Final answer:
Ronald Reagan was the President of the United States from 1981 to 1989. He implemented policies for domestic prosperity and aimed to end the Cold War. His vice president, George H. W. Bush, succeeded him as president in 1989.
Step-by-step explanation:
The President of the United States from 1981 to 1989 was Ronald Reagan. He was the 40th president, serving two terms, and he is known for the "Reagan Revolution" and his policy of "peace through strength" during the Cold War. Reagan secured a significant victory over incumbent Jimmy Carter in the 1980 election, riding on the promise to restore prosperity and address international challenges such as the Cold War.
After his presidency, Reagan was succeeded by his vice president, George H. W. Bush in 1989, who then served as the forty-first president. George H.W. Bush was the vice president under Reagan and had previously served as a congressman, the director of the CIA, and the United Nations Ambassador. George H. W. Bush won the presidency in the 1988 election, continuing the foreign policy efforts initiated during the Reagan administration.