IMPACT ON FEDERALISM, THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT IN OUR LIVES, AND STATE AND NATIONAL ELECTIONS SINCE Reagan Revolution

Two Sides to Politics ● Liberalism ○ Had been the primary idea in 1960s politics. ○ Believe the government should: protect the people from large corporations and wealthy elites. Help disadvantaged Americans. Not interfere with social behavior. Put higher taxes on the wealthy to redistribute wealth. ● Conservatism ○ Regained support in the 1970s ○ Ronald Reagan was a strong conservative who was elected president in the ○ Read the next slides to understand conservative beliefs.

For Some Humor

Conservative Republicans ● Advocate (support) for: ○ Tax cuts to increase income and spending for consumers and businesses. ○ Move to more state responsibility Which historical democratic republican would support this as well? Thomas Jefferson

Conservative Republicans ○ Appointment of judges who practice “judicial restraint” – courts should only strike down laws if they are clearly unconstitutional. ○ Reduction in number of government funded programs and regulations. ○ Strengthening of our military branches.

For Some More Humor

Ronald Reagan ● Former actor ● Governor of California ● 40 th President of the United States ● Conservative Republican

Reaganomics ● “Trickle-down economics” ● Keep interest rates high but give large tax cuts. ○ This puts more money in the hands of businesses and investors who will create more consumer goods and jobs which will help stimulate the economy.

Reagan and the Soviet Union ● Reagan challenged the new leader of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev, to make changes. ● Gorbachev saw that the Soviet Union was not keeping up with the U.S. ● Reagan went to West Berlin and declared, “Mr. Gorbachev…tear down this wall!”

“Star Wars” ● The Strategic Defense Initiative ● Reagan’s plan to intercept and destroy enemy missiles. ● Called the Soviet Union “The Evil Empire”

“Reagan Revolution” Going Beyond ● Reagan Presidency continued to shape politics for years to come. ○ 1989 election of his Vice- President George H.W. Bush ○ 1992 election of centrist Democrat William J. Clinton ○ 2000 election of his son George W. Bush ○ Republicans dominate Congress in 1990’s