out• created Dept. of Energy• created Dept of Education• Gave amnesty to draft dodgers• A 2nd oil crisis in 79 and Iran

bring approval ratings down to levels lower than Nixon’s

Why did Reagan get elected in 1980 and 1984?

Why did Reagan get elected in 1980 and 1984?

• Voters getting older

• Revival of religious fundamentalism

• Deep dissatisfaction with Carter

How did Reagan address the nations economic problems?

• Cut taxes

• Increased defense spending

• Cut social services spending

• Tax cuts defense spending = huge deficits

“Reaganomics” or “Trickle Down Economics”

• Belief that $$$$ for the wealthy and business helps everyone else

What caused the economic slump during Reagan’s first term?

• Bankers feared the deficit would devalue bonds

• So interest rates were too high for growth

• Defense and Social Security Spending

What did he do about it?

• Couldn’t cut defense or Social Security

• Instead

–Cut aid to things like education, school lunches, and cultural programs

–Then raised taxes

What factors enabled Reagan’s Election in 1984?

• Low inflation

• OPEC lowers oil prices

• promised to cut taxes

• Mondale was a Geek

What was that Iran-Contra thing about?

• Hostages in Lebanon• US secretly sold arms to Iran

in exchange for getting the hostages freed

• $$ from deal went rebels in Nicaragua

What economic event marked a low point in the 1980’s?

• Black Monday, Oct 19, 1987

• market plunged 23%, double the crash of 1929

• $560 billion lost

What were George Bush’s domestic priorities?

What were George Bush’s domestic priorities?

• Drug War• “No new taxes”• Reducing national debt• Reducing debt made it hard

not to raise taxes

What were Bill Clinton’s domestic Priorities?

• Health care

• Economic recovery

• Impeachment