“Peace through strength” was one of the major principals of Ronald Reagan’s presidency (White House.gov). This was accomplished by strengthening defense, increasing employment, and expertly dealing with government. He restored “the great, confident roar of American progress and growth of optimism” (White House.gov). Ronald Reagan strengthened America by keeping the longest time of peace the nation had ever seen.
Ronald Reagan was born in Tampico, Illinois. His family includes his mother, father, and older brother Neil. Reagan’s father was a salesman and an alcoholic. As a child, Reagan grew up poor. He went to Dixon High School and went to Eureka College where he played football. He also studied sociology and economics and acted in school plays. Ronald Reagan graduated college in 1932. Shortly after, he became a radio sports announcer. At first Reagan struggled, but soon he became a well-known radio sports announcer in the mid-west. Five years later, Reagan got a contract into Hollywood. During the next twenty years he appeared in 53 films, some of which were with Warner Bros. studios. During his acting career, Ronald Reagan married actress Jane Wyman on January 26th, 1940. They had two children; Maureen (1941-2001) and Michael (adopted). They also had another daughter, Christine, who died the next day after she was born. Nine years later, Ronald Reagan and Jane Wyman divorced. Reagan then married another actress, Nancy Davis. Reagan and Davis got married in 1952. Together, they had two children; Patricia Ann and Ronald Prescott. A few years later, Reagan became governor of California.
Ronald Reagan was elected governor of California for two terms; in 1966 and in 1970. During his time in office, Reagan cut welfare and increased taxes. By doing this, Reagan tried to reduce the deficit in California. In 1980, Reagan won the Republican Presidential Nomination with George H. W. Busch as his running mate. Reagan had tried previously to win but failed. Reagan ran against Jimmy Carter and won 489 electoral votes to 49 electoral votes. On January 20th, 1981, Reagan took office. Sixty-nine days later, he was shot by a would-be assassin. However, Reagan recovered quickly and gracefully went back into office. This dramatically increased his popularity. During his time in office, Reagan strengthened defense spending by 35% while also trying to improve relations with the Soviet Union. He signed a treaty with them which got rid of intermediate-range nuclear missiles. Apart from strengthening defense, Reagan also got Congress to pass laws to increase employment and cut taxes. He got rid of taxes for people with low incomes. Reagan kept America out of recession and depression. He also expertly dealt with Congress. He encouraged economic growth and cut government expenses. Reagan’s reputation, however, was tainted when the public found out that the President’s National Security Council staff had given Iran, who was in a war with Iraq, weapons and supplies in exchange of Americans who were held hostage in Lebanon in 1986.
Three years later, Ronald Reagan left office in 1989. His successor, George H. W. Bush, took his place. Five years later, Reagan announced that he was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. He died in June of 2004. Reagan’s legacy was of optimism. He brought prosperity and optimism while keeping the nation out of war. Under his administration, America had a balanced economy, a strong defense, and a stable government. America experienced the longest of peace during his administration. Ronald Reagan’s presidency is so revered that, even today, people still refer to him during election campaigns.
Ronald Wilson Reagan Facts
1.Born February 6th, 1911 to Nelle and John Reagan in Tampico, Illinois (http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/ronaldreagan)
2.High school in Dixon (city) and college in Eureka College (graduated in 1932) (http://www.ipl.org/div/potus/rwreagan.html)
3.Played football in college http://millercenter.org/academic/americanpresident/reagan/essays/biography/1
4.Studied economics and sociology
5.Acted in school plays
6.Became a radio sports announcer
7.Got a contract to Hollywood in 1937
8.Married actress Jane Wyman (January 26th, 1940) and had two kids Maureen (1941-2001) and Michael (adopted) (and Christine who died the next day she was born).
9.Divorced and then married Nancy Davis who was an actress in 1952 and had two children, Patricia Ann and Ronald Prescott
10.In 1966 he was elected governor of California
11.Re-elected in 1970
12.Won Republican Presidential Nomination in 1980 and chose George H. W. Busch as his running mate
13.Reagan ran against Jimmy Carter and won with 489 electoral votes to 49 electoral votes
14.January 20th, 1981 he took office
15.Got shot by a would-be assassin 69 days later but quickly recovered
16.This increased his popularity
17.Dealing skillfully with Congress, Reagan obtained legislation to stimulate economic growth, curb inflation, increase employment, and strengthen national defense. He embarked upon a course of cutting taxes and Government expenditures, refusing to deviate from it when the strengthening of defense forces led to a large deficit
