Lesson Summary
11 America in the 1980s and 1990s
11.1 The Conservative Movement Surges The two major political parties in the late twentieth century
were the Democrats, many of whom were “liberals,” and the Republicans, often labeled
“conservatives.” Liberals believed that the federal government should play an active role in improving
the lives of all Americans. They supported social programs and government regulation of industry, and
favored cooperation with international organizations such as the United Nations.
Conservatives believed that the free market, private organizations, and individuals, instead of the
government, should care for the needy. They opposed big government, favored tax cuts, and supported
a strong military.
Many things contributed to the conservative movement known as the New Right, which grew rapidly
during the 1960s and 1970s. The Vietnam War and urban riots of the 1960s divided the country. The
counterculture had alienated many Americans. Watergate, the oil crises of the 1970s, and the Iran
hostage crisis further weakened the public’s faith in the federal government. When the economy
stagnated, conservative beliefs became more attractive.
Conservatives blamed liberal policies for the economic problems of the late 1970s. They believed that
the government taxed too heavily and spent too much money on the wrong programs. They complained
about unfunded mandates, programs required but not paid for by the federal government.
In 1979, Reverend Jerry Falwell founded the Moral Majority, a political organization based on religious
beliefs. Its supporters worried about the decline of the traditional family. They were also concerned that
the new freedoms brought by the counterculture would lead to the degeneration of modern youth.
The conservative movement swept the Republican presidential candidate, former actor and two-term
California governor Ronald Reagan, to victory over Democratic incumbent Jimmy Carter in the 1980
election. Reagan’s conservative beliefs, charm, and optimism convinced Americans that he would usher
in a new era of prosperity and patriotism.