Chapter 26: Triumph of Conservatism

The Stalemated 70s

  • STAGFLATION - combo of stagnation (lack of growth) & inflation (decrease in the value of money) caused by overspending by LBJ & lack of increased taxes and loss of US manufacturing supremacy

  • SUPREME COURT

    • Nixon opposed “judicial activism” of the Earl Warren Court & sought a return to “strict constructionism” with the appointment of Warren Burger → plot twist: liberalism continued with Roe v. Wade (1973)

  • FIGHTS FOR CIVIL RIGHTS CONTINUE

    • Nixon’s Philadelphia Plan extended affirmative action

      Bakke v. California (1978) reduced race to one factor of many to consider

      • Milliken v. Bradley stopped bussing for integration of schools

      • Title IX passed (1972) but Equal Rights Amendment was defeated (1982)

      • Indian activists occupied Alcatraz

The 1980s & Resurgence of Conservatism

  • NEW RIGHT/MORAL MAJORITY- emerged in response to counter-culture & social changes of 1960s → wanted a return to traditional family values; combined with “Old Right” who opposed Federal power 

  • NEOCONSERVATISM - free market capitalism, tough on crime & communism, limit welfare spending but INCREASE defense spending; tax cuts & supply side economics (“Reaganomics”)

  • ECONOMIC GROWTH: recovery underway by 1983 → yuppies & conspicuous consumption + defense spending & tax cuts; BUT deficit spending → national deficit to $200 billion ANNUALLY

Nixon

Abroad

  • Vietnamization → Invasion of Cambodia → Student protests (ex. Kent State) War Powers Act/Repeal of Gulf of Tonkin → US withdrawal → Fall of Saigon

  • Detente: relaxing of tension → the “uncompromising anti-communist” visited Moscow & Beijing; signed ABM Treaty & SALT

At Home

  • New Federalism - shift powers back to states

  • Created EPA in response to Carson’s Silent Spring

  • Energy Crisis caused by US support of Israel → OPEC Embargo sent oil prices skyrocketing

  • WATERGATE - CREEP planted bugs in Democratic Party’s headquarters → Smoking Gun Tape revealed Nixon tried to use the CIA to stop FBI investigation → impeachment was certain → Nixon & VP resign → Replaced with House republican leader Gerald Ford

Carter

Abroad

  • Camp David Accords (1978) brokered an agreement between Israel & Egypt

  • Panama Canal Treaty (1979) transitioning to full Panamanian ownership of canal 

  • SALT II negotiated but not signed

  • Hostage Crisis (1979) - after Iranian Revolution, US allowed exiled Shah into US → hostages captured from US embassy → rescue mission failed → held 444 days (until Reagan’s inauguration)

  • Soviet invasion of Afghanistan (1979) → US boycott of Moscow Olympics

At Home

  • Oil shocks showed US dependence on foreign trade

  • Mounting federal deficit → $60 billion (1980)

  • Gave “Malaise Speech” (1979) criticizing Americans for being too materialistic → popularity continues to fall 

  • 1979 - Three Mile Island nuclear accident 

Reagan

Abroad

  • SDI/ “Star Wars” - massive spending on anti-missile defense

  • Iran-Contra - a 2nd set of hostages taken by Hezbollah terrorists (1985) → sold weapons to Iran and then diverted funds to Contras in Nicaragua (against Boland Amendment)

  • Both challenges to USSR as “evil empire” → “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” AND com

  • promises → INF Treaty  (intermediate-range nuclear forces) 

At Home

  • D.A.R.E.  programs to fight war on drugs

  • Slashed Welfare programs 

  • Failure to respond to AIDS Epidemic → called the “gay plague” by Moral Majority supporters 

  • Deregulation of business → lowering EPA standards

Review Questions

  • Why were social issues associated with the sexual revolution so contested by all sides?

    • The debate over these issues reflected deeper cultural divisions, with conservatives often viewing the sexual revolution as a threat to traditional family values, while progressives argued for the recognition of sexual rights and health, creating a polarized environment

  • What were continuing challenges to the cohesiveness of the Democratic (New Deal) coalition? What were the consequences of those divisions?

    • as moderates and progressives disagreed on civil rights and social justice, the party’s unity weakened. these differences caused the group to split, which hurt their success in elections and made their policies less steady

    • moderates wanted slow and steady change, while progressives pushed for big, fast changes to make things more equal. this caused tension, especially around topics like affirmative action and police reform. the party started to split, making it harder to stay united, which hurt their chances in elections and made their policies less consistent

  • What were the main features of Nixon's policy of
    "realism" in dealing with China and the Soviet Union?

    • Nixon's policy of "realism" emphasized pragmatic diplomacy over ideological confrontations, focusing on strategic interests rather than moral imperatives. This approach involved:

      • Engaging in direct negotiations with both China and the Soviet Union, acknowledging their global influence

      • Pursuing a triangular diplomacy strategy, which sought to exploit the relationships with China and the Soviet Union to gain leverage over one without fully aligning with the other

      • Prioritizing issues like arms control and trade, which would foster cooperation and reduce tensions

      • Utilizing backchannel communications to facilitate discussions and build trust between nations.

  • Describe the basic events and the larger significance of the Watergate scandal.

    • The Watergate scandal began with a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in 1972, leading to a cover-up orchestrated by members of President Nixon's administration. This event uncovered a series of abuses of power, including illegal surveillance and sabotage of political opponents, ultimately resulting in Nixon's resignation in 1974. The scandal significantly eroded public trust in government, highlighted the importance of checks and balances, and prompted reforms aimed at increasing transparency and accountability in political practices

  • What were the major causes for the decline of the U.S. economy in the 1970s?

    • Several factors contributed to the economic decline during the 1970s, including the oil embargo of 1973, which resulted in skyrocketing oil prices, and stagflation, a combination of stagnant economic growth, high unemployment, and rising inflation. Additionally, the end of the Bretton Woods system led to increased currency instability and competitive devaluations.

  • What were the causes and consequences of the public's disillusionment with the federal government in the 1970s and 1980s?

    • The disillusionment was largely fueled by the Watergate scandal, questioning the integrity of elected officials, and the ongoing Vietnam War that created a divide between government statements and the reality experienced by citizens. This led to widespread protests and a growing skepticism about the government's ability to address social issues, culminating in a general withdrawal of public support for federal initiatives

  • Identify the groups and their agendas that combined to create the new conservative base in the 1970s and 1980s.

    • In the 1970s and 1980s, several key groups merged to form a robust conservative base, including:

      • Religious conservatives: Primarily evangelical Christians who sought to influence politics through issues such as abortion and school prayer

      • Fiscal conservatives: Advocates for limited government and reduced taxation to boost economic growth.

      • Anti-communists: Individuals and organizations focused on a strong military stance against the Soviet Union and other perceived threats to American values.

      • Libertarians: Emphasizing individual liberty and minimal government intervention in both personal and economic matters

  • What impact did Ronald Reagan have on the American political scene?

    • reagan’s presidency gave new energy to the conservative movement. he supported free markets, a strong military, and tough anti-communism. these ideas appealed to many groups like fiscal conservatives, anti-communists, and libertarians. his positive and patriotic message helped bring them together, causing big political changes in the 1980s

  • Why was there growth in economic inequality in the 1980s?

    • this growth mostly came from reagan’s economic policies, like tax cuts for the rich and less government rules. these changes helped the wealthy the most, while leaving out the lower and middle classes

    • less government rules, or deregulation, helped by:

      • making it easier for businesses to grow – fewer rules meant companies could do more without government approval

      • lowering costs – businesses spent less money following rules, which boosted profits

      • attracting investors – a freer market made investing more appealing

      but it also had downsides:

      • workers and consumers had less protection

      • big companies gained more power

      • pollution and risky financial practices increased

  • How did various groups see the relationship between women's rights and freedom differently?

    • Different factions within the conservative movement viewed women's rights through varied lenses: some advocated for traditional family values, believing that women's roles should center on home and family, while others supported equal opportunities in the workforce, arguing that economic independence was vital for true freedom. This divergence created a complex dynamic within the movement, where debates over gender roles often intersected with broader discussions about economic policy and social norms

    • second-wave feminists (like NOW – national organization for women)
      saw freedom as full equality in all areas—work, education, politics, and personal life. pushed for the equal rights amendment (ERA) and reproductive rights (like abortion access).

    • radical feminists
      believed true freedom meant breaking down patriarchy completely. focused on ending gender roles, sexual violence, and control over women’s bodies.

    • conservative women (like phyllis schlafly and the eagle forum)
      argued that traditional gender roles were part of women’s freedom. opposed the ERA, saying it would harm families and take away "special protections" for women.

    • women of color (like members of the Combahee River Collective)
      believed freedom had to include racial, economic, and gender justice. they criticized mainstream feminism for ignoring issues like poverty and racism

    • religious women (some catholic or evangelical groups)
      often tied women’s freedom to faith and family values, supporting women’s roles as mothers and caregivers

Key Terms from Chapter

  • Affirmative Action: policy efforts to promote greater employment opportunities for minorities

  • Busing: the means of transporting students via buses to achieve school integration in the 1970s

  • Reverse Discrimination: belief that affirmative action programs discriminate against white people

  • Title IX: part of the Educational Amendments Act of 1972 that banned gender discrimination in higher education

  • Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT): 1972 talks between President Nixon and Secretary Brezhnev that resulted in the SALT, which limited the quantity of nuclear warheads each nation could possess, and prohibited the development of missile defense systems

  • Detente: period of improving relations between the US and Communist nations, particularly China and the Soviet Union, during the Nixon administration

  • My Lai Massacre: Massacre of 347 Vietnamese civilians in the village of Mai Lai by Lieutenant William Calley and troops under his command. US army officers covered up the massacre for a year until an investigation uncovered the events. Eventually twenty-five army officers were charged with complicity in the massacre and its cover-up, but only Calley was convicted. He served little time for his crimes

  • Pentagon Papers: Informal name for the Defense Department’s secret history of the Vietnam conflict; leaked to the press by former official Daniel Ellsberg and published in the New York Times (1971)

  • War Powers Act: Law passed in 1973, reflecting growing opposition to American involvement in the Vietnam War; required congressional approval before the president sent troops abroad

  • Vietnam Syndrome: the belief that the US should be extremely cautious in deploying its military forces overseas that emerged after the end of the Vietnam War

  • Watergate: Washington office and apartment complex that lent its name to the 1972-1974 scandal of the Nixon administration; when his knowledge of the break-in at the Watergate and subsequent cover-up were revealed, Nixon resigned the presidency under threat of impeachment

  • Oil Embargo: prohibition on trade in oil declared by OPEC in October 1973 in response to US and western European support for Israel in the 1973 Yom Kippur War. The rise in gas prices and fuel shortages resulted in a global economic recession and profoundly affected the American economy

  • Stagflation: a combination of stagnant economic growth and high inflation present during the 1970s

  • Deindustrialization: term describing decline of manufacturing in old industrial areas in the late 20th century as companies shifted production to low-wage centers in the South and West or in other countries

  • Sunbelt: the label for an arc that stretched from the Carolinas to CA. During postwar era, much of the urban population growth occurred in this area

  • Helsinki Accords: the 1975 agreement between the USSR and the US that recognized the post-WWII boundaries of Europe and guaranteed the basic liberties of each nation’s citizens

  • Deregulation: reagan-clinton era legislation that removed regulations on many industries, including finance and air travel

  • Three Mile Island: nuclear power plant near Harrisburg, PA, site of 1979 accident that released radioactive steam into the air; public reaction ended the nuclear power industry’s expansion

  • Camp David Accords: peace agreement between the leaders of Israel and Egypt, brokered by President Jimmy Carter in 1978

  • Neoconservatism: the leaders of the conservative insurgency of the early 1980s. their brand of conservatism was personified in Ronald Reagan, who believed in less govt, supply-side economics, and “family values”

  • Reagan Revolution: The rightward turn of American politics following the 1980 election of Ronald Reagan. The Reagan Revolution made individual “freedom” a rallying cry for the right

  • Reagonomics: Popular name for President Ronald Reagan’s philosophy “supply side” economics, which combined tax cuts with an unregulated marketplace

  • Iran-Contra Affairs: Scandal of the second Reagan administration involving sales of arms to Iran in partial exchange for release of hostages in Lebanon and use of the arms money to aid the Contras in Nicaragua, which had been expressly forbidden by Congress