TSWU: What does it mean to be conservative or liberal? What were the conservative and liberal perspectives on Ronald Reagan’s policies?

The Rise of the Modern Conservative Movement Ronald Reagan The Rise of the Modern Conservative Movement

Ronald Reagan Born in Illinois, 1911 Active in college. Lifeguard, Radio Announcer Went to California to launch an acting career during the Great Depression Became increasingly conservative in face of radical socialists and communists in the movie industry Switched from Democratic to Republican Party in the late 50s/early 60s Source: Reagan by Jules Tygiel Reagan by Dinesh D’Souza

The 1980 Election

The Last Days of the Campaign Up until October 28, 1980 Carter lead in all major nation-wide polls The incumbent usually wins re-election… Why? Give examples. The two candidates square off in a televised debate… “Ask yourself this question… ‘Am I better off now, than I was four years ago?’ If the answer is ‘No’, then vote Republican on November 2.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loBe0WXtts8

Election of 1980

The 1980 “Revolution” Reagan’s First Days in Office Reagan’s early success based off of Carter’s perceived simple mishandling of major challenges Combined with Reagan’s ability to communicate as “The Great Communicator” Centered around a few simple well-articulated ideas

The New Conservative& The New “Right” Conservative Evangelical Christians Called Moral Majority To restore Christian Values in America Southern Democrats Its Central Ideas Were: Reduction of Social Programs Reduction in Size and Scope of government Patriotic focus “Reagan Democrats” Favored return of US military prominence “Government is not the answer to our problems, GOVERNMENT IS THE PROBLEM!”

Social Issues and Conservatism Radical and increasingly violent student protests Reagan strongly opposed FSM (Free Speech Movement) on UC-Berkeley campus Dismissed UC president Opposed ‘sexual’ revolution Said Birth control pill encouraged promiscuous behavior

Social Issues and Conservatism 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision Launched modern pro-life movement (aka ‘anti-abortion’) Opposed emerging gay rights movement Opposed radical feminism Blamed these for decline of traditional nuclear family Rising divorce rate ‘No-fault’ divorce laws (ironically passed during Reagan’s term in California)

Social Issues and Conservatism Civil Rights: Federal government laws = end of state mandated segregation Opposed forced and unreasonable integration (forced busing) Opposed Affirmative Action quotas - said it was reverse discrimination Democratic Blue Collar Workers - called “Reagan Democrats”

Supply-Side Economics a.k.a “Reaganomics” Cut taxes to put more money into the hands of businesses Cut taxes on the wealthiest Americans Lower taxes = more investment in the “supply side” of the economy Would: promote and create new jobs encourage capital investment, and lead to stimulated industrial growth

Cutting Government Regulation - “Deregulation” Energy, Transportation and Banking Industries Challenged Air Traffic Controllers in 1981 - Fired those who refused to go back to work after a strike.

New Federalism (Reagan-style) Limiting government Eliminated public service jobs, reduced unemployment compensation, lowered welfare benefits, raised fees for Medicare patients Federal domestic spending still grew for a couple of years

Reagan: Economic Recession, and Recovery Inflation slowed, consumer spending increased Stock market grew Federal deficit grew even as domestic spending decreased National debt = $909 billion in 1980 --- $3.2 trillion in 1990

Reagan’s Military Buildup “Peace Through Strength” Sharp increase in military spending New weapons and new technology The only way to defeat the USSR was to have more weapons than they did Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) = better known as “Star Wars”

Election of 1984

Patriotic Renewal “It’s Morning in America, Again” 59% of popular vote Second largest electoral victory in history 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles Communist-bloc countries boycotted 1986 - 100th anniversary of Statue of Liberty 1987 - 200th anniversary of the Constitution http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fyI671ePfE

Soviet Relations Called Soviet Union the “evil empire” Reagan succeeded in breaking down barriers between the U.S. and the Soviet Union Policies helped bring an end to tensions in the cold war. “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” Brandenburg Speech http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtYdjbpBk6A

Other issues 1984-1988 AIDS Awareness Women’s Movement stalled (ERA failed in 1982) Supreme Court conservatives Sandra Day O’Connor Anthony Kennedy Antonin Scalia Chief Justice William Rehnquist

More issues: 1984-1988 Farm Crisis - foreclosures Manufacturing shift - from metal and textiles (overseas = outsourcing due to labor costs) Service sectors continued to grow Wealthiest Americans flourished in the 1980s Jan 28, 1986 - Space Shuttle Challenger exploded shortly after take off

Scandal S & L Crisis Savings and Loan institutions deregulated and some corrupt individuals used this to make huge personal fortunes S & L’s collapsed in late 1980s $2.6 billion in savings lost Iran Contra Scandal Selling arms (to Iran) for the release of hostages to support Nicaraguan Contras Covered up Reagan admitted covering up No long term impact “Teflon” president.

Reagan Conservative Hero, or Undercover Liberal? This is a two day activity; Day 1: Go to the following website http://www.studentnewsdaily.com/other/conservative-vs-liberal-beliefs/ 2) Create a matrix choosing 5 of the 9 items: Gun Control Death Penalty Welfare Immigration Taxes War on Terror Healthcare Gay Marriage Education 3) Decide if you are CONSERVATIVE or LIBERAL!

Topic Conservative Liberal

Reagan Conservative Hero, or Undercover Liberal? Day 2 Create a “HERO” OR “WANTED” poster criticizing OR celebrating Reagan’s term in office. Using the powerpoint, two-faced handout, and examples, make your own posters This is due at the end of class today!