1. The Rise of the Modern Conservative Movement
Ronald Reagan
The Rise of the Modern Conservative Movement

2. Ronald Reagan Born in Illinois, 1911 Lifeguard, Radio Announcer
Launched an acting career during the Great Depression
Became conservative during socialist and communist threats in the movie industry (HUAC)
Switched from Democratic to Republican Party in the late 50s/early 60s
Source: Reagan by Jules Tygiel
Reagan by Dinesh D’Souza

3. The 1980 Election
Between current President Jimmy Carter (Democrat) and Republican Ronald Reagan

4. The New Conservative Coalition The NEW RIGHT
Conservative evangelical Christians
To restore Christian Values in America
Southern Democrats
Reduction of Social Programs
Called for reduction in size and power of government
Favored return of US military pride
Patriotic focus

5. The 1980 “Revolution”
Carter’s perceived mishandling of major challenges
Reagan’s ability to communicate - “The Great Communicator”
Few simple well-articulated idea

6. Map 30.4 Presidential Election of 1980 (p. 903)

7. Assassination Attempt
John Hickley Jr. – assassin
Wanted to win Jodie Foster’s heart
Three people shot, including Reagan
Just 69 days into first presidency
Reagan recovered to shot in lung
James Brady, Press Secretary suffered a head shot and was disabled.

8. Supply-Side Economics a.k.a “Reaganomics”
Cut taxes to put more money into the hands of businesses
Cut taxes on the wealthiest Americans
Lower taxes = more investment in the “supply side” of the economy
Would:
promote and create new jobs
encourage capital investment, and
lead to stimulated industrial growth

9. ECONOMIC THEORIES
Supply Side Economics (generally favored by conservatives):
Tax breaks to the wealthy capital accumulation higher productivity lower prices job creation higher tax revenues collected by the government money to reduce federal budget deficits.
Demand Side or Keynesian Economics (generally favored by liberals):
tax breaks to working/middle classes higher productivity job creation higher tax revenues collected by the government money to reduce federal budget deficits.

10. Cutting Government Regulation - “deregulation”
Continued Carter’s programs to deregulate key industries
Energy, Transportation and Banking Industries
Challenged Air Traffic Controllers in Fired those who refused to go back to work after a strike.

11. Slowed Federal Growth - New Federalism (Reagan-style)
Limiting government
Eliminated public service jobs
reduced unemployment compensation
lowered welfare benefits
raised fees for Medicare patients
Federal domestic spending still grew for a couple of years

12. Reagan and Military Buildup
Sharp increase in military spending = buildup
New weapons and new technology
Neoconservatives (Neo-cons = Dick Cheney, Don Rumsfeld, Paul Wolfowitz, Condoleeza Rice, Richard Armistead, Colin Powell, etc.)
Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) = better known as Star Wars

13. Reagan and the Cold War Called Soviet Union the “evil empire”
Reagan - Cold Warrior
Lebanon
Libya
Grenada
El Salvador
Nicaragua (Contra rebels supported by US)

14. Reagan: Economic Recession, and Recovery
Inflation slowed, consumer spending increased
Stock market grew
Federal deficit grew even as domestic spending decreased
National debt = $909 billion in $3.2 trillion in 1990

15. Election of 1984 Patriotic Renewal 59% of popular vote
Second largest electoral victory in history
1984 Olympics in Los Angeles
Communist-bloc countries boycotted
th anniversary of Statue of Liberty
th anniversary of the Constitution

16. Other issues 1984-1988 AIDS Awareness
Women’s Movement stalled (ERA failed in 1982)
Supreme Court conservatives
Sandra Day O’Connor
Anthony Kennedy
Antonin Scalia
Chief Justice William Rehnquist

17. More issues: 1984-1988 Farm Crisis - foreclosures
Manufacturing shift - from metal and textiles (overseas = outsourcing due to labor costs)
Service sectors continued to grow
Wealthiest Americans flourished in the 1980s
Jan 28, Space Shuttle Challenger exploded shortly after take off

18. Cold War Continued Afghanistan 1980s Soviet republic
In 1970s Afghans tried to fight Soviets for independence
1980s
USA convinces Saudi Arabia to send troops “mujahadeen” (holy warriors) to fight against Soviets
One of the mujahadeen is Bin Laden

19. IRAN-CONTRA What was it?
Sale of weapons to Iran to ransom US hostages held in Lebanon and to finance anticommunist contra-revolucionarios (contras) in Nicaragua in order to depose the Sandanistas
Illegal because Congress had limited amount of aid US could provide (Boland Amendment)
US sold arms to Iran
Illegal because he could not sell arms to a “terrorist state” without Congressional approval
Administration response: lied to the press and Congress, withheld crucial documents