Chapter 30, Section 1Chapter 30, Section 1The Conservative RevoltThe Conservative Revolt

Main Idea: The election of Main Idea: The election of Ronald Reagan in 1980 Ronald Reagan in 1980 ushered in a new era of ushered in a new era of conservatism in politics conservatism in politics

and public policy.and public policy.

A. The Conservative AgendaA. The Conservative AgendaIn response to an expanding federal govt since In response to an expanding federal govt since FDR in the ’30s, conservative Republicans, led FDR in the ’30s, conservative Republicans, led by Reagan, looked to reduce “big govt” and its by Reagan, looked to reduce “big govt” and its social programs in the ’80s & called for a social programs in the ’80s & called for a return to traditional valuesreturn to traditional valuesMoral Majority- Jerry Falwell’s religious group Moral Majority- Jerry Falwell’s religious group that helped conservative candidates get that helped conservative candidates get electedelectedConservative Goals:Conservative Goals:1.1. Cut spending on social programs (welfare, etc.)Cut spending on social programs (welfare, etc.)2.2. Return to traditional values (religion, family, Return to traditional values (religion, family,

patriotism)patriotism)3.3. Reduce regulations on businessesReduce regulations on businesses4.4. Lower taxesLower taxes5.5. Reduce size of federal governmentReduce size of federal government6.6. Balance federal budgetBalance federal budget

The Conservative RevolutionConservatives of the 1980’s felt that “big government” was a problem and that the government should limit costly social programs and not interfere too much with business practices.

B. The Reagan-Bush EraB. The Reagan-Bush EraRonald Reagan defeated Jimmy Carter in the Ronald Reagan defeated Jimmy Carter in the 1980 election, promising to “Make America 1980 election, promising to “Make America Great Again.”Great Again.”ReaganomicsReaganomics – Reagan’s economic program – Reagan’s economic program

1.1. Cut taxes so people could save &/or spend the Cut taxes so people could save &/or spend the extra $, helping banks & businessesextra $, helping banks & businesses

2.2. Cut federal spending on social programs to reduce Cut federal spending on social programs to reduce size of govt size of govt

3.3. Deregulation – reduce restrictions on businessesDeregulation – reduce restrictions on businesses

Reagan’s Balance SheetReagan’s Balance Sheet– Plus: economy boomed, 16 million jobs created Plus: economy boomed, 16 million jobs created

while in office, inflation held in checkwhile in office, inflation held in check– Minus: military spending skyrocketed as Cold War Minus: military spending skyrocketed as Cold War

tensions increased, creating a $240 billion deficittensions increased, creating a $240 billion deficit

Ronald Reagan led the conservative revolution, serving as President from 1980 – 1988.

Reagan’s Economic Plan:- large tax cuts that were meant to stimulate the economy- spending cuts to costly social programs

Mixed Results:

While the economy grew, the country suffered from a record budget deficit. (Example: $240 billion deficit in 1986)

· The budget deficit was caused by a large increase in military spending, along with massive tax cuts, which made it impossible to create a balanced budget.

B. (continued)B. (continued)Bush’s Economic TroublesBush’s Economic Troubles– Won ’88 election, promising, “Read my lips . . . No Won ’88 election, promising, “Read my lips . . . No

new taxes” (not a good idea!)new taxes” (not a good idea!)– Had to raise taxes to avoid cutting popular programs, Had to raise taxes to avoid cutting popular programs,

weakening the economyweakening the economy– Banking crisis: banks failed due to risky loans Banking crisis: banks failed due to risky loans

(deregulation) not being paid back(deregulation) not being paid back– Downsizing: many business laid off workers to cut Downsizing: many business laid off workers to cut

costs, creating high unemploymentcosts, creating high unemployment– Recession: economic slump (milder than depression)Recession: economic slump (milder than depression)

Conservatives on the CourtConservatives on the Court– Reagan & Bush appointed 5 new justices while in Reagan & Bush appointed 5 new justices while in

office, including the 1office, including the 1stst woman (Sandra Day woman (Sandra Day O’Connor), shifting the Supreme Court to O’Connor), shifting the Supreme Court to conservativeconservative

President George H.W. Bush:

· Pres. George H.W. Bush continued Reagan’s policies with his famous promise, “Read my lips. No new taxes.”

· However, by 1990, the economy was in a recession, forcing Bush to raise taxes.

C. Clinton & the ConservativesC. Clinton & the ConservativesBill Clinton defeated George Bush in ’92 electionBill Clinton defeated George Bush in ’92 electionReduced federal deficit (surplus by 1998)Reduced federal deficit (surplus by 1998)Pushed for health care reform to cover most Americans, Pushed for health care reform to cover most Americans, but Congress defeated it (too $ & intrusive)but Congress defeated it (too $ & intrusive)Conservatives Win ControlConservatives Win Control– 1994 congressional elections gave control of both houses 1994 congressional elections gave control of both houses

to the Republicans (1to the Republicans (1stst time since ’50s) time since ’50s)– ““Contract With America”- Newt Gingrich’s plan to cut Contract With America”- Newt Gingrich’s plan to cut

welfare & taxes, reduce environmental restrictionswelfare & taxes, reduce environmental restrictions– Limited length of time someone could be on welfare in Limited length of time someone could be on welfare in

order to encourage people to find jobsorder to encourage people to find jobs

Clinton’s Impeachment & TrialClinton’s Impeachment & Trial– While being investigated for real estate dealings as Gov. While being investigated for real estate dealings as Gov.

of AR, Pres. Clinton lied under oath about an improper of AR, Pres. Clinton lied under oath about an improper relationship with a White House intern (Monica Lewinsky)relationship with a White House intern (Monica Lewinsky)

– The House impeached him (only 2The House impeached him (only 2ndnd time ever), but time ever), but Senate acquitted him (most of voting was along party Senate acquitted him (most of voting was along party lines)lines)

President Bill Clinton:· Pres. Clinton won the election of 1992 on the hopes that he could help the nation’s troubled economy. Clinton went on to win reelection in 1996 as well.

· In 1996, Republicans, led by Newt Gingrich, took control of both houses of Congress and challenged the President on tax increases and spending programs.

Newt Gingrich, Time Magazine’s 1995 Man of the Year

D. The Bush II EraD. The Bush II EraGeorge W. Bush defeated Al Gore in the 2000 George W. Bush defeated Al Gore in the 2000 election by a very narrow marginelection by a very narrow margin– Gore won the popular vote, but disputed ballots in Gore won the popular vote, but disputed ballots in

Florida, where Bush had a slim lead, caused the Florida, where Bush had a slim lead, caused the electoral vote to be in doubt (ironically, Gov. of FL electoral vote to be in doubt (ironically, Gov. of FL was Bush’s brother)was Bush’s brother)

– The Supreme Court ruled to stop a recount, giving The Supreme Court ruled to stop a recount, giving the election to Bush (majority of Court was the election to Bush (majority of Court was conservative)conservative)

Bush as PresidBush as Presidentent– No Child Left Behind Act for schools is very No Child Left Behind Act for schools is very

controversial (favors some schools over others?)controversial (favors some schools over others?)– Sept. 11, 2001: terrorist attacks on the Pentagon and Sept. 11, 2001: terrorist attacks on the Pentagon and

World Trade Center caused Bush’s popularity to soar World Trade Center caused Bush’s popularity to soar – In 2002, Republicans control both houses & In 2002, Republicans control both houses &

PresidencyPresidency