1. TSWU:
What does it mean to be conservative or liberal? What were the conservative and liberal perspectives on Ronald Reagan’s policies?

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

3. Ronald Reagan Born in Illinois, 1911 Active in college.
Lifeguard, Radio Announcer
Went to California to launch an acting career during the Great Depression
Became increasingly conservative in face of radical socialists and communists in the movie industry
Switched from Democratic to Republican Party in the late 50s/early 60s
Source: Reagan by Jules Tygiel
Reagan by Dinesh D’Souza

4. The 1980 Election

5. The Last Days of the Campaign
Up until October 28, 1980 Carter lead in all major nation-wide polls
The incumbent usually wins re-election…
Why?
Give examples.
The two candidates square off in a televised debate…
“Ask yourself this question… ‘Am I better off now, than I was four years ago?’ If the answer is ‘No’, then vote Republican on November 2.”

6. Election of 1980

7. The 1980 “Revolution” Reagan’s First Days in Office
Reagan’s early success based off of Carter’s perceived simple mishandling of major challenges
Combined with Reagan’s ability to communicate as “The Great Communicator”
Centered around a few simple well-articulated ideas

8. The New Conservative& The New “Right”
Conservative Evangelical Christians
Called Moral Majority
To restore Christian Values in America
Southern Democrats
Its Central Ideas Were:
Reduction of Social Programs
Reduction in Size and Scope of government
Patriotic focus
“Reagan Democrats”
Favored return of US military prominence
“Government is not the answer to our problems, GOVERNMENT IS THE PROBLEM!”

9. Social Issues and Conservatism
Radical and increasingly violent student protests
Reagan strongly opposed FSM (Free Speech Movement) on UC-Berkeley campus
Dismissed UC president
Opposed ‘sexual’ revolution
Said Birth control pill encouraged promiscuous behavior

10. Social Issues and Conservatism
1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision
Launched modern pro-life movement (aka ‘anti-abortion’)
Opposed emerging gay rights movement
Opposed radical feminism
Blamed these for decline of traditional nuclear family
Rising divorce rate
‘No-fault’ divorce laws (ironically passed during Reagan’s term in California)

11. Social Issues and Conservatism
Civil Rights:
Federal government laws = end of state mandated segregation
Opposed forced and unreasonable integration (forced busing)
Opposed Affirmative Action quotas - said it was reverse discrimination
Democratic Blue Collar Workers - called “Reagan Democrats”

12. 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

14. Cutting Government Regulation - “Deregulation”
Energy, Transportation and Banking Industries
Challenged Air Traffic Controllers in Fired those who refused to go back to work after a strike.

15. 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

16. 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

17. Reagan’s Military Buildup “Peace Through Strength”
Sharp increase in military spending
New weapons and new technology
The only way to defeat the USSR was to have more weapons than they did
Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) = better known as “Star Wars”

18. Election of 1984

19. Patriotic Renewal “It’s Morning in America, Again” 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

20. Soviet Relations
Called Soviet Union the “evil empire”
Reagan succeeded in breaking down barriers between the U.S. and the Soviet Union
Policies helped bring an end to tensions in the cold war.
“Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”
Brandenburg Speech

21. 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

22. 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

23. Scandal
S & L Crisis
Savings and Loan institutions deregulated and some corrupt individuals used this to make huge personal fortunes
S & L’s collapsed in late 1980s
$2.6 billion in savings lost
Iran Contra Scandal
Selling arms (to Iran) for the release of hostages to support Nicaraguan Contras
Covered up
Reagan admitted covering up
No long term impact
“Teflon” president.

24. Reagan Conservative Hero, or Undercover Liberal?
This is a two day activity;
Day 1:
Go to the following website
2) Create a matrix choosing 5 of the 9 items:
Gun Control Death Penalty Welfare
Immigration Taxes War on Terror
Healthcare Gay Marriage Education
3) Decide if you are CONSERVATIVE or LIBERAL!

25. Topic
Conservative
Liberal

26. Reagan Conservative Hero, or Undercover Liberal?
Day 2
Create a “HERO” OR “WANTED” poster criticizing OR celebrating Reagan’s term in office.
Using the powerpoint, two-faced handout, and examples, make your own posters
This is due at the end of class today!