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-p -- .. California Standards History-Social Science 11.8 Students analyze the economic boom and social transformation of post-World War II America. 11.9 Students analyze U.S. foreign policy since World War II. 11.11 Students analyze the major social problems and domestic policy issues in contemporary American society. September 1981 Sandra Day O'Connor becomes Reagan loved a crowd, and the crowds loved first female U.S. him. His vitality, gentle humor, and dynamic Supreme Court Justice. speaking style charmed even his opponents. In his journey from actor to president, Reagan used all his skills to reach out to voters and 1980 Lech Walesa's persuade America to move in a new direction. Solidarity trade Interpreting Visuals What can you infer about union leads World Reagan 's personality from this photograph? protests in Poland. See Skills Handbook, p. H30 1982 Deepest U.S. November 1985 January recession since Reagan and Gorbachev 1989 February 1991 the Great meet in the first of George H. W. In First Gulf War, U.S. Depression their arms reduction Bush becomes Ied coalition ousts begins. summits. president. Iraq from Kuwait. October 1983 March 1985 June 1989 November Suicide Mikhail Gorbachev China crushes 1989 bombers becomes leader of pro-democracy Berlin Wall falls attack U.S. the Soviet Union. protests in as protests bring peacekeepers Tiananmen down Communist in Lebanon, Square. regimes in killing 241. Eastern Europe. 693 [4;l cm;:J 11.9.3 Trace the geo BEFORE You READ political consequences of the Cold War and contain MAIN IDEA READING FOCUS KEY TERMS AND PEOPLE ment policy. In 1980 Americans 1. As the 1980 presidential election Ronald Reagan cm;:J 11.9.5 Analyze the voted for a new approached, why was America a New Right role of the Reagan admin approach to gov nation ready for change? Jerry Falwell istration and other factors erning by electing 2. What was the Reaga n revolution, Nancy Reagan in the victory of the West in the Cold War. Ronald Reagan, and who supported it? David A. Stockman who powerfully supply-side economics cm;:J 11.11.2 Discuss the 3. What were the key ideas of promoted a conser budget deficit significant domestic policy Reagan's economic plan, and what vative agenda . speeches of Reagan (e.g. , were its effects? with regard to education , civil rights, economic policy, environmental policy). What event marked the rise of the Reagan revolution? As California governor Ronald Reagan faced an audience in Washington, D.C., on January 25, 197 4, he was witnessing something new. It was the first ever Conservative Political Action Conference. Reagan was T Reagan's ease in front of an audience and gifted among friends. speaking style gave him wide appeal. Modern conservative politics had been born in defeat. Senator Barry Goldwater of Arizona, whom Reagan had supported, lost the 1964 presidential race in spectacular fashion. Richard Nixon had brought some conservative credentials into office when he was elected president in 1968, but his administration had been wracked with scandals. By 1974 conservatives were looking for someone to lead them. Ronald Wilson Reagan was the man they were looking for. As he spoke to the crowd, Reagan laid out themes that would become familiar to the nation in the years ahead. He spoke of the need for greater military strength. He criticized the size and inefficiency of government. He praised the accomplishments of American business and the wonder of the free enterprise system. Drawing on his gift at using stories to illus- trate his points, Reagan reached back into Ameri can history to a sermon given in 1630 by John Winthrop, the first governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony. He reminded his listeners that Win throp had compared the colony to "a city upon a hill" with "the eyes of all people upon us." Driven by hope and a love of freedom, America was Reagan's vision of that "city upon a hill." Reagan's day in the national spotlight was still years away. Yet on that January day in 197 4, it was possible to see it coming. A Nation Re~dy for Change of confidence." While accepting a large dose of blame, he urged citizens to control their appe When Ronald Reagan declared in a 1974 speech tite for consumer goods to ease inflation and that "We are not a sick society," he sounded a reduce reliance on foreign oil. Critics accused theme that would carry him throughout his Carter of blaming Americans instead of fixing political career. When he proclaimed that "we the problems. The president's appeal became are today, the last best hope of man on earth," known as the malaise speech. he set a positive tone that would define his Beneath the malaise, however, a political two-term presidency. movement was gathering force during the 1970s. Its roots lay deeper than any temporary America in low spirits The scene was set anger over crises such as gas lines and the for change as the 1980 presidential election hostage situation. The growing conservative approached. Opinion polls showed a lack of movement opposed liberal social and racial confidence in government. Political observers policies, including abortion rights, forced bus said America had fallen into a state of malaise, ing to achieve school desegregation, welfare, ACADEMIC a depressed or uneasy mood. Indeed, there and affirmative action. This opposition, com VOCABULARY were plenty of reasons to be uneasy. bined with general discontent with Carter, welfare public The turbulence of the 1960s had been spelled electoral trouble for the president. assistance to the needy followed by the Watergate scandal. Under President Carter, the United States seemed The 1980 election Projecting energy and powerless as the Soviets invaded Mghanistan youth at age 69, Republican presidential nomi and Iranian militants took American embassy nee Ronald Reagan tried to turn voters' atten workers hostage. At home, Americans waited in tion away from the nation's problems. He said long gasoline lines and wondered why foreign the country needed to return to a simpler time forces had so much power over their lives. of low taxes, smaller government, a stronger President Carter responded to the grow military, and conservative moral values. His ing public discontent in a television speech on message focused on five words: "family, work, July 15, 1979. He said the nation faced a "crisis neighborhood, peace, and freedom." Electoral Popular 1. Region What does this map show you about Americans' dissatis Votes Vote faction with President Carter? Republican 489 51.6% Democratic 49 41.7% 2. Location How many states did Carter carry in the election? John Anderson Independent 0 6.7% See Skills Handbook, p. H21 A CONSERVATIVE ERA 695 In a debate with Carter, Reagan asked, ''Are relaxed manner, Reagan possessed a deep you better off today than you were four years determination to reshape not only the United ago?" For many, struggling with 13 percent States, but also the world. inflation, high taxes, and a seemingly power less government, the answer was "No." From actor to governor During his Despite the entrance of Republican repre career as a modestly successful movie actor, sentative John Anderson as a third-party can Reagan was a union leader and an active didate, Reagan and his running mate, George member of the Democratic Party. During H. W. Bush, won in a landslide of electoral the 1950s as spokesperson for the General votes. Republicans also won control of the Electric Company, he sharpened his public Senate for the first time since 1955. In what speaking skills and became a champion of free seemed to be a final insult to Carter, the Amer enterprise. He grew to be increasingly at odds ican hostages in Iran were released just hours with Democratic policies, and in 1962 he found after Reagan was sworn in as president. his home in the Republican Party. Reagan adopted the conservative cause Identifying Cause and with zest. In a 1964 speech urging support for Effect What factors led to Carter's downfall in the Senator Goldwater, Reagan delivered a power election of l 980? ful critique ofliberal government, from theNew Deal to the Great Society. On taxes, he warned: "Today, 37 cents out of every dollar earned in The Reagan Revolution this country is the tax collector's share." Gov One word will forever be linked to the name ernment, he declared, "does nothing as well of Ronald Wilson Reagan: optimism. By all or as economically as the private sector of the accounts-even those of his political oppo economy." He warned against appeasing the nents-Reagan had an infectiously cheerful Soviets, calling communism "the most danger outlook on life and the world. Yet beneath his ous enemy that has ever faced mankind." ''LEAVE THe F'A('A'P!S - tT'LL 8E JUST l.tKE HOLl.'iWOol>- Smaller Government In his inaugural address in 1981 Ronald Reagan said, "All of us need to be reminded that the federal government did not create the states; the states created the federal government." With these words, Reagan introduced his goal of reducing the power ofthe federal government. Reagan believed that federal spending was too high and that complex laws intruded on free enterprise and personal freedoms. "Our citizens feel they have lost control of even the most basic deci sions made about the essential services of government, such as schools, welfare, roads, and even garbage collection," he said. He slashed price controls and regulations. Reagan hoped to expand the economic choices available to Americans by cutting taxes and reducing government spending. During his presidency, taxes were cut, but the bureaucracy increased in size and spending skyrocketed.