APUSH REVIEWFord, Carter, American life 1970s

and 1980s, Reagan’s New Federalism, Economic Policy, Foreign Policy and the Bush

Presidency

As found in Barron’s Study Keys EZ-101American History 1877 to the PresentPublished 1992

Theme 15: Toward a Conservative America

After Watergate a new, more conservative mood characterized the U.S. Traditional and moral values, including evangelical religion, became embodied in political life. On the economic side, Americans continued to struggle with inflation, unemployment, high energy costs, a trade deficit, and a burgeoning federal deficit. Politicians promised a smaller role for the federal gov’t, along with a decreased bureaucracy and less spending.

Key 86: Reagan’s New FederalismOverview: President Ronald Reagan moved toward a conservative New Federalism policy. Although he changed the priorities of the national gov’t and curbed its expansion, he did not reduce its size or scope

Image: Although the oldest man to serve as president, Reagan cultivated a vigorous public image• He continually appealed to the public through television and public appearances• His Hollywood image and nationalistic rhetoric proved to be extremely popular

New Right A broad, loose coalition of conservatives, “Reagan Democrats” and those appalled by the liberal, social, economic, and political trends of the 1960s and the 1970s

• Supported free markets• Opposed gov’t intervention in people’s lives• Believed that Christian civilization was being threatened by the high divorce rate, rise in illegitimate births, use of

drugs, easily available abortions, pornography, feminist ideology, and gay rights activists

The election of 1980: new groups became Republican party members: “Reagan Democrats,” Southern whites, affluent ethnic suburban Catholics, and young conservative voters. Right-wing support helped Reagan win

• His campaign promises included stricter laws against crime, drugs, and pornography, opposition of the federal gov’t to easy-access abortions, a reverse form the retreat he saw the U.S. taking throughout the world, and increased defense spending

• John B. Andersen congressman from Illinois, ran as in independent third-party candidate• Ronald Reagan defeated Jimmy Carter, the Democratic incumbent, by receiving almost 51% of the popular vote

Assassination attempt: On March 31, 1981, Reagan, along with his press secretary James Brady, was shot and wounded by John Hinkley outside a Washington, D.C. hotel

Supreme Court appointee: In 1981, Reagan nominated Sandra Day O’Conner of Arizona as the first woman Supreme Court Justice. She was confirmed by the Senate shortly thereafter

Reagan deregulation: He lessened or abolished governmental control on the environment, health care, the workplace, and the consumer. Agencies targeted included the Environmental Protection Agency, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the Consumer Product Safety Commission

Election of 1984: Reagan won a landslide victory with 59% of the popular vote over Democratic challenger Walter Mondale, vice president under Carter. Mondale chose as his running mate New York congresswoman Geraldine Ferraro, the first woman ever to be included on a national presidential ticket

Key 87: Reagan’s Economic PolicyOverview: President Ronald Reagan sought to lower taxes, decrease spending for domestic programs, increase expenditures for the military, and restore U.S. international competitiveness

“Reaganomics” :