1. Reagan’s New Conservatism
Unit 1
Lesson 1
Sections

2. Objectives Identify viewpoints on modern political spectrum.
Explain rise of New Conservatism .
Describe elements of Reagonomics.
Identify steps Reagan took to combat communism.
Explore key social issues of the 1980s.

3. Warm Up
Identify two things conservatives favor, and two things they oppose.
FOR
AGAINST
Small Govt
Capitalism & Free Market
Strong Military
Traditional Christian Family Values
Big Govt
Business Regulation
Govt $ for Social Programs & Entitlements
High Spending & Deficits
Rapid Cultural Change (sex, drugs, rock n roll, student protest, abortion, women’s lib)
Affirmative Action

4. The Political Spectrum – Range of Ideas
“Left” “Middle” “Right”
Revolutionary Liberal Progressive Moderate Conservative Reactionary
Change Maintain status quo
Econ regulation Free enterprise, hands off govt
Civil Rights Law and order
Individual Welfare Self-reliance
Secularism Religious morality
*Radicals- Support rapid change and extreme solutions (violence) to problems, on both sides!
Left, Middle, or Right…of what? Roots of our modern political spectrum date back to the French Revolution
Aristocracy sat to right of Speaker- support govt… Commoners sat to left- advocates of change
Moderate - Middle views
Liberal – See change
Conservative – Status quo
Revolutionary: Belief in radical change, supporter of political or social revolution
Liberal: Belief in progress, independence of the individual, protection of political and civil liberties
Progressive: Belief in moderate political change, especially social improvement by governmental action
Moderate: Avoiding extreme political or social measures
Conservative: Tending to maintain existing or traditional views, conditions, or institutions – preserve what is established
Reactionary: Tending toward a former, especially outmoded political or social order or policy
Definitions Courtesy Webster’s

5. Homework Review Reagan’s Political Career - New Deal Opponents -
From Eisenhower to Goldwater -
The Great Society -
Nixon & the Welfare State -
Social Issues -
Civil Rights -
The New Right Coalition -
A Reagan Landslide -

6. The New Right 1980’s Coalition 3 Main Concerns: 1980 Election
Different groups, same goals
3 Main Concerns:
Smaller govt, less role in econ
Restore Christian values
Moral Majority – televangelists
End govt supported social programs
1980 Election
Reagan (R) vs Carter (D)
Economic Recession
Iran Hostage Crisis
Social “Decline”
Landslide Reagan Victory
(489 – 49)
Also control Senate

7. Reagonomics Supply-Side Economics
Tax cuts to rich….Wealth “trickle – down” to masses
$ invested in business = more jobs = more income = more spending = more production & more tax revenue = growth businesses & economy!
Deregulation
Hands off competition & free market
Cut regulatory agencies & regulations on industries
Challenged labor unions
New Federalism
Cut funding for social programs 10%
Attack unemployment, welfare, Medicare
States must cover…use fed $ as they needed

8. Reagonomics Inflation & Unemployment Drop Growing income gap
The Good
The Bad
Inflation & Unemployment Drop
Growing income gap
Farm crisis
Manufacturing abroad
S & L Bank Scandal
Deficit grew (not balanced budget he promised)
Debt grew
Stock Market Crash ‘87

9. Foreign Policy Cold War Defeat “Evil Empire” Star Wars
US v USSR
Defeat “Evil Empire”
Peace thru Strength
↑ # in forces
↑ spending $1+ trillion
Arms race
Star Wars
Strategic Defense Initiative
Space-based weapons detection & destruction
Reagan Doctrine (1986)
Help “freedom fighters” oppose Communism worldwide
Soviet Relations
‘86 & ‘87 meetings w/Gorbachev cool tensions
‘87 INF Treaty

10. Foreign Policy Trouble Spots Terrorism Latin America
Attacks on US soldiers in Beirut, Lebanon and Berlin, Germany
Libya (M. Gaddafi)
Latin America
El Salvador – Military & econ support to anti-communist groups
Grenada – US troops put down Cuban sponsored coup of PM
Nicaragua – Train Contra rebels, Congress stops $ aid (Reagan ignores)
Iran-Contra Affair: Illegally sell missiles to Iran for release of hostages in Lebanon. Funnel illegal $ to support Contras. “Teflon” President escapes fault, Ollie North takes fall.

11. Domestic Issues Conservative Supreme Ct Civil Rights Women’s Rights
Sandra Day O’Conner
Civil Rights
Political Representation
MLK, Jr. Holiday
Slowed affirmative action
Women’s Rights
Defeat ERA
Attacks on Roe vs Wade
Health Issues
AIDS
War on Drugs
Teen Pregnancy
Renewed Patriotism
‘81 Assassination Attempt
‘84 LA Olympics (Boycott)
‘86 Statue of Liberty 100 yrs
‘87 200th Anniversary Constitution

12. Closure
Reagan was a popular president and his legacy endures. Do you think his administration was a success or failure? Why?