Reagan election

Conservatives
(Republicans)

Felt large central gov
endangered economic
growth and individual
choice

sought to reduce
taxes and limit gov
regulation of
industry

thought liberal policies
caused inflation and
were a waste

favored free market,
private organizations,
and individuals to help
needy

neoconservatives warned
of dangers posed to society
by abandoning traditional
values
of dangers

religious beliefs

anticommunists

questioned detente policy
and fought against SALT II

Made it clear
he opposed big
government

Had traditional
values

Supported
strong military

Carter had
lost support

Reagan won
overwhelmingly

Showed his gift
as a communicator
in presidential debate
as a

appeared friendly

tempered/calmed
fears that he didn't
have enough experience
to win

Republicans became
increasingly critical of
liberal policies

Blamed policies
for stagflation and
economic problems

complained about
unfunded mandates,
programs required
but not paid for by
the fed government

New Right, resurgent
conservative movement,
grew rapidly and was a
coalition of many groups
with varying ideas and goals

Sagebrush rebels-
activists who believed
federal gov controlled
too much land in
western states and
land should go to states

Moral majority
worked to fulfill
religious goals

boosted republican
chances of winning
presidency

Democrat party was
unraveling

urban riots, Vietnam
War, counterculture,
Watergate, oil crisis,
Iran hostage crisis,
stagflation

Criticized welfare
programs

felt Great Society
worsened poverty

welfare contributed
to children born out
of wedlock and
encouraged decline
of traditional family

felt affirmative action
contributed to reverse
discrimination

population trends

Americans were moving
to suburbs and became
detached from liberalism

White South became
Republicans after
civil rights reforms

Sunbelt became
republican

Started as an actor

Became spokesman
for general electric
and toured nation
giving speeches

supported Goldwater

Gave speech during
Goldwater's campaign,
didn't help Goldwater but
got Reagan elected as
governor of CA

served two terms
and won presidential
nomination in 1980 by
a landslide