Challenges Faced by Ronald Reagan: Obstacles and Turning Points

Life is full of challenges, and Ronald Reagan faced many. Discover key struggles and how they were overcome.

Ronald Reagan, the 40th U.S. President (1981-1989), was a key figure in the American conservative movement and the Republican Party. His presidency, known as the Reagan era, saw significant policy changes and a shift in political landscape.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1965: Voting Rights Act of 1965

Reagan opposed the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

February 5, 1969: State of Emergency Declared at UC Berkeley

On February 5, 1969, Reagan declared a state of emergency in response to protests and violence at the University of California, Berkeley, and sent in the California Highway Patrol to restore order.

May 1969: Clash at People's Park

In May 1969, California Highway Patrol officers, along with local police, clashed with protesters over People's Park in Berkeley. One student was killed, and many officers and reporters were injured. Reagan sent the National Guard to occupy Berkeley.

February 1970: National Guard Deployed to UC Santa Barbara

In February 1970, Reagan deployed the National Guard to the University of California, Santa Barbara, in response to violent protests near the campus.

1970: Gubernatorial Election and Tax Policies

During his victorious reelection campaign in 1970, Reagan called for reduced government spending and tax hikes to balance the budget. He worked with Jesse M. Unruh on securing tax increases and promising future property tax cuts. Unruh then used Reagan's tax policy against him, saying it disproportionally favored the wealthy.

1970: Reelection Campaign and Welfare Reform

During his victorious reelection campaign in 1970, Reagan, remaining critical of government, promised to prioritize welfare reform.

1971: Welfare Experiment

In 1971 Reagan and Bob Moretti tightened up the eligibility requirements so that the financially needy could continue receiving payments, resulting in the welfare experiment running from 1971 to 1974.

1972: Potential Tax Hike

In 1972, Reagan was concerned that the programs were disincentivizing work and that the growing welfare rolls would lead to both an unbalanced budget and another big tax hike

1972: People v. Anderson

In 1972, Reagan's efforts to enforce capital punishment were thwarted by People v. Anderson

1974: Welfare Experiment

In 1974 Reagan and Bob Moretti tightened up the eligibility requirements so that the financially needy could continue receiving payments, resulting in the welfare experiment running from 1971 to 1974.

1976: Loss in Republican Primaries

In 1976, Ronald Reagan lost to Gerald Ford in the Republican Party presidential primaries.

1976: Employment Development Department Report

In 1976, the Employment Development Department published a report suggesting that the welfare experiment that ran from 1971 to 1974 was unsuccessful.

November 4, 1979: Iran Hostage Crisis

The Iran hostage crisis began on November 4, 1979. The general election pitted Reagan against Carter amid the multitude of domestic concerns and ongoing Iran hostage crisis.

1980: Inflation rate at 12 percent

During the 1980 election, the inflation rate was at 12 percent.

1980: Age Issue and Recession

Heading into 1980, Reagan's age became an issue among the press, and the United States was in a severe recession, posing challenges for his campaign.

1980: Illegal drugs in High School Seniors

In 1980, 53 percent of high school seniors used illegal drugs.

1980: Appeal to Black Voters

In 1980, Reagan attempted to appeal to Black voters, but received the lowest Black vote for a Republican presidential candidate at the time.

March 30, 1981: Reagan shot outside Washington Hilton

On March 30, 1981, Ronald Reagan was shot by John Hinckley Jr. outside the Washington Hilton. He underwent surgery at George Washington University Hospital and quickly recovered.

July 1981: US Economy Enters Recession

In July 1981, the US economy entered a recession, impacting Reagan's early presidency.

August 1981: PATCO strike and mass firings

In August 1981, the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization (PATCO) went on strike. On August 3, Reagan announced that he would fire controllers if they did not return to work within 48 hours. On August 13, Reagan fired approximately 12,000 striking air traffic controllers who ignored his order, weakening organized labor.

1981: Reagan approves cuts to Social Security

In 1981, President Reagan approved a plan for cuts to Social Security in an effort to keep it solvent, but later backed off due to public backlash. He also signed the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 to cut funding for federal assistance programs.

1981: Approval Rating Decline

In 1981, Reagan's approval ratings declined by the end of his first year, which has been attributed to the 1981–1982 recession.

1981: Beginning of AIDS Epidemic

In 1981, the AIDS epidemic began to unfold, initially posing challenges for physicians and the public in understanding the disease.

1981: National Debt Increase

Since 1981, the national debt had nearly tripled due to Reagan's tax cuts and increased military spending.

December 1982: Unemployment Rate Reaches 10.8 Percent

In December 1982, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the unemployment rate at 10.8 percent during the recession.

1982: Reagan intensifies the war on drugs

In 1982, President Reagan intensified the war on drugs in response to concerns about the increasing crack epidemic.

1982: Reagan impedes Soviet Union's access to hard currency

In 1982, President Reagan tried to cut off the Soviet Union's access to hard currency by impeding its proposed gas line to Western Europe.

1982: Approval Rating Fluctuation

In 1982, Reagan's approval ratings fluctuated in the mid-30s and mid-40s in his second and third years, which has been attributed to the 1981–1982 recession.

1982: Reagan signs Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act

In 1982, amid growing concerns about the federal debt, President Reagan signed the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act, which increased the federal cigarette tax and rescinded some corporate tax cuts from 1981.

1982: Garn-St. Germain Depository Institutions Act deregulated savings and loan associations

The 1982 Garn–St. Germain Depository Institutions Act deregulated savings and loan associations, leading to riskier activities and contributing to the savings and loan crisis.

1984: Federal Spending on AIDS

Between the fiscal years of 1984 and 1989, federal spending on AIDS totaled $5.6 billion. The Reagan administration proposed $2.8 billion during this time period, but pressure from congressional Democrats resulted in the larger amount.

September 1985: Reagan Calls AIDS Research A Top Priority

In September 1985, shortly after Rock Hudson announced his AIDS diagnosis, Reagan called a government AIDS research program a "top priority" in a press conference but cited budgetary constraints.

1985: American Hostages Taken in Lebanon

By mid-1985, Hezbollah began to take American hostages in Lebanon, holding seven of them in reaction to the United States' support of Israel.

1985: Crack epidemic

In 1985, Crack became widespread.

1985: Oil Prices Fell

In 1985, the prices of oil, the primary source of Soviet export revenues, fell to one third of the previous level.

April 5, 1986: West Berlin Discotheque Bombing

On April 5, 1986, the West Berlin discotheque bombing occurred, killing an American soldier and injuring others, leading Reagan to authorize force against Libya, which was believed to be involved.

1986: Anti-Drug Abuse Act

In 1986, President Reagan signed the Anti-Drug Abuse Act to specify penalties for drug offenses.

1986: Koop's Report on AIDS

In 1986, Reagan commissioned C. Everett Koop to develop a report on AIDS. Koop's recommendations, including sex education and condom usage, angered many evangelical conservatives.

1986: Reykjavík Summit

In 1986, at the Reykjavík Summit, Reagan and Gorbachev agreed to abolish all nuclear weapons. The deal failed when Reagan refused Gorbachev's condition to confine SDI research to laboratories.

May 17, 1987: Iraqi Fighter Jet Hits USS Stark

On May 17, 1987, an Iraqi fighter jet hit the USS Stark with two Exocet missiles, killing 37 sailors.

1987: Alan Greenspan appointed Federal Reserve chairman

In 1987, Alan Greenspan succeeded Paul Volcker as Federal Reserve chairman and subsequently raised interest rates, contributing to the Black Monday stock market crash.

1987: Unsuccessful nomination of Robert Bork to Supreme Court

In 1987, President Reagan unsuccessfully nominated Robert Bork to the Supreme Court.

1987: Reagan Vetoes Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987

In 1987, Reagan vetoed the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, but Congress overrode his veto.

1987: Approval Rating Recovery

In mid-1987, Reagan's approval ratings began to recover after declining during the Iran–Contra scandal.

March 1988: Reagan vetoes Civil Rights Restoration Act

In March 1988, President Reagan vetoed the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, arguing it expanded federal power excessively, but Congress overrode his veto.

1988: "Just Say No" campaign

In 1988, a study showed 39 percent of high school seniors using illegal drugs compared to 53 percent in 1980.

1989: Federal Spending on AIDS

1989: National debt as a percentage of GDP rises to 53 percent

By 1989, the national debt as a percentage of the gross domestic product rose to 53 percent, up from 33 percent in 1981.

1992: Possible Early Alzheimer's Symptoms

In 1992, medical experts suggest that Reagan may have began exhibiting overt symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. This is based on lay observations that he suffered from Alzheimer's while still in office which have been disputed by medical experts.

1993: Possible Early Alzheimer's Symptoms

In 1993, medical experts suggest that Reagan may have began exhibiting overt symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. This is based on lay observations that he suffered from Alzheimer's while still in office which have been disputed by medical experts.

August 1994: Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease

In August 1994, Reagan was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, which he announced through a handwritten letter in November.

1994: Diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease

In 1994, Ronald Reagan was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

1997: Progress of Alzheimer's Disease

By 1997, Reagan's Alzheimer's disease had progressed to the point where he recognized few people other than his wife, though he continued to walk through parks and on beaches, play golf, and visit his office.

2003: Decline Due to Alzheimer's Disease

By the end of 2003, Reagan had lost his ability to speak and was mostly confined to his bed, no longer able to recognize family members due to Alzheimer's disease.