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In Search of the American Dream: The USA, c1917–96

The revitalisation of the presidency and US politics

  • 3 things to know
  • Paper 1

Overview

Recall questions on the state of the office in 1980, Reagan's restoration of confidence, Iran-Contra, the 1994 midterms, and enduring distrust of government.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started
Key term

How far had the presidency and US politics been revitalised by 1996?

Key term

What was the state of the presidency in 1980?

Key term

What was the Iran-Contra affair?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    How did Reagan affect national confidence?

    Model answer

    He revitalised patriotism and confidence in the presidency.

  2. 2

    What was the state of the presidency in 1980?

    Model answer

    Diminished. Watergate and Vietnam had destroyed trust, Ford and Carter had struggled with Congress, and the Iran hostage crisis suggested American impotence.

  3. 3

    How did Reagan restore confidence in the office?

    Model answer

    Through communicative skill, a clear and simple message, apparent success against inflation and the Soviet Union, and a public manner that suggested command.

  4. 4

    What was the Iran-Contra affair?

    Model answer

    The secret sale of arms to Iran with proceeds diverted to fund the Nicaraguan Contras in defiance of Congress, which produced hearings and convictions and damaged Reagan's standing.

  5. 5

    How did Iran-Contra qualify claims of revitalisation?

    Model answer

    It repeated the pattern of executive secrecy and evasion of Congress that Watergate was supposed to have ended, showing the underlying problem had not been solved.

  6. 6

    What was the significance of the end of the Cold War for the presidency?

    Model answer

    Victory abroad enhanced the office's prestige under Reagan and Bush, but removed the external threat that had justified much of its accumulated power.

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AThe government admitted 96 dead and 333 wounded.
BOther estimates run to several hundred dead.
COpponents claimed thousands.

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