APUSH Period 9 Review: 1980-Present

Growth of Conservatism

• Decline in public trust in government.
• Economic issues: Stagflation and oil embargoes.
• Political scandals: Watergate, Pentagon Papers.
• Foreign policy failures: Iran hostage crisis.
• Perceived social and moral decay.
• Rise of evangelical churches.

Stagflation

• High unemployment.
• High inflation.
• High interest rates.
• Stagnant economy.

Successes of the Conservative Movement

• Reduced taxes under Reagan and George W. Bush.
• Reaganomics: Tax cuts for the wealthy.
• Reduced regulation of industry.

Failures of the Conservative Movement

• Government size increased under Reagan despite denouncing "big government".
• Moral ideas met opposition; abortion legality reinforced in Planned Parenthood versus Casey, though a 24-hour waiting period was allowed.

Reagan's Presidency

• First term: Rejected détente, increased defense spending (Star Wars/Strategic Defense Initiative).
• Bellicose rhetoric: Aggressive language, calling the Soviet Union an "evil empire".
• Second term: Improved relations with Mikhail Gorbachev, arms reduction (START one).

Post-Cold War World

• US engaged in military and peacekeeping interventions (e.g., Serbia, First Gulf War).
• Post-9/11: Conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, war on terrorism.
• Debates over the balance between civil liberties and national security.

US Economy Post-1980

• Increased economic inequality due to loss of manufacturing jobs and outsourcing.
• Middle-class wage stagnation.
• Free trade debates: NAFTA (North American Free Trade Association).
• Debates over government social safety nets: Social Security reform, healthcare reform (Obamacare).

Environment and Demographics Post-1980

• Middle East conflicts and climate change concerns led to debates over US dependency on oil and fossil fuels.
• Immigration from Asia and Latin America increased after 1965 (Immigration Act of 1965).
• Population gains in the South and West (Sunbelt), leading to increased political power.
• Debates over gays and lesbians: "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, later overturned by Obama.