Ronald Reagan

The Rise of the Modern

Conservative Movement

The 1980

Election

1980 Election 1984 Election

The New Conservative Coalition

The NEW RIGHT• The NEW RIGHT - a political coalition of:

– Conservative evangelical Christians– Moral Majority founded by Rev. Jerry Falwell - Baptist

minister (founder - Liberty University - Lynchburg, VA)• To restore Christian Values in America

– Southern Democrats– Sunbelt states– Reduction of Social Programs– Called for reduction in size and scope of government– “Reagan Democrats”– Favored return of US military prominence– Patriotic focus

The 1980 “Revolution”• Nixon Victories in

1968 and 1972 early indicators of change

• Carter’s series of ‘Unfortunate’ Events

• Carter’s perceived mishandling of major challenges

• Reagan’s ability to communicate - “The Great Communicator”

• Few simple well-articulated idea

The Reagan Revolution and the First Inaugural Address

“In the days ahead I will propose removing the roadblocks that have slowed our economy and reduced productivity. Steps will be taken aimed at restoring the balance between various levels of government. Progress may be slow, measured in inches and feet, not miles, but we will progress. It is time to reawaken this industrial giant, to get government back within its means, and to lighten our punitive tax burden. And these will be our first priorities, and on these principles there will be no compromise.” - Ronald Reagan 1981

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

Cutting Government Regulation - “deregulation”

• Continued Carter’s programs to deregulate key industries

• Energy, Transportation and Banking Industries

• Challenged Air Traffic Controllers in 1981 - Fired those who refused to go back to work after a strike.

Slowed Federal Growth - New Federalism (Reagan-style)

• Limiting government– Eliminated public service

jobs,– reduced unemployment

compensation, – lowered welfare benefits,– raised fees for Medicare

patients

• Federal domestic spending still grew for a couple of years

Reagan and Military Buildup

“Peace through Strength”

• Sharp increase in military spending = buildup

• New weapons and new technology

• Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) = better known as Star Wars

• INF Treaty (1988) - agreement to eliminate intermediate-range nuclear forces

Reagan and the Cold War

• Called Soviet Union the “evil empire”– “Mr. Gorbachev, tear

down that wall”

• Reagan - Cold Warrior– Lebanon– Libya– Grenada– El Salvador– Nicaragua (Contra

rebels supported by US)

Reagan: Economic Recession, and Recovery

• 1981-1982 Recession• Inflation slowed, consumer spending

increased• Stock market grew• Federal deficit grew even as domestic

spending decreased• National debt = $909 billion in 1980 ---

$3.2 trillion in 1990

Patriotic Renewal • “It’s Morning in America,

Again”• 59% of popular vote• Second largest electoral

victory in history• 1984 Olympics in Los

Angeles• Communist-bloc countries

boycotted• 1986 - 100th anniversary

of Statue of Liberty• 1987 - 200th anniversary

of the Constitution

Other issues 1984-1988

• AIDS Awareness• Women’s Movement stalled (ERA failed

in 1982)• Supreme Court conservatives

– Sandra Day O’Connor– Anthony Kennedy– Antonin Scalia– Chief Justice William Rehnquist

More issues: 1984-1988

• Farm Crisis - foreclosures• Manufacturing shift - from metal and textiles

(overseas = outsourcing due to labor costs)• Service sectors continued to grow• Wealthiest Americans flourished in the 1980s• Jan 28, 1986 - Space Shuttle Challenger

exploded shortly after take off

Scandals

• S & L Crisis• Savings and Loan

institutions deregulated and some corrupt individuals used this to make huge personal fortunes

• S & L’s collapsed in late 1980s

• $2.6 billion in savings lost

• 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.