Reagan Administration

Americans were tired of the prolonged economic and foreign issues

After they lost the election of 64 the conservative movement decided to build an organization and put forth a clear goal that would enable to win in the future

They felt that the liberal programs of the 60's and 70's led to inflation and were an enormous waste

The Vietnam War and the urban riots of the 60's unraveled the Democratic party and divided the same people that had rallied behind president Johnson's great society programs

The shifts in the economy of the 70's including decline in northern industries, dampered America's optimism about the future

Watergate, the oil crisis of the 70's, and the Iran hostages crisis further weakened the public's faith in the federal government

People weer starting to worry abou tthe dangers posed tonsociety by abandoning the traditional values in favor of new freedoms exemplified by the counterculture

The rise of counterculture alienated Midwestern Americans and white conservative Christians in the South

The moral majority boosted the republicans chance of winning by reaching out to americans who traditionally had not voted they registered at least 2 million voters by the 1980 election

population trends also strengthened the conservatives movement

when people moved to the suburbs liberalism lost its appeal due to their financial problems

replubicans attacked school busing as a form of political engineering

migration from the rose belt to the sun belt benefited the replubicans

Reagan was much more polished and charismatic than goldwater

Reagan opposed big government supported strong military had faith in traditional values and he radiated optimism about a new era of prosperity and patriotism

reagan appeared friendly and even tempered in the presidential debate