Introduction
Ronald Reagan, the 40th president of the United States, followed a unique path to his life in the White House. From a radio sports announcer and a famous actor, he turned to politics and was elected the governor of California State in 1966. He was born in Tampico Illinois but later on, moved to California in the 1930s. He began his career as a radio presenter then later on moved to the film industry and featured in 50 movies that gave him a base for his career to run for presidency (Murray & Tim, 1993, p. 80).
Originally he was a Democrat but later changed to the Republican camp in 1962 (Cannon, 2005, p.15). He ran for the presidency without succeeding but finally in 1980, he won the presidency under the Republican nomination. When he took over the presidency the United States was yet to recover from the great depression and his government had a great task ahead. He must have done well in his first term as he was back at the White House in 1984 for a second term as the president of the United States.
During his eight years as the president, he helped in reshaping politics and at the same time, negotiated with the Soviet Union on arms control, in effect reaching an agreement between the two superpowers. This was the greatest achievement since he was able to deal with the cold war issue and bring it to an end. Reagan left office in 1989 and his presidency term had a strong presidency approval rating (Beschloss, 2007,p. 284).
Early Life
Ronald was born in an apartment on the second-floor building in Tampico on February sixth, 1911. His father was John Edward “jack Reagan, an Irishman. His mother Nellie Wilson Reagan was a Scottish -English ancestor. Reagan had one elder brother, Neil moon (Schribman, 2004, p.16). Neil raised Ronald in her church, as an adult Ronald grew up having this compassionate heart and generosity. He was baptized in 1922. Reagan was very against racial discrimination he remembers the time in Dixon when no black people would be allowed in a local he invite them to their home where his mother invited them to stay for the night and share breakfast the next morning (Schribman, 2004, p.16).
Youth and college
As a boy, Ronald’s life was filled with adventure a good example is when he narrowly escaped death by playing under the train. He attended Dixon high school where he was involved in various sports in the school like football and baseball. His aspiration in politics started when he was chosen as a student representative. While on campus he was good in political theatre and sports. His first job was as a life guard in Lowe Park where he saved seventy-seven lives (Schribman, 2004, p.16). After graduation, he moved to Lowe where he was hired by Lowe University to broadcast the home football he later moved to WHO radio as an announcer of cub baseball. He later joined the film field, with the best shooting of ‘kings’ row’ which made him a star.
Radio, film and television career and military service
After graduating from college, Ronald landed a job as a sports anchor with a radio station. These later developed into a successful movie career. In the movie field, he did his best to act in light comedies and action movies. Reagan absorbed this technique even in his political career. Reagan was first elected as alternate board of directors and later in 1947 as the 3rd vice president. When in the management team he resolved labor disputes that had hit the industry. Reagan also served in the military; this was after completing a home study extension course. He was listed as a private assigned to a troop (Bartels, 1991, p.470).
He was later appointed as an army leader. He participated in various activities one which is so common the sixth war loan drive, he was later assigned the AAF base unit where he remained until the war ended.
Marriage life and politics
Ronald was first married to Wyman with whom he had three children, one of whom was adopted. Later there arose a conflict about his political ambition and this led to their divorce. He then met Nancy Davis and they had two children. Ronald displayed great interest in politics that originated from his parents who were democrats, but later after World War II, he changed to the Republican Party (Steven, 2009, p. 460). In his leadership style, he believed in socialism and fair voting rights, and housing laws. He stressed the importance of small government, he also believed the authority can not control the economy without having control of the people.
He became the governor of California State in 1965 and later the American president in 1980 and served for two terms to 1989 (Cannon, 2005, p.15). During his presidential term, he implemented policies that advocated for [personal freedom, military expansion change in our economy and contributed to the end of the cold war. He experienced an assassination attempt but he managed to survive. Reagan’s policies help reduced inflation unemployment that was very high in the previous administration (Bartels, 1991, p. 457).
He advocated for liberalism that stimulated economic growth. Though there was an increased budget deficit. Other than the economy-wise he helped deal with the war on drugs and also made immigrants act regal where they were to first assess the immigrant’s employees status before the hire. He left office and his term was rated as one of the best with great achievements. He rates diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and later in the year 2004 he succumbed to the illness dying at the age of 93.
Social Cultural and Economical contribution
Ronald Reagan has been rated as one of the best presidents of the time who brought a great change in the American economy but also in the social life of people. Politically one of the greatest achievements is the end of the cold war. Margret Thatcher termed him as a transformer who can change the impossible to possible. He was a conservative which brought great success to his political career. He led to a conservative movement which brought an alteration to United States politics (Hayward, 2009, p. 463). Even after leaving office, he became an icon that influence political candidates in their campaign a good example is McCain in the 2008 campaign.
He redefined the political agenda putting more emphasis on economic policies and a stronger military. He was an anti-communist; he was very much against racial discrimination. This was first seen at his tender age in Dixon when black people could not be allowed in a certain entertainment area he invited them in their home, another scene was in the film industry where he led the campaign of acceptance of black actors to the movie industry. He was also a good communicator this was demonstrated his ability to connect with the American people. At his tender age, he gave a soft-spoken speech with combined humor (Beschloss, 2007, p. 284).
This led to the attraction of young citizens to elect him. His presidency was displayed with humor and was a great storyteller, this lead him to be in a position to put his point across and be able to convince the people, this was best displayed in the ending of the cold war. His political constraint reserved the faith in the presidency and gave hope to the Americans to live (Hayward, 2009, p. 463). America earned respect worldwide especially on the issue of ending the cold war.
In his illness days, he would spend most of the time walking around the park and playing golf therefore we can say he was a man of the people. His political traits were greatly influenced by the movie industry that gave him the ability to be a great communist, his education in economics helped him in the implementation of economic policies that led the American economy to successfully grow.
Conclusion
Ronald Reagan the communist, the transformer and a conservative, and the second long-lived president of the United States was a great leader. His presidential term was pointed to be the most efficient and prosperous economy and of all achievements coming to an end of the cold war. The implementation of various economic [policies mostly on tax led to the economic boom of America. Though these policies were received with critics by his oppose though with time they are being appreciated. He was determined and always vowed everything in honor no matter how serious the issue is well demonstrated in cold war issue speeches. Just as the American we can also be rated as one of the best presidents that will live to be a role model to many.
Reference List
Beschloss, M. (2007). Presidential Courage: Brave Leaders and How they Changed America 1789-1989. New York: Simon & Schuster.
Bartels, L. M. (1991). “Constituency Opinion and Congressional Policy Making: The Reagan Defence Build Up”. The American Political Science Review, 85(2).
Cannon, L. (2005). Governor Reagan: His Rise to Power. Public Affairs.
Hayward,S. F. (2009). The Age of Reagan: The Conservative Counterrevolution, 1980-1989. New York: Crown Publishing Group.
Murray, R. K., &Tim, H. B. (1993). Greatness in the White House. Pennsylvania: Penn State Press.
Schribman, D. (2004). “Reagan, all-American, dies at 93“. The Boston Globe. Web.