Kategorier: Alle - suburbs - liberalism - reagan - conservatism

av Matthew Daemer 6 år siden

103

The Conservative Movement

In the latter half of the 20th century, the conservative movement in the United States gained significant momentum, particularly as many white Southerners shifted their political allegiance to the Republican Party.

The Conservative Movement

The Conservative Movement

Conservative Movement Gains Strength

Popuation Trends
Many White Southerners became Republican
As Americans living in the North moved to the suburbs, their attachment to liberalism decreased as they struggled financially.
Religious participation rises
The Moral Majority boosted the Republican Party's chances of winning.
The moral majority opposed some supreme court decisions such as 1973 Roe v. Wade which legalized abortion.
The Moral Majority, formed by Jerry Falwell in 1979, was a political organization working to fulfill religious goals.
More religious groups became active in politics
The New Right Criticizes Liberal Programs
The Sagebrush rebels believed that the federal government controlled too much land on the west.
Thought that the Great Society made poverty worse and also believed affirmative action went too far.
Criticized Social welfare programs and argued they rewarded lack of effort.
Complained about unfunded mandates which were programs required but not paid for by the federal government.
Liberalism loses its appeal
The rise of counterculture left some Americans feeling alienated
When the economy stagnated, liberal ideas lost their pull and conservative beliefs became attractive.
The New Right was the name given to the resurgence of the conservative movement
During the 1940s and the 1950s, the lines separating these two parties had blurred but in the 1960s and 1970s, many Republicans became critical of Liberal policies.

Reagan (Republican) Wins the Presidency

Reagan's path to the White House
Two years later, Reagan won the governorship of California.
In 1964 Reagan delivered and national televised address that won him the admiration of many conservatives
Was a spokesperson for General Electric
He was an actor and starred in Knute Rockne
Reagan wins a close election
Reagan won 50.6% of the popular vote. because most electoral votes are "winner-takes-all," Reagan won by an overwhelming majority of electoral college votes
Reagan gifts as a communicator shone and he appeared friendly and calmed fears that he did not have enough experience
The race between him and Carter remained relatively close until about one week before the election in a debate
Reagan was very optimistic and convinced America that he would bring a new era of prosperity and patriotism.
The growing conservative movement helped Republican Ronald Reagan win the 1980 election

Two Views

Conservative (Republican)
Worried about abandoning traditional values in favor of new freedoms exemplified by the counterculture.
Anti-communist
Reduce taxes and limit government regulation of industry
Thought that the liberal policies left a legacy of rising inflation and enormous waste.
Wanted free market, private organizations, and individuals to help the needy.
Liberal (Democratic)
Greater government regulation in industry
Sponsored laws that protected minorities and women.
Valued social programs that helped the poor, unemployed, and elderly.
Favored government intervention to help the needy