Speech · 1981

First Inaugural Address

Taking office amid high inflation, unemployment and interest rates, Reagan declared that “in this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem,” and called it time to check and reverse the growth of a government that showed signs of having grown beyond the consent of the governed. Delivered at the first inauguration held on the West Front of the Capitol, the address closed by honoring American heroes, among them Martin Treptow, a soldier killed in World War I.

“It is my intention to curb the size and influence of the Federal establishment and to demand recognition of the distinction between the powers granted to the Federal Government and those reserved to the States or to the people.”

Ronald Reagan, January 20, 1981

Why it matters

The address framed the agenda of tax cuts, spending restraint, deregulation and renewed federalism that came to be called the Reagan Revolution.

Read the full text at reaganlibrary.gov

Primary Source

The original record, reproduced or linked from the institution that holds it. Primary sources show what people said and did in their own words.

Subjects

limited government economy federalism inaugural address

From the library

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