1. The Resurgence of Conservatives
It will be my intention to curb the size and influence of the federal establishment and to demand recognition of the distinction between the powers granted to the federal government and those reserved to the states or the people– Ronald Reagan, Inaugural, 1981

2. The Rise of Conservatism
Even though Barry Goldwater (R) was defeated by LBJ (D) in 1964, Goldwater’s campaign led to a resurgence of conservatism.
Policies of Nixon (R) & Ford (R) —Influenced by conservative resurgence.
William F. Buckley Jr.-conservative author & commentator; created The National Review Magazine (1955). Laid foundation for the run of Goldwater in 1964.
Milton Friedman-Noble Prize Economist who opposed Keynesianism (deficit spending), high taxes etc.
By 1980, a coalition of economic & political conservatives, religious fundamentalists & Political Action Committees became part of a conservative force for change.
These groups opposed big government, New Deal liberalism, gun control , feminism, sexual permissiveness, abortion, & drug use= these issues were undermining the American family & religious values, work ethic & national security.

3. 1970’s Conservative Activism
By 1980, various conservative activists had taken the lead in establishing a conservative agenda for the nation.
Tax Payer’s Revolt- California tax payers passed Prop 13 which sharply cut taxes.
Economist Arthur Laffer believed that tax cuts increase government revenue (Laffer Curve)
2. Televangelists preached about America’s moral decay on TV; also upset over Roe v. Wade decision.
3. Conservative Americans blamed ‘Affirmative Action” partly for their 1970’s economic problems.
1978 Regents of University of Cal. V. Bakke- reverse discrimination case.
4. Deregulation of business- business leaders in the 1970’s got state & local governments to reduce regulations, lower taxes, weaken labor unions.

4. A New Conservative Movement
1980’s Average American’s older than in the 1960’s
Rise of the Sunbelt
Population exceeded that of the old industrial northern states by 1980.
Citizens in Sunbelt Opposed to growth of big federal government programs, government regulations, high taxes.
1978- California Tax Revolt (Proposition 13) slashed property taxes & cut government services.
The “Sagebrush Rebellion” : reaction of Western states & citizens against environmental regulations & government ownership of land.
Rise of the Religious Right
Religious revival (Awakening) started in 1970’s into 21st century.
Growth of evangelical faith (“born again”); 70 million identified as “born again” believers.
Energized by evangelical Christian groups (Moral Majority-led by Pastor Jerry Fallwell)

5. Formation of The New Right
Moral Majority – Social conservatives; railed against abortion, pornography, homosexuality, feminism, & affirmative action- advocated school prayer etc.
Registered 2-3 million voters in a couple years; raised $millions for candidates.
Protestants & Catholics rallied against abortion & other moral issues.
2. The Political Right-
“The Old Right”- economic conservatives; railed against welfare, affirmative action, government spending & size- for state's rights & free market “laissez-faire”.
Conservatives were better organized & funded
New conservative leadership (Ronald Reagan)

6. The 1980 Election Republican Ronald Reagan:
Republicans nominated Ronald Reagan; “It’s Morning in America” campaign slogan (G.H.W. Bush VP)
Republican Ronald Reagan:
Former actor; 2 term Gov. Calif. , corporate spokesman (GE) IN 1950’s, president OF THE screen actor's GUILD, early political hero was FDR!!
1964-supoorter of Barry Gold Water
Born & raised in a generation before the 1960’s
Platform
Promised major tax cuts
Restore US strength & pride
Referred to the “misery index”—rate of inflation plus unemployment.
“Are you better off than you were four years ago?”

7. President Carter’s Problems
Problems abroad- Iranian hostage crisis (continued through the 1980 election)
Problems at home- double-digit inflation, energy crisis, appeared inept.
“ABC Movement”- people in the Democratic Party who wanted anyone to run except Carter.
Independent candidate Rep. Jon Anderson
A Divided Party
Liberal Democrats wanted Edward (Ted) Kennedy
Carter & Kennedy fought for the Democratic nomination
Issue that stopped Kennedy- Chappaquiddick

8. The 1980 Campaign Ronald Reagan- acting skills & charm –advantage.
Blasted Big Government of the Democrats, high inflation, high interest rates (20% in 1980), the “Misery Index”=inflation rate + unemployment rate= 28%) slow economy.
Since 1960 federal spending went from 18% of GNP to 23%
His Optimism- America’s best years are ahead; anti-Soviet, Pro-business, Pro-Christian.
Reagan Coalition: Corporate & Banking Elites, “Neo-Conservatives”, Populist Conservatives (New Right) & 50% OF BLUE COLLAR VOTE
Carter- accused Reagan of being a trigger-happy “Cold Warrior”- might bring war.

9. 1980 Election Outcome Reagan- won 51% of popular vote
Electoral Vote: Reagan 489 Carter 49
Republicans gained control of Congress -1st time in 25 years
1st time since Herbert Hoover (1932) a sitting President was voted out.

10. Hostages Released 1980
On Reagan’s inauguration day---US hostages held by Iranian radicals were released.
in exchange…US released Iranian financial assets frozen by Carter Admin.
Huge boost to start Reagan’s first term

11. Assassination Attempt
March 6, John Hinckley shot President Reagan (wounded him in left arm, collapsed lung)
George H. W. Bush took over temp. (25th Amendment)
Reagan recovered quickly (12 days later walked out of the hospital)
Addressed the budget on TV a few days later.

12. “The Reagan Revolution”
“Government is not the solution to our problems, it IS the problem…”Ronald Reagan
American hostages in Iran released on his inauguration day.
Goal- dismantle the welfare state & reverse the social upheavals of previous decades.
“Reaganomics”: Trickle Down
New budget cut spending by $35 million with the help of southern Democrats (Boll Weevils) (social programs- food stamps & job training-Supply-side
Cut taxes 25% across the board over 3 years, cut estate taxes, new tax free saving for investors
“Boll weevil” Democrats (southern conservative democrats) went along with Reagan’s budget

13. Spending Cuts
“Boll weevil” Democrats (southern conservative democrats) went along with Reagan’s budget cuts.
Republicans cut $40 Billion from domestic programs like food stamps, student loans, mass transportation.
CUTS OFFSET BY INCREASES TO THE MILITARY SPENDING!
NO cuts to Social Security or Medicare.
Social Security Law to strengthen SS (Bipartisan)
Increased amount people pay into the system
Raised age to get benefits to age 67.
Taxed some benefits paid to upper income Americans.

14. Deregulation
The relaxation of rules on businesses, corporations, banks etc. “getting Government off the backs of people”.
Reagan officials fanned out through the executive branch & deregulated many areas of the economy.
Sec. of Interior James Watt- relaxed or eliminated EPA rules.
Watt Opened federal lands to timber companies & coal companies = outraged environmentalists!
Allowed off-shore oil drilling
Civil Rights Division of Justice Dept. eased enforcement of civil rights laws.
Dept. of Transportation slowed enforcement of fuel efficiency rules & safety standards for the auto industry.

15. Labor Unions Reagan took a tough stand against unions.
Fired 1000’s of striking Federal Air Traffic Controllers & decertified their Union (PATCO)
Industry hired replacement workers
Effects:
Anti-union policies, loss of manufacturing jobs== decline in union membership to 12% in the 1990’s.
Workers wages slow into the 21st Century.

16. The Economy by 1982 Economy in deepest recession since 1930’s
Unemployment 11%-- bank failures
US auto industry not selling enough cars (Japanese imports)
Critics said cuts hurt poor & handicapped & favored wealthy
1983- ECONOMIC RECOVERY BEGAN!
1980’S 1ST time income gaps widened between rich & poor
Middle class incomes stagnated (won’t recover until 1990’s)
“yuppies”- young, urban professionals (1.5 million prospering Americans) enjoyed higher earnings- due to deregulation.

17. Effects of Reaganomics
1980’s prosperity founded on military spending.
$2 Trillion over 1980’s decade
US borrowed money to support spending
Budget Deficits
$100 Billion in 1982; $200-$300 Billion each year after 1982
Gov’t borrowing kept interest rates high= elevated value of the US dollar= good news for US tourists & buyers of foreign cars.
No new social programs proposed---new discussion…what to cut in the future.
Trade Deficit Increased- High US DOLLAR hurt US exporters= US trade deficit $152 Billion in 1987= US BECAME WORLD’S HEAVIEST BORROWER.

18. Reagan Foreign Policy-The Cold War
The Soviet Union is the “focus of evil in the modern world”- Reagan
“Peace through Strength”- Reagan would negotiate with USSR but only from a position of strength.
Initiate a new expensive arms race with U.S.S.R.
US could spend easier than USSR= U.S.S.R. would have to negotiate with avoid economic ruin.
Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI or “Star Wars”)- Reagan pushed to build orbiting battle stations in space that would shoot down Soviet missiles (“astrodome defense shield”)
Some scientists advocated, others said it was science fiction.
No matter- it caused the USSR much concern

19. Reagan Foreign Policy- The Cold War
2. Poland (1981)- popular movement of working people in Poland – “Solidarity” LED BY Lech Walesa
Communist Polish government enacted martial law
Reagan enacted economic sanctions on Poland & USSR.
3. Aging Soviet Oligarchs- Soviet leaders tended to be old & in ill health.
died
Soviets shot down Korean passenger jet in Soviet airspace.
End of all arms-control talks with USSR OFF
1984- Soviet & Soviet bloc countries boycotted Olympics in LA

20. Reagan & the Middle East
Lebanon
Israel- continued to allow new settlements to be built in “occupied territory” on West Bank (gained in the 6 Day War).
Invaded Lebanon in 1982= armed chaos occurred
1983- Reagan sent US troops as part of peace-keeping force to Lebanon
Oct a suicide bomber (terrorist) killed more than 200 US Marines- US troops WERE withdrawn= Reagan not damaged by this setback (DEFEAT??)= EARNS nickname“Teflon President”

21. Reagan & Central America
Nicaragua & El Salvador
1979-Anti-American Leftists (Sandinistas) overthrew dictator of Nicaragua- Carter ignored.
Reagan accused Sandinistas of sending weapons to El Salvador (war torn area).
US military advisors sent to strengthen El Salvadoran government
Gave aid to the “Contra” rebels (opposing anti-American Nicaraguan Government).
Grenada
1983 US invaded Caribbean island of Grenada
Why? Military coup killed elected Prime Minister & Marxists came to power.
US WON QUICKLY

22. Election of 1984
Republicans re-nominate Ronald Reagan & George H.W. Bush
‘It’s Morning in America” TV AD—great!!
Democrats nominated Walter Mondale & Geraldine Ferraro (1st woman on a major party ticket)
Mondale hurt (VP in Carter administration)
Reagan wins in a landslide

23. 1984 Election Results Reagan 525 electoral votes; Mondale 13
Voting returns indicated: African-Americans & people earning under $12,500 per/yr. favored Dems.

24. Reagan’s Second Term Foreign Policy dominated Reagan’s 2nd Term
1985- Mikhail Gorbachev – new charismatic leader of Communist Party in USSR.
Gorbachev initiated radical reforms in USSR
Glasnost (“openness”) : introduced free speech & some political liberty.
Perestroika (“restructuring”): revive Soviet economy by adopting free market reforms (profit motive & end subsidized prices.
Required shrinking Soviet military & grow civilian economy
April Gorbachev announced end INF targeting Western Europe.
In Ronald Reagan gave a speech in front of the Brandenburg Gate & Berlin Wall…at the end of his speech he urged the new Soviet leader to follow through on his reforms. “Mr. Gorbachev, Tear Down This Wall!!.” Reagan

25. Geneva Meeting 1985 Geneva Summit 1985: 1st of 4 meetings
Gorbachev & Reagan discussed INF elimination
Nothing concrete
Reykjavik, Iceland Summit Oct –meeting #2
Ended in stalemate- no agreements
Beginning of a genuine fondness between Gorbachev & Reagan
The Washington Summit Dec Meeting #3
*INF Treaty signed- banned all intermediate-range nuclear weapons from Europe for both US & USSR.
The Moscow Summit –May 1988
Reagan & Gorbachev praised each other
A warm friendship was beginning

26. Reagan & other Foreign Policy Moves
Feb Reagan administration backed Corazon Aquino who ousted dictator Ferdinand Marcos in Philippines.
Reagan attacked Libya in retaliation of Libya’s link to terrorist bomb attacks like an attack on a West Berlin nightclub that US soldier.

27. *The Iran-Contra Scandal
2 problems: US hostages held in Lebanon & left-wing Sandinistas in Nicaragua (Reagan wants to act on both)
Reagan asked Congress for aid to (Contra rebels) fighting Sandinistas- CONGRESS REFUSED
1985- Secretly, the US arranged arms sales to Iranians (Iran & Iraq at war)= Iranians would seek release of US hostages- Reagan had previously vowed never negotiate with terrorists.
Secretly, Money from arm sales sent to aid CONTRAS in Nicaragua- CONGRESS HAD FORBIDDEN THIS!
Nov news of secret deal broke
Reagan denied knowledge of the deal
Congressional investigation- led some to think Reagan was senile, a poor manager of subordinates– Reagan was most likely in very early stages of Alzheimer’s.

28. Reagan & the Court Reagan used the court in the “cultural wars”
Demanded by the Religious Right (Moral Majority)
Appointed almost a majority of all sitting judges by end of second term (appointed 3 in all)
Appointed Sandra Day O’Conner -1st Woman on Supreme Court.
Reaganism on the court:
Assailed affirmative action & abortion
Ward Cove Packing v. Antonia and Martin v. Wilks (1989)- court made it more difficult to prove an employer practiced racial discrimination.
Congress passed law in 1991 that reversed decision.

29. Reagan & the Court Abortion:
Webster v. Reproductive Health Services (1989)- allowed states to legislate abortion to some degree.
Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1991)- states can restrict access to abortion as long as they don’t place undue burden on the woman (Penn. Required minor child to notify parents- but did not have to notify husband).

30. Reagan’s Legacy One of the most beloved & revered Presidents
Brought many Democrats into the Republican Party
Reagan Admin. & others Argued that military buildup forced Soviets to concede defeat & end the Cold War.
Eased regulations on Business
Tax reform-
$2 Trillion in Deficits
Median income declined (gap between rich & poor)
Spending on Some Social programs cut
COLD WAR PRACTICALLY ENDS

31. Referendum on Reaganism?
Nov Republicans lost control of the Senate
1987- Senate majority Dem. Rejected Reagan appointee Robert Bork
Democrats tried to make issues of: Iran-Contra, budget deficit, trade deficit
**The Savings & Loan Scandal
Falling oil prices hurt SW economy= low real estate values= 100’s of Savings & Loan were damaged.
Federal bailout cost $500 Billion
S & L’s pushed these loans off on 3rd World countries
Oct. 19, Black Monday- Stocks plunged 508 pts.

32. 1988 Election The Democrats
Democrats- had seven candidates (“the Seven Dwarves”)
Democrat frontrunner-Gary Hart ( became disqualified by sexual misconduct charges)
Jesse Jackson- “Rainbow Coalition”
Democrats finally Nominate- Michael Dukakis
The Republicans
Republicans nominated George H.W. Bush (ran on Reagan’s coattails) –defense, tax cuts, anti-abortion
“Read my lips no new taxes”- George H.W. Bush

33. 1988 Election Results
Bush Electoral votes-426, Dukakis -111

34. Foreign Affairs
*Tiananmen Square Incident (1989)- 1000’s of pro-democracy demonstrators gathered.
Presented a 30 ft. “Goddess of Democracy”
China’s government sent troops & tanks against the crowd
World opinion turned against China
Bush maintained normal relations with China
Eastern Europe
Communist puppet regimes collapsed (Poland –August 1989)
Dec Germans danced atop Berlin Wall
Oct Germany was reunified

35. Gorbachev vs. The Hardliners
August Military coup against Gorbachev.
Boris Yeltsin (president of the Russian Republic)-helped Gorbachev defy the coup by surrounding him with 1000’s of supporters.
Dec Gorbachev resigned
Soviet Union dissolved into 15 Republics loosely confederated into- Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) – Yeltsin dominant leader. – Soviet Union in dustbin of history!
Bush’s “New World Order”- democracy would rule & diplomacy replaces weaponry.

36. Post Cold War Questions
What about previous arms control agreements with US?
What will happen to ethnic & religious conflict tamped down by Soviet rule?
Which former Soviet Republic would control former USSR nuclear arsenal?
1993- Yeltsin & Bush sign *SALT II - both will reduce long-range nuclear weapons by 2/3 within 10 years.
1991-Yugoslavia- ethnic cleansing against minorities occurred.
Eastern European Refugees flee to Western Europe
1990- Nelson Mandela released from S. African prison- 4 years later elected president.
1990- Free elections in Nicaragua- Sandinistas Out!

37. What about the US after the end of the Cold War?
Almost 50 years – Internationalist Policy followed
Would US return to isolationism?
How would the US economy be affected by movement away from military spending?
1991- Pentagon closed 34 military bases; canceled $52 Billion order for new planes (California hard hit)
1989- US invaded Panama & overthrew Manuel Noriega (drug trafficking-imprisoned in US until then sent to France to face charges).

38. *The Persian Gulf War
August 2, Saddam Hussein (Iraq) invaded Kuwait (would have allowed him to control 1/3 of world’s oil supply)
UN Security Council: denounced the invasion-August 3 & demanded withdrawal of troops; international embargo followed.
November- UN ultimatum- leave Kuwait by Jan. 15,1991 or else.
UN force led by 539,000 US troops
Jan 12- Congress voted to use force
Feb. 23, land war began (Operation Desert Storm- planned by US General “Stormin” Norman Schwarzkopf
lasted 4 days; Feb. 27- Saddam accepted a ceasefire.
Saddam left in power!

39. George H.W. Bush at Home
1990 ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)- prohibited discrimination against those with physical & mental disabilities.
Water Projects Bill- reformed Fed. Subsidization of water in West- put environment ahead of agriculture.
1991- appointed Clarence Thomas to Supreme Court (African-American who criticized affirmative action)- opposed by liberal groups, unions, NOW.
Accused by Law Professor Anita Hill - sexual misconduct
Senate vote to confirm him

40. Bush & the economy More damaging to Bush than anything
US economy stalled
Unemployment exceeded 7% by 1992
US budget deficit $250 Billion in each year of Bush’s presidency
1990- Bush agreed to a budget that contained $133 Billion in new taxes- broke his 1988 campaign promise!