The greatest President of the 20th Century... #2 or #3 in history?
Second best of the 20th Century. I'll take Teddy over Reagan anyday.
Interesting question. I originally, automatically, put Reagan behind TR, because I love TR so much. But, reflecting on his accomplishments and challenges, I think President Reagan accomplished more than President T. Roosevelt. Here's how I see it:
Roosevelt: Built up US Navy, made US an international power. Settled Sino-Japanese war. Signed anti-trust law. Built up national park system. Presided over a time of great prosperity and growth (1905-1913)
Reagan: Restored US optimism. Reduced inflation from 15% to 7%. Reduced taxes. Destroyed the idea of raising taxes as a political manuever. Reduced interest rates from 21% to 10%. Delivered Grenada from communism. Built up Strategic Defense Initiative and US military, leading to fall of communism: all of Eastern Europe in 1989-1992 and USSR in 1992. Delivered Nicaraugua and El Salvador from Communism. Agreed to mutual build down of nuclear weapons with the USSR. Overcame assassination attempt and hostile media, and reluctant allies.
I think President Reagan did more under greater adversity than President Roosevelt.
"I think President Reagan did more under greater adversity than President Roosevelt"
Not to mention there was more civility in politics than there seems to be today and TR didn't have the "mainstream" media working against him either.