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The Conservative Revolution

The Conservative Revolution. “I’m talking in human terms and he is hiding behind a dictionary. If he wants a definition, I’ll give him one. A recession is when your neighbor loses his job. A depression is when you lose yours. A recovery is when Jimmy Carter loses his.” —Ronald Reagan 1980.

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The Conservative Revolution

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  1. The Conservative Revolution “I’m talking in human terms and he is hiding behind a dictionary. If he wants a definition, I’ll give him one. A recession is when your neighbor loses his job. A depression is when you lose yours. A recovery is when Jimmy Carter loses his.” —Ronald Reagan 1980

  2. Roots of the New Conservatism

  3. Reagan’s Career Originally a Democrat Joined the Republican Party after WWII 1950s served as spokesman for GE 1966 Elected governor of California 1968 gave the “Rendezvous With Destiny” speech for Barry Goldwater

  4. Rise of Conservatism The New Deal and the Great Society had greatly expanded the size of government. Many felt the government was too soft on Communism. Conservative Americans began to react to the insecurity, growth of government and social decline. Barry Goldwater and later Ronald Reagan tapped into this sentiment.

  5. Election of 1980 • Democrats nominated Jimmy Carter • Republicans nominated Ronald Reagan • Reagan was supported by the “new right” which supported: • Cutting the size of government • Restoring Christian values • An optimistic Reagan believed America could and would be strong again. • Reagan won 51% of the popular vote and Carter won 41%

  6. The Reagan Revolution

  7. Economic Reforms • Supply Side Economics • Philosophy that cutting taxes puts more money in the hands of businesses and investors which stimulates economic growth. • Tax Cuts and Reform • 1981—5% tax cut • 1982-1983—10% tax cuts • 1986— Tax reforms closed loop holes and simplified the tax system

  8. Government Reforms • Cut Regulations • Believed regulations made life difficult for producers and therefore cut jobs and raised prices • Cut the Size of Government • B/W 1980-1982 federal public assistance spending fell $101 billion. • Professional Air Traffic Controllers (PATCO) strike • When PATCO struck, Reagan ordered them back to work. • When PATCO refused, Reagan fired 1500 and banned them from employment for life.

  9. Foreign Policy • Believed that “peace through strength” would bring about the end of the “evil empire” (USSR) • Military Build Up • Increased arms and size of the military by $1.5 trillion in 5 years. • Began the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), which was a space based satellite missile shield, • Took a firm stand against the Soviets in every situation and even sought to role back Communism (Reagan Doctrine). • October 1983—Sent US military to Grenada to stop a military coup and protect Americans on the island

  10. Recession and Recovery 1981-1982—US economy slowed down. 1983—Tax cuts began to kick in, and with the economy slow and inflation low, a recovery soon occurred.

  11. Attempted Assassination 1981—John Hinkley, Jr. shot the President Reagan survived and gained popularity.

  12. Reagan’s Second Term“Are you better off than you were four years ago? . . . You ain’t seen nothing yet.”—Ronald Reagan 1984

  13. Patriotism Surged • 1984 Olympics—US very successful • 1986 Centennial of the Statue of Liberty • 1987 Bicentennial of the Constitution

  14. Libya 1986—Reagan ordered the bombing of Libya in response to state sponsored terrorism.

  15. Courts Reagan appointed several conservative federal judges 1981—Appointed first female Supreme Court Justice: Sandra Day O’Connor. 1986 Appointed Antonin Scalia Appointed Robert Bork but was rejected. Later Anthony Kennedy was approved.

  16. Controversies • Reagan delegated duties and often took a “hands off” approach. • Savings and Loan (S & L) • Deregulation of the S & L’s led to risky investment. • Many collapsed and the FDIC had to pay investors.

  17. Iran-Contra Affair • Out of date arms were sold to Iran to bring about the release of hostages. • Funds from the arms sales were diverted to the Contras in Nicaragua who were fighting the Marxist Sandinista regime. • Reagan claimed to be out of the loop. • Lt. Col. Oliver North took the blame for the scandal. • Reagan’s popularity remained intact.

  18. Reagan’s Legacy US - Soviet relations improved—peace came through strength The economy experienced 7 years of great growth Americas military was much stronger and more respected. Government was smaller and taxes were lower. Americans were more confident and optimistic. Eventually (1989) his policies led to the fall of the USSR and Communist Europe.

  19. The Bush Administration

  20. Election of 1988 • Republican—George H. W. Bush • Democrat—Michael Dukakis • Bush promised “no new taxes.” • Bush won by a large electoral margin.

  21. The End of the Cold War 1989 Under economic and political pressure the Iron Curtain and the USSR began to crumble Poland broke free and elected Lech Walensa. Czechoslovakia revolted and elected Vaclav Havel. Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, and Albania soon followed. East Germany—protests led to the fall of the Berlin Wall, and Germany was reunited in 1990. USSR—by 1991 it no longer existed. The US was the lone superpower left in the world.

  22. Persian Gulf War August 1990—Iraq under Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait. Bush formed a 28 nation coalition against Iraq Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Colin Powell and General Norman Schwartzkopf directed Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. January 16-17 1991 the attack began and the war ended 42 days later. Less than 300 allies died. Tens of thousands of Iraqi troops died. Bush enjoyed a 91% approval rating after the war.

  23. Domestic Issues Recession began in the early 1990s. Unemployment climbed to 7%. Bush cut social programs and eventually agreed to a deficit reduction plan that raised taxes. Bush did not win reelection in 1992 because of the economy and a third part candidate—Ross Perot

  24. The Clinton Administration

  25. Positive Aspects The economy recovered and we enjoyed 8 years of booming economic growth. Because of the economy and the Bush tax increase, there was a budget surplus and the deficit shrank.

  26. Controversies and Scandals “Don’t ask, don’t tell.” National Healthcare (never passed) Whitewater Vince Foster’s death Filegate Travelgate Monica Lewinsky Impeachment

  27. The Contract With America Republicans used the scandals to gain power in the Congress. This promise brought Republican control of both houses of Congress in 1994. Since this time Republicans have control both houses except for one year.

  28. Clinton’s Legacy Clinton’s Presidency is remembered by many as a time of prosperity. He remains popular despite the scandals of his Presidency.

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