Ronald Reagan's America

Ronald Reagan's America: The New Right and the Backstory

• This lecture sets the stage for understanding Ronald Reagan's rise to prominence.

• Reagan's influence extended well into the 21st century.

• The movement he led was known as the New Right or the Reagan Revolution.

• These labels signify a backlash against liberalism, which had been the dominant ideology from 1900-1968.

• Liberals believed in the government's role in improving individual lives, exemplified by:

  • Progressive Era policies

  • The New Deal

  • The Great Society

• Reagan famously stated: "The government is not the solution to your problems; the government is the problem."

• Reagan synthesized three strands of conservatism:

  • Economic

  • Political

  • Cultural

Economic Conservatism

• Focuses on low taxes and deregulation.

• Aims to reduce government involvement in business.

Political Conservatism

• Characterized by:

  • Aggressive anti-communism

  • Hawkish stance on national defense

• Differs from the old right, which opposed a large military and debt-funded military spending.

• The new right advocates for large military spending, transitioning to anti-terrorism efforts in the 21st century.

Cultural Conservatism

• Linked to the religious revival, especially non-denominational evangelical Christianity.

• Criticizes the social permissiveness of the liberal age.

• Calls for a return to traditional values regarding:

  • Race

  • Gender

  • Sexuality

  • Abortion (became a key issue in the 1980s and 1990s)

• The Republican Party successfully unified these diverse conservative elements.

1964 Presidential Election: Barry Goldwater

• The 1964 election provided early evidence of the potential for a conservative political coalition.

• Lyndon Johnson ran against Barry Goldwater, a senator from Arizona.

• Goldwater was principled, opinionated, and had strong beliefs.

• He was born in Arizona when it was still a territory, fostering a maverick spirit.

• His Polish immigrant grandfather instilled a belief in entrepreneurship.

• Goldwater projected a strong Western image, appealing to voters, similar to Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush (cowboy mythology).

• Goldwater attacked liberalism, arguing that:

  • The federal government was too intrusive domestically.

  • The federal government was too weak in foreign policy.

  • The US should consider using nuclear weapons, even though US policy was against initiating nuclear warfare.

• Lyndon Johnson's "Daisy ad" portrayed Goldwater as a threat of nuclear holocaust.

• Johnson won by a landslide (61% to 38% in the popular vote).

• Goldwater only won Arizona and the Deep South.

• Despite the defeat, Goldwater inspired younger activists who fueled the conservative movement, leading to figures like Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan.

Orange County, California: A Bastion of the New Right

• Orange County, California, became a center for Republican politics.

• Its location on the Pacific coast made it a hub for defense industries during World War II.

• This fostered economic and political conservatism, with support for strong militarism.

• Richard Nixon was elected from Orange County in 1946.

• Orange County was also ground zero for the modern evangelical revival.

• Evangelicalism emphasizes personal conversion and the Bible as literal truth.

• Evangelicals opposed moral relativism and the sexual freedom of the 1960s, and eventually abortion.

• They often supported hard-line anti-communism, viewing it as a battle between good and evil, and because communism is atheistic.

• Robert Schuller, the father of modern mega-church evangelicalism, started his ministry in a drive-in movie theater in Orange County.

• His drive-in church appealed to the suburban environment.

• Schuller later built the Crystal Cathedral, a mega-church seating 10,000 people.

• He also pioneered televangelism, broadcasting his "Hour of Power" to millions.

• Schuller fused religion, consumerism, and patriotism, creating an idyllic version of America.

Race and the Rise of the New Right

• Republicans recognized that supporting civil rights alienated white segregationist Southerners from the Democratic Party.

• Strom Thurmond's 1948 Dixiecrat campaign and Goldwater's 1964 success in the Deep South demonstrated this.

• In 1964, Strom Thurmond became a republican.

• The 1968 election saw George Wallace running as an independent, winning in the Deep South.

• Wallace moderated his message to focus on crime, law and order, and welfare, which resonated beyond the South.

• Civil rights leaders faced backlash in the North, and race riots in cities fueled white flight and racial polarization.

• Nixon capitalized on this with the Southern Strategy, designed by Kevin Phillips.

• The Southern Strategy targeted white voters angered by civil rights and protests.

• Nixon employed "dog whistle politics," using coded language to appeal to racists and white moderates without alienating either group.

• Nixon co-opted Wallace's message, attacking crime, welfare, and busing (the Supreme Court's mandate to integrate schools by force).

• Nixon won decisively in 1972, but Watergate weakened the Republican Party.

• In 1976, Jimmy Carter won.

• Ronald Reagan then tied all of these elements together in 1980.

• Reagan skillfully used the Southern Strategy and dog whistle politics, although some considered it unethical.

• He announced his 1980 campaign in Philadelphia, Mississippi, the site of the Freedom Summer Murders (Schwerner, Chaney, and Goodman).

• Reagan did not mention the murdered civil rights worker in his address, but spoke about state's rights.

• He used racist imagery, criticizing welfare and portraying a "Chicago Welfare Queen."

• In 1980, Ronald Reagan won a decisive victory, except for Jimmy Carter's home state of Georgia.

Reagan's Broader Appeal

• Reagan's election in 1980 and reelection in 1984 were overwhelming victories.

• He appealed to a wide range of voters, including blue-collar white Democrats (Reagan Democrats).

• His campaign slogan, "Make America Great Again," promised a return to a simpler time with:

  • Clear enemies

  • Clear values

  • Economic prosperity

• He attacked the 1960s for hedonism (sexual, drugs, and rock and roll) and protested movements.

• Reagan projected optimism, confidence, and patriotism.

• He was a skilled communicator, drawing on his experience as a B-movie actor.

• Reagan's advisors called him the "Teflon president" because criticism did not stick to him.

• During a 1984 debate, he deflected questions about his age with a joke.

Reagan's Cold War Policy

• Reagan spoke about foreign relations in moral terms, aligning with evangelical views.

• He called the Soviet Union an "evil empire."

• His foreign policy had three major components:

  • Nuclear policy

  • Anti-communist agenda in Central America

  • Negotiations with the Soviet Union (second term)

Nuclear Policy and Military Buildup

• Reagan argued the US was behind in the arms race.

• He deployed Pershing II missiles to West Germany, near Moscow.

• He oversaw a massive military buildup, increasing the Department of Defense budget by 40% while cutting taxes, leading to debt.

• The US debt surpassed 1,000,000,000,000 under Reagan.

Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI)

• The Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) proposed a space-based defense shield to knock down incoming missiles.

• Critics called it "Star Wars," mocking Reagan's affinity for movies.

• The SDI needed to be perfect to be effective; otherwise, it would contribute to the arms race.

• Reagan persisted with SDI despite the criticism, contributing to military spending.

Iran-Contra Scandal

• Reagan was committed to preventing communism in Central America, specifically in Nicaragua.

• The Sandinistas, a communist government, had taken power, overthrowing pro US dictator, Samosa.

• The CIA trained the Contras, an exile army, to overthrow the Sandinistas.

• When the Contras failed, the CIA took direct action, which Congress prohibited.

• In a separate incident, Iran kidnapped CIA agents.

• The US made a deal with Iran to sell them military equipment through Israel, in exchange for the release of kidnapped CIA agents, even though it was against US policy to negotiate with terrorists.

• Backfired when Iran kidnapped more agents, and when Congress found out that the money from the arms sales was funneled to the Contras (Iran-Contra).

• The scandal led to congressional hearings (Contragate).

• Reagan testified he "did not recall" to over 200 direct questions.

• Reagan took responsibility but offered a non-apology apology.

• Several individuals were tried and pardoned for their roles in Iran-Contra.

De-escalation and Negotiations with the Soviet Union

• Reagan reversed course in his second term, moving towards de-escalation.

• Historians debate the reasons, including Reagan's change of heart after seeing "The Day After."

• Another factor was Mikhail Gorbachev's rise to power in the Soviet Union.

• Between 1982 and 1985, three different Soviet leaders died, leading to instability. Leonid Brezhnev, Yuri Andropov, and Konstantin Chernenko

• Gorbachev, a reformer, aimed to improve the Soviet system and living standards.

• Gorbachev initiated summits with Reagan, resulting in increased collaborations.

• Meetings between Reagan and Gorbachev

  • Geneva (1985): Personal rapport, but no agreement on SDI.

  • Reykjavik (1986): Disaster due to disagreement on SDI.

  • Washington, D.C. (1987): Agreement to limit short-range and intermediate missiles.

• In 1989, Gorbachev withdrew Soviet armies from Eastern Europe and two years later, the Soviet Union collapsed.

Reagan's Legacy: The End of the Cold War

• Historians debated Reagan's role in ending the Cold War.

• Some argue his military spending bankrupted the Soviet Union.

• Others question whether the risk was worth it, and how much of all of this was intentional.

• Documents continue to be released and judgements continue to be evolving.

• Both Reagan and Gorbachev deserve credit for the peaceful end to the Cold War.

Ronald Reagan's America: The New Right and the Backstory

I. The Roots of the New Right

• A. Backlash Against Liberalism

  • Opposition to government intervention: Reagan and the New Right opposed the liberal belief in government intervention to improve individual lives.

  • Reaction to Progressive Era policies: There was a backlash against policies that were implemented during the Progressive Era.

  • Disapproval of the Great Society programs: Criticism of the expansion of government influence and social programs enacted during this time.

• B. Economic, Political, and Cultural Aspects

  • Economic conservatism: Focused on low taxes, deregulation, and reducing government involvement in business.

  • Political conservatism: Characterized by aggressive anti-communism and a hawkish stance on national defense.

  • Cultural conservatism: Linked to the religious revival, advocating a return to traditional values.

• C. Barry Goldwater & 1964 Presidential Election

  • Strong conservative views: Barry Goldwater was known for his unyielding conservative principles and strong beliefs.

  • Criticisms of the federal government: He argued that the federal government was too intrusive domestically and too weak in foreign policy.

  • Inspiration for conservative activists: Despite his loss, Goldwater inspired younger activists who fueled the conservative movement.

II. Orange County and the New Right

• A. Post-WWII Transformation

  • Hub for defense industries: Its location on the Pacific coast made it a key center for defense industries during World War II.

  • Economic and political conservatism: This fostered support for strong militarism and conservative economic policies.

  • Richard Nixon's election: Nixon was elected from Orange County in 1946, highlighting its Republican leanings.

• B. Spread of Evangelical Christianity

  • Emphasis on personal conversion: Evangelicalism stresses the importance of a personal conversion experience.

  • Bible as literal truth: Adherence to the belief that the Bible should be interpreted as literal truth.

  • Opposition to moral relativism: Resistance to the sexual freedom and moral relativism of the 1960s.

• C. Robert Schuller

  • Pioneer of mega-church evangelicalism: Schuller is considered the father of the modern mega-church movement.

  • Drive-in ministry: He started his ministry in a drive-in movie theater, appealing to the suburban environment.

  • Televangelism: Schuller pioneered televangelism, broadcasting his "Hour of Power" to millions.

• D. Crystal Cathedral

  • Mega-church seating 10,000: The Crystal Cathedral was a large church that could accommodate a large number of people.

  • Symbol of religion, consumerism, and patriotism: It became a symbol that was known for combining religion, consumerism, and patriotism.

  • Idyllic version of America: Schuller fused religion, consumerism, and patriotism, creating an idealized vision of America.

III. Race and the New Right

• A. The Revolt of Southern Democrats

  • Alienation over civil rights: Republicans recognized that supporting civil rights was causing white segregationist Southerners to leave the Democratic Party.

  • Strom Thurmond's Dixiecrat campaign: The 1948 Dixiecrat campaign and Goldwater's 1964 success in the Deep South demonstrated this shift.

  • Strom Thurmond becomes Republican: In 1964, Strom Thurmond officially switched to the Republican Party.

• B. 1968 Election

  • Appeal of George Wallace

    • Independent campaign: George Wallace ran as an independent in the 1968 election, winning in the Deep South.

    • Focus on crime and law and order: Wallace moderated his message to focus on crime, law and order, and welfare.

    • Resonated beyond the South: His message resonated with voters beyond the South.

  • Urban Riots

    • Backlash in the North: Civil rights leaders faced backlash in the North.

    • White flight and racial polarization: Race riots in cities fueled white flight and racial polarization.

    • Crime rates increased: Rising crime rates contributed to the sense of unrest.

  • "Law and Order"

    • Message of control: "Law and order" became a central message.

    • Reaction against protests: Reflected a reaction against civil rights and anti-war protests.

    • Support beyond the South: Gained support beyond the South among voters concerned about social unrest.

• C. Richard Nixon's "Southern Strategy"

  • "Dog Whistle" Politics

    • Coded language: Nixon employed "dog whistle politics," using coded language to appeal to racists and white moderates.

    • Avoiding alienation: The strategy aimed to avoid alienating either group while appealing to their concerns.

    • Message of state's rights: The message of state's rights was prominently employed.

  • Realignment of Political Parties

    • Capitalizing on racial tensions: Nixon capitalized on racial tensions and divisions.

    • Transition of Southern voters: The strategy aimed to transition Southern voters to the Republican Party.

    • Weakening the Democratic Party: The strategy weakened the Democratic Party's hold in the South.

  • Forced Busing

    • Opposition to integration: Nixon attacked busing to integrate schools by force.

    • Appealing to racial resentments: This stance appealed to racial resentments among white voters.

    • Gaining political support: The stance was part of Nixon's broader strategy to gain political support.

• D. Ronald Reagan and Race

  • Philadelphia, MS

    • Campaign kickoff: Reagan announced his 1980 campaign in Philadelphia, Mississippi.

    • Site of Freedom Summer Murders: This location was the site of the Freedom Summer Murders (Schwerner, Chaney, and Goodman).

    • Focus on state's rights: Reagan spoke about state's rights, a message with racial undertones.

  • "Bucks" and "Welfare Queens"

    • Racist imagery: Reagan used racist imagery in his speeches.

    • Criticizing welfare: He criticized welfare programs, portraying a "Chicago Welfare Queen."

    • Appealing to racial stereotypes: These tactics appealed to racial stereotypes and prejudices.

IV. Ronald Reagan's Cold War

• A. Reagan's Message

  • Attacking hedonism of the 1960s: He criticized the 1960s for hedonism (sexual, drugs, and rock and roll).

  • Projecting optimism and patriotism: Reagan projected optimism, confidence, and patriotism.

  • Skilled communicator: He was a skilled communicator, drawing on his experience as a B-movie actor.

  • "Teflon President"

    • Criticism did not stick: Reagan's advisors called him the "Teflon president" because criticism did not stick to him.

    • Deflecting questions about age: During a 1984 debate, he deflected questions about his age with a joke.

    • Maintaining popularity: He maintained a high level of popularity throughout his presidency.

• B. The "Evil Empire"

  • Moral terms: Reagan spoke about foreign relations in moral terms, aligning with evangelical views.

  • Soviet Union as "evil empire": He famously labeled the Soviet Union an "evil empire."

  • Strategic Defense Initiative (“Star Wars”): The Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) proposed a space-based defense shield to knock down incoming missiles.

• C. Iran-Contra

  • Nicaragua

    • From Somoza to the Sandinistas: The Sandinistas, a communist government, had taken power, overthrowing pro US dictator, Samosa.

    • CIA training the "Contras": The CIA trained the Contras, an exile army, to overthrow the Sandinistas.

    • Congress Prohibited: When the Contras failed, the CIA took direct action, which Congress prohibited.

  • Iran Kidnapped CIA Agents

    • Weapons to Iran; Profits to Contras: The US made a deal with Iran to sell them military equipment through Israel, in exchange for the release of kidnapped CIA agents.

    • Against US policy: Even though it was against US policy to negotiate with terrorists.

    • Backfired: The deal backfired when Iran kidnapped more agents.

  • William Casey and Oliver North

    • Scandal figures: William Casey and Oliver North were key figures in the Iran-Contra scandal.

    • Congressional hearings (Contragate): The scandal led to congressional hearings (Contragate).

    • Reagan's testimony: Reagan testified he "did not recall" to over 200 direct questions.

• D. The Reagan Reversal

  • Mikhail Gorbachev and the New Era

    • Gorbachev as reformer: Gorbachev, a reformer, aimed to improve the Soviet system and living standards.

    • Collaboration: Gorbachev initiated summits with Reagan, resulting in increased collaborations.

    • Soviet Union collapsed : In 1989, Gorbachev withdrew Soviet armies from Eastern Europe and two years later, the Soviet Union collapsed.

  • Reagan-Gorbachev Summits

    • Geneva (1985): Geneva was where personal rapport was developed, but still no agreement on SDI.

    • Reykjavik (1986): Reykjavik was considered a disaster due to disagreement on SDI.

    • Washington, D.C. (1987): Agreement to limit short-range and intermediate missiles in Washington.

  • Raising the Iron Curtain

    • Symbolic barrier: The Iron Curtain represented the division between the East and West.

    • Collapse of the Soviet Union: Gorbachev withdrew Soviet armies from Eastern Europe signaling to the end of the Iron curtain.

    • Increased freedom and democracy: The countries that were formerly under Russian rule experienced the freedom and democracy

  • Reagan’s Legacy

    • Military Spending: Some argue his military spending bankrupted the Soviet Union.

    • Peaceful negotiations: Both Reagan and Gorbachev deserve credit