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American Pageant Chapter 40
The Resurgence of Conservatism
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The Election of Ronald Reagan, 1980
Reagan was a member of the New Right: Believed large government was a failure Advocated free markets, anti-Soviet foreign policy, against government programs Election of 1980: Reagan (R) v. Carter (D) Reagan won
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Reagan The Election of 1980 Background: Reagan’s Platform
Starts as a Hollywood Actor governor of CA 1966 becomes the hero of a movement called the New Right – promotes a conservative agenda Reagan’s Platform Strong Defense Cut Taxes (read my lips) Cut Spending Balance the Budget (unless we can build a space laser…) Conservative Agenda
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The New Right & Neo-Conservatism
Starts w/ Eisenhower and ‘Modern Republicanism’ and 64’ Barry Goldwater conservative Senator Political Movement that helped Reagan win the 1980 Election Promoted Strongly conservative policies Opposed New Deal/ Great Society Policies (ex: Social Security) Believe that overextension of what needs gov’t could or should meet Opposed government activism Opposed Federal Civil Rights laws (not necessarily local or state)Demand military buildup to defend against Soviet attack (refocus on Cold War)
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“The Time Is Now for Strong Leadership"
1980 REAGAN VS. CARTER VS. ANDERSON Ronald Reagan’s television spots were not particularly artful. The centerpiece of the campaign was a conventional biographical ad tracing Reagan’s career and crediting him with reducing California’s deficit while lowering taxes. The ad’s main purpose was to show that Reagan—best known to the public as a movie actor—was also an effective governor. The rest of Reagan’s ads were simple but effective variations on the central question he put to voters: "Are you better off today than you were four years ago?" Discussion Questions: How does the ad portray the candidate? Can you identify any bias? What is the main point of the campaign ad? How successful do you think the ad is at proving its point?
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Political Realignment
New Deal Coalition Democratic South African-Americans Union members Urban North Immigrant/newer ethnic groups Farmers Reagan Coalition Midwest small towns Wealthiest Americans Hawks on foreign policy Blue Collar in North and Midwest (union and non-union) White Southerners Evangelicals Yuppies
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The Reagan Revolution Iran Hostage crisis ended on January 20, 1981
“Government is not the solution to our problem. Government is the problem.” Government spending increased between 1960 and 1980 Money spent on entitlement programs increased Reagan proposed a budget that would cut $35 billion
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Effect of Reagan on US Political Culture
Left Right Left-right defined as accepted level of government intervention in the economy: right = less intervention left = more intervention US Pre-1981; New Deal and Great Society era Reagan era
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Reagan’s Presidency Conservative Presidential Agenda: Domestic Foreign
Reduce the Federal bureaucracy Deregulate certain industries Cut Taxes Increase the defense budget Appoint conservative judges *Reaganomics Reignite the Cold War Arms Race with USSR 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. Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) = better known as Star Wars Neoconservatives (Neo-cons = Dick Cheney, Don Rumsfeld, Paul Wolfowitz, Condoleeza Rice, Richard Armistead, Colin Powell, etc.)
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The Iran Contra Scandal
Private US $ Foreign Gov’t $ 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. Swiss bank accounts; controlled by North $$$ Iran Hostages weapons US Israel weapons
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Reagan Renews the Cold War
Why did Reagan increase military spending? Belief that the Soviet Union could not compete, Soviet leaders would favor peace talks Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) (Star Wars) Reagan’s nuclear defense plan Space stations could use lasers to defend against nuclear attacks Never occurred Increased tensions in the 1980s: Solidarity in Poland Korean airliner shot down by the Soviets Soviet Union boycotted the 1984 Olympic Games in LA
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The Battle of the Budget
Supply-side economics (Reaganomics) Tax cuts for the wealthy In theory, the rich would use this money to invest and spend money to improve the economy Very similar to Andrew Mellon’s tax policy from the 1920s Increase in military spending $2 trillion for the Pentagon in the 1980s Helps contribute to federal deficits
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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
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Political Interpretation of Laffer Curve
Recession and Recovery Effects of Supply side Economics 1981 & 1982 = Nation suffered the worst recession since the Great Depression. Unemployment rose and government revenues fell. Federal spending soared and the federal deficit skyrocketed. ________________________________________________ 1983 = Economic upturn sends consumers on spending spree Stock Market surged and GDP went up 10% Maximum Revenue No revenue 0% Tax Rates 100%
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Troubles Abroad Sandinistas: Reagan used covert aid in Latin America
Anti-American revolutionaries in Nicaragua Reagan believed they were an extension of the Soviet Union; 1st of many Latin American countries to follow Reagan used covert aid in Latin America Nicaragua – aid to the Contras who were against the Sandinistas El Salvador – sent the military to bolster the Pro-American government
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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) *supported leaders that aided our fight against communism…
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Round Two for Reagan Election of 1984: Mikhail Gorbachev “Gorby!”
Reagan v. Mondale Reagan wins 525 – 13 Mikhail Gorbachev “Gorby!” Glasnost – openness, allowed some freedoms for Soviet citizens Perestroika – economic restructuring to improve the Soviet economy The Soviet Union could not keep pace spending with the US Reagan and Gorby signed treaties limiting weapons
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The Iran-Contra Imbroglio
Iran-Contra Affair American hostages were held in Lebanon Contras were rebels fighting the Sandinistas The Reagan administration sold weapons to the Contras That money was sent to Iran Iran would then help free the hostages Why is this a problem? Congress forbid providing aid to the Contras Reagan stated he refused to negotiate with terrorists Effects of the scandal? Reagan claimed he was innocent Tarred his administration
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Reagan’s Economic Legacy
Reagan did not balance the budget Increase in military spending Spending on social programs was reduced The Religious Right “Moral Majority” led by Reverend Jerry Falwell– “against sexual permissiveness, abortion, feminism, and the spread of gay rights.” (977) 1980s saw an increase in “right-to-life” movement
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Conservatism in the Courts
Sandra Day O’Connor – first woman named to the Supreme Court The court reversed some affirmative action gains from previous decades Webster v. Reproductive Health Services: Some restrictions were placed on Abortion Referendum on Reaganism in 1988 Black Monday – October 19, 1987: Dow Jones dropped over 500 points (22%) Election of 1988 George H.W. Bush (R – Reagan VP) v. Michael Dukakis (D) Bush won
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A New World Order The Main Idea
In 1988 Reagan’s vice president, George H.W. Bush, won election to a term that saw dramatic changes in the world. Recession that began in late 1990 forced Bush to raise taxes. Unemployment & poverty rose significantly Despite his foreign-policy successes, economic troubles at home proved to be Bush’s political downfall.
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George H.W. Bush and the End of The Cold War
Tiananmen Square Massacre 1989 and the Cold War Solidarity Movement: Toppled the Polish Communist government Fall of the Berlin Wall Germany was reunited in 1990 The end of the Cold War saw cuts to the defense industry The Persian Gulf Crisis August 2, 1990 – Saddam Hussein and Iraq invaded Kuwait US and UN allies used advanced technology to crush Iraq Saddam withdrew from Kuwait Scorched-earth policy “By God, we’ve licked the Vietnam syndrome once and for all”
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The Cold War Ends Chapter 32, Sec 2, 3 and 4 - The Cold War Ends, The New World Order Russia’s Boris Yeltsin, the leader of the Russian Republic, helped foil a hard-liners’ coup against Gorbachev in 1991. Beginning in 1990, Soviet republics started declaring their independence. Gorbachev resigned as president and the Soviet Union dissolved. Yeltsin now led the much weaker superpower. Bush and Yeltsin signed arms treaties in 1991 and 1993.
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The New World Order New World Order???
New concerns War on Drugs War on Terror Technological advancements & the impact of the internet Impact of Globalization New World Order??? - US Involvement in Less Developed nations continue after the Fall of the USSR … but US motivations gets a bit murkier. - The Cold War shifts to the War on Drugs and War on Terror
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War on Drugs Connections to the Cold War Define
“America's public enemy number one in the United States is drug abuse. In order to fight and defeat this enemy, it is necessary to wage a new, all-out offensive.” – Richard Nixon 1971 Connections to the Cold War US give aid/ allows drug trafficking if the administrations are Pro-US or assist in US foreign policy goals (Extension of Cold War policies – such as Truman) Ex: Noriega & Nicaragua The CIA supported Gen. Manuel Noriega, leader of Panama, who gave assistance to Contra groups in Nicaragua in return for the CIA leaving his drug trafficking alone 89’ US invasion of Panama & capture of Noriega, put him in jail in Miami Define Campaign of prohibition of drugs, military aid (and $), and military intervention with the intention to reduce illegal drug trade. As part of the War on Drugs, the US spends approximately $500 million per year on aid for Colombia, largely used to combat guerrilla groups such as FARC that are involved in the illegal drug trade
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Impact Mandatory Minimum Sentences & three strike rule – increase of the number of people incarcerated Spending for the War on drugs increases – today US spends $51 billion yr. Prices for illicit drugs rise but demand doesn’t = rise of cartels & violence
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“Read my lips, NO NEW TAXES.”
Bush on the Home Front Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Prohibited discrimination against individuals with physical and/or mental disabilities Clarence Thomas Conservative Supreme Court Justice appointed by Bush Confirmed by a vote of 52 – 48 Pro-choice women began voting Democratic Bush campaigned in 1988 by saying “Read my lips. No new taxes.” Too soon bro…. “Read my lips, NO NEW TAXES.”
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Quick Review Iran Hostage Crisis Supply-Side Economics, “Reaganomics”
Star Wars Gorby Iran Contra Persian Gulf War
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Bill Clinton: The First Baby-Boomer President
Clinton was a “New” Democrat: Movement towards the center politically Tougher on crime, pro-defense, welfare reform Election of 1992: George H. W. Bush (R), Bill Clinton (D), and Ross Perot (Independent) “It’s the economy, stupid” Bad economy hurt Bush’s reelection bid Perot received nearly 20,000,000 votes Clinton won, Democrats controlled Congress Clinton’s appointments: Janet Reno – Attorney General, Ruth Bader Ginsburg – 2nd female on the Supreme Court
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A False Start For Reform
Clinton advocated ending the ban on homosexuals in the military Eventually settled on “don’t ask, don’t tell” Brady Bill: Gun-control law April 19, 1995: Oklahoma City bombing Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols 168 people were killed April 20, 1999: Columbine High School shooting Helped bring attention to weapons
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The Politics of Distrust
Newt Gingrich: Speaker of the House Other famous speakers of the House……… “Contract with America” Promised reduction in deficits and welfare programs 1994 Midterm elections: All Republicans in Congress were re-elected, gained many more seats Republicans challenged “unfunded mandates” Welfare Reform: Massive cuts for benefits Cut benefits for immigrants Although Clinton alienated some in his party, he gained a lot of support for moving towards the middle Election of 1996: Clinton (D), Dole (R), Perot (Independent) Clinton won
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Clinton Again Setbacks for Affirmative Action: Economic Issues:
California Proposition 209 Prohibited AA in government and higher education Clinton did not approve of the setbacks Economic Issues: Dot.com businesses boomed Stock market increased drastically The 1990s economy was unprecedented North Atlantic Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA): 1993 – eliminated tariffs between Canada, US, and Mexico Many argued it helped promote outsourcing World Trade Organization (WTO): Hoped to promote free trade throughout the world Protests in Seattle turned violent Clinton scandals: Allegations that individuals donated money in exchange for staying overnight at the White House
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Problems Abroad Somalia, October, 1993: Improved relations with China:
18 Americans were killed on a special mission Improved relations with China: Large market, Clinton wanted to improve trade relations May, 2000 China became a major trading partner of the US Serbia: “Ethnic Cleansing” by Slobodan Milosevic US and NATO led a bombing campaign Middle East, 1993: Clinton held a meeting with Yitzhak Rabin (Israel) and Yasir Arafat (PLO) Sought to promote self-rule for Palestinians
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Scandal And Impeachment
Monica Lewinsky: White-House intern that had an affair with Clinton Clinton initially denied any wrongdoing under oath Later, he admitted he had an “inappropriate relationship” Kenneth Starr, a special prosecutor, provided 11 possible charges of impeachment The House impeached Clinton on two charges Obstruction of Justice, Perjury The House vote was partisan The Senate failed to convict Clinton, voted mostly down party lines as well
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While the Scandal was all the media would cover for 2 years….
America’s enemies where getting organized, even as the Clinton Administration increased its budget on combatting terrorism and bombed terrorist installations in Asia and Africa overseen by Osama Bin Laden. Cynics saw this not as a progressive foreign policy for the 21st century, but as a way of distracting people from the real story….that people had sex in the White House and lied about it!!!
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The Real Legacy of the 90’s
HOLY CRAP THEY BALANCED A BUDGET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And I was alive to see it. The 90’s ruled.
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The Bush-Gore Presidential Battle
Clinton’s Legacy Budget surpluses during Clinton’s last years Debates between Republicans and Democrats over how to use surpluses R – tax cutes D – Medicare and Social Security 1990s saw a decrease in unemployment, poverty, and rise in income The Bush-Gore Presidential Battle Gore – Clinton’s VP Chose Joseph Lieberman – first Jewish person on a national ticket Wanted to use budget surpluses on debt, Social Security, and Medicare Bush – 2 time governor of Texas “restore dignity to the White House” Dick Cheney selected as his running mate Wanted to use budget surpluses on tax cuts Ralph Nader: Consumer advocate – Unsafe At Any Speed
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The Controversial Election of 2000
Issues in Florida: Vote was so close, automatic recount went into effect Ballots and voting machines may have caused confusion “hanging chads” BUSH v. Gore: Supreme Court stopped further recounts, declared Bush the winner in Florida Bush won the electoral majority without winning the popular majority Similar to Hayes-Tilden in 1876 Bush Begins Government changes under Bush: Cutback on stem cell research Did not enforce the Kyoto Treaty
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My goodness… The spring and summer of 2001 was surreally peaceful, until a spy plane crashed in China. While the Chinese examined America’s spy technology, the president went on vacation a lot. While the President asked the press to watch his drive off the 13th tee, America tried to forget the horror of the election in the hopes that the Culture Wars that had crippled the nation for decades would someday go away. Unfortunately, Americans would soon learn the harsh realties of living in the world’s only Superpower…
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Terrorism Comes to America
September 11, 2001: NYC, DC, and PA attacks Over 3,000 individuals died Al Qaeda Osama bin Laden, Islamic fundamentalist Resented Western presence in the Middle East PATRIOT Act: Passed in response to attacks Increased powers for the federal government More phone and surveillance. Goodbye privacy! Hello darkness my old friend… Guantanamo Bay, Cuba Suspected terrorists have been held
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War on Terror Define Connections to the Cold War
Refers to the international military, political, legal and conceptual struggle against organization designated as terrorist & regimes accused of supporting them. Many assume the US is attacked b/c the terrorist ‘hated our freedom’ but Also connected to the Cold War Involvement in Less Developed nations during the Cold War due to foreign policy from 50s – 90s Similar use of fear to drive policy Greater expansion of US intervention and involvement overseas Cold War vs. War on Terror Similar but very Different:
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Bush Takes the Offensive Against Iraq
Saddam Hussein in 1998: Kicked out UN weapons inspectors “Axis of Evil” Bush declared Iraq, Iran, and North Korea were a danger to American security March 19, 2003: US invaded Iraq Why did US invade Iraq? Bush argued Iraq had WMDs, was developing nuclear weapons, and had ties to terrorism What do we know today? No WMDs have been found, no connection to Al Qaeda either 139 Americans died during the invasion, many more died during occupation 4,424 deaths, 31,952 casualties between 03-’10 over 3,000 vets returned home from Iraq and Afghanistan and committed suicide.
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Reelecting George W. Bush
A Country In Conflict Corporate problems: Fraud at Enron and WorldCom California: Recalled Governor Davis, replaced with…… Arnold Schwarzenegger What state made recall popular during the Progressive Era? Wisconsin – Robert La Follette Reelecting George W. Bush No Child Left Behind – 2002: Provided for federal standards in schools Bush advocated an amendment banning gay marriage Election of 2004: John Kerry (D) v. Bush (R) Kerry came across as a “flip-flopper” Bush won, 286 – 252 Gained support from the “Bible Belt”
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Origins of the War on Terror
US Foreign Policy Since WW1 Prior to WW1 US is isolationists Post WW1 US becomes world economic power Post WW2 US 1 of the 2 superpowers in the world Cold War prompts increase in foreign involvement Rise of international organization (UN, etc.) Fall of USSR leave US as sole superpower US becomes part of a multipolar world & continues high level of involvement in foreign affairs Origins of the War on Terror Cold War Policies Truman Doctrine – Reagan Doctrine US will support any country that opposes Communism US expands involvement world affairs to counter Soviet expansion US involvement continues after fall of USSR. (shift in foreign policy goals) Example: Soviet war in Afghanistan US CIA trains rebels (Mujahideen fighter) in guerrilla warfare Soviets leave & US pulls out causing bitter resentment & extremist group the Taliban take control Taliban seek to destroy ‘Western influence’ & ‘preserve Islam’
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Connections to Cold War
Globalization Technology has increased the rate and distribution of information & ideas Cold War spending spurred technological growth & innovation Define Tendency of businesses, technologies, or philosophies to spread throughout the world Creates an increasing interconnected economy, trade, and communications Implies the opening of local and nationalistic perspectives to a broader outlook of an interconnected and interdependent world
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2008 Economic Collapse Just the worst… The Bail Out
After undoing Glass-Steagall (Thanks Senator Dodd!), and allowing excessive buying and speculation on the housing market and the major banks to do the same, the bubble burst. It led to the collapse of several major banking institutions who had put short term profit over the long term stability of the American financial sector. 8 million jobs lost, 6 million homes lost. Practically overnight. See- Margin Call (2011) The Big Short-(2015) Ryan Gosling Jenga Scene especially In the end, the American people, through the actions of congress and the executive branch, bailed out the banks and the car industry between 2008 and 2010 to the tune of 50 Billllllllion Dollars.
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America – The Story of US
Major Topics: Technological advancements in America How has technological innovation impact the US? US Political and Social changes How has America continuously reinvented itself throughout its history? 9/11 and the War on Terror Reflection on the American Experience… Homework: Chapter 32, Sec 1 The Reagan Presidency and Neo-conservatism
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Review Of America, The Story of US
Task: Reflect on the Entire Series by answering the following questions. Give at least two examples for each questions. Your examples can be taken from any time in American history: How has technological innovation impact the US throughout it’s history? How has America continuously reinvented itself throughout its history? What is the American Dream (according to this movie)? And How has it changed throughout American History? Write a Review of the Story of US series. You can include information on the following questions: What was your favorite aspect of this series? What was your least favorite aspect of the series? Would you recommend this series for students next year? Why or why not?
