This document provides an overview of Key Concept 9.1 from the APUSH review which discusses the rise of conservatism in the United States after 1980. It notes that Ronald Reagan's 1980 election marked a milestone that advanced conservative beliefs and policies. During this time, conservatives enacted tax cuts and deregulation of industries. They also sought to limit liberal programs, though faced resistance. Key policy debates of the time included issues of free trade agreements, the scope of the government social safety net, and financial system reforms.

1. APUSH REVIEW:
KEY CONCEPT
9.1, REVISED
EDITION
Everything You Need To Know About Key
Concept 9.1 To Succeed In APUSH

2. KEY CONCEPT 9.1
➤ “A newly ascendant (rising in power) conservative movement
achieved several political and policy goals during the 1980s
and continued to strongly influence public discourse in the
following decades.” - page 85
➤ Big Idea ?s:
➤ What changes occurred in the economy as a result of
Reagan’s election in 1980?
➤ Over what issues did conservatives and liberals debate?

3. KEY CONCEPT 9.1, I
➤ “Conservative beliefs regarding the need for traditional social values and a
reduced role for government advanced in U.S. politics after 1980.”
➤ A. Why was Reagan’s 1980 election victory a milestone (watershed election)?
➤ Conservatives enacted:
➤ Tax cuts:
➤ “Reaganomics,” “supply-side,” or “trickle-down” economics
➤ Tax cuts for wealthy in order to stimulate economic growth
➤ Rates were cut in the 1980s
➤ Similar to tax policies of the 1920s under Secretary of Treasury Andrew
Mellon (synthesis point)
➤ Deregulation of many industries:
➤ Reagan promised in his campaign to decrease environmental regulations

4. KEY CONCEPT 9.1
➤ B. Conservatives sought to limit liberal programs, but met inertia
(resistance) and liberal opposition because:
➤ Many programs remained popular with voters
➤ Social Security, Medicare

5. KEY CONCEPT 9.1
➤ C. Policy debates occurred regarding:
➤ Free-Trade agreements:
➤ North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
➤ No tariffs on goods made/traded between America, Canada, and Mexico
➤ Seattle World Trade Organization Protests (1999)
➤ Scope of the government social safety net:
➤ Welfare Reform (1996)
➤ Some viewed the public became too dependent on government assistance
➤ Instituted time limits on welfare assistance, increased eligibility
requirements
➤ Calls to reform the U.S. financial system:
➤ Finance Reform - Financial Services Modernization Act - repealed parts of
the Glass-Steagall Act (New Deal)

6. TEST TIPS
➤ Multiple-Choice and Short Answer:
➤ Goals of conservatives
➤ NAFTA and debates over free trade
➤ Debates over scope and size of government
➤ Long Essay/DBQ:
➤ Not exclusively on period 9
➤ Could be part of larger idea (debates over scope and size of the
federal government since WWII)