ABSTRACT
Ronald Reagan handled the 1981 assassination attempt with strength and grace. The president and his inner circle were quick to reassure the country that the commander in chief would recover, and that he had admirable traits of resilience and fortitude that would enable him to weather the storm. He had surrounded himself with a talented staff to help him govern and these officials took effective action to keep the government running smoothly despite Reagan’s near-death experience. He persevered in every way, and used the crisis to enhance his popularity and win support for his agenda. He also felt that God had saved his life for a purpose, which he believed was to serve as a peacemaker. Driven by this belief, during his second term Reagan began a partnership with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev that helped to end the Cold War.
