The United States was in trouble. It was a time of crisis after the Carter era. America was in a state of economic and moral desperation. Foreign threats were emerging. The country needed not only a new president, but an influential hero. To truly cement a place in history as a hero, a president must take control and address the problems plaguing the country. Ronald Reagan was one of the most influential presidents of all time because he renewed the American spirit through his unique vision, advanced and protected democracy and capitalism, and stimulated economic growth and development. Our 40th president was born in 1911 in Tampico, Illinois, to Jack and Nelle Reagan. He was influenced by small-town values ​​such as patriotism, hard work and devotion. After graduating as an average student from Eureka College, he embarked on a career in entertainment where he made over fifty films. He and his first wife, Jane Wyman, had a daughter, Maureen, and adopted a son, Michael. In 1952 he married Nancy Davis with whom he had two children, Patti and Ron (Dugger 2-11). Reagan was a Democrat until well into his 50s and had a deep respect for Franklin D. Roosevelt whose “New Deal” provided jobs for his family. However, his liberal position changed when he saw the effects of high taxes, the problems of communism in the film industry, and an overly involved federal government (Miller Center, Freidel, and Sidey). He was elected governor of California in 1966 and again in 1970 (Appleby 975). After being defeated by Gerald Ford for the 1976 Republican presidential nomination, he successfully defeated Jimmy Carter in 1980. At age 69, he became the oldest elected president of the United States (D'Souza 77-83). As president, he was known for his...... middle of paper ....../millercenter.org/president/reagan/essays/biography>.Noonan, Peggy. What I Saw at the Revolution: Political Life in the Reagan Era. New York: Random House, 1990. Print. "President Reagan's Domestic Policy: A More Perfect Union." REAGANFOUNDATION.ORG | THE PRESIDENCY. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Library, 2010. Web. October 22, 2013. "President Ronald Reagan." Compare US presidents. Find the Data, Oct. 21, 2013. Web. Oct. 22, 2013. “Marine Quotes.” (22 citations). Goodreads Inc, 2013. Web. November 23, 2013. “The Reagan Presidency.” Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, National Archives and Records Administration. Np, nd Web. 22 October. 2013. .