Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George Bush Senior, Bill Clinton

Jimmy Carter

President 1976-1980
Jimmy Carter was a largely unknown Democrat candidate.
He tried to restore faith in the government and included more black Americans and more women in his administration.
He was heavily criticised for his handling of a situation with US hostages in Iran in 1979 and only served one term.

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President 1980-1988
Before Reagan was president he was a Hollywood actor, then the Governor of California.
Before he came to office, there was high unemployment and inflation.
He cut taxes but got rid of a lot of the welfare system.
When the Recession struck he raised taxes again.
In 1984, Reagan's economy was doing well and he was elected again.
Reagan was involved in a space program called 'Star Wars', which involved lasers in space. It was meant to protect America from the Russians.

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President 1988-1992
Promised not to raise taxes in his election campaign
The government was in heavy debt and this got worse when the USA fought the Gulf War.
He had to break his promise.

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President 1992-2000
US economy boomed
Stock market grew
Unemployment fell
He was thought to have a good foreign policy
Unemployment was highest amongst ethnic minorities.
Monica Lewinsky scandal - he had an affair with an intern called Monica Lewinsky. The scandal echoed the Watergate scandal.
Inequality between the rich and the poor got worse.

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