1980's Conservatism

Overview of the 1980s Political Climate

• The focus on American politics and culture shifts to the period known as period nine (1980s-1990s).
• 1980 marks the end of one historical narrative and the beginning of another, specifically a 6% impact on overall exam material.
• Expect potential multiple-choice questions from this period.

Conservatism

• Definition: Conservatism emphasizes traditional values and established practices in politics and society.
  • Represents a return to Puritan roots and traditional American norms.
• Barry Goldwater is a key figure in the emergence of modern conservatism.
  • Republican nominee in 1964, vocally opposed many liberal ideals from the Democratic era, including those from the Johnson administration.
• Causation: Growing discontent with liberalism and government during the 1970s leads to a conservative resurgence.

The 1960s and Backlash

• The 1960s are characterized by social upheaval: civil rights movements, the counterculture, the Vietnam War protests.
• Not everyone supported these movements; significant backlash from conservative elements and traditionalists.
• Critique of Johnson's Era: Many conservatives pushed back against Johnson's Great Society and civil rights measures.

Key Events and Personalities

• Nixon era (1968-1974):
  • Elected in 1968 on a platform promising to end the Vietnam War, but faced the Watergate scandal, leading to his resignation.
  • Watergate defined a loss of faith in government, solidified by Nixon's actions (cover-ups, break-ins).
  • Gerald Ford succeeds Nixon without election, Jimmy Carter is then elected (1976).

Challenges Faced by Presidents

• Carter's Presidency:
  • Faces numerous crises: stagflation (inflation + recession), Iranian hostage crisis.
  • 1979: U.S. embassy in Tehran taken over; 52 hostages held for 444 days, a key moment that impacted national sentiment.
  • Sought to negotiate but met with obstacles, lost trust as Americans viewed him as ineffective.

Reagan Revolution (1980s)

• Election of Ronald Reagan:
  • A conservative wave emerges, signaling a significant political shift back to traditional values, echoing sentiments of the 1950s.
• Cultural Backlash: There was a strong current promoting family values, religion within politics, and anti-abortion stances.
• Economic Policies - Reaganomics:
  • Emphasizes tax cuts, particularly for the wealthy, based on the trickle-down theory.
  • Outcomes: Increased national deficit, rising unemployment rates, criticism of economic effectiveness (increased disparity).

Social Changes and Cultural Movements in the 1980s

• Emergence of Yuppie Culture: Young Urban Professionals signifying a financial and lifestyle transformation compared to the previous decades' counterculture.
• Dominant values reflect a focus on success, capitalism, and consumerism.

Political Landscape

• Shift in Political Power: 1980s sees Republicans gaining control in Congress, partly due to the Republican Revolution in 1994.
• Judicial Influence: The influence of Supreme Court decisions and appointments shifts towards conservative viewpoints, evident in landmark cases and the nomination of Sandra Day O'Connor as the first female justice.

Key Takeaways for Exam Preparation

• Focus on understanding the interconnectedness of cultural changes, economic policies, and political shifts during the 1970s to 1990s.
• Familiarize yourself with key figures (Nixon, Carter, Reagan, Goldwater) and their respective political ideologies.
• Prepare for questions on social movements and their impacts on American politics during this timeframe.