TSWU: – What does it mean to be conservative or

liberal? What were the conservative and liberal perspectives on Ronald Reagan’s policies?

Ronald Reagan

The Rise of the Modern

Conservative Movement

Ronald Reagan

• Born in Illinois, 1911• Active in college.• Lifeguard, Radio Announcer• Went to California to launch

an acting career during the Great Depression

• Became increasingly conservative in face of radical socialists and communists in the movie industry

• Switched from Democratic to Republican Party in the late 50s/early 60s

The 1980

Election

The Last Days of the Campaign• Up until October 28, 1980 Carter

lead in all major nation-wide polls• The incumbent usually wins re-

election…– Why?– Give examples.

• The two candidates square off in a televised debate…– “Ask yourself this question… ‘Am I

better off now, than I was four years ago?’ If the answer is ‘No’, then vote Republican on November 2.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loBe0WXtts8

The 1980 “Revolution”Reagan’s First Days in Office

• Reagan’s early success based off of Carter’s perceived simple mishandling of major challenges

• Combined with Reagan’s ability to communicate as “The Great Communicator”

• Centered around a

few simple well-articulated ideas

The New Conservative&The New “Right”

• The NEW RIGHT – Conservative Evangelical Christians– Called Moral Majority

• To restore Christian Values in America– Southern Democrats

• Its Central Ideas Were:– Reduction of Social Programs– Reduction in Size and Scope of government– Patriotic focus– “Reagan Democrats”– Favored return of US military prominence

“Government is not the answer to our problems, GOVERNMENT IS THE PROBLEM!”

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”

• Energy, Transportation and Banking Industries

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

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: 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

Reagan’s Military Buildup

“Peace Through Strength”

• Sharp increase in military spending

• New weapons and new technology

• The only way to defeat the USSR was to have more weapons than they did

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

Election of 1984

Patriotic Renewal

• 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles• Communist-bloc countries

boycotted• 1986 - 100th anniversary of

Statue of Liberty• 1987 - 200th anniversary of

the Constitution

• “It’s Morning in America, Again”• 59% of popular vote• Second largest electoral victory

in history

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fyI671ePfE

Soviet Relations

• Reagan succeeded in breaking down barriers between the U.S. and the Soviet Union

• Policies helped bring an end to tensions in the cold war.

• “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtYdjbpBk6A

Called Soviet Union the “evil empire”

Brandenburg Speech

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

Scandal

• 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.

ReaganConservative Hero, or Undercover Liberal?

This is a two day activity;

Day 1: 1) Go to the following website http://www.studentnewsdaily.com/other/conservative-vs-liberal-beliefs/

2) Create a matrix choosing 5 of the 9 items:Gun Control Death Penalty WelfareImmigration Taxes War on TerrorHealthcare Gay Marriage Education

3) Decide if you are CONSERVATIVE or LIBERAL!

Topic Conservative

Liberal

ReaganConservative Hero, or Undercover Liberal?

Day 2

1) Create a “HERO” OR “WANTED” poster criticizing OR celebrating Reagan’s term in office.

2) Using the powerpoint, two-faced handout, and examples, make your own posters

3) This is due at the end of class today!