Reagan's Election
The Conservative Movement Gains Strength
population trends cause boost in conservation
since mid 1960s southerners changed their political alliance
Religious Participation Rises
worried about the decline of traditional value
moral majority: a political
organization reaching to
fulfill religious goals
boosted the republicans chance of winning
founded by Reverend Jerry Falwell
the new right criticizes liberal programs
believe the government spends to much on the wrong programs
unfunded mandates:
required programs that
are not funded by the government
liberalism loses it's appeal
weakened faith in the public government
New Right
a combination of several
different groups and
opinions with varying goals
as well
grew quickly
resurgent conservative movement
republicans become increasingly critical
of the liberal democratic policies
developed a bipartisan policy
with the goal of containing
communism
line separating democrats
and republicans has blurred
Reagan wins the presidency
Reagan Wins a Close Election
Reagan won 50.6% of the popular vote
carter did not make presidency look good
Reagan's path to presidency
began to criticize against communism, big government, and high taxes
spokesman for General electric
childhood
grew up suffering the hardships of the great depression
The Conservative Movement Grows
Ideas and Goals of Conservatives
do not want to "throw money" at the issues in society
want to reduce taxes
want to promote economic growth
felt 1960/1970 liberals left
the nation inflation and
enormous waste
large government endangered and individuals rights
Ideas of Goals of Liberalism
favor cooperation with
international organizations
support greater government regulation
sponsor laws that
protect women,
children, and minorities
Two Major Views
agreed on most of the basic ideas
individuals in each of the parties
did not always conform totally
to the party's beliefs
conservative
generally allowed the free market,
private organizations, and individuals
to try to help the needy instead of
the government
liberal
generally favored government
intervention for the needy
Ronald Reagan = new hero
for the conservatives
elected president in 1980