The document provides background information on the rise of conservatism in the United States during the late 1970s and 1980s. It discusses how Ronald Reagan appealed to conservative voters who were frustrated with the economy and foreign policy. Reagan was elected president in 1980 on a platform of tax cuts, increased military spending, and limited government. As president, Reagan implemented economic and foreign policies aimed at reducing the size and role of government.

1. Political Test: Do you know if you are a “conservative” or a “liberal”? Take a guess at which you are and write that in your QW and explain 2 details about yourself that you feel make you one or the other. Some of you might not know, just guess at it. You’ll find out the meanings later today if you didn’t know.

2. CONSERVATISM & REAGAN

3. America was Changing As America reached the 1980’s, people’s ideals began to shift America was becoming a more conservative nation The new conservative group and the liberals will begin to clash on the roll of government

4. Domination of Liberation Liberals had dominated American society for most of the 1900’s A person might consider themselves liberal for a number of reasons A belief that the government should regulate the economy Should play an active role in helping the disadvantaged Tax burdens should be placed on the wealthy Suspicious of the government on regulation of social behavior Big on free speech and privacy

6. New Conservatives Feel if the government regulates the economy, it makes the economy less efficient Which results in less wealth and more poverty Believe in free enterprise and very little government interference

7. New Conservatives Unlike liberals, generally have a fundamental distrust of the growing power of government Believe in the original intent and wording of the Constitution

9. New Conservatives For these reasons conservatives oppose high taxes and government programs that transfer wealth Feel that taxes and government programs can take away the hard work and fortune of Americans

10. New Conservatives Many conservatives believe that religious faith is very important Feel that most social issues are from one’s morality and character Which can be guided properly by a devotion to religion

11. The Geography Geographical regions tend to support either liberal or conservative ideas One of the early problems to the rise of conservatives was that they tended split their votes As the late 50’s and early 60’s rolled around there was a shift in the conservative population to the South and West This would become known as the, Sun Belt

12. The Sun Belt

13. Conservatism and Religion Conservatism also tended to draw people who felt that American society had lost its traditional values American’s with deep religious values were shocked by the Counter Culture and Hippie movement of the 1970’s

14. Conservatism and Religion The Feminist Movement seemed to go against them as well Felt it challenged the traditional family

15. Conservatism and Religion Religious revivals began to gain popularity with the likes of people such as Billy Graham Ideas of “born again” Christianity They began to run their own newspapers, magazines, radio stations and television networks Earned the nickname “televangelists”

18. A new Coalition By the end of the 1970’s, the new conservation coalition of voters was coming together Although they still carried with them some differing believes they all believed in one thing: America had lost its way

19. A new Coalition Watergate, high taxes, and special interest politics had weakened the faith in the government Rising unemployment, riots, drug abuse, the hostage crisis in Iran They argued that America was tired of upheaval and change

20. A new Coalition They argued that America was tired of upheaval and change Wanted stability and a return to what they remember they considered better times Ronald Reagan would seem to offer some that opportunity

21. Ronald Reagan Reagan believed that government policies were responsible for the countries social and economic problems He would use his experience as a Hollywood actor and governor of California to lead a successful campaign to the presidency His ideas of supporting high interest rates and tax cuts become known as Reaganomics

22. Two actors...two CA govenors

23. Election of 1980 Reagan’s campaign appealed to Americans who were frustrated with the economy and worried that the US had become weak internationally

24. Election of 1980 Reagan promised Tax cuts Increase spending (think about this, essentially he was saying,) “ I want to earn less money, but spend more!” This will lead the US to debt later

25. Election of 1980 In addition, Reagan called for a ban on abortion During one debate he would ask Carter supporters “ Are you better off than you were four years ago? The answer was …no With the support of the new conservatives, Reagan would win the election

27. Reagan’s Domestic Policies Believing that government was the problem, Reagan cut services Felt Americans should not look to Washington for answers His first goal was to fix the economy and its stagflation

28. assassination attempt occurred on March 30, 1981, just 69 days into the presidency of Ronald Reagan. While leaving a speaking engagement at the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C., President Reagan and three others were shot and wounded by John Hinckley, Jr. Reagan suffered a punctured lung, but prompt medical attention allowed him to recover quickly despite his age. Reagan was the first serving United States president to survive being shot in an assassination attempt

30. Reaganomics Reagan would combine two ideas to create his own solution “ Monetarism” Argues that was too much money in circulation So you increase interest rates to limit people’s desire to borrow “ Supply-side economics” Argued the economy was too weak because taxes were too high Combining the two and you get Reaganomics

31. Reaganomics “ Trickle-down economics” The idea was simple, help the wealthy Americans and corperations and then they will help the less fortunate Meaning, start with the top and because they are doing so well, they will be struck with the desire to pass the wealth to less fortunate

32. Cutting it all Up Cutting the tax rate mean that the government would receive less money This would create a budget deficit, so to offset it, Reagan cut social programs Welfare Food Stamps School Lunch Programs

33. Economy Finally Booms By 1983 the economy is booming Unemployment had fallen Production was up Wages were increasing It looked like Reagan had done it He would be elected to a second term

34. Reagan’s Second Term During his second term Reagan would see the largest military build up during a time of peace in American history Reagan was rejecting the ideas of BOTH containment and détente In his view he didn’t want to negotiate or try to contain communism He wanted to destroy it

35. Peace Through Strength Reagan spent nearly $1.5 trillion dollars over 5 years in military build up Meanwhile Reagan is continuing to drive up the national deficient

36. Peace Through Strength However, he was providing jobs with his spending Again Reagan hoped to offset his spending by eliminating more government programs Also he was banking on the boom in the economy to bring in more tax revenue

37. Iran-Contra Scandal As it turned out Reagan would have his own scandal American weapons were being sold to rebels in Iran in exchange for American hostages Reagan said he never knew this illegal arms sale was happening Even though he claimed he did no wrong it would taint his second term

38. Star Wars Regan also invested in a new defensive program called the Strategic Defense Initiative, or SDI The plan was nickname the “Star Wars” defense for its supposed ability to shoot down incoming missiles with lasers from satellites.

40. Reagan loved some movies...maybe too much.

41. Tear Down This Wall Reagan’s biggest credit is often for his work towards the end of the Cold War He would work with new Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to end the division Asked for the biggest symbol of that division to be destroyed

45. Tear Down This Wall “ Mr. Gorbachev…tear down this wall!” The Berlin Wall, would fall Often considered one of Regan’s biggest successes