Long before former reality show star and real estate mogul Donald Trump became President of the United States, Ronald Reagan was the first to successfully transition from entertainer to leader of the free world. He served as president during the height of the Cold War when one wrong move by either the US or Soviet Union could’ve spelled the end for us all. Reagan carefully balanced diplomacy with a strong stance against communism and the Soviet Union to win the Cold War and leave office as one of the most popular and effective presidents since World War II.
But if it wasn’t for plenty of hard work and a couple of lucky breaks, the world never would’ve heard of Ronald Reagan.
Ronald Reagan, or “Ronnie,” as his second wife Nancy affectionately referred to him as, seemed to have pretty clear if not boring future ahead of him when he was growing up in the small town of Dixon, Illinois. He planned to attend college, get a job, and start a family. Then, a chance job as a radio announcer opened him up to a new world.
Reagan moved to Hollywood in 1937, and after starring in several bit roles in some very unforgettable films, he used his name recognition to enter politics.
Most thought it was ridiculous for a former actor to run for office, but Ronnie didn’t let the critics affect his decisions. In fact, instead of starting small, as some suggested, by running for a seat in the state House of Representatives, Reagan decided to go big and run for governor of California as a Republican in 1966. Needless to say, California was quite different at that time politically, so Reagan was able to win in a landslide.
Reagan served two terms as California’s governor and just as he used the visibility of his acting career to propel him into the governor’s mansion in Sacramento, he did the same thing to reach the White House.
After becoming president in 1980, Reagan was able to lay out his vision for revamping America. The US had been suffering a recession and was on the losing end of some Cold War battles, so a guy like Reagan was just what the country needed.
By 1984, the US economy had rebounded and America’s traditional enemies had once more shown respect for the country.
The 1980s truly was the decade of Reagan, from the booming economy to the tough stance on communism, it could be felt everywhere. Americans in New York and Los Angeles found common ground with those in the Dakotas and Mississippi to work together toward common goals. Some people criticize the excess and superficiality of the 1980s, but there is little doubt that Americans were more unified and less antagonistic during the “decade of excess.”
People didn’t talk about red states and blue states during the 1980s. After all, just about every state voted for Reagan so it didn’t matter!