Ronald Reagan and CONSERVATISM [APUSH Review Unit 9 Topic 2] Period 9: 1980-Present

Summary

This video discusses the resurgence of conservatism in America, culminating in the election of Ronald Reagan in 1980. It explores the causes behind the movement, including economic crises, the Iran hostage situation, and a disillusioned public. Reagan, a former actor, became the figurehead of the new right, advocating for cold war conservatism, pro-business policies, and traditional values. The video breaks down his economic policies (Reaganomics), tax cuts, military spending, deregulation, and judicial appointments, emphasizing the significant impact of his presidency in rejecting the liberalism of the 60s and 70s.

Takeaways

• 😀 The resurgence of conservatism in America began with the 1964 presidential campaign of Barry Goldwater, who introduced the 'New Right' movement.
• 😀 The economic turmoil of the 1970s, including stagflation, the Iran hostage crisis, and the energy crisis, set the stage for the rise of conservatism in the 1980s.
• 😀 Ronald Reagan, a former actor, capitalized on his media savvy to connect with voters and embody the values of the New Right.
• 😀 The New Right was built on three main pillars: Cold War conservatism, pro-business economic policies, and a moral/religious opposition to the social changes of the 1960s and 70s.
• 😀 Reagan's landslide victory in the 1980 election, with 489 electoral votes to Jimmy Carter’s 49, was seen as a rejection of the previous decades' social changes.
• 😀 Reaganomics, or supply-side economics, focused on cutting taxes and federal spending to foster private sector growth and ultimately benefit all levels of society.
• 😀 Reagan's tax cuts primarily benefited the wealthy, including cuts in corporate income taxes, capital gains taxes, and inheritance taxes, aligning with supply-side economics.
• 😀 While Reagan reduced spending on welfare programs, he dramatically increased military spending, resulting in large federal deficits.
• 😀 Reagan rolled back significant environmental regulations, including safety standards in the auto industry and policies on coal mining and offshore drilling.
• 😀 A key conservative strategy under Reagan was appointing conservative judges to the Supreme Court, resulting in the scaling back of affirmative action and the restriction of abortion rights.
• 😀 The Reagan presidency marked a pivotal moment in U.S. politics, as it represented a rejection of liberalism from the 1960s and 70s in favor of conservative policies that continue to influence American politics today.

Q & A

What was the main topic of the video?

The main topic of the video was the resurgence of conservatism in America, particularly focusing on the election of Ronald Reagan and the policies of his administration.

What were the key causes of the resurgence of conservatism in the 1980s?

The key causes included the discontent with the Democratic presidency of Jimmy Carter, economic troubles like stagflation, the Iran hostage crisis, and the energy crisis caused by Middle Eastern oil exporters cutting off supply to the U.S.

How did Ronald Reagan's background as an actor benefit his political career?

Reagan's background as an actor made him very skilled with televised media, which helped him come across as likable and relatable to the American public.

What were the three main goals of the new right movement that Reagan embodied?

The three main goals of the new right were: resisting the spread of communism abroad (Cold War conservatism), promoting pro-business economic policies like tax cuts and deregulation, and defending traditional moral and religious values.

What is 'Reaganomics' and how does it work?

'Reaganomics' refers to supply-side economics, which argued that prosperity could be achieved by cutting taxes and reducing federal spending. The idea was that tax cuts would stimulate the private sector, leading to increased investment, jobs, and productivity.

How did Reagan's tax cuts impact different social classes?

Reagan's tax cuts, particularly through the Economic Recovery Act of 1981, disproportionately benefited the wealthy, including cuts to income taxes, corporate taxes, capital gains taxes, and inheritance taxes. The idea was that prosperity would 'trickle down' from the wealthy to other segments of society.

Did Reagan cut all federal spending?

No, Reagan did not cut all federal spending. While he reduced spending on welfare programs like food stamps and public transportation, he significantly increased spending on the military, adding over $150 billion in military spending during his two terms.

What role did deregulation play in Reagan's policies?

Deregulation was a key component of Reagan's policies. He sought to reduce government interference in the private sector by rolling back regulations in industries like automobiles, energy (oil drilling, coal mining), and environmental protections.

How did Reagan impact the U.S. Supreme Court?

Reagan appointed four conservative judges to the U.S. Supreme Court: Sandra Day O'Connor, William Rehnquist, Antonin Scalia, and Anthony Kennedy. These appointments helped scale back affirmative action and allowed for more state-level restrictions on abortion, marking a significant conservative shift.

What was the significance of Reagan's presidency in terms of American political history?

Reagan's presidency was a watershed moment in American politics because it marked a fundamental rejection of the liberalism of the 1960s and 1970s, leading to a shift towards conservative policies in both social and economic arenas.