1. The Conservative Revolution
Reagan/Bush Years
The Conservative Revolution

2. Agenda Rise of the Modern Conservatism 1980s Election
Reagan Domestic Policy
Reagan Foreign Policy
George Bush Sr. Presidency

3. The Rise of the Modern Conservative Movement
Objectives
1. What were the major political and cultural concerns Americas had during 1970s
2. What were the two major goals of the Modern Conservatives?

4. 1970s Governmental Concerns
American Concerns about 1970s Presidents
Energy Crisis
High Inflation
High Unemployment
Iran Hostages
USA tensions with USSR and Afghanistan

5. 1970s Cultural Concerns American Cultural Concerns Roe vs. Wade
Counter Culture
Hippie Movement
Rock music
Openly sexual, drug-oriented, rebellious
Widespread Use of illegal drugs
School Prayer outlawed
Radical and increasingly violent student protests
Emerging gay rights movement
Radical feminism
Rising divorce rate
Sexual’ revolution- Birth Control Pill
Said Birth control pill encouraged promiscuous behavior

6. The New Right- Modern Conservatism
Restore Christian Values
Televangelism
Christian preachers reached to millions
Demanding change in morality and money for campaign
By 1978, 40% of Americans described themselves as "born again,"
New Government
Cut Government funding social programs
Kill things like
“New Deal”,
“New Frontier”,
“Great Society”

7. Objectives 1. What made Reagan such an appealing candidate?
1980s Election
Objectives
1. What made Reagan such an appealing candidate?

8. Reagan Promise- A Simple Time
Reagan – Bring America to a simple time- Back to the 40s and 50s
Reagan was nicknamed the “The Great Communicator”
Made things simple
His Goals
Lower Taxes
Smaller Government
Cut Social Programs
Less Regulation for Business
Build up USA military
"In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem."

9. October Debate Battle between Liberal Left and Conservative Right
Reagan questioned Carter's competence
Foreign Affairs
Economy
Moral Issues
Carter tried to cast him as a dangerous extremist.
The election came down to a single televised debate in
October Debate
Famous Reagan Comebacks
“There you go Again”
"Are you better off now than you were four years ago?"
October Debate Clip

10. Reagan Landslide
The election ended in a landslide victory of Ronald Reagan and the first

11. A Dramatic Start to the Reagan Presidency
Immediately following his inauguration,
Iranian terrorists released the American hostages after 444 days of captivity.
Congress enacted legislation to reduce tax rates by 25% over three years, cut social spending
The tax cut was the largest in history.

12. Reagan Domestic Policy
Objectives
1. What were the 3 economic policies that were later nicknamed “Reaganomics”?
2. What effects did Reaganomics have on the economy of the 1980s?

13. What is Reaganomcis? Based on supply-side economics
A theory that says breaks for businesses will increase supply of goods and services, aiding the economy

14. “Reaganomics”/Trickle Down Theory
1. Tax cut for all Americans
Encourage people to spend money and invest into business
2. Cut Government Programs
Limit welfare
Reduce unemployment
Raise Medicare expenses
Cut public services
3. Major tax cut on the wealthiest Americans
Encourage wealthy Americans to:
expand their companies
Create new jobs

16. Recession and Rebound
1st – Trouble Times- In 1982, the worst recession since the Great Depression occurred.
Its going to get worse before it gets better
2nd – Reganomics takes effect

17. Reagan’s Foreign Policy
Objectives.
What was Reagan’s new approach towards communism in the 1980s and how did he end the cold War?
Explain the connection President Reagan had with Iran-Contra Affair?

18. Reagan and Military Buildup
Sharp increase in military spending = buildup
Government increase in spending 50%
New weapons and new technology
Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) = better known as Star Wars
"Wouldn't it be better to save lives than to avenge them?"

19. Reagan and the Cold War New Direction
NO CONTAINMENT- Contain communism
NO DÉTENTE- Get along with communism
Reagan Plan - DESTORY COMMUNISM
Called Soviet Union the “evil empire”
Sent troops or military support to stop the spread of Communism
Lebanon
Libya
Grenada
El Salvador
Nicaragua (Contra rebels supported by US)
Tear down this Wall clip

20. New Soviet Leadership Mikhail Gorbachev
1980s USSR was facing economic and political collapse
Perestroika: Restructuring- Be more like USA economy
Glasnost: Openness- Work to end Cold War

21. Berlin Wall 1989
Berlin Wall Clip

22. Iran Contra Affair

23. Background- Revolution in Nicaragua
Contras- Pro USA
Congress passed laws forbidding president from helping contras
Sandinista- Pro USSR

24. The Iran Contra Scandal
1st Government gave weapons to Gov’t official s 2nd Officials gave weapons to Iran in return for hostages and money 3rd Officials gave money to Contras (Pro-USA) Nicaraguan rebels 4th Win Win situation
US Government
weapons
Democratic Gov’t
Oliver North
John Poindester
Hostages
weapons
Contras
Iran
$$$$
$$$$
Iran Contra Scandal

25. Reagan Public Approval Ratings

26. Presidency of George Bush Sr.
Objectives:
How did President Bush handle foreign governments that were inhumane to their people?
What domestic events lead to an economic downfall in the early 1990s?
Why did many American resent President Bush for the economic fall out?
China and Panama Example

27. America stands up to bullies
China: Democracy Crushed
Tiananmen Square.
Chinese students called on their Communist leaders to become democratic
Tanks surrounded the protesters and opened fire.
Hundreds of unarmed people were killed in the Tiananmen Square massacre.
Bush announced an arms embargo.
Student Protest Clip

28. America stands up to bullies
Panama: A Dictator Falls
Colonel Manuel Noriega was a brutal dictator.
The United States tried to indict him for drug smuggling.
In 1989 Noriega declared a state of war with the United States.
Bush ordered an invasion of Panama.
Troops arrested Noriega and took him to Florida.

29. America wins a War… End of the Cold War Reduction of Military
Salt- Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty
Cut nuclear weapons by 50%
USSR Dissolves
Russia loses its control over the surrounding nations
USA backs democratic government/Capitalist economy

30. America Wins a War The Persian Gulf War
Gulf War Clip
The Persian Gulf War
Iraq’s Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait in 1990.
United States—who depended on the region’s oil
ON January 16, 1991, the U.S.-led force attacked.
Smart Bomb Campaign
Operation Desert Storm was a successful, conventional war.

31. Economy Falls Apart Major Problems Deficit Spending Oil Prices Hiked
Spending more then you make
National debt tripled in the 1980s- Thanks Reagan!!
Oil Prices Hiked
Persian Gulf War caused an increase in Oil prices
End of the Cold War
Lack of military spending
Military Industry layoff workers
Read my lips no new taxes