Controversies Surrounding The Reagan Administration

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Ronald Reagan was considered one of our greatest American presidents. Reagan revived the American economy and ended the Cold War by toppling the Soviet empire. Many people say Reagan resurrected and redefined America. President Reagan was a hit in the United States for getting the job done, leading to him being re-elected for a second term. Domestic Issues Reagan implemented what became known as Reaganomics, which involved tax cuts, deregulation, and a focus on reducing government spending. These policies were there to create economic growth, reduce inflation, and create more jobs. “the Reagan policy mix worked as advertised to slow the growth in the supply of money while increasing the demand for it. As a result, inflation collapsed, interest rates fell, and economic growth revived.”(Kemp) Additionally, …show more content…

People also argue that his policies led to growing economic inequality and a decrease in social welfare programs. Reagan's administration also faced controversies, like the Iran-Contra affair. During the Iran-Contra affair, there was a secret arrangement where the United States sold arms to Iran in exchange for the release of hostages and used the proceeds to fund Nicaraguan Contras. This scandal involved covert operations, arms deals, and the circumvention of Congress, leading to investigations and controversies surrounding the Reagan administration's actions. The affair raised concerns about the legality and ethics of the government's actions and resulted in several officials facing legal consequences. The public reaction to the Iran-Contra affair was shock and concern. Many Americans were troubled by the covert operations, arms deals, and the circumvention of Congress. The affair raised questions about the government's transparency and adherence to the law, leading to criticism of the Reagan administration's actions. The public's trust in the government was significantly impacted, and there were calls for