In 1980, Ronald Reagan's election as President was influenced by a convergence of short-term and long-term factors. On the short-term end, a significant portion of southern voters who opposed 1960s civil rights legislation shifted towards conservative views.
Was and actor and had very good communication skills that helped him in the presidential debate.
Many southerners against the civil rights legislation passed in the 1960s became more conservative
As people moved to the suburbs they struggled financially and leaned towards move conservative views.
Sagebrush rebels supported conservatives and were for less gov't in controlling land in the west.
Watergate, oil crisis, and Iran hostage crisis caused people to lose faith in the government which attracted conservative ideas of less government.
The Democratic Party was divided after the Vietnam War and riots for Johnson'd Great Society
Long Term
Both Liberals and Conservatives wanted to contain communism which was a common goal for foreign policy
The New Right was a mix of ideas and goals for a new conservative movement.
The Moral Majority worked to fulfill religious goals and got the Americans with traditional values to vote for the Republican Party which increased the number of voters.
Conservatives criticized federal welfare programs because the people were doing nothing for the money they got. Were also against affirmative action.
Conservatives did not like the idea of unfunded mandates. Unfunded mandates were programs that were required, but the federal gov't did not pay for them.
Many believed that Liberals were to blame for stagflation and heavy taxes.
Many were against the liberal policies because they had raised inflation.