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The Reagan Era: A History of the 1980s

Larry Reed

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The 1980s were a time of great change and upheaval in the United States. The Reagan Era, as it is often called, was a period of economic growth, social conservatism, and foreign policy assertiveness. President Ronald Reagan presided over a decade that saw the end of the Cold War, the rise of the new economy, and the beginning of the culture wars.

In his book The Reagan Era: A History of the 1980s, Lou Cannon provides a comprehensive and insightful look at this transformative decade. Drawing on interviews with Reagan and his key advisers, Cannon tells the story of how Reagan's policies and personality shaped the course of American history.

One of the most significant aspects of the Reagan Era was the economic boom that began in 1983. Reagan's economic policies, known as Reaganomics, were based on the belief that tax cuts and deregulation would stimulate economic growth. And they did. The economy grew at an average annual rate of 3.5% during the 1980s, and unemployment fell from 10.8% in 1983 to 5.4% in 1989.

The Reagan Era: A History of the 1980s

by D. D. Cross

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2192 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	392 pages

However, Reaganomics also led to a sharp increase in the national debt. The debt increased from $1 trillion in 1980 to $2.9 trillion in 1989. This was due in part to Reagan's tax cuts, which reduced government revenue, and in part to increased spending on defense and social welfare programs.

The Reagan Era was also a time of social conservatism. Reagan was a strong supporter of traditional family values, and he appointed conservative judges to the Supreme Court. This led to a number of controversial decisions, such as the Court's ruling in Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion.

The Reagan Era also saw the rise of the culture wars. This was a period of intense debate over social issues such as abortion, pornography, and homosexuality. The culture wars divided the country along political and religious lines, and they continue to be a source of division today.

Reagan was a staunch anti-communist, and he took a hard line against the Soviet Union. He increased defense spending, and he launched a number of initiatives aimed at rolling back communist influence around the world.

Reagan's policies helped to bring about the end of the Cold War. In 1989, the Berlin Wall fell, and in 1991, the Soviet Union collapsed. Reagan played a key role in this historic event, and he is widely credited with helping to win the Cold War.

The Reagan Era was a time of great change and upheaval in the United States. Reagan's policies and personality had a profound impact on the course of American history. The Reagan Era: A History of the 1980s by Lou Cannon is a comprehensive and insightful look at this transformative decade.

Lou Cannon is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who covered the Reagan White House for the Washington Post. He is the author of several books on politics and public policy, including President Reagan: The Role of a Lifetime and Reagan's Revolution: The Untold Story of the Campaign That Changed America.

The Reagan Era: A History of the 1980s

by D. D. Cross

4.5 out of 5