Reagan's Election

POPULATION TRENDS

Migration to suburbs, the Sunbelt, and the realignment of the deep south

Republicans focused on issues that would affect the people in these areas and got some of them to switch parties

Following the enactment of the civil rights legislation white southerners began to switch parties as well

LIBERALS LOST APPEAL

At fault for stagflation adn other economic problems

Unfunded mandates- programs required but not paid forby the federal government

taxed citizens too much

businesses spent too much on the wrong programs

great society made poverty worse

Vietnma and urban riots divided people

Faith lost in government cause of iran hostage crisis, watergate and oil crisis

counterculture alienated midwesterners and white christians

Welfare programs were bad - increased number of children born out of wedlock and encouraged the decline of traditional family

Affirmative action created reverse discrimination

Reagan's Qualities

-Charismatic
-Optimistic
-Polished
-Friendly
-Even tempered
-Great communicator

-Supported strong military
-Opposed big government
-faith in traditional values

THE MORAL MAJORITY- This was an organization that was politically organized to fulfill religious goals

They helped the republican candidate win by reaching out to Americans who didnt usually take part in the political process and convinced them to vote(usually for republicans)