home
***
CD-ROM
|
disk
|
FTP
|
other
***
search
/
The Epic Interactive Encyclopedia 1998
/
Epic Interactive Encyclopedia, The - 1998 Edition (1998)(Epic Marketing).iso
/
R
/
Reagan,_Ronald
/
INFOTEXT
< prev
Wrap
Text File
|
1992-09-01
|
2KB
|
42 lines
1911- . US Republican politician, governor of
California 1966-74, president 1981-89. A
former Hollywood actor, Reagan was a hawkish
and popular president. He adopted an
aggressive policy in Central America,
attempting to overthrow the government of
Nicaragua, and invading Grenada 1983. In
1987, Irangate was investigated by the Tower
Commission; Reagan admitted that USA-Iran
negotiations had become an `arms for hostages
deal', but denied knowledge of resultant
funds being illegally sent to the Contras in
Nicaragua. He increased military spending
(sending the national budget deficit to
record levels), cut social programmes,
introduced deregulation of domestic markets,
and cut taxes. His Strategic Defense
Initiative, announced 1983, proved
controversial owing to the cost and
unfeasibility. He was succeeded by George
Bush. Reagan was born in Tampico, Illinois,
the son of a shoe salesman who was bankrupted
during the Depression. He became a Hollywood
actor 1937 and appeared in 50 films,
including Bedtime for Bonzo 1951 and The
Killers 1964. As president of the Screen
Actors' Guild 1947-52, he became a
conservative, critical of the bureaucratic
stifling of free enterprise, and named names
before the House Un-American Activities
Committee. He joined the Republican Party
1962, and his term as governor of California
was marked by battles against students.
Having lost the Republican presidential
nomination 1968 and 1976 to Nixon and Ford
respectively, Reagan won it 1980 and defeated
President Carter. He was wounded in an
assassination attempt 1981. The invasion of
Grenada, following a coup there, generated a
revival of national patriotism, and Reagan
was re-elected by a landslide 1984.