Handmaids Tale Context: Conservative politics
American conservatism is a broad system of political beliefs in the United
States that is characterized by respect for American traditions, values, and a
defence of Western culture.
U.S President during the 1980s
Ronald Reagan became president of one of the most powerful countries in the
world from 1981-1989. During his presidency, Reagan redefined the centre in
American politics moving it away from the liberal democrats and more towards
the conservative republicans. The conservative republicans blamed liberalism
for America’s problems e.g. weak economy.
Ronald Reagan (1975): "If fascism* ever comes to America, it will come in
the name of liberalism."
Sexual revolution
The sexual revolution, also known as a time of sexual liberation, was a social
movement that challenged traditional beliefs related to sexuality throughout
the United States and subsequently, the wider world, from the 1960s to the
1980s.
Why do you think feminists and social conservatives disagreed over the
morality of the "sexual revolution"?
Religious Right
Christian right or religious right is a term used mainly in the United
States as a way of labelling conservative Christian political groups that are
characterized by their strong beliefs and support of socially
conservative policies.
Television programs and stations in the 70s which spread Christianity
encouraged the idea that liberalism had a negative impact against America’s
traditions and values.
Television evangelists:
- Jerry Falwell
- Pat Robertson
New Right
The New Right refers to the movement of American conservatives in the
1970s and 1980s that rose up in opposition to liberal policies.
*Fascism - Fascism is a form of government which is a type of one-party
dictatorship. Fascists are against democracy.