A Conservative Movement Emerges

The Conservative Backlash  1980: One-third of America was on some type of welfare  Entitlement Programs: government programs that guaranteed and provided benefits to particular groups  New Right: conservative group stressing cultural, social and moral issues  Opposed legal abortion  Saw affirmative action as reverse discrimination

The Conservative Coalition  Made up of intellectuals, business leaders, frustrated middle-class voters, disaffected Democrats, and fundamental Christian groups  Opposed to big government, entitlements, and affirmative action

Moral Majority  Consisted of fundamental Christians  Interpreted the Bible literally  Argued for the restoration of traditional moral values

Conservatives Win Political Power  Four goals of conservatism: 1. Shrink the federal government and lower spending 2. Promote traditional morality and values 3. Reduce government regulations on business and lower taxes 4. Strengthen national defense

1980 Presidential Election  Jimmy Carter vs. Ronald Reagan  Carter’s popularity had fallen off as a result of a bad economy and the Iranian hostage crisis  Reagan was a former movie star who was charismatic and very likeable  “A recession is when your neighbor loses his job. A depression is when you lose yours. A recovery is when Jimmy Carter loses his”  Reagan won the election

Reagan’s Policies  Reaganomics: Reagan’s economic policy called for large tax cuts to increase private investments, which would increase the supply of goods and services  Defense  Strategic Defense Initiative: Nicknamed “Star Wars”-a defense against nuclear attack.

Sandra Day O’Connor  Reagan nominated her to the Supreme Court.  The first woman to serve in that capacity.

Assassination Attempt  March 30, 1981  John Hinckley, Jr., a mentally ill man, opens fire on the president and his entourage  Reagan is hit in the lung and must undergo surgery.