Today’s Objective We will describe the causes and key organizations and individuals of the conservative resurgence of the 1980s. Sub-Objective We will describe significant societal issues of this time period, such as health issues (AIDS) and drug abuse (Nancy Reagan’s “Just Say No” policy).

Reagan and the ’80s SEs: 2B, 10E

State Standards 10E (s) Describe the causes and key organizations and individuals of the conservative resurgence of the 1980s and 1990s, including Phyllis Schlafly, the Contract with America, the Heritage Foundation, the Moral Majority, and the National Rifle Association. 10F (s) Describe significant societal issues of this time period, such as rising drug abuse and the spread of AIDS, and education issues. 24B (s) Evaluate the contributions of significant political and social leaders in the United States such as Billy Graham, Barry Goldwater, Sandra Day O'Connor, and Hillary Clinton.

Conservative ideas gained support for two main reasons Rise of Conservatism Conservative Republican Right Capitalism Fiscally: Limited government spending, lower taxes Socially: Strict enforcement of laws, moral values Liberal Democrat Left Socialism Fiscally: Government programs to help poor, elderly, children Socially: Protection of personal freedoms and liberties Conservative ideas gained support for two main reasons Some Americans believed that the government’s role in the economy was leading the U.S. towards socialism. Many Americans feared that America had lost touch with its traditional values of right and wrong.

Rise of Conservatism Conservatism grew throughout a region of the nation known as the Sunbelt.

Rise of Conservatism Because most people in this region are religious, this region of the country is also known as the Bible Belt.

The person credited with reviving conservatism was Republican Barry Goldwater, who lost the Election of 1964 against LBJ, but gained a huge following.

Rise of Conservatism The leading voice of the conservative movement became a former actor named Ronald Reagan.

Reagan rises to power Reagan had gained popularity as a movie star before becoming Governor of California in 1967, championing many of Goldwater’s beliefs.

Ronald Reagan takes over People were upset with Carter over the economy, Iran hostage crisis Because people saw Reagan as a symbol of hope and pride, Reagan defeated Carter in a landslide

Election of 1980

National Rifle Association After laws were passed in 1968 limiting freedom to own guns, the conservative group the National Rifle Association began to play a large part in elections.

National Rifle Association The National Rifle Association played a large part in the election of Reagan in the 1980 presidential election.

Rise of Conservatism Another highly influential group that helped get Reagan elected were Fundamentalist Christians.

Rise of Conservatism After Supreme Court rulings that legalized abortion and outlawed prayer in public schools, many Americans feared society had lost touch with traditional values.

The Moral Majority The Moral Majority is the Christian organization started by Jerry Falwell that played a key role as a political force and in numerous Republican presidential victories throughout the 1980s.

Impact of Billy Graham Billy Graham is a powerful evangelical preacher who conducted many evangelistic crusades and counseled many presidents over the last 60 years.

The Heritage Foundation Many of Reagan policies were strongly influenced by the Heritage Foundation, which sought to promote conservative policies.

The Heritage Foundation Among these principles were the free enterprise system, limited government, individual freedoms, family values, and a strong national defense.

Impact of Phyllis Schlafly Phyllis Schlafly was a political conservative known for her anti-feminism and campaign against the Equal Rights Amendment.

Impact of Phyllis Schlafly Schlafly wrote numerous books explaining how women could be a mother, but could have a career, too .

Fight for Womens Equality With the help of people like Schlafly, the Equal Rights Amendment failed to be ratified, but women’s groups continued to push for equality.

Fight for Women’s Equality While ERA failed, the movement led to many women being elected into office and more women attaining equal pay in the work force. Dianne Feinstein was San Francisco’s first female mayor and now is a U.S. Senator for the state of California.

Analyze This… “The basis of conservatism is a desire for less government interference or less centralized authority or more individual freedom.” -- Ronald Reagan

Drugs in America One issue that became a major problem in the U.S. in the 1980s was the growing drug trade.

‘Just Say No’ Campaign Reagan’s wife Nancy led a movement to stop drug abuse when she led the “Just Say No” campaign in an effort to get kids to stop using drugs.

The AIDS Epidemic One of the largest health concerns of the 1980s was the growing epidemic of AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome).

The AIDS Epidemic The AIDS epidemic spread rapidly around the world and concern over prevention and cure intensified.

Pop Culture of the 80s Video Games Valley Girl Rubik's Cube Swatch Watches

Pop Culture of the 80s Top TV Shows Dallas The Cosby Show Miami Vice Married with Children

Pop Culture of the 80s Top in Movies

Pop Culture of the 80s Top in Music

Coming up: Reaganomics

Today’s Product Create a bubble map that identifies and describes the key organizations and individuals of the conservative resurgence of the 1980s.

Today’s Product I will list three major characteristics of a social conservative and three of a fiscal conservative.