Reagan Election of 1980
SHORT-TERM factors
Migration from the rust belt
Did not agree with forced busing and fought for traditional neighborhood schools which convinced many liberals to vote conservative.
cultural change and rise of religious groups in politics
Moral Majority
reached out to Americans who had not usually participated in voting and registered 2 million new voters before 1980
Founded by Reverend Jerry Falwell and fought for traditional family roles and against Engel V. Vitale and Roe V. Wade
Stagflation
Many believed the issue of Stagflation of the 1970's was due to government taxing businesses and citizens too much and spending money on the wrong problems
LONG-TERM factors
Reagan was a very good communicator and was popular amongst many Americans
Reagan gave a speech in 1964 with the hopes of bolstering Goldwater campaign but gained much respect from conservatives
move of many Americans to the suburbs and away from the liberal cities
Sagebrush rebels
believed the federal government controlled too much land in the western sates and believed states should have rights over the land for economic reasons
Public dissatisfaction for Great Society programs
believed welfare had contributed to number of children born out of wedlock and hurt family traditions
believed affirmative action went too far
believed great society had made poverty worse
Unraveling of the Democratic Party
Unfunded Mandate - many believed the government made too many programs that were required but not paid for by the federal government
The negative shift of the economy, decline in northern industries, and increase in taxes made many see conservative ideals in a bright way.
Vietnam War, urban rioting, rise of counterculture, and failure of Iranian hostage crisis hurt the public image of the Federal Government
