Chapter 1 Early Life Early Life Early Life and Acting and Acting and Acting Career Career Career Career Career Career I n a stunning electoral landslide Ronald Reagan was elected the 40th president of the United States in 1980 A former actor known for his folksy charm and con fi dent ease as a public speaker the Great Communicator as he was sometimes called won the votes of divergent groups who had not traditionally supported the Republican Party He defeated Jimmy Carter the incum bent Democratic president by an electoral vote of 489 to 49 In 1984 he was reelected with an unprecedented 525 electoral votes Reagan was considered to be the most conservative candidate to win the offi ce in half a century He was a critic of social-welfare programs an advocate of a strong military and a zealous opponent of communism He 12
Early Life and Acting Career was also one of the few men to become presi dent who had not spent the major part of his life in politics or in a closely related public service profession For 30 years he had been primarily an entertainer in radio motion pic tures and television Although he had been active in political causes he did not become a candidate for public office until he was in his mid-50s Childhood and Education Ronald Wilson Reagan was born on Feb 6 1911 in Tampico Ill a small town in the northwestern part of the state He was the second of two sons born to John Edward Reagan called Jack and Nelle Wilson Reagan His nickname Dutch came from his father’s habit of referring to his infant son as his fat little Dutchman Jack Reagan was a Democrat known for his outspoken opposition to racial bigotry Nelle Reagan who was more conservative gave dramatic readings at women’s clubs hospitals and jails Jack Reagan was a shoe salesman who moved his family from one small town to another in Illinois finally 13
Reagan second from right with his parents Jack and Nelle and his brother Neil c 1915 Courtesy Ronald Reagan Library 14
Early Life and Acting Career settling in Dixon Ill when Ronald was nine Jack opened a shoe store with a former boss but it soon failed He later held a minor gov ernment job distributing relief checks during the Great Depression Nelle Reagan helped out by working in a dress shop She taught Ronald how to read at an early age Although Ronald was slight and nearsighted he liked athletics Beginning at age 14 he held part time and summer jobs His first job was as a construction laborer For several years he was a summer lifeguard 15 In high school and college Reagan showed his ability in the three fields that came to dominate his life sports drama and politics At Eureka College in Eureka Ill he was a varsity guard on the football team and was captain of the swimming team he also participated in track A member of the drama club he had roles in college dramatic productions As president of the freshman class he helped organize a student strike against cutbacks in the curriculum which led to the resignation of the president of the college Reagan later was president of the stu dent body Although he earned only passing grades he graduated in 1932 with a bachelor’s degree in economics and sociology
