The Resurgence of The Resurgence of ConservatismConservatism

1980 – 19961980 – 1996

The Triumph of ConservatismThe Triumph of Conservatism

By 1980, many Americans were By 1980, many Americans were frustrated by Jimmy Carter’s frustrated by Jimmy Carter’s mismanagement.mismanagement.

Inflation was in double-digits, Inflation was in double-digits, interest rates had sky-rocketed interest rates had sky-rocketed and the Iranians held America and the Iranians held America hostage.hostage.

The Democratic PrimaryThe Democratic Primary

The ABC movement The ABC movement (Anybody But Carter) (Anybody But Carter) was looking to find a was looking to find a liberal Democrat to liberal Democrat to challenge the challenge the increasingly increasingly conservative Carter.conservative Carter.

They found their They found their champion in champion in Teddy Kennedy, Teddy Kennedy, the last surviving the last surviving Kennedy brother.Kennedy brother.

The Kennedy The Kennedy challenge was challenge was hampered by hampered by suspicions from the suspicions from the 1969 automobile 1969 automobile accident at accident at Chappaquidick.Chappaquidick.

Reagan RepublicansReagan Republicans

Ronald Reagan, Ronald Reagan, former governor of former governor of California and darling California and darling of the “New Right” of the “New Right” and “Moral Majority” and “Moral Majority” won the Republican won the Republican nomination.nomination.

Reagan was able to Reagan was able to bring together the old bring together the old fiscal conservatives and fiscal conservatives and the new social the new social conservatives that conservatives that championed “Family championed “Family Values” over the Values” over the “promiscuity” of the “promiscuity” of the counterculture. counterculture.

School BusingSchool Busing

The issue of The issue of desegregation desegregation exploded in exploded in the late the late 1970s.1970s.

The Supreme Court The Supreme Court ruled in Milliken v. ruled in Milliken v. Bradley that school Bradley that school desegregation plans desegregation plans could not require could not require children to be moved children to be moved across school district across school district boundaries.boundaries.

This increased the This increased the “white flight” to the “white flight” to the suburbs.suburbs.

It also left the burden It also left the burden of school of school desegregation on the desegregation on the poorer inner city poorer inner city school districts.school districts.

Areas like south Areas like south Boston were racked Boston were racked by racial violence.by racial violence.

Affirmative ActionAffirmative Action White workers and students White workers and students

began to complain about began to complain about “reverse discrimination.”“reverse discrimination.”

In In Bakke v. The University Bakke v. The University of Californiaof California the Supreme the Supreme Court ruled that preference Court ruled that preference for admission could not be for admission could not be given for racial or ethnic given for racial or ethnic identity alone.identity alone.

Moral Majority

Pro-Life School Prayer Anti-Evolution Evangelical Politics =

Christian CoalitionRalph Reed

The Election of Ronald ReaganThe Election of Ronald Reagan

Reagan tapped into Reagan tapped into the growing the growing resentment against resentment against “big government” and “big government” and the “social the “social engineering” of the engineering” of the New Deal and Great New Deal and Great Society.Society.

He became the new He became the new champion of the champion of the “forgotten man” and “forgotten man” and preached a populist preached a populist crusade against the crusade against the evils of federal evils of federal intervention in local intervention in local affairs.affairs.

Neo-ConservativesNeo-Conservatives

Reagan was influenced by the Reagan was influenced by the writings of the a group of writings of the a group of conservatives from conservatives from Commentary Commentary and and The Public InterestThe Public Interest that that attacked government bureaucracy attacked government bureaucracy and the evils of the Soviet Union. and the evils of the Soviet Union.

Ronald Reagan the ActorRonald Reagan the Actor

Reagan would be Reagan would be known as “The known as “The Great Great Communicator” and Communicator” and he used his acting he used his acting skills and movie idol skills and movie idol good looks to good looks to political advantage.political advantage.

Reagan Wins BigReagan Wins Big

With Chappaquiddick killing With Chappaquiddick killing Kennedy’s challenge and Kennedy’s challenge and Carter’s colorless performance Carter’s colorless performance and weak record, Reagan with and weak record, Reagan with only 51% of the popular vote only 51% of the popular vote but 489 to 49 electoral votes.but 489 to 49 electoral votes.

Independent John Anderson Independent John Anderson was able to win 7% of the was able to win 7% of the vote.vote.

Carter was the Carter was the first elected first elected president to be president to be unseated in an unseated in an election since election since Herbert Hoover Herbert Hoover in 1932.in 1932.

And the And the Republican were Republican were able to gain able to gain control of the control of the Senate for the Senate for the first time in 25 first time in 25 years.years.

In the last days of his term Carter In the last days of his term Carter signed a bill preserving 100 million signed a bill preserving 100 million acres of Alaskan wilderness.acres of Alaskan wilderness.

The Reagan RevolutionThe Reagan Revolution

Reagan’s inauguration Reagan’s inauguration was made even more was made even more triumphant by the triumphant by the announcement that announcement that the American the American hostages had been hostages had been released in Iran. released in Iran.

““The Best and the Rightest”The Best and the Rightest”

Reagan’s Reagan’s cabinet was cabinet was very very conservative conservative and often and often controversial.controversial.

James Watt, the James Watt, the secretary of the secretary of the Interior, was accused Interior, was accused of being in cahoots of being in cahoots with the “sagebrush with the “sagebrush rebellion” and oil rebellion” and oil industry.industry.

He will be forced to He will be forced to resign after telling a resign after telling a racist joke in public.racist joke in public.

"I have a black, a woman, two Jews and a cripple. And we have talent."

"If the troubles from environmentalists cannot be solved in the jury box or at the ballot box, perhaps the cartridge box should be used."

““The government is the problem”The government is the problem”

Reagan’s message of smaller Reagan’s message of smaller government found a receptive government found a receptive audience in American’s who audience in American’s who had watched federal spending had watched federal spending increase from 18 to 23% of increase from 18 to 23% of GNP.GNP.

People began to balk at People began to balk at spending tax dollars for social spending tax dollars for social welfare entitlements.welfare entitlements.

Proposition 13Proposition 13

Californians fired the Californians fired the first shot in the tax first shot in the tax revolt with the revolt with the passage of prop 13 passage of prop 13 that slashed property that slashed property taxes and forced taxes and forced government cutbacks.government cutbacks.

Reagan CutsReagan Cuts

Reagan worked with the Reagan worked with the Republican Senate and wooed Republican Senate and wooed the southern conservative “Boll the southern conservative “Boll Weevil” Democrats to cut $35 Weevil” Democrats to cut $35 billion in federal social programs.billion in federal social programs.

Reagan ShotReagan Shot March 30, 1981, John Hinckley shot Ronald March 30, 1981, John Hinckley shot Ronald

Reagan as he emerged from a Washington Reagan as he emerged from a Washington hotel.hotel.

12 days later sixty 12 days later sixty nine year old Reagan nine year old Reagan walked out of the walked out of the hospital and received hospital and received enormous public enormous public support and support and sympathy.sympathy.

Hinckley was found not Hinckley was found not guilty by reason of guilty by reason of insanity in the shooting insanity in the shooting of Reagan, Press of Reagan, Press Secretary James Brady Secretary James Brady and two law and two law enforcement officers.enforcement officers.

Hinckley said the Hinckley said the shooting was an attempt shooting was an attempt to impress actress Jodie to impress actress Jodie Foster. Foster.

The Brady Bill – gun control

The Reagan BudgetThe Reagan Budget

Reagan was able to get Congress Reagan was able to get Congress to agree to a $695 billion dollar to agree to a $695 billion dollar budget that would increase budget that would increase defense spending and make defense spending and make drastic cuts in welfare, while drastic cuts in welfare, while creating a $38 billion deficit.creating a $38 billion deficit.

Reagan Tax CutReagan Tax Cut

Reagan then Reagan then announced that he announced that he wanted a 25% wanted a 25% across-the-board across-the-board reduction of taxes reduction of taxes to be phased in to be phased in over three years.over three years. New Sheriff in Town

Supply Side EconomicsSupply Side Economics

Reagan’s financial Reagan’s financial advisers were convinced advisers were convinced that cuts in capital gains, that cuts in capital gains, IRAs for small investors IRAs for small investors and budget cuts would and budget cuts would stimulate the economy and stimulate the economy and lead to increased federal lead to increased federal revenue.revenue.

The Reagan RecessionThe Reagan Recession

In 1982 unemployment hit In 1982 unemployment hit 11 percent, businesses 11 percent, businesses folded and banks went folded and banks went under.under.

The automobile industry The automobile industry hit rock bottom and hit rock bottom and Democrats charged the Democrats charged the Reagan cuts had hit the Reagan cuts had hit the poorest Americans the poorest Americans the hardest.hardest.

In reality, the recession In reality, the recession forces felt in the early 1980s forces felt in the early 1980s were caused by the “tight were caused by the “tight money” policies of the money” policies of the Federal Reserve under Federal Reserve under Carter.Carter.

Reaganomics and RecoveryReaganomics and Recovery

By 1983 the economy By 1983 the economy began to turn around began to turn around and the “supply-siders” and the “supply-siders” seemed to be vindicated.seemed to be vindicated.

But the 1980s also saw But the 1980s also saw the first increases in the the first increases in the gap between rich and gap between rich and poor during the 20poor during the 20thth century.century.

YUPPIESYUPPIES

Symbolic of the Symbolic of the increasing wealth of the increasing wealth of the upper classes were the upper classes were the Young Urban Young Urban Professionals or Professionals or Yuppies with their Yuppies with their Rolex watches and Rolex watches and BMWs. BMWs.

Defense SpendingDefense Spending

Most economists believe Most economists believe that the growth in GNP that the growth in GNP was stimulated by the was stimulated by the nearly 2 trillion dollars of nearly 2 trillion dollars of defense spending in the defense spending in the 1980s. 1980s.

To pay for the massive To pay for the massive military build-up, budget military build-up, budget deficits ran nearly $200 deficits ran nearly $200 billion every year in the billion every year in the 1980s.1980s.

Rising Interest RatesRising Interest Rates

Government borrowing kept interest Government borrowing kept interest rates high which elevated the value of rates high which elevated the value of the US dollar.the US dollar.

High dollar values helped US tourists High dollar values helped US tourists and kept foreign cars cheap, but and kept foreign cars cheap, but crippled American exporters.crippled American exporters.

The US trade deficit reached a record The US trade deficit reached a record $152 billion in 1987.$152 billion in 1987.

Reagan and the Cold WarReagan and the Cold War

Reagan condemned Reagan condemned the USSR which he the USSR which he called “a evil empire” called “a evil empire” and believed in and believed in negotiating from a negotiating from a position of strength.position of strength.

Bankrupting the SovietsBankrupting the Soviets

Reagan believed that by Reagan believed that by increasing defense spending the increasing defense spending the Soviets would have to play catch Soviets would have to play catch up and while our economy could up and while our economy could withstand the strain, theirs could withstand the strain, theirs could not.not.

Star WarsStar Wars

Reagan called for Reagan called for the creation of a the creation of a space based space based missile shield and missile shield and laser defense laser defense system called the system called the Strategic Defense Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI)Initiative (SDI)

Many physicists said the Many physicists said the program was impossible program was impossible at the current level of at the current level of technologytechnology

The cost and concerns The cost and concerns over the viability of the over the viability of the program limited program limited Congressional funding.Congressional funding.

SolidaritySolidarity

When Soviets and their allied When Soviets and their allied Polish Communists clamped down Polish Communists clamped down on the rising labor movement in on the rising labor movement in Poland, called Solidarity, Reagan Poland, called Solidarity, Reagan imposed embargos on both imposed embargos on both nations.nations.

Korean Airlines Flight 007Korean Airlines Flight 007

On September 1, 1983, On September 1, 1983, KAL Flight 007 was KAL Flight 007 was shot down by the shot down by the Soviets with all 269 Soviets with all 269 civilians perishing in civilians perishing in this crash, including a this crash, including a United States United States Congressman. Congressman.

By the end of 1983, By the end of 1983, all arms control all arms control negotiations had negotiations had broken off and in broken off and in 1984 the Soviet bloc 1984 the Soviet bloc nations boycotted the nations boycotted the Los Angeles Los Angeles Olympics.Olympics.

Troubles in the Middle EastTroubles in the Middle East

In 1982, Israel In 1982, Israel invaded southern invaded southern Lebanon to suppress Lebanon to suppress Palestinian guerillas Palestinian guerillas operating from operating from refugee camps on the refugee camps on the border.border.

Lebanon collapsed Lebanon collapsed into chaos and into chaos and Reagan sent Reagan sent troops into Beirut troops into Beirut as part of an as part of an international international peacekeeping peacekeeping force.force.

On October 23, 1983 On October 23, 1983 a suicide bomber a suicide bomber drove an explosive-drove an explosive-laden truck into the laden truck into the Marine barracks Marine barracks building, killing more building, killing more than 200 marines.than 200 marines.

Reagan Reagan withdrew all withdrew all American forces.American forces.

The Teflon PresidentThe Teflon President

Reagan stayed Reagan stayed remarkably popular remarkably popular and Democratic and Democratic opponents began opponents began calling him the calling him the “Teflon president” “Teflon president” because nothing because nothing stuck to him.stuck to him.

The SandinistasThe Sandinistas

Reagan began calling Reagan began calling for the elimination of the for the elimination of the leftist government of leftist government of Nicaragua, accusing Nicaragua, accusing them of acting as a them of acting as a forward base for forward base for Cuban/Soviet Cuban/Soviet aggression in Central aggression in Central America.America.

The ContrasThe Contras

Reagan began funding Reagan began funding the right wing the right wing government of El government of El Salvador and giving Salvador and giving training arms to the training arms to the Anti-Sandinista Contras Anti-Sandinista Contras operating out of operating out of Honduras.Honduras.

The Grenada InvasionThe Grenada Invasion

When Marxists When Marxists took over the took over the Caribbean island Caribbean island of Grenada, of Grenada, Reagan sent in Reagan sent in US troops to US troops to quickly eliminate quickly eliminate the insurgents.the insurgents.

1984 Election1984 Election

Reagan easily defeats Democratic Reagan easily defeats Democratic candidate Walter Mondale and his running candidate Walter Mondale and his running mate Geraldine Ferraro – the first woman mate Geraldine Ferraro – the first woman ever to appear on a major party ticket.ever to appear on a major party ticket.

Foreign PolicyForeign Policy

Reagan’s second Reagan’s second term will be term will be dominated by dominated by foreign policy foreign policy concerns concerns especially especially concerning the concerning the Soviet Union.Soviet Union.

Mikhail GorbachevMikhail Gorbachev

In March 1985, In March 1985, Mikhail Gorbachev Mikhail Gorbachev Soviet Premier and Soviet Premier and began to institute began to institute radical reforms in radical reforms in the USSR.the USSR.

GlasnostGlasnost, or “openness,” , or “openness,” allowed freedom of speech, allowed freedom of speech, political liberty and ended the political liberty and ended the secretiveness of the Soviet secretiveness of the Soviet bureaucracy.bureaucracy.

Perestroika Perestroika or “restructuring,” or “restructuring,” was to reorganize the soviet was to reorganize the soviet economy to allow free-market economy to allow free-market practices.practices.

The End of the Cold WarThe End of the Cold War

In order to bring In order to bring about these about these changes in the changes in the USSR, Gorbachev USSR, Gorbachev needed to shrink needed to shrink the enormous the enormous Soviet military Soviet military budget.budget.

Gorbachev, Gorbachev, announced in April announced in April 1985 that the 1985 that the USSR would cease USSR would cease to deploy to deploy Intermediate Intermediate Range Nuclear Range Nuclear forces (INF) in forces (INF) in Europe.Europe.

The SummitsThe Summits

Four summit Four summit meetings meetings culminated in the culminated in the signing of the INF signing of the INF treaty and the treaty and the warming of US warming of US and USSR and USSR relations.relations.

Revolution in the PhilippinesRevolution in the Philippines

Reagan gave strong Reagan gave strong backing to Corazon backing to Corazon Aquino’s peaceful Aquino’s peaceful revolution against of revolution against of dictator Ferdinand dictator Ferdinand Marcos.Marcos.

Attacking LibyaAttacking Libya

Following Libyan threats Following Libyan threats against American naval against American naval ships in the Gulf of Sidra ships in the Gulf of Sidra and the bombing of and the bombing of German Disco that killed German Disco that killed a US serviceman, a US serviceman, Reagan ordered the Reagan ordered the bombing of Mohammar bombing of Mohammar Qaddafi’s headquarters in Qaddafi’s headquarters in Libya.Libya.

The Persian GulfThe Persian Gulf War between Iran and Iraq War between Iran and Iraq

lead the US to use naval lead the US to use naval vessels to escort oil tankers vessels to escort oil tankers through the Persian Gulf.through the Persian Gulf.

In 1988, the USS In 1988, the USS Vincennes shot down an Vincennes shot down an Iranian passenger plane Iranian passenger plane killing all 290 on board – the killing all 290 on board – the Navy claimed they thought Navy claimed they thought the plane was an F-14 the plane was an F-14 fighter.fighter.

The Iran Contra AffairThe Iran Contra Affair

In 1985, a team of In 1985, a team of national security and national security and intelligence operatives intelligence operatives began selling arms to began selling arms to Iran in order to pressure Iran in order to pressure the Iranians to aid in the the Iranians to aid in the release of American release of American hostages being held in hostages being held in Lebanon.Lebanon.

The money from the The money from the arms deal was then arms deal was then used to fund the used to fund the Contras’ ongoing Contras’ ongoing struggle against the struggle against the Sandinistas – funding Sandinistas – funding which Congress had which Congress had refused to provide. refused to provide.

Senate InvestigationSenate Investigation

A series of televised A series of televised hearings hearings condemned the condemned the presidents actions presidents actions and questioned his and questioned his denial of any denial of any knowledge of the knowledge of the affair.affair.

Oliver North and Oliver North and Admiral John Admiral John Poindexter of the Poindexter of the National Security National Security Agency and Secretary Agency and Secretary of Defense Caspar of Defense Caspar Weinberger will all be Weinberger will all be indicted and convicted.indicted and convicted.

Reagan the ActorReagan the Actor

A new image of Reagan A new image of Reagan emerged from the hearings emerged from the hearings – that he was lazy, perhaps – that he was lazy, perhaps suffering from the early suffering from the early stages of Alzheimer’s and stages of Alzheimer’s and was a mental lightweight was a mental lightweight with little or no with little or no understanding of the details understanding of the details of foreign policy.of foreign policy.

“I have left orders to be awakened at any time in

case of national emergency, even if I'm in a cabinet meeting.”

Reaganomics in ReviewReaganomics in Review

The massive debts of the 1980s were a The massive debts of the 1980s were a major economic failure in the eyes of major economic failure in the eyes of liberals.liberals.

Much of the national debt was held by Much of the national debt was held by foreign creditors, especially the foreign creditors, especially the Japanese, and this virtually guaranteed Japanese, and this virtually guaranteed that future generations would have lower that future generations would have lower standard of living in order to pay off the standard of living in order to pay off the debt. debt.

The Death of Big GovernmentThe Death of Big Government

But the debt also caused Congress to But the debt also caused Congress to mandate a balanced budget by 1991 mandate a balanced budget by 1991 and this guaranteed the curtailment of and this guaranteed the curtailment of federal welfare state.federal welfare state.

This insured the number one political This insured the number one political priority of Reagan – the end of big priority of Reagan – the end of big government.government.

The Income GapThe Income Gap

Another legacy of Another legacy of Reaganomics was the Reaganomics was the increasing gap between the increasing gap between the rich and the poor and rich and the poor and decrease in the median decrease in the median household income. household income.

Homelessness and poverty Homelessness and poverty increased in the inner city increased in the inner city and crack cocaine became and crack cocaine became a scourge in the eighties.a scourge in the eighties.

Black MondayBlack Monday

The United States suffered an The United States suffered an economic setback on October 19, economic setback on October 19, 1987, so-called "Black Monday," when 1987, so-called "Black Monday," when the value of stocks tumbled 22 percent the value of stocks tumbled 22 percent -- immediately bringing back memories -- immediately bringing back memories of the fabled stock market crash of of the fabled stock market crash of 1929, which had been followed by the 1929, which had been followed by the Great Depression of the 1930s. Great Depression of the 1930s.

The causes of the crash included:The causes of the crash included: anxiety about U.S. international anxiety about U.S. international

trade and federal-budget deficits, trade and federal-budget deficits, concern about the high level of concern about the high level of

corporate and personal debt, and corporate and personal debt, and a new stock market innovation a new stock market innovation

known as "program trading" in which known as "program trading" in which computers automatically ordered the computers automatically ordered the buying or selling of a large volume of buying or selling of a large volume of shares when certain circumstances shares when certain circumstances occurred.occurred.

The fear of recession The fear of recession was unwarranted and was unwarranted and the economy recovered the economy recovered quickly.quickly.

The S and L DebacleThe S and L Debacle

The deregulation of The deregulation of the banking the banking industry and industry and subsequent subsequent questionable questionable investments led to investments led to the collapse of the the collapse of the nation’s savings nation’s savings and loan industry.and loan industry.

The federal The federal government government eventually eventually bailed out the bailed out the industry at a industry at a cost of $500 cost of $500 billion.billion.

The Election of 1988The Election of 1988

President Reagan President Reagan enjoyed unusually enjoyed unusually high popularity at the high popularity at the end of his second term end of his second term in office, but under the in office, but under the terms of the U.S. terms of the U.S. Constitution he could Constitution he could not run again in 1988. not run again in 1988.

His political heir, His political heir, the vice president the vice president during all eight during all eight years of his years of his presidency, George presidency, George Bush, benefited Bush, benefited greatly from greatly from Reagan's popularity Reagan's popularity and easily gained and easily gained the Republican the Republican nomination.nomination.

Bush campaigned by Bush campaigned by promising voters a promising voters a continuation of the continuation of the prosperity Reagan had prosperity Reagan had brought; he also argued brought; he also argued that his expertise could that his expertise could better support a strong better support a strong defense for the United defense for the United States.States.

"It's no exaggeration to say the undecideds could go one way or another."

- George Bush Sr., in 1988

Dan Quayle – Republican VP

“If we don't succeed, we run the risk of failure.""Republicans understand the importance of bondage between a mother and child.""What a waste it is to lose one's mind. Or not to have a mind is being very wasteful. How true that is.”

"You’re close, but you left a little something off. The e on the end. “

The Seven DwarfsThe Seven Dwarfs Michael Dukakis won the Michael Dukakis won the

Democratic nomination Democratic nomination after defeating six other after defeating six other candidates including candidates including Gary Hart (who quit in a Gary Hart (who quit in a sex scandal) and the sex scandal) and the Reverend Jesse Jackson’s Reverend Jesse Jackson’s “rainbow coalition.”“rainbow coalition.”

Gary HartGary Hart

Dukakis, the governor of Dukakis, the governor of Massachusetts, claimed Massachusetts, claimed that less fortunate that less fortunate Americans were hurting Americans were hurting economically and that the economically and that the government had to help government had to help those people while those people while simultaneously bringing simultaneously bringing the federal debt and the federal debt and defense spending under defense spending under control. control.

Read my lips……

The public was much The public was much more engaged, more engaged, however, by Bush's however, by Bush's economic message: a economic message: a promise of no new promise of no new taxes and turned off taxes and turned off by Dukakis’ robot-like by Dukakis’ robot-like demeanor.demeanor.

Bush finished with a 54 to 46 Bush finished with a 54 to 46 percent popular vote margin.percent popular vote margin.

"I believe the job of a president is to understand and explain the time in which he serves, to set forth a vision of where we need to go and a strategy of how to get there, and then to pursue it with all his mind and heart,“

- Bill Clinton