The Conservative Tide Chapter 33

The New Right The New Right focused its energy on controversial social issues: Opposing abortion Blocking the Equal Rights Amendment Evading court ordered busing A return to school prayer, which had been outlawed by the Supreme Court in 1962.

Ronald Reagan Won the election of 1980 by defeating Jimmy Carter. Background: Hollywood actor Former Governor of California The Great Communicator Worked to translate the conservative agenda into public policy.

Reaganomics Consisted of three parts: Budget cuts (social programs) tax cuts Increased defense spending -Rested heavily up supply-side economics. If people paid fewer taxes, they would save more money. Banks could then loan that money to business, which could invest the money in resources to improve productivity. The supply of goods would increase, driving down prices. -Congress lowered income taxes by 25% over 3 years.

Strategic Defense Initiative: AKA, Star Wars A missile defense system that would keep America safe from a Soviet missile attack. The Defense Department estimated that the system would cost trillions of dollars.

Sandra Day O’Connor The first woman appointed to the Supreme Court. One of the most important ways Reagan accomplished his conservative goals was through his appointments to the Supreme Court. The Reagan and Bush appointments to the Supreme Court ended the liberal control over the Court that had begun under Franklin D. Roosevelt.

George H. W. Bush Elected President in 1988, voters saw little need for change. Committed to the conservative ideas of the “moral majority”. Lowest voter turnout in 64 years.

AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Growing concern over prevention and finding a cure.

Mikhail Gorbachev In 1985 he became the leader of the Communist Party in the Soviet Union. Inherited a host of economic problems. The Soviet economy was pushed to the brink of collapse.

Gorbachev makes changes: Glasnost: “Openness” He allowed open criticism of the Soviet government and took steps toward freedom of the press. Perestroika: A restructuring of Soviet society: -Less government control of the economy -The introduction of private enterprise -Took steps toward establishing a democratic government.

Tiananmen Square -Early in the 1980s, China loosened its grip on business and some price controls. -Students began to demand freedom of speech and a greater voice in government. -In April, 1989, they held marches in Tiananmen Square. -The government ordered the military to crush the protesters. -Hundreds are killed and thousands wounded.

The Persian Gulf War/Operation Desert Storm Aug 2, 1990 Saddam Hussein invades the oil rich country of Kuwait. President Bush organized an international coalition against Iraqi aggression. Jan 16, 1991 Operation Desert Storm begins with air assault on Iraq. A ground offensive starts on Feb 23, 1991, based out of Saudi Arabia. On Feb 28, Bush announces a cease fire, Kuwait was liberated. Operation Desert Storm had ended.