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US History – 1865 to Present

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

The Conservative Resurgence marked a shift in American politics, with Ronald Reagan's presidency ushering in an era of limited government and free-market policies. This period saw the rise of the New Right, championing traditional values and a strong national defense stance. The Cold War's end reshaped global dynamics as the Soviet Union collapsed and communism fell in Eastern Europe. The U.S. emerged as the sole superpower, facing new challenges in a rapidly changing world order.

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


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© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.