1980 Election
The Election
Democrats had House of Representitives
Republicans in Senate for first time since 1955
Reagan wins 50.6% of popular vote BUT overwhelming majority of Electoral votes
Was close race until presidential debate
Reagan appeared calm, collected, friendly
Reagan's gifts as communicator
Carter lost popularity
Democratic party loses popularity
"are you better off than you were four years ago?"
Soviet invasion of Afghanistan
Iran Hostage Crisis
Inflation
Conservative Views on
Domestic Policy
Sagebrush Rebels
Environmentalists opposed Sage Rebels
activists who believed federal gov controlled too much land in western states
Affirmative Action
argued that caused reverse discrimination
Conservatives disliked the welfare programs
believed to contribute to children born out of wedlock, against tradition
argued they rewarded a lack of effort
Conservatives complained about Unfunded mandates
programs required but
not paid for by Fed. Gov.
Believed government taxed too highly & spent money on wrong programs
stagflation believed to be caused by Liberal policies
Revival of Republican Party
Migration to Sunbelt from Rustbelt
Rustbelt mainly Liberal/Democratic but migration into the southern SunBelt states, more Republican populations
Liberals became Republican in suburbs b/c struggling financially
lack of faith in Federal Government(Republicans
want small gov)
Iran hostage crisis
Oil Crisis
Watergate scandal
unraveling of Democratic Party
Vietnam War, urban riots, counterculture,
Reagan
Won governorship of CA, nearly won Republican presidential nomination for 1976 election, Won by landslide in 1980 Election against Carter
once a New Dealer, became Goldwater conservative
criticized big government and high taxes
After acting, became spokesperson for General Electric
Born in Illinois,suffered Great Depression, landed job in Hollywood as actor
low rated B films, failing career
Radiated optimism, convinced America he would usher era of prosperity and patriotism
made clear his opposition to big government and supported a strong military, and faith in traditional values
Republican/Conservative
Christianity
Religion grew during Carter's presidency, Religious advocators in Media trying to bring back tradition
Moral Majority
distribute "report cards" on candidates, favoring Republicans
reached out to Americans who didnt usually participate in politics-registering 2 million new voters before 1980 election
condemned ERA and homosexuality
opposed 1962 Engel v Vitale & 1973 Roe v Wade
political organization working to fulfill religious goals
Conservatives like Tradition
Two Political Parties
Conservatives(Right)
Anticommunism/questioned wisdom of detente and fought
against SALT II
Subgroup:
Neoconservatives/traditionalists: warned about
dangers of abandoning traditional values favor
of freedoms exemplified by counterculture & media
sought to reduce taxes and limit government
regulation of industries to promote economic growth
believed the liberal policies created the inflation and waste
favored a free market, private organizations,
and individuals to help needy
Liberals(Left)
favor cooperating with international organizations like UN
supported greater government regulation
of industries
sponsored laws that protected the rights of minorities
and women
favored government intervention
to help the needy
