Ronald Reagan

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The United Sates was in trouble. It was a time of crisis after the Carter era. America was in a state of economic and moral despair. Foreign threats were emerging. The country needed not only a new president, but an influential hero. To truly solidify a place in history as a hero, a president has to take control and address the problems facing the country. Ronald Reagan was one of the most influential presidents of all time because he renewed the American spirit through his unique vision, advanced and protected democracy and capitalism, and stimulated economic growth and development.
Our 40th president was born in 1911 in Tampico, Illinois to Jack and Nelle Reagan. He was influenced by small-town values such as patriotism, hard work and Godliness. After graduating as an average student from Eureka College, he pursued a career in show business where he made over fifty movies. He and his first wife, Jane Wyman, had a daughter, Maureen and adopted a son, Michael. In 1952, he married Nancy Davis and they had two children, Patti and Ron (Dugger 2-11). Reagan was a democrat until after the of age 50 and had prolonged respect for Franklin D. Roosevelt whose “New Deal” provided jobs for his family. However, his liberal stance changed once he saw the effects of high taxes, issues of Communism in the film industry, and an overly-involved federal government (Miller Center, Freidel and Sidey). He was elected governor of California in 1966 and again in 1970 (Appleby 975). After being defeated by Gerald Ford for the 1976 Republican Presidential nomination, he successfully defeated Jimmy Carter in 1980. At the age of 69, he became the oldest elected president of the United States (D’Souza 77-83). As president, he was known for hi...

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