QUIT 25 The Conservative Tide CHAPTER OBJECTIVE INTERACT WITH HISTORY TIME LINE GRAPH MAP SECTION 1 A Conservative Movement Emerges SECTION 2 Conservative Policies Under Reagan and Bush SECTION 3 Social Concerns of the 1980s SECTION 4 Foreign Policy After the Cold War VISUAL SUMMARY HOME 25 The Conservative Tide CHAPTER OBJECTIVE To understand the political and social events of the 1980s and early 1990s HOME 25 The Conservative Tide INTERACT WITH HISTORY It is the autumn of 1980. You are a campaign manager for Republican presidential candidate, Ronald Reagan, former film star and past governor of California. Reagan must defeat President Jimmy Carter, who has lost support. Carter has failed to bring home the hostages in Iran and to revive the economy. Reagan, an optimist, pledges to do both. He also plans to cut taxes and cut back on government programs. What campaign slogan will you create? Examine the Issues • What qualities in your candidate will win support? • What issues are important? • How can you present Reagan as a winner? HOME 25 The Conservative Tide TIME LINE The United States The World 1980 Ronald Reagan is elected president. 1980 Zimbabwe claims independence. 1981 Sandra Day O’Connor becomes the first woman appointed to the Supreme Court. 1982 Equal Rights Amendment fails to win ratification. 1982 Great Britain and Argentina go to war over the Falkland Islands. 1984 President Reagan is reelected. 1984 South African Bishop Desmond Tutu receives the Nobel Peace Prize. 1985 The Soviet Union suffers a disastrous accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. 1986 Iran arms deal is revealed. continued . . . HOME 25 The Conservative Tide TIME LINE The United States The World 1987 President Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev sign the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. 1988 George Bush is elected president. Reverend Jesse Jackson runs for the Democratic presidential nomination. 1989 The Chinese government kills student protesters in Tiananmen Square. Germans dismantle the Berlin Wall. 1991 Persian Gulf War breaks out. 1991 Soviet Union breaks apart. HOME 1 A Conservative Movement Emerges KEY IDEA The new conservatism begins with the defeat of Barry Goldwater in 1964 and triumphs with the election of Ronald Reagan in 1980. OVERVIEW ASSESSMENT HOME 1 A Conservative Movement Emerges OVERVIEW MAIN IDEA WHY IT MATTERS NOW Conservatism reached a high point with the election in 1980 of President Ronald Reagan and VicePresident George Bush. In the early 21st century, conservative views strongly influenced both major political parties. TERMS & NAMES • entitlement program • New Right • reverse discrimination • affirmative action • Moral Majority • conservative coalition • Ronald Reagan ASSESSMENT HOME 1 A Conservative Movement Emerges ASSESSMENT 1. Look at the graphic to help organize your thoughts. List eight conservative issues. Reduce entitlement programs End affirmative action Reduce the size of the federal government End busing Conservative Issues Prayer in school Defeat the ERA Eliminate legal abortions Stop the regulation of guns continued . . . 1 HOME A Conservative Movement Emerges ASSESSMENT 2. How did the leaders of the conservative movement of the 1980s want to change government? Think About: • the difference between the conservative view of government and the liberal view • the groups that made up the conservative coalition • conservatives’ attitudes toward existing government programs ANSWER Conservatives wanted to reduce the size of federal government; lower taxes; end gun control, affirmative action, and busing; increase defense spending; and promote traditional family values. continued . . . HOME 1 A Conservative Movement Emerges ASSESSMENT 3. What role did the Moral Majority play in the conservative movement of the 1970s and early 1980s? ANSWER The Moral Majority represented a religious revival that stressed a literal interpretation of the Bible and argued for restoration of traditional values. continued . . . 1 HOME A Conservative Movement Emerges ASSESSMENT 4. What personal qualities in Ronald Reagan helped him to win election as president in 1980? ANSWER Reagan, known as the Great Communicator, had the ability to simplify issues and offer clear-cut answers. End of Section 1 HOME GRAPH 2 Conservative Policies Under Reagan and Bush KEY IDEA President Reagan puts in place conservative policies that affect the nation’s budget and the federal government. OVERVIEW ASSESSMENT HOME GRAPH 2 Conservative Policies Under Reagan and Bush OVERVIEW MAIN IDEA WHY IT MATTERS NOW Presidents Reagan and Bush pursued a conservative agenda that included tax cuts, budget cuts, and increased defense spending. The conservative views of Reagan and Bush created policies and priorities that affect government spending and budgeting today. TERMS & NAMES • supply-side economics • deregulation • Sandra Day O’Connor • Reaganomics • Geraldine Ferraro • George Bush • Environmental Protection Agency • Strategic Defense Initiative ASSESSMENT GRAPH 2 HOME Conservative Policies Under Reagan and Bush ASSESSMENT 1. Look at the graphic to help organize your thoughts. Define “Reaganomics,” and then list its short-term and long-term effects. DEFINITION OF REGANOMICS Policy advocating tax cuts to bolster private investments, leading to increased national supply of goods and services. Short-Term Effects Falling interest rates, decreased inflation, economic growth Long-Term Effects Increased national debt, budget deficit, trade imbalances, higher taxes continued . . . HOME GRAPH 2 Conservative Policies Under Reagan and Bush ASSESSMENT 2. Why did President Reagan and President Bush think it was important to appoint conservative justices to the Supreme Court? ANSWER The Supreme Court decides which laws are constitutional. Both Reagan and Bush had conservative agendas and wanted the Supreme Court to support those agendas. continued . . . HOME GRAPH 2 Conservative Policies Under Reagan and Bush ASSESSMENT 3. In your opinion was Reagan’s first term a success? Think About: • how his tax cuts impacted the rich and the poor • the economy • the federal budget ANSWER Reagan’s first term was a mix of success and failure— stopped the growth of inflation but the federal deficit rose. continued . . . GRAPH 2 HOME Conservative Policies Under Reagan and Bush ASSESSMENT 4. Read the following excerpt from Ronald Reagan’s speech at the 1992 Republican Convention. “ We mustn’t forget . . . the very different America that existed just 12 years ago; an America with 21 percent interest rates and . . . double-digit inflation; an America where mortgage payments doubled, paychecks plunged, and motorists sat in gas lines; an America whose leaders told us . . . that what we really needed was another good dose of government control and higher taxes.” What picture did Reagan paint of the Carter administration? ANSWER That high interest rates, high inflation, gas lines, and too much government marked Carter’s administration. End of Section 2 HOME 3 Social Concerns of the 1980s KEY IDEA Social issues of many kinds continue to concern the nation during the conservative backlash. OVERVIEW ASSESSMENT HOME 3 Social Concerns of the 1980s OVERVIEW MAIN IDEA WHY IT MATTERS NOW Beneath the surge of prosperity that marked the conservative era of the 1980s lay serious social problems. Issues involving health care, education, civil rights, and equal rights for women continue to challenge American society. TERMS & NAMES • L. Douglas Wilder • pay equity • Lauro Cavazos • Jesse Jackson • AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) • Antonia Coello Novello ASSESSMENT HOME 3 Social Concerns of the 1980s ASSESSMENT 1. List several of the social problems of the Reagan and Bush years and how the government responded to them. Social Problems Government Response Abortion Supreme Court restrictions Drug use “Just say No!” campaign Education America 2000 education initiative Women’s rights Day care budget cuts; pay equity in some states Equal rights for minorities Supreme Court reversal of affirmative-action decision continued . . . HOME 3 Social Concerns of the 1980s ASSESSMENT 2. How might improvements in the educational system help solve other social problems? Think About: • the impact education might have on health-related problems • the impact that education might have on urban problems • the impact that education might have on unemployment ANSWER Education might help discourage unsafe sex and drug use. Education would lead to future job opportunities and lower unemployment rates. continued . . . HOME 3 Social Concerns of the 1980s ASSESSMENT 3. Compare the political gains and losses experienced by various groups during the Reagan and Bush administrations. ANSWER More jobs and political opportunities for women and minorities; Native Americans gained support for gambling casinos on their native lands; Asian Americans were the second fastest-growing minority population; several states outlawed anti-gay discrimination. continued . . . 3 HOME Social Concerns of the 1980s ASSESSMENT 4. Why might a widening gap between the richest and poorest citizens of a country be a cause for concern about that country’s future? ANSWER A widening economic gap could lead to a permanently divided society. End of Section 3 HOME MAP 4 Foreign Policy After the Cold War KEY IDEA Major changes throughout the world have a great impact on the direction of U.S. foreign policy. OVERVIEW ASSESSMENT HOME MAP 4 Foreign Policy After the Cold War OVERVIEW MAIN IDEA WHY IT MATTERS NOW The end of the Cold War, marked by the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991, led to a redirection of many U.S. goals and policies. After the Cold War, the United States provided and continues to provide substantial economic support to the new capitalistic and democratic nations. TERMS & NAMES • INF Treaty • glasnost • Operation Desert Storm • Tiananmen Square • Contras • Mikhail Gorbachev • Sandinistas • perestroika ASSESSMENT HOME MAP 4 Foreign Policy After the Cold War ASSESSMENT 1. Explain U.S. foreign policy in Europe, in Central America and the Caribbean, and in the Middle East. U.S. Foreign Policy Europe INF Treaty; START II Pact; Cold War ends Central America and Caribbean Cut aid to Sandinistas; send aid to Contras; invasion of Grenada Middle East Iran-Contra affair; Operation Desert Storm continued . . . HOME MAP 4 Foreign Policy After the Cold War ASSESSMENT 2. What factors caused the end of the Cold War? Think About: • events in the Soviet Union • events in Germany and Eastern Europe • how U.S. leaders responded to those events ANSWER Collapse of Soviet economy, Gorbachev’s reforms in the Soviet Union, unification of East and West Germany continued . . . HOME MAP 4 Foreign Policy After the Cold War ASSESSMENT 3. What factors do you think determined whether or not the United States intervened militarily in other nations? ANSWER The United States intervened when essential United States interests and assets—American lives, democracy, oil— were at stake. continued . . . MAP 4 HOME Foreign Policy After the Cold War ASSESSMENT 4. Is it possible for an authoritarian government to make economic reforms without also making political reforms? ANSWER POSSIBLE RESPONSES: Yes: China, for example No: Soviet Union, for example End of Section 4