If you have not taken your test or did not
pass you have until April 12 to take care of
this.
Agenda:
Video Review of Ford & Carter
Reagan Guided Notes: Conservative
Resurgence
CONSERVATIVE RESURGENCE
1980-1989
REAGAN PRESIDENCY
REAGAN PRESIDENCY 1981-1989
 The 1980s witnessed a resurgence of conservatism- the philosophy uncovered by Barry Goldwater
 Reagan believed that the federal government had become too powerful and intrusive, beginning with the New
Deal
 In order to counter the power in the federal government, Reagan worked to combat unions, reduce taxes, cut
government spending, and reducing the amount of govt regulations, while also favoring a strong military
establishment.
NEW RIGHT & CONSERVATIVE VIEWS
New Right: Conservative groups who supported Reagan during elections- including the following:
 National Rifle Association: begun to promote rifle shooting skills – 1980 election marked the 1st time in its
history it involved itself with politics.
 The Moral Majority: Fundamentalist, Conservative Christians
 Heritage Foundation: Promote conservative policies– free enterprise, limited govt, individual freedom, values,
& a strong national defense
OTHER SOCIAL & POLITICAL
CONSERVATIVE ACTIVISTS
 Billy Graham - born in 1918, is a leading religious revivalist as well as a spiritual and moral advisor to many U. S.
Presidents. As a prominent Christian leader, he spoke out against communism during the Cold War era, claiming that it was
the ultimate fight between good and evil.
 Phyllis Shlafely - an attorney born in 1924, was an outspoken opponent of what she considered the radical feminist
movement. She actively campaigned against the Equal Rights Amendment and founded her own pro-family movement.
 Sandra Day O’Connor - born in El Paso, Texas, in 1930, has the distinction of being the first woman appointed to the
United States Supreme Court. She was appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1981.
REAGANOMICS
 1980, still facing stagflation (high unemployment, high prices)
 Reagan tried to solve problem with “supply side economics”
 Supply side economics: reducing taxes & business regulations hoping to make it easier to produce goods. They
reasoned the larger supply of goods would drive down prices & stop inflation.
REAGANOMICS
 By 1983, the economy began to come out of recession.
 Reagan’s tax cuts, deregulation, and military spending encouraged greater business activity, while new supplies of
oil from Alaska & the North Sea stabilized oil prices.
NEGATIVE SIDE OF REAGANOMICS
 Federal deficit (amount of money govt spends beyond what it collects in taxes) increased greatly, and national
debt more than doubled.
 Also, America bought more goods and services than they sold overseas, creating a trade imbalance which led to
loss of millions of jobs and drop in income
RUST BELT TO SUN BELT
 Movement of people from northern to southern states caused shifts in economic and political power
 New technological innovations such as air conditioning and hydroelectric power made it possible to
keep homes, offices, and factories cool in the summer which encouraged people to move to the South
& West.
 As a result, the West & South became known as the Sun Belt
RUST BELT TO SUN BELT
 Sunbelt states also saw their economies grow quickly with the influx of people and businesses. In contrast, the
Northeast and the Midwest suffered economically.
 Parts of these regions became known as the Rust Belt because of the rusting factories that declining industries
left behind.
 Many large factories and industries struggled to survive with the stagflation of the 1970s. Many laid-off workers
migrated to the Sunbelt as well to find work.
EFFECTS OF SUNBELT
 Sunbelt states saw their political influence grow along with populations.
 Seats in House of Representatives are reapportioned to reflect population changes.
 Since the 1970s, Sunbelt states have gained more than 35 Electoral College votes at the expense of the Rust Belt
states.
 Between 1964 and 2004, every successful candidate for President came from a Sunbelt State.
REAGAN DOCTRINE
 U.S. would not simply confine itself to the containment of Communism, it would also attempt to “roll-
back” Communism by aiding anti-Communist “freedom fighters” in Afghanistan, Angola, Nicaragua, &
Cambodia
 Peace Through Strength: the best way to prevent war was to make America’s enemies think that
the U.S. had both the means and the will to stop aggression. To carry this out, Reagan sharply
increased military spending.