1. The Turn to Conservatism
Reagan to Clinton
The Turn to Conservatism

2. Ronald Reagan Movie Actor Anti-communist Gov. of California
Conservative Leader

3. Results

4. The Conservative Turn Southern Democrats align with Republicans
Social conservatism
Centrality of religion
“Family values”
Individualism
Fear of change

5. Ramping Up the Tension The Evil Empire, June 8, 1982
Korean Airliner, September 1, 1983
“The Day After”, Nov. 20, 1983

6. Election of 1984
Democratic challengers: Walter Mondale and Geraldine Ferraro (First woman on major party ticket.)

7. Results: “Morning in America”

8. Nicaragua Iran Contra Affair
Sandinistas (communist rebels) overthrow dictator Somoza (1979)
Contras are US backed insurgency
Pres. Reagan supports Contras
Arm sales to Iran to funnel money to Contras
Violation of Congress, big scandal

9. Mikhail Gorbachev New Soviet premier (1985) institutes new policies
Glasnost
“openness” - political reform
Perestroika
“restructuring” - economic reform

10. Reagan visits Berlin June 12, 1987
“General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization, come here to this gate.
Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate.
Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”
Reagan visits Berlin
June 12, 1987

11. The Fall of Soviet Communism
Gorbachev’s reforms unleash a tide of activism across Eastern Europe
Command economy can’t supply people’s needs and wants
1989: Communist governments topple
1991: Gorbachev survives attempted coup; Soviet Union begins to disintegrate

12. The Fall of the Wall
November 9, 1989
Effective end of Cold War

13. Election of 1988
George H.W. Bush chooses Indiana Senator Dan Quayle as his running mate.
Democrats choose Gov. Michael Dukakis (MA) and Sen. Lloyd Bentsen (TX)

14. Election of 1988

15. George H.W. Bush Continued Reagan legacy First Gulf War
Managed Cold War wind down
First Gulf War
Ejected Iraqi forces from Kuwait
Moderate on many issues
Reached budget accord with Democrats
Broke “Read My Lips” pledge

16. Election of 1992 Reform Party: Ross Perot – businessman from Texas.
Democrats: Gov. Bill Clinton (Arkansas) and Sen. Al Gore (TN).

17. Election of 1992

18. Bill Clinton Rocky first year
North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
US, Mexico, Canada
1994 – Republicans sweep Congress
Clinton triangulates

19. Election of 1996

20. Scandals
Clintons subject to several investigations by Republican congress
Whitewater
Paula Jones
Monica Lewinsky
House votes to impeach in 1998
Senate clears Clinton following year

21. A New World Communism collapses in Europe
Russia now an ally
Rise of extremist terrorism attacks
World Trade Center (1993)
Oklahoma city bombing (1995)
US Embassy (1998)
USS Cole (2000)

22. Election of 2000