The Resurgence of Conservatism APUSH4/20/07 Ms. Weston

Why was America more conservative in the 1980s? Older population Older population Population largely in the South or West— legacies of suspicion towards big government in that region Population largely in the South or West— legacies of suspicion towards big government in that region Rise of “New Right” movement Rise of “New Right” movement Response to counterculture of 1960sResponse to counterculture of 1960s Led by evangelical Christian groups (Moral Majority)Led by evangelical Christian groups (Moral Majority) Focus on social issues: Against abortion, pornography, homosexuality, feminism and affirmative actionFocus on social issues: Against abortion, pornography, homosexuality, feminism and affirmative action Wanted prayer in schools and tougher penalties for criminalsWanted prayer in schools and tougher penalties for criminals

The Election of Reagan Reagan against activist, “big” government Reagan against activist, “big” government Drew on ideas of neoconservatives Drew on ideas of neoconservatives In favor of free market capitalism, tough anti-Soviet foreign policyIn favor of free market capitalism, tough anti-Soviet foreign policy Against welfare programs, affirmative actionAgainst welfare programs, affirmative action Called for renewed family valuesCalled for renewed family values Reagan very popular Reagan very popular Actor turned politicianActor turned politician Had been governor of CAHad been governor of CA Landslide victory over Carter Landslide victory over Carter Poor economy hurt CarterPoor economy hurt Carter First time a president had been unseated after first term since HooverFirst time a president had been unseated after first term since Hoover

The Reagan Revolution Iranians released hostages at beginning of term, adding to Reagan’s popularity Iranians released hostages at beginning of term, adding to Reagan’s popularity Reagan wanted less government spending and bureaucracy Reagan wanted less government spending and bureaucracy In response to increased spending on social services in 1960s and 70sIn response to increased spending on social services in 1960s and 70s Tax cuts all across the country showed people wanted less spendingTax cuts all across the country showed people wanted less spending Reagan made huge budget cuts Reagan made huge budget cuts Mostly on social services (food stamps, job training)Mostly on social services (food stamps, job training) After he survived an assassination attempt, Reagan even more popular! After he survived an assassination attempt, Reagan even more popular!

The Battle of the Budget At first, Congress went along with Reagan’s budget cuts At first, Congress went along with Reagan’s budget cuts After a battle, Congress approved Reagan’s tax cuts After a battle, Congress approved Reagan’s tax cuts All in favor of “supply side” economics All in favor of “supply side” economics Allowing people to keep more money, would stimulate spending, investment and the economyAllowing people to keep more money, would stimulate spending, investment and the economy

Reaganomics At first, all of these changes brought on a recession At first, all of these changes brought on a recession As economy picked up, gap between rich and poor widened like never before As economy picked up, gap between rich and poor widened like never before Yuppies: Young, urban professionals, examples of conspicuous consumption of 1980sYuppies: Young, urban professionals, examples of conspicuous consumption of 1980s Reagan spent huge amounts on defense budget Reagan spent huge amounts on defense budget BROUGHT US INTO A NEW ERA OF HEAVY DEFICIT SPENDING BROUGHT US INTO A NEW ERA OF HEAVY DEFICIT SPENDING National debt at $200 billion by mid-1980sNational debt at $200 billion by mid-1980s

Reagan’s Economic Legacy Combination of tax cuts and military spending left a huge budget deficit Combination of tax cuts and military spending left a huge budget deficit Meant that future generations would have to work harder, or lower their standard of living to pay off their debts Meant that future generations would have to work harder, or lower their standard of living to pay off their debts Also, stopped future growth of social service programs since government too broke to pay for them! Also, stopped future growth of social service programs since government too broke to pay for them! REAGAN ACHIEVED ULTIMATE GOAL: CONTAINMENT OF THE WELFARE STATE! REAGAN ACHIEVED ULTIMATE GOAL: CONTAINMENT OF THE WELFARE STATE!

The Religious Right Conservative Christians played a key role in politics Conservative Christians played a key role in politics 1979: Jerry Falwell created the Moral Majority 1979: Jerry Falwell created the Moral Majority Against sexual permissiveness, abortion, feminism and gay rightsAgainst sexual permissiveness, abortion, feminism and gay rights Right wing Christians began to organize politically for Republican candidates Right wing Christians began to organize politically for Republican candidates

Conservatism in the Courts By the end of his two terms, Reagan had appointed near majority of Supreme Court justices By the end of his two terms, Reagan had appointed near majority of Supreme Court justices Mostly conservative, including Sandra Day O’Conner—first female justiceMostly conservative, including Sandra Day O’Conner—first female justice Court decisions placed restrictions on affirmative action, and right to get an abortion Court decisions placed restrictions on affirmative action, and right to get an abortion Abortion issue still key in “culture wars” between liberals and conservativesAbortion issue still key in “culture wars” between liberals and conservatives

Election of 1988 Economic troubles made Democrats hopeful for a victory Economic troubles made Democrats hopeful for a victory Huge deficits, declining oil prices hurt Southwest, closings of Savings and Loans institutions and banks, stock market declinesHuge deficits, declining oil prices hurt Southwest, closings of Savings and Loans institutions and banks, stock market declines Still, Republican George HW Bush won election Still, Republican George HW Bush won election Similar politics to ReaganSimilar politics to Reagan Favored tax cuts, strong defense policies, toughness on crime, opposition to abortionFavored tax cuts, strong defense policies, toughness on crime, opposition to abortion

Bush on the Homefront Did create and fund some social programs Did create and fund some social programs American with Disabilities Act outlaws discrimination against those with physical or mental disabilitiesAmerican with Disabilities Act outlaws discrimination against those with physical or mental disabilities Largely continued Reagan agenda Largely continued Reagan agenda Cut affirmative actionCut affirmative action Threatened to veto civil rights bill (eventually passed)Threatened to veto civil rights bill (eventually passed) Declining economy in early 90s meant Bush had to raise taxes, even though he had earlier promised not to do so. Declining economy in early 90s meant Bush had to raise taxes, even though he had earlier promised not to do so.

The Clarence Thomas Scandal Bush appointed Thomas, a conservative justice, to Supreme Court Bush appointed Thomas, a conservative justice, to Supreme Court Anita Hill, a law professor, accused Thomas of sexual harassment right before he was to be confirmed by Senate Anita Hill, a law professor, accused Thomas of sexual harassment right before he was to be confirmed by Senate Landmark television testimony by Hill Landmark television testimony by Hill In the end, Senate confirmed Thomas In the end, Senate confirmed Thomas Many voters very upsetMany voters very upset New gender gap in politicsNew gender gap in politics