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

2. The 1980 Election
Between then President Jimmy Carter (Democrat) and Republican Ronald Reagan
Reagan’s Platform:
Reduction of Social Programs
Reduction in size and power of government
Favored return of US military pride
Patriotic focus

3. The 1980 “Revolution”
Carter’s perceived mishandling of economic issues and Iran Hostage Crisis
Reagan’s ability to communicate
“The Great Communicator”
Few simple well-articulated idea

4. The NEW RIGHT GETS REAGAN ELECTED
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The NEW RIGHT GETS REAGAN ELECTED
Conservative evangelical Christians
To restore Christian Values in America
Southern Democrats – Sunbelt conservatives
Suburban conservatives – tired of chaos of 1960s and weak economy of 1970s
Cold Warriors: fear of liberalism turning to Communism

5. Supply-Side Economics a.k.a “Reaganomics”
Cut corporate 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

6. ECONOMIC THEORIES
Supply Side Economics (generally favored by conservatives):
Tax breaks to the wealthy capital accumulation higher productivity lower prices job creation higher tax revenues collected by the government money to reduce federal budget deficits.
Demand Side or Keynesian Economics (generally favored by liberals):
tax breaks to working/middle classes higher productivity job creation higher tax revenues collected by the government money to reduce federal budget deficits.

7. Cutting Government Regulation - “deregulation”
Programs to deregulate key industries
1. Lower fuel efficiency requirements on cars
2. End of gov’t control of oil/gas prices
3. End of airfare regulation
4. More drilling, logging, mining, etc

8. Reagan and Military Buildup
Sharp increase in military spending
New weapons and new technology
Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) = better known as Star Wars
Would intercept incoming Russian nuclear missiles

9. Reagan and the Cold War Called Soviet Union the “evil empire”
Reagan Doctrine- fight Communism globally
Lebanon
Libya
Grenada
El Salvador
Nicaragua (Contra rebels supported by US)

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