Unit 9: 1980-2001 - Elections, Conservatism, and Key Events

Unit 9: 1980-09/11/2001

Election of 1980

  • Ronald Reagan (Republican) won the election.

New Conservatism

  • Marked by a resurgence of religious movements.
  • Political organizations associated with the Christian right and the Republican Party.
  • Evangelical Christians focused on spreading their message.
  • The Christian Right or Moral Majority was established by Jerry Falwell in 1979.
  • Emphasis on traditional family values.
  • Opposition to perceived moral decay in society.
  • Reagan's platform focused on tax cuts and deregulation of businesses.
  • Anti-abortion stance.
  • Advocated for prayer in schools.
  • Opposed the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), viewing it as a challenge to traditional gender roles.
  • Supported laissez-faire economics.
  • Opposition to homosexuality.
  • Advocated for a more powerful United States and a stronger American presence abroad.
  • Reference to the "City upon a Hill" concept.
  • Comparison of the movement to previous religious movements and the Progressive Era.
  • Anti-communism stance.
  • Use of televangelism to spread their message.

Reaganomics: Trickle-Down Economics or Supply-Side Economics

  • Tax cuts for wealthier individuals, with the expectation that the money will trickle down to blue-collar workers.
  • Reduction in government spending and regulations.
  • Aims to put money into the hands of individuals and businesses.

9/11 and the War on Terror

  • The US had been engaged in fighting an ideological war and consistently faced losses.
  • The events of 9/11 significantly shaped the country and society from 2001 onwards.

1992: Bill Clinton's Election

  • Bill Clinton was elected president in 1992.
North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
  • Aimed to expand free trade among Mexico, Canada, and the U.S.
  • Intended to create more economic opportunities.
  • Resulted in harm to underpaid jobs.
Healthcare
  • Clinton's proposal to offer health insurance to all Americans faced Republican disapproval.
  • Obamacare was approved in 2008, expanding Medicaid.
Clinton's Second Term
  • Marked by economic prosperity domestically.
  • Characterized by a perceived weak foreign policy.
  • Criticized for a lack of response to the Yugoslavia wars (1998), including the genocide of Muslims, and the Rwandan genocide (1994).
Whitewater Scandal (1998)
  • Involved a real estate investment in Arkansas.
  • Monica Lewinsky scandal: Clinton had a sexual relationship with Monica Lewinsky in the White House.
  • Clinton lied under oath, leading to impeachment proceedings in January-February 1999.
  • He was acquitted and not found guilty.

Election of 2000

  • One of the most controversial elections in US history.
  • George W. Bush (Republican) vs. Al Gore.
  • The winner would secure Florida's electoral votes.
  • Bush was declared the winner in a 5-4 Supreme Court case.
  • Florida determined the electoral vote.

Iran-Contra Affair, 1981-86

  • US illegally sent weapons to Iran in return for hostages.
  • The US then paid Iran, and the funds were given to the Contras.
  • The Contras were attempting to overthrow communists in Nicaragua.
  • Reagan was not put on trial, but members of his administration were.

AIDS Epidemic, April 1987

  • Initially called "Gay man's disease."
  • Reagan administration criticized for a lack of response.

Tearing Down of the Berlin Wall, 1987 (June 12, 1987)

  • "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"
  • Many communist countries believed Reagan ended communism.

Stock Market Crash, October 1987

  • Drop of 22.6%, recovered by 1989 without a significant recession.

Election of 1988

  • George H.W. Bush (Republican) won against a Democrat.

Reaganomics

  • Companies save money.
  • Use of private contractors using public and government-funded companies.
  • Decrease spending on social programs, programs from Great Society like Medicare & Medicaid. Ex. Food stamps.

1984 Election

  • Reagan won by a landslide.

SDI or Star Wars, 1984 (Strategic Defence Initiative)

  • Anti-missile defense system.
  • Satellites in space with lasers could intercept incoming threats.
  • Soviet Union went bankrupt trying to come up with a response.

Gorbachev

  • Glasnost (openness): free speech.
  • Perestroika: reconstructing the economy; mixed capitalism and democracy to offer freedoms.

Unit 9: 1980-09/11/2001

Election of 1980

Ronald Reagan (Republican) won.

New Conservatism

Rise of religious groups in politics.

Connected to the Christian right and Republican Party.

Evangelical Christians spread their message.

The Christian Right/Moral Majority was started by Jerry Falwell in 1979.

Focus on traditional family values.

Against what they saw as moral decline.

Reagan's plan: cut taxes, less business rules.

Against abortion.

For prayer in schools.

Against the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA).

Support for less government control of the economy.

Against homosexuality.

For a stronger America in the world.

Reference to the "City upon a Hill".

Like previous religious and Progressive movements.

Against communism.

Used TV to spread their message.

Reaganomics: Trickle-Down Economics/Supply-Side Economics

Tax cuts for the rich, hoping it helps everyone.

Less government spending and rules.

Goal: more money for people and businesses.

9/11 and the War on Terror

US was fighting an ideological war and losing.

9/11 changed the US a lot from 2001.

1992: Bill Clinton's Election

Bill Clinton won in 1992.

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

More free trade between Mexico, Canada, and the U.S.

Goal: more jobs.

Hurt low-paid jobs.

Healthcare

Clinton wanted health insurance for all, but Republicans disagreed.

Obamacare passed in 2008, expanded Medicaid.

Clinton's Second Term

Good economy at home.

Seen as weak on foreign policy.

Criticized for not acting in Yugoslavia (1998) and Rwanda (1994) genocides.

Whitewater Scandal (1998)

Real estate investment issue.

Monica Lewinsky scandal: Clinton had affair with Lewinsky.

Clinton lied, leading to impeachment in 1999.

He was found not guilty.

Election of 2000

Very controversial election.

George W. Bush (Republican) vs. Al Gore.

Florida's votes would decide the winner.

Bush won in a 5-4 Supreme Court decision.

Florida decided the election.

Iran-Contra Affair, 1981-86

US illegally sold weapons to Iran for hostages.

US paid Iran, and the money went to the Contras.

The Contras were fighting communists in Nicaragua.

Reagan wasn't tried, but his staff was.

AIDS Epidemic, April 1987

First called "Gay man's disease."

Reagan administration was criticized for not responding.

Tearing Down of the Berlin Wall, 1987 (June 12, 1987)

"Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"

Many thought Reagan ended communism.

Stock Market Crash, October 1987

Fell 22.6%, recovered by 1989 without a big recession.

Election of 1988

George H.W. Bush (Republican) won.

Reaganomics

Companies save money.

Use of private contractors with government money.

Less spending on social programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and food stamps.

1984 Election

Reagan