Ronald Reagan

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Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States of America.  He was born on February 6, 1911, in Tampico, Illinois.  He deserves to be considered a hero for everything he accomplished over his lifetime, from being an actor to the Governor of California to the President of the United States.  He even survived being shot by an assassin.  There were many accomplishments during his presidency.  Three of his biggest accomplishments as President that make him  a hero are ending the Cold War and nuclear threat with the Soviet Union, improving the economy, and defending Americans against terrorism.President Reagan is well known for bringing about better relations between the United States and the Soviet Union.  "In foreign policy, Reagan sought to achieve 'peace through strength'" (whitehouse.gov).  President Reagan pushed for a build up of the military to show America's strength, but he also worked toward peace.  "His strong military build up lead to the 1988 summit meeting with Soviet leader Mikhail S. Gorbachev where they signed the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF Treaty) limited the use of intermediate-range nuclear weapons" (ic.galegroup.com). This helped a lot with the tensions between the Soviets and Americans, they virtually became nonexistent.  President Reagan also worked with Gorbachev on other arms control agreements and withdrawal of Soviet troops from other countries.  "Reagan's foreign affairs policies may be the legacy which will stand the test of time. President Reagan's ability to make these things happen led to him being known as the great communicator and remembered for his role in the ending the Cold War" (ic.galegroup.com). He wanted to be remembered as a hero for America even though he knew he was just doing what he had to, to keep our country safe. His great attempts to reach out to the Soviets multiple times paid off once the treaty was signed in the last year of his second term. "By 1990, the Soviet Union's communist government had collapsed, its Eastern European satellites were free, and the threat of nuclear war between the two superpowers was ended" (ic.galegroup.com). This source proves that the treaty turned out to be a very good thing for our country. And it relieved a lot of tension throughout the United States and the world.

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Reagan also made significant tax cuts throughout his presidency. "He obtained an overhaul of the income tax code, which eliminated many deductions and exempted millions of people with low incomes" (whitehouse.gov). He was trying to better the economy and make people's life in the lower class easier. His tax cuts and economic decisions allowed the inflation rate to decrease during that time. This is proof to back it up, "Reagan's presidency was filled with substantial tax cuts. He reduced spending on domestic programs, increased military expenditures, and doubled the national debt. His moves are credited with decreasing the inflation rate, which had seen rapid growth in the 1970s" (ic.galegroup.com). This allowed the economy to grow and become better during his presidency, and made life better for lower class people. Many people that he helped would consider him a hero or at least someone with a good heart that wanted to help everyone. Reagan was faced with declaring war on International Terrorism after this evidence surfaced, "Reagan declared war against international terrorism, sending American bombers against Libya after evidence came out that Libya was involved in an attack on American soldiers in a West Berlin nightclub" (whitehouse.gov).  This is more evidence of his foreign policy of peace through strength.  He was demonstrating the military strength of the United States of America and sending a message to terrorists that the United States would not tolerate attacks against Americans.  He used military strength to also make sure the oil supply was not interrupted.   "By ordering naval escorts in the Persian Gulf, he maintained the free flow of oil during the Iran-Iraq war" (whitehouse.gov).

The evidence above shows that Ronald Reagan could be considered a hero for many reasons.  He improved the economy, ended the Cold War and nuclear threat, and defending Americans against terrorism. Every President leaves a legacy and President Ronald Reagan's legacy to America was peace and prosperity.  "Overall the Reagan years saw a restoration of prosperity, and the goal of peace through strength seemed to be within grasp" (whitehouse.gov).  Ronald Reagan accomplished a lot during his two terms as President and can be considered an American hero because of these accomplishments.