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: 18,82218,822   - 1990: 23,54223,542   - 2000: 28,91128,911   - 2010: 33,12533,125

  • 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.