🗽US History – 1865 to Present Unit 11 – Conservative Resurgence & Cold War's End

Key Players and Movements

• Ronald Reagan emerged as a prominent conservative leader and served as the 40th President of the United States (1981-1989)
• Margaret Thatcher, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (1979-1990), championed conservative policies and forged a close alliance with Reagan
• The Moral Majority, founded by Jerry Falwell, mobilized evangelical Christians to support conservative political causes
  • Focused on issues such as opposition to abortion, gay rights, and the Equal Rights Amendment
• The New Right movement gained momentum, advocating for limited government, free markets, and traditional social values
• Phyllis Schlafly led a successful campaign against the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, arguing it would undermine traditional gender roles
• The Christian Coalition, formed by Pat Robertson, aimed to increase the political influence of conservative Christians
• The Heritage Foundation and American Enterprise Institute served as influential conservative think tanks, shaping policy discussions

Rise of Conservative Politics

• Conservatives capitalized on public discontent with the economy, high inflation, and perceived weakness in foreign policy during the late 1970s
• The Iranian Hostage Crisis (1979-1981) and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan (1979) fueled concerns about American power and prestige
• Reagan's landslide victory in the 1980 presidential election marked a significant shift towards conservative politics
  • Defeated incumbent President Jimmy Carter, who faced criticism for his handling of the economy and foreign affairs
• The Republican Party embraced a more conservative platform, emphasizing limited government, tax cuts, and a strong national defense
• Reagan's charisma and communication skills helped popularize conservative ideas and attracted a broad coalition of supporters
  • Known as the "Great Communicator," Reagan effectively conveyed his vision for America
• Conservative Republicans made gains in Congress, enabling the implementation of conservative policies
• The Sagebrush Rebellion, a movement in Western states, sought to reduce federal control over public lands and promote resource extraction

Economic Policies and "Reaganomics"

• Reagan implemented a series of economic policies collectively known as "Reaganomics" or supply-side economics
• Advocated for reducing government regulations on businesses, arguing it would stimulate economic growth
• Enacted significant tax cuts through the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981, which reduced marginal tax rates
  • Lowered the top individual income tax rate from 70% to 50%
• Introduced tax indexing to prevent "bracket creep," where inflation pushed taxpayers into higher tax brackets
• Reduced domestic spending on social welfare programs, while increasing military spending
• Pursued a policy of monetarism, working with Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker to combat inflation
  • Volcker raised interest rates to control the money supply and curb inflation
• Critics argued that Reaganomics primarily benefited the wealthy and contributed to growing income inequality
• The national debt nearly tripled during Reagan's presidency, partly due to increased military spending and reduced tax revenue

Social and Cultural Shifts

• The AIDS crisis emerged in the 1980s, disproportionately affecting the gay community and leading to increased stigma and discrimination
  • Reagan's administration initially faced criticism for its slow response to the AIDS epidemic
• The "War on Drugs" intensified, with stricter penalties for drug offenses and increased funding for drug enforcement agencies
  • First Lady Nancy Reagan launched the "Just Say No" campaign to discourage drug use among youth
• The abortion debate remained a contentious issue, with conservatives pushing for restrictions on abortion rights
• The Moral Majority and other conservative groups advocated for prayer in schools and the teaching of creationism alongside evolution
• The rise of cable television and the 24-hour news cycle transformed media consumption and political discourse
  • CNN (Cable News Network) launched in 1980, providing round-the-clock news coverage
• The music industry experienced the emergence of MTV (Music Television) in 1981, which revolutionized music promotion and youth culture
• The "yuppie" (young urban professional) culture emerged, characterized by conspicuous consumption and a focus on career success

Cold War Developments

• Reagan adopted a more confrontational approach towards the Soviet Union, denouncing it as an "evil empire"
• Increased defense spending and pursued the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), known as "Star Wars," to develop a missile defense system
  • SDI aimed to protect the U.S. from Soviet nuclear missiles, but critics argued it was technologically infeasible and could escalate the arms race
• Supported anti-communist movements and governments in various parts of the world, including the Contras in Nicaragua and the Mujahideen in Afghanistan
  • The Iran-Contra Affair (1985-1987) involved the illegal sale of arms to Iran to fund the Contras, leading to a political scandal
• Engaged in high-stakes diplomacy with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, leading to a thawing of Cold War tensions
  • Held several summit meetings, including the historic Reykjavik Summit in 1986, where they discussed nuclear disarmament
• Signed the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty in 1987, eliminating an entire class of nuclear missiles
• Visited West Berlin in 1987 and delivered the famous "Tear down this wall!" speech, challenging Gorbachev to open up the Eastern Bloc

Fall of the Soviet Union

• Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev introduced the policies of glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring) to reform the Soviet system
  • Glasnost allowed for increased freedom of speech, press, and political expression
  • Perestroika aimed to revitalize the Soviet economy through market-oriented reforms
• The Chernobyl nuclear disaster in 1986 exposed the weaknesses of the Soviet system and contributed to growing public discontent
• The Solidarity movement in Poland, led by Lech Wałęsa, challenged communist rule and inspired similar movements across Eastern Europe
• The fall of the Berlin Wall in November 1989 symbolized the collapse of communist regimes in Eastern Europe
  • East and West Germany reunified in October 1990, marking the end of the Cold War division of Germany
• The Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania) declared their independence from the Soviet Union in 1990
• Attempted coup by hardline communists against Gorbachev in August 1991 failed, accelerating the dissolution of the Soviet Union
• The Soviet Union formally dissolved in December 1991, with its constituent republics gaining independence

Domestic and International Impacts

• The end of the Cold War reshaped the international order, with the United States emerging as the world's sole superpower
• The "New World Order" envisioned a more cooperative international system, with increased role for the United Nations
  • The U.S. led a multinational coalition to expel Iraqi forces from Kuwait in the Gulf War (1990-1991)
• The defense industry faced challenges as military spending decreased, leading to mergers and consolidation
• The "peace dividend" from reduced military spending was expected to provide resources for domestic priorities
• The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was signed in 1992, creating a free trade zone between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico
  • Proponents argued NAFTA would boost economic growth, while critics warned of job losses and reduced labor standards
• The U.S. economy experienced a recession in the early 1990s, followed by a period of strong economic growth and low unemployment
• The Internet and personal computers became more widespread, transforming communication, commerce, and daily life
• Debates over globalization, free trade, and the role of international institutions intensified

Legacy and Ongoing Debates

• Reagan's presidency is often credited with revitalizing the conservative movement and reshaping the political landscape
  • Supporters praise his economic policies, foreign policy achievements, and optimistic vision for America
  • Critics argue that Reaganomics exacerbated income inequality and that his policies had negative long-term consequences
• The role of government in the economy and society remains a central debate in American politics
  • Disagreements persist over the appropriate level of government regulation, taxation, and social welfare programs
• The legacy of the Iran-Contra Affair continues to be a subject of controversy and criticism
• The impact of the "War on Drugs" and mass incarceration on communities of color has come under increased scrutiny
• The rise of conservative media, talk radio, and Fox News in the 1990s has had a lasting impact on political discourse
• Debates over the use of military force, the role of the U.S. in the world, and the balance between national security and civil liberties continue to shape foreign policy discussions
• The political polarization and partisan gridlock that emerged in the 1990s have persisted and intensified in subsequent decades