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GROWTH OF CONSERVATISM

  • Belief System: The upheaval of the Civil Rights Movement, feminism, and the counterculture was perceived as causing chaos and destroying traditional values.   - Desire for Traditional Values: There was a desire to reemphasize white, Protestant, male-dominated culture with traditional gender roles.   - Rise of Evangelical Christian Movement: This movement, along with the Moral Majority, emphasized family values.   - Pro-Life Movement: Formed to challenge Roe v. Wade, advocating anti-abortion policies.
  • Key Figures and Terms:   - Barry Goldwater: Leading conservative figure, espoused limited government and free enterprise.   - Election of 1964: Important in the shaping of modern conservatism, marking a significant defeat for the Democratic Party.   - New Right: A conservative movement focusing on social issues and a return to traditional values.   - Heritage Foundation: A leading conservative think tank promoting policies in line with conservative beliefs.   - William F. Buckley: Republican writer, founder of National Review, influential in modern conservatism.   - Black Power: Movement emphasizing racial pride and socio-political independence for African Americans.   - Affirmative Action: Policies designed to counter discrimination against minorities in education and employment.   - Anti-War Movement: Opposition to U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War criticizing government policies.

Impact of Traditional Values on Reagan’s Conservatism

  • Reagan’s conservatism was shaped by a desire to return to traditional values, opposing government intervention as seen in the New Deal and Great Society.   - Libertarianism: Emphasized individual freedom and minimal government role in personal lives.   - Neoliberalism: Focused on free-market capitalism and reduced government spending.

Conservative Views on Government Size

  • Desire to Reduce Federal Government: Conservatives sought to reduce federal government size, believing it to be inefficient and impeded personal freedoms.
  • Economic Philosophy: Supply-side economics, advocating for tax cuts and deregulation to stimulate economic growth.   - Supply-side Economics: Focused on increasing supply rather than demand to promote economic prosperity, often characterized by tax cuts and deregulation.   - Prominent Economists: Milton Friedman, known for advocating monetarism, which emphasizes the role of governments in controlling the amount of money in circulation.
  • Stagflation: Refers to the economic condition combining stagnation and inflation, characterized by slow economic growth and high inflation rates.

Reagan’s Economic Policies

  • Implementation of Conservative Ideas: Reagan's Economic Recovery Tax Act cut taxes, contributing to growing wealth inequality.
  • Military Spending: Increase in military expenditures as part of his economic policies.
  • Reduction of Social Programs: Cuts to social spending contrasted with increased military outlays.
  • Deregulation: Deregulated sectors such as energy, banking, transportation, and media to reduce business costs.   - Tax Reform Act of 1986: A significant legislation aimed at overhauling the tax system.   - Air Traffic Controllers Strike (1981): A pivotal moment reflecting Reagan's stance against labor unions.

Debates Between Liberals and Conservatives

  • Free Trade vs. Outsourcing: Debates focused on policies like NAFTA where liberals argued that it would lead to outsourcing and job loss, while conservatives supported free-market growth.
  • Social Welfare Programs: Debates included healthcare reforms under President Clinton; Newt Gingrich's Contract With America called for welfare reform, promoting conservation efforts.   - Key Groups and Movements: Labor unions, Environmentalists, Christian Coalition, Rainbow Coalition, Tea Party.

GLOBALIZATION AFTER 1980

  • Neoliberal Policies: Emphasis on reduced trade barriers, deregulation, and privatization as means of promoting economic growth.
  • Global Adoption of Liberalizing Policies: Countries like China and the UK adopted neoliberal policies.
  • Technological Innovations: Improvements in communication technology like computers, internet, and cellphones facilitated global interactions.   - Entities Involved: World Trade Organization (WTO), International Monetary Fund (IMF).
  • Shipping Containers and Automation: Innovations that significantly sped up international shipping and manufacturing processes.

Effects of Globalization

  • Changes in Workforce Distribution: Shift towards knowledge work and specialized services within the U.S.; manufacturing jobs outsourced, leading to labor decline.   - Outsourcing Effect: Manufacturing shifted to countries with lower labor costs, diminishing U.S. labor unions.
  • Income Inequality: Growing discrepancy between the wealthy and the working class despite rising economic productivity.   - Rust Belt: Regions in the U.S. experiencing economic decline due to deindustrialization.   - Campaigns: "Buy American" campaigns aimed to stimulate domestic manufacturing.   - Farm Aid: Efforts to support American farmers amid economic shift.

Political and Social Changes

  • Migration Trends: Political power consolidated in the Sunbelt as migrations shifted population demographics, strengthening conservatism in these areas.   - Key Urban Centers: Silicon Valley emerged as a tech hub, promoting economic growth and educational institutions like Stanford.   - Suburban Development: Increased suburbanization alongside cultural movements, notably the rise of hip hop in cities like Atlanta.
Internal Migration Impact
  • Effects on Society: Shifts in political power and demographic changes influenced cultural and economic landscapes in America.

IMMIGRATION IMPACT ON AMERICAN SOCIETY

  • Increased Immigration: Growth of immigration, especially from Latin America and Asia, filling low-wage jobs; migrants sent remittances back home.
  • Cultural Debates: Discussions surrounding the assimilation versus multiculturalism; opposing views on the adaptation of migrants into American culture.   - Programs: ESL (English as a Second Language) debated for promoting integration vs. hindering it.
  • Legislation: Significant policies include the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 and the Immigration Act of 1990, geared towards managing migrant populations and securing their rights.   - Cultural Works: Notable literature reflecting immigrant experiences includes The House on Mango Street and The Joy Luck Club.

COLD WAR TO NEW ERA OF FOREIGN POLICY

Cold War Dynamics

  • Reagan’s Rhetoric: Framing of the Cold War through strong anti-communist discourse; increased military spending through initiatives and defense strategies.
  • SALT Treaties: Strategic Arms Limitation Talks that led to reduced nuclear arsenals between the U.S. and the Soviet Union; INF Treaty focused on missile destruction.
  • Reagan Doctrine: Supported military interventions beyond mere containment of communism, increasing U.S. military presence globally and aiding Afghan rebels in the Soviet-Afghan War.
  • Gorbachev’s Reforms: Initiated political openness (Glasnost) and economic reforms (Perestroika) which led Soviet satellites to demand autonomy and reforms.

End of the Cold War Causes

  • Key Symbols: The “Evil Empire” speech, Solidarity Movement in Poland, and the dramatic changes in Eastern Europe in 1989.
  • Historical Figures: Boris Yeltsin emerged as a significant figure during the transition period.

NEW ERA OF US FOREIGN POLICY

Shift Post-Cold War

  • U.S. as Sole Superpower: The end of the Cold War solidified the U.S. as the leading global power, shifting focus to protecting interests abroad.
  • Gulf War: The U.S. intervened to liberate Kuwait from Iraqi occupation, showcasing military capabilities in Operation Desert Storm.   - Media Influence: Introduction of 24-hour news coverage (CNN) marketing the war.
  • Expanded Role: NATO expanded, and U.S. engaged in humanitarian interventions in the Balkans, Somalia, and Haiti.

Impact of Terrorism on Foreign Policy

  • Middle East Relations: U.S. involvement led to resentment among some regimes, leading to significant events like the September 11 attacks.
  • War on Terror: In response, the U.S. launched military actions in Afghanistan and Iraq, targeting al-Qaeda and other terrorist organizations.   - Justification: Claims of Iraq possessing weapons of mass destruction drove the invasion.
  • Significant Incidents: 1983 Marine Barracks Bombing, embassy bombings in Kenya and Tanzania (1998), USS Cole bombing (2000).

Domestic Policy Changes Post 9/11

  • Patriot Act: Greatly expanded surveillance capabilities leading to debates on privacy rights.
  • Department of Homeland Security: Established to prevent future attacks, heightening security measures domestically.   - TSA’s Expansion: Heightened airport security measures implemented post 9/11.
  • Cultural Impact: Rise in Islamophobia and security measures influencing societal attitudes towards the Muslim community.