Ronald Reagan had a very successful life. He was the 40th president of the United States (1981-1989). He was an actor for 30 years before he became involved with politics and starred in more than 50 movies. Reagan was born on February 6, 1911 in Tampico, Illinois. Reagan was raised by his traveling shoe salesman father John Reagan, and his mother Nelle. John was an alcoholic and was saved from the Great Depression by the Works Progress Administration. Reagan was strongly influenced by his mother, who taught him to read at an early age. After High School, Ronald Reagan won a Scholarship to Eureka College in Peoria, Illinois. He was very active at Eureka. He majored in economics, student body president, captain of the swimming team, …show more content…

This enacted tax cuts that benefited upper-income taxpayers and large corporations. He also made cuts in spending for job training, college loans, food and medical programs, payments for those with disabilities, child daycare centers, and centers for the elderly. Reagan relaxed environmental and safety standards and helped struggling savings and loan institution. He also believed that labor unions interfered with economic efficiency. When 11,800 members of the Professional Air Traffic Controllers went on strike in August 1981 wanting higher pay and a shorter workweek. Reagan just dismissed all 11,800 strikers. All of Reagan's actions fueled a 5-year stock market increase. During his run, he had very high military bills and was forced to borrow money from different countries, especially Japan. The huge deficit kept interest rates very high which made the value of the U.S. dollar soar. But a large devaluation of the dollar in 1986 failed to overcome the huge trade deficit. This caused a panic on Wall St. as the stock market fell as it had in 1929. After this Congress stopped approving increases in the military budget.
Reagan had a powerful impact on civil liberties and rights. The Justice Department cut back its efforts in enforcing job discrimination and fair housing laws. After a public alarm about drug use he suggested that all employers test their workers for drug use and they fire them if caught more than once. He also pushed for a law to be passed