1980s: Conservative Movement SWBAT: Explain how the New Right influenced the 1980 election & conservative beliefs of the 1980s

Do Now “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.” Read: “The New Right” and highlight causes of the New Right forming. How did this movement influence the Election of 1980?

Election of 1980 Why was Reagan’s 1980 election victory a milestone (watershed election)? Conservatives enacted: Tax Cuts: “Reaganomics,” “supply-side,” “trickle-down” economics Tax cuts for wealthy to stimulate economic growth Similar to policies of 1920s under Secretary of Treasury Andrew Mellon Deregulation of Industries: Reagan promised in his campaign to decrease environmental regulations “Conservative beliefs regarding the need for traditional social values and a reduced role for government advanced in U.S. politics after 1980.”

Popular Programs among Conservatives Conservatives sought to limit liberal programs, but met inertia and liberal opposition because some programs remained popular: Social Security, Medicare Conservatives sought to limit liberal programs, but met inertia (resistance) and liberal opposition because:

Economic Freedom Reagan promoted the ideas of “economic freedom” and an “economic Bill of Rights” What did Reagan mean by “economic freedom”? Limit power of labor unions De-regulate industries and businesses Reduce taxes

Criticisms

Policy Debates 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)

Policy Debates 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requirements Calls to reform the U.S. financial system: Finance Reform - Financial Services Modernization Act - repealed parts of the Glass-Steagall Act (New Deal)

Crash Course First 10 minutes: Who were Reagan’s biggest supporters? What was Reagan’s nickname? The 80s saw a rise in what? Who was the first woman on the U.S. Supreme Court? REAGAN’S LEGACY: Reagan did restore hope in many Americans; hope that the American dream could still come true Further strengthened conservatism in America

Wrap Up Period 9 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) Complete “Contextualization & Synthesis: The Election of 1980” and Today with your partner