This study guide covers the political and cultural shifts in the United States during the 1980s, focusing on the rise of conservatism and the presidency of Ronald Reagan. Key topics include the ideological clash between liberal and conservative movements, the 1980, 1984, and 1988 presidential elections, and Reagan's domestic and foreign policies. Students should be prepared to distinguish between liberal and New Right ideologies, and understand the impact of events like the Iran Hostage Crisis on election outcomes.
Liberal Cultural and Political Domination
This section outlines prevailing liberal cultural and political trends before the conservative resurgence.
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Counter-Culture
During the Vietnam War, liberals and the Left positioned themselves against the government, while conservatives supported the war.
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Pop Culture
Music, movies, and art embraced the counter-culture direction, emphasizing rebellion against tradition.
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Shifting Values
The strong presence of Christianity in society and schools was mocked, with legal efforts to remove practices like school prayer.
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Expanding Government
A larger government and high taxation were seen as necessary for protecting civil rights and funding entitlement programs.
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Entitlement Spending
Social program funding increased significantly, reaching $300 billion (nearly 60% of the federal budget).
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More Regulation
Increased regulations were viewed as necessary for energy limitations, workplace regulations, the environment, and supporting labor unions.
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Affirmative Action
Mandated more opportunities in government and the private sector for ethnic and racial minorities and women.
The New Right
This section details the emergence and core tenets of the New Right movement.
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Counter to the Counter
A movement of young and middle-aged people who disdained the liberal counter-culture movement.
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God and Country
Opposition rooted in a commitment to conservative and evangelical Christianity and patriotism.
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Intrusive Government
Viewed expanding government and high taxation as an evil against American traditions of natural rights and the nuclear family.
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Too Much Regulation
Saw government limitations on energy and business as restrictive, costly, and empowering labor unions too much.
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Reverse Discrimination
Argued that affirmative action unfairly took away opportunities from qualified people.
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Conservative Coalition
An alliance of business leaders, "silent-majority" voters, fundamentalist Christians, and disillusioned Democrats.
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Moral Majority
Evangelical Christians who despaired at perceived moral decay, aiming to reduce divorce rates and address issues like morally lacking entertainment through religion.
Contrasting the prevailing liberal trends with the emerging New Right's opposing views.
| Liberal Cultural/Political Domination (Section 1) | New Right Opposition (Section 2) | |
|---|---|---|
| Social Values | Emphasized rebellion against tradition, mocked Christianity, pushed away school prayer. | Rooted in conservative/evangelical Christianity, patriotism, aimed to reduce divorce and moral decay. |
| Government Role | Viewed larger government and high taxation as necessary for civil rights and entitlement programs. | Viewed expanding government and high taxation as evil against natural rights and the nuclear family. |
| Regulation | Supported more energy, workplace, and environmental regulations, and empowered labor unions. | Saw government regulations on energy/business as restrictive, costly, and giving too much power to labor unions. |
| Affirmative Action | Mandated more opportunities for ethnic/racial minorities and women. | Argued it was 'reverse discrimination,' taking opportunities from qualified people. |
The 1980 Election Candidates
This section introduces the key candidates and major issues that shaped the 1980 presidential election.
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Jimmy Carter
The incumbent Democrat president, running for a second term, still had support but voter faith had eroded.
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Ronald Reagan
The Republican candidate, former governor of California, presented himself as the voice of unheard conservatives, similar to Nixon. He was the oldest candidate at the time.
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Negativity at Home
Key domestic issues included high inflation and the energy crisis, which were major points of contention.
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Iran Hostage Crisis
This foreign policy issue became central to the 1980 campaign.
The 1980 Election Results
This section covers the outcome of the 1980 presidential election and the end of the Iran Hostage Crisis.
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Reagan Landslide
Reagan won 44 states and 489 electoral votes to Carter's 49 in the 1980 election.
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Republican Resurgence
Republicans regained control of the Senate for the first time since 1954.
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The Hostage Crisis Ends
The signing of the Algiers Accords the night before Reagan's inauguration ended the crisis, unfreezing Iranian assets and fulfilling other promises.
Another notable candidate in the 1980 election was John B. Anderson, who ran as an Independent.
Reagan's Appeal
This section explores the personal qualities and experiences that contributed to Ronald Reagan's popularity.
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Movie Star
Reagan had starred in over 50 films early in his career, making him well-known to most Americans.
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The Great Communicator
His ability to explain complex issues in simple terms resonated strongly with voters.
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California Experimentation
He tested his political style and theories during his two terms as governor of California.
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Quick Wit
His experience in films and as governor honed his ability to think quickly on his feet.
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Survived Assassination Attempt
Weeks into his first term, a crazed gunman tried to kill him. His good humor during the event and surgery increased his popularity.
Reagan's Main Policies
This section details the key economic, social, and foreign policies implemented by Ronald Reagan.
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Reaganomics
A range of economic policies including tax cuts, deregulation, and reduced federal spending.
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Supply-side economics
The belief that lowering taxes would stimulate spending and investment.
| Colorblindness | Affirmative Action | |
|---|---|---|
| Approach | Shifted towards a more merit-based approach. | Policies designed to increase opportunities for ethnic/racial minorities and women. |
| Reagan's Stance | Opposed affirmative action, favoring individual merit. | Viewed as potentially leading to 'reverse discrimination' (see Section 2). |
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Conservative Crusade
Championed evangelical social issues, making them more mainstream, and attacked drug use, abortion, and divorce.
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Defense Spending
Massively increased defense spending and invested in the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), also known as the "Star Wars" project, a futuristic anti-missile system.
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Reagan Doctrine
Reagan's policy of sending weapons and cash to "freedom fighters" or anti-communist insurgents around the world.
The 1984 Election
This section examines the 1984 presidential election, including candidates, strategies, and Reagan's victory.
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Reagan Again
Feeling confident, Reagan ran for re-election in 1984 despite his age.
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Democratic Opposition
Walter Mondale, a former Senator from Minnesota and Jimmy Carter's VP, stepped up to oppose Reagan.
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Morning in America
A famous campaign ad that highlighted the widespread positivity felt in America at the time.
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Historic Landslide
Reagan won 49 of 50 states (losing only Minnesota by less than 4,000 votes and DC), securing 525 electoral votes and almost 17 million more votes than his opponent.
The 1988 Election
This section covers the 1988 presidential election, featuring George H.W. Bush and Michael Dukakis, and campaign tactics.
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George H.W. Bush
The Republican candidate and Reagan's VP, who rode the wave of Reagan's popularity. He was famous for his "read my lips" line.
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Michael Dukakis
The Democrat candidate and former governor of Massachusetts, who aimed to bring his state's success nationwide.
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Negative Attack Ads
Pro-Bush ads in 1988 portrayed Dukakis as soft on crime and buffoonish, notably showing him riding around on tanks. The Willie Horton ad was a prominent example.
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Bush the First
George H.W. Bush won the election with over 426 electoral votes to Dukakis's 111, and a margin of 7 million more votes.