FYI: 70s/80s Test Wednesday April 11 Agenda: Reagan Guided Notes: Conservative Resurgence
Conservative Resurgence 1980-1989 Reagan Presidency
Reagan Presidency 1981-1989 The 1980s witnessed a resurgence of conservatism-the philosophy uncovered by Barry Goldwater Reagan believed that the federal government had become too powerful and intrusive, beginning with the New Deal In order to counter the power in the federal government, Reagan worked to combat unions, reduce taxes, cut government spending, and reducing the amount of govt regulations, while also favoring a strong military establishment.
New Right & Conservative Views New Right: Conservative groups who supported Reagan during elections- including the following: National Rifle Association: begun to promote rifle shooting skills 1980 election marked the 1 st time in its history it involved itself with politics. The Moral Majority: Fundamentalist, Conservative Christians Heritage Foundation: Promote conservative policies free enterprise, limited govt, individual freedom, values, & a strong national defense
Other Social & Political Conservative Activists Billy Graham - born in 1918, is a leading religious revivalist as well as a spiritual and moral advisor to many U. S. Presidents. As a prominent Christian leader, he spoke out against communism during the Cold War era, claiming that it was the ultimate fight between good and evil. Phyllis Shlafely - an attorney born in 1924, was an outspoken opponent of what she considered the radical feminist movement. She actively campaigned against the Equal Rights Amendment and founded her own pro-family movement. Sandra Day O Connor - born in El Paso, Texas, in 1930, has the distinction of being the first woman appointed to the United States Supreme Court. She was appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1981.
REAGANOMICS 1980, still facing stagflation (high unemployment, high prices) Reagan tried to solve problem with supply side economics Supply side economics: reducing taxes & business regulations hoping to make it easier to produce goods. They reasoned the larger supply of goods would drive down prices & stop inflation.
REAGANOMICS By 1983, the economy began to come out of recession. Reagan s tax cuts, deregulation, and military spending encouraged greater business activity, while new supplies of oil from Alaska & the North Sea stabilized oil prices.
Negative Side of Reaganomics Federal deficit (amount of money govt spends beyond what it collects in taxes) increased greatly, and national debt more than doubled. Also, America bought more goods and services than they sold overseas, creating a trade imbalance which led to loss of millions of jobs and drop in income
Rust Belt to Sun Belt Movement of people from northern to southern states caused shifts in economic and political power New technological innovations such as air conditioning and hydroelectric power made it possible to keep homes, offices, and factories cool in the summer which encouraged people to move to the South & West. As a result, the West & South became known as the Sun Belt
Rust Belt to Sun Belt Sunbelt states also saw their economies grow quickly with the influx of people and businesses. In contrast, the Northeast and the Midwest suffered economically. Parts of these regions became known as the Rust Belt because of the rusting factories that declining industries left behind. Many large factories and industries struggled to survive with the stagflation of the 1970s. Many laid-off workers migrated to the Sunbelt as well to find work.
Effects of Sunbelt Sunbelt states saw their political influence grow along with populations. Seats in House of Representatives are reapportioned to reflect population changes. Since the 1970s, Sunbelt states have gained more than 35 Electoral College votes at the expense of the Rust Belt states. Between 1964 and 2004, every successful candidate for President came from a Sunbelt State.
REAGAN DOCTRINE U.S. would not simply confine itself to the containment of Communism, it would also attempt to roll-back Communism by aiding anti-communist freedom fighters in Afghanistan, Angola, Nicaragua, & Cambodia Peace Through Strength: the best way to prevent war was to make America s enemies think that the U.S. had both the means and the will to stop aggression. To carry this out, Reagan sharply increased military spending.
REAGAN VS. SANDINISTAS In Reagan s first term, he attempted to undermine the Sandinista government in Nicaragua by mining their harbors and training freedom fighters in Honduras.
BOLAND AMENDMENT When the Democratically-controlled Congress discovered that the Reagan Administration had been fighting a secret war in Nicaragua, the Boland Amendment was passed. It outlawed any U.S. military or intelligence service from attempting to overthrow the Sandinista communists.
REAGAN DOCTRINE Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI): Star Wars researching an anti-ballistic defense system, using lasers to shoot down missiles in order to prevent a nuclear attack
Reagan Doctrine Reagan s 2 nd term witnessed the triumph of democracy in many parts of the world including the Philippines & Latin America, in which dictatorships and military governments were replaced by democratically elected civilian governments.
Threat of Terrorism Terrorism: use of bombing, assassination, kidnapping, or other acts of terror to ensure a political group s voice is heard In 1982, an Israeli force invaded Lebanon, setting a civil war between Christians & Palestinian refugees. Lebanon requests help from the US. In 1983, a suicide bomber attacked American & French barracks in Beirut, capital of Lebanon
Threat of Terrorism 241 US Marines & 58 French were killed Reagan removes all forces from Lebanon Reagan announced that he would not negotiate with terrorists, and even bombed 2 cities in Libya in 1986 when he thought its leader, Muammar Gaddafi, had supported terrorist activities
LEBANON HOSTAGE CRISIS However Empowered by Reagan s decision to pull out the Marines, Hezbollah begins to kidnap Westerners off the streets of Beirut
IRAN-CONTRA AFFAIR
Iran Contra Affair In 1986, officials in Reagan Administration acted against the policy of refusing to negotiate with terrorists by secretly selling arms to Iran as part of a deal in exchange for the release of American hostages in Lebanon. Profits from sales of arms to Iran were then diverted to support the anti-communist Contra rebels fighting the Communist govt in Nicaragua. This was done even after Congress had prohibited any US aid to the Contras.
Effects of Iran Contra Affair When exposed to the public, it shocked the nation. Several officials were convicted of lying to Congress & sent to prison Iran Contra Affair greatly tarnished America s credibility in the world, and once again the US citizens question their trust in their government
Reagan & the Cold War The final years of Reagan s administration, saw the beginnings of the end of the Cold War Mikhail Gorbachev (head of Soviet Communist Party in 1985) introduces reforms in the Soviet Union, and agreed to meet with Reagan. Gorbachev & Reagan sign an agreement dismantling thousands of nuclear missiles.