Ronald Reagan
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 president Jimmy Carter. He was inaugurated January 20, 1981 and became the oldest person elected to the United States presidency (biography, 2014).
Economics: “Reaganomics” His presidency was from 1981 to 1989. Reagan employed various initiatives during his two terms as president. His contribution to the growth of the economy was through controlling the money supply and the reduction of taxes. This way, he successfully curbed inflation and reduced government spending (Moss & Thomas, 2013).
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 president Jimmy Carter. He was inaugurated January 20, 1981 and became the oldest person elected to the United States presidency (biography, 2014).
Economics: “Reaganomics” His presidency was from 1981 to 1989. Reagan employed various initiatives during his two terms as president. His contribution to the growth of the economy was through controlling the money supply and the reduction of taxes. This way, he successfully curbed inflation and reduced government spending (Moss & Thomas, 2013).
References: Biography. (2014). Ronald Reagan Biography. Retrieved from http://www.biography.com/people/ronald-reagan-9453198#domestic-agenda&awesm=~oAUpXsA0aVu6Q5 Moss, G. D., & Thomas, E. A. (2013). Moving On: The American people since 1945 (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. PBS. (2013). The Iran-Contra Affair. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/general-article/reagan-iran/