Conservatism and
Reagan Revolution
By: Carolyn Stoughton, Nick Giorgi, Ashley Magee
Thesis/Theme
The presidency of Ronald Reagan consisted of Christian values combined with
a conservative mind-set.
Background
New Right in response to social changes in 1960s and 1970s
Reinforce “traditional family values” through media and laws
“Me” Decade
Personal well-being
Emotional security
Goals of Conservative Movement
Abortion
Reduce government services
Storyline
Ronald Reagan’s beliefs:
Rejection of activist welfare state
Create a conservative-minded America
Limit government support for women’s rights and civil rights
Reduce government size
Storyline
Reaganomics
Trickle Down Economics
Invest in businesses to create more jobs and new wealth
Strategic Defense Initiative
Prioritized defense spending in federal budget
Security to public, popularity for Reagan
Reagan’s Budget Cuts
Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981
Lowered income and corporate taxes
Reduce spending on domestic programs to lower interest rates
Outcome
Reduced tax on all income
Reduced federal aid to poor areas
National debt tripled
Stock scandals
Ivan Boeskey-used confidential information to illegally trade stocks
Fear that 1987 stock crash would resemble Great Depression
Trends
1.
Focus on national defense rather than domestic programs and problems
2.
Deregulation of business, decrease in federal government involvement
3.
Rise of traditional Christian values
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