Reagan's Election

Liberalism Lost its Appeal

Democratic Party unraveled

Vietnam War and urban riots divided people who had rallied around President Johnson's Great Society

Watergate, oil crises of 1970s, and Iran hostage crisis further weakened public's faith in government

Economy stagnated, so liberal ideas lost their pull and conservative beliefs became more attractive

New Right Criticized Liberal Programs

Conservatives believed liberal policies were responsible for stagflation and other economic problems of 1970s

Government taxed citizens and businesses too heavily and spent too much on the wrong programs

Unfunded mandates, programs required but not paid for by federal government

Federal welfare programs rewarded lack of effort

Great Society made problem worse, not better

Welfare contributed to decline of traditional family

Affirmative action programs went too far and contributed to reverse discrimination

Sagebrush rebels

Religious Participation Rises

Moral Majority- traditional family, condemned Equal Rights Amendment and homosexuality

Moral majority gained support by reaching out to Americans who had traditionally not participated in the political process

Moral Majority registered at least 2 million new voters, distributed report cards on candidates

Population Trends Boost Conservation

Demographic, population trends strengthened conservative movement

Republicans attacked school busing as form of social engineering that threatened traditional neighborhood schools

Republicans became increasingly critical of the liberal policies of the Democrats

New conservative agenda

The New Right, conservative movement, grew rapidly and was a coalition of several different groups with varying ideas and goals

Migration from the Rust Belt

Reagan's appearance more polished and charismatic

Reagan opposed big government, supported strong military, and had faith in traditional values

Acting career/spokesperson- fans, supporters

National televised address- criticized big government, high taxes, and warned dangers of communism. Won admiration of conservatives

Reagan was governor of California

Carter, his opponent, looked like a lame duck. Shaming Cater's presidency. Asked audience if they were better off 4 years ago

Presidential debate- Reagan's skills as communicator showed, appeared friendly and even tempered, and calmed fears that he did not have enough experience to be President.