Unit 9 - APUSH
Topic #1 - Conservatism
Ronald Reagan’s Election Triumph
Ronald Reagan’s victory in the 1980 presidential election marked a shift in the national political balance of power from a liberal to a conservative agenda.
After decades characterized by Liberalism, Reagan's election introduced a conservative leader into the White House.
Reagan, previously a Hollywood star, was a founder of the Conservative movement in the 1960s, blending celebrity with politics.
Ideological Contrasts: Liberal vs. Conservative
Liberal Ideologies
Government Role: Advocates for a significant government role aimed at improving the lives of all Americans. - Support for social programs to aid the poor, unemployed, elderly, and other vulnerable groups. - Emphasis on laws protecting the rights of women and minorities. - Endorsement of government regulation in industry to ensure fairness and safety. - Advocacy for cooperation with international organizations, like the United Nations, in foreign policy matters.
Conservative Ideologies
Government Role: Favor a limited government role in individuals' lives. - Proposition to reduce taxes as a means for boosting economic growth. - Concerns about abandoning traditional family values. - Advocacy for limiting government regulation of industries to stimulate private sector growth. - Strong emphasis on creating a powerful national defense to counter perceived threats, particularly communism.
Political Dynamics (1975-1985)
Liberal Objectives
Maintain the principles of the Great Society initiated by Lyndon B. Johnson.
Advocate for human rights in U.S. foreign policies, aiming to avoid the pitfalls of previous conflicts, like Vietnam.
Engage in Detente (a relaxation of tensions) with the USSR.
Promote affirmative action, which aimed at improving opportunities for historically marginalized groups.
Support for the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) and conservation efforts aimed at energy use reduction.
Uphold the decision in Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion nationwide.
Conservative Objectives
Push for limited government intervention in societal matters.
Advocate for increased defense spending to ensure national security.
Adopt an aggressive foreign policy stance, particularly against the USSR, labeled as the “Evil Empire.”
Maintain a limited federal role in civil rights, arguing for state control.
Uphold family values and traditional social norms.
Advocate for energy independence through finding new oil sources.
Strongly opposed abortion rights.
Reaganomics
Overview of Economic Policy
"Trickle Down" Economics: This approach suggests that benefits provided to the wealthy would eventually trickle down to the poorer population.
Often referred to derogatorily as “Voodoo economics.”
Key factors in Reagan’s economic policy included: - Expanding military spending to enhance national security and boost jobs in defense industries. - Aiming to balance the federal budget, which assumes that such measures will lead to fiscal stability. - Implementing reduced federal spending in various programs to curtail government size and expenditures. - Tightening the money supply to curb inflation, which can lead to economic growth. - Enacting cuts to federal income tax, thus leaving individuals with more cash to spend. - Reducing capital gains tax to encourage investment. - Advocating for deregulation across various industries to stimulate growth.
Social Programs: Medicare and Medicaid
Medicare
A federally funded program that provides healthcare benefits specifically for the elderly and disabled populations.
Participants are required to pay deductibles and a portion of coverage costs out-of-pocket.
Medicaid
Jointly funded by state and federal governments, offering healthcare benefits to pregnant women, people with disabilities, and low-income individuals.
Coverage costs are minimal or non-existent for participants, emphasizing accessibility for the most vulnerable in society.
Historical Context: Politics and Economy (1980-2015)
Key Events
NAFTA (1994): Introduction of the North American Free Trade Agreement, which aimed at eliminating barriers to trade between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
Shifts in economic policy and immigration trends observed from 1980 onwards, fundamental in shaping the political landscape and social fabric of the nation.
The End of the Cold War
Various significant conflicts defined the Cold War era, including: - Korean War: Often referred to as a police action, reflecting its proxy war nature. - Vietnam War: Highlighted deep divisions in U.S. foreign policy and military strategy. - Additional conflicts in the Cold War context should be investigated for a comprehensive understanding.
Economic Changes in the 21st Century
Globalization and Economic Trends
Analysis of what globalization entails and its implications on the U.S. economy since 1980, including: - The rise of outsourcing, impacting domestic job markets. - The advent of the internet and its role in shaping communication and commerce.
Technological innovations post-1980 include: - Wikipedia (2001): Revolutionized information dissemination. - iPod (2001): Changed music consumption patterns. - Facebook (2004): Transformed social interactions and networking. - YouTube (2005): Enhanced video consumption and created new content platforms. - Wikileaks (2010): Brought transparency and scrutiny to governmental actions.
Labor Trends
Union Membership Trends
Union membership in the U.S. displayed fluctuations over the decades, with a historical decline noted from 1917 to 2017.
Key data includes: - A percentage of American workers represented in labor unions showing a downward trend from 33.4% in 1945 to 4.0% in 2017.
Income Distribution Trends
Examination of trends in disposable income per capita: - 1980: - 1990: - 2000: - 2010:
Questions for analysis: - Definitions of “disposable income” and “after-tax income”? - Identify the group with the largest and smallest increases in after-tax income since 1980 and theorize the reasons behind these trends.
Immigration Trends from 1970-2010
Immigration Statistics
A notable increase in the immigrant population in the U.S. over the decades: - From 1900-2010 showcasing increases in immigrant segments from various regions, with the Latin American population showing significant growth.
Demographic Shifts
Data outlining the regional origins of immigrant populations as of 2010 indicates a growing trend from Latin America and Asia when compared to historical data from earlier decades.
Challenges of the 21st Century
Major Events
The events of September 11, 2001 (9/11), detail how terrorist attacks reshaped U.S. foreign and domestic policies, leading to significant government reforms and national security measures, including the emergence of the Patriot Act.
The Gulf War (1990 - 1991)
Context surrounding the Gulf War, initiated by Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait, where the U.S. led a coalition to eject Iraqi forces. Post-war conditions included: - A ceasefire with conditions for Iraq to eliminate weapons of mass destruction, while Saddam Hussein remained in power despite war crimes.