APUSH: Period 8, 1945-1980 - The Rise of Conservatism, Barry Goldwater, Richard Nixon, Reagan Revolution

Why This Matters

The Rise of Conservatism in the United States during the mid-20th century is a pivotal event that transformed American politics and society. This shift in ideology, led by figures like Barry Goldwater, Richard Nixon, and Ronald Reagan, marked a significant departure from the liberal consensus that dominated the post-World War II era. The rise of conservatism is essential for understanding the larger period of American history, as it reflects the changing values, economic conditions, and social attitudes of the time. This movement's impact on American politics, foreign policy, and social issues, such as civil rights and women's rights, continues to shape the country's identity and inform contemporary debates.

Key Events & People

• Barry Goldwater (1964): Republican presidential candidate who ran on a conservative platform, emphasizing states' rights and limited government intervention. His campaign helped galvanize the conservative movement.
• Richard Nixon (1969-1974): 37th President of the United States, who implemented conservative policies, including tax cuts and deregulation, while also expanding executive power and engaging in foreign policy initiatives like détente with the Soviet Union.
• Ronald Reagan (1981-1989): 40th President of the United States, who led the "Reagan Revolution," a conservative movement that aimed to reduce government spending, lower taxes, and promote free market economics.
• The Southern Strategy (1968): A Republican Party campaign tactic that targeted white Southern voters, who were disillusioned with the Democratic Party's civil rights policies, leading to a significant shift in the South's electoral allegiance.
• The 1964 Republican Platform: The first major conservative platform in the United States, which emphasized states' rights, limited government, and anti-communism.
• The 1980s Tax Cuts: A series of tax reforms, including the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981 and the Tax Reform Act of 1986, which lowered tax rates and reduced government revenue.
• The Iran-Contra Affair (1985-1987): A scandal involving the Reagan administration's secret sale of arms to Iran and diversion of funds to support anti-Sandinista rebels in Nicaragua, which damaged the administration's credibility and led to investigations.
• The Supreme Court's Buckley v. Valeo (1976) ruling: A landmark decision that limited campaign finance regulations and allowed corporations to spend unlimited amounts on elections.
• The rise of think tanks and conservative media: Organizations like the Heritage Foundation and the American Enterprise Institute, which promoted conservative ideas and research, and media outlets like Fox News, which disseminated conservative perspectives.

Cause & Effect Chain

• Cause: The post-World War II economic boom and the rise of suburbanization created a growing middle class with conservative values.
• Effect: This led to a shift in the Republican Party's platform, as politicians like Barry Goldwater and Richard Nixon began to appeal to these voters.

• Long-term consequence: The rise of conservatism contributed to the decline of the New Deal coalition and the liberal consensus, paving the way for Ronald Reagan's presidency and the "Reagan Revolution."

• Cause: The civil rights movement and the Democratic Party's response to it alienated many white Southern voters.

• Effect: This led to the development of the Southern Strategy, which targeted these voters and helped the Republican Party gain a foothold in the South.

• Long-term consequence: The Southern Strategy contributed to the Republican Party's dominance in the South and the decline of the Democratic Party's national influence.

• Cause: The economic stagnation of the 1970s and the perceived failures of liberal policies created a sense of disillusionment among voters.

• Effect: This led to the rise of Ronald Reagan, who promised to restore American greatness through conservative policies.
• Long-term consequence: The Reagan Revolution marked a significant shift in American politics, as conservative ideas and policies became more mainstream.

Essential Vocabulary

• *Liberal Consensus*: A period of broad agreement among Americans on the importance of government intervention in the economy and social issues, which dominated the post-World War II era.
• *Reagan Revolution*: A conservative movement led by Ronald Reagan, which aimed to reduce government spending, lower taxes, and promote free market economics.
• *Southern Strategy*: A Republican Party campaign tactic that targeted white Southern voters, who were disillusioned with the Democratic Party's civil rights policies.
• *Détente*: A policy of relaxation of tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union, pursued by Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan.
• *Supply-Side Economics*: An economic theory that emphasizes the importance of reducing taxes and government regulations to stimulate economic growth.
• *Trickle-Down Economics*: An economic theory that suggests that economic benefits will "trickle down" from the wealthy to the poor through increased economic activity.
• *New Deal Coalition*: A coalition of groups, including labor unions, farmers, and minorities, that supported the Democratic Party's New Deal policies.
• *Gilded Age*: A period of rapid economic growth and social change in the United States, marked by increasing income inequality and social unrest.
• *Cold War*: A state of tension and competition between the United States and the Soviet Union, which lasted from the end of World War II to the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Common Student Mistakes

• What students often get wrong: Confusing the Southern Strategy with the "Solid South," which refers to the historical dominance of the Democratic Party in the South.
• Correction: The Southern Strategy was a Republican Party campaign tactic that targeted white Southern voters, whereas the "Solid South" refers to the historical dominance of the Democratic Party in the South.
• What students often get wrong: Believing that Ronald Reagan's presidency was solely responsible for the end of the Cold War.
• Correction: While Reagan's policies, including his military buildup and diplomatic efforts, contributed to the end of the Cold War, it was a complex and multifaceted process involving the efforts of many world leaders, including Mikhail Gorbachev.
• What students often get wrong: Thinking that the Reagan Revolution was solely focused on economic issues.
• Correction: The Reagan Revolution was a broader movement that aimed to reduce government spending, lower taxes, and promote free market economics, while also addressing social issues like abortion and gun control.

DBQ / LEQ Connections

• Possible essay prompt: Analyze the impact of the Southern Strategy on the Republican Party's national influence. Be sure to include specific evidence from the 1968 and 1972 presidential elections.
• Possible evidence: The 1968 Republican Platform, the Southern Strategy memo, and the 1972 Republican National Convention.
• Possible essay prompt: Evaluate the role of Ronald Reagan in the rise of conservatism in the United States. Be sure to include specific evidence from his 1980 and 1984 presidential campaigns.
• Possible evidence: Reagan's 1980 and 1984 State of the Union addresses, his 1981 tax cut proposal, and his 1985 address to the British Parliament.

Quick Self?Check

1. Who was the Republican presidential candidate in 1964 who ran on a conservative platform? a) Barry Goldwater b) Richard Nixon c) Ronald Reagan Answer: a) Barry Goldwater Explanation: Barry Goldwater was the Republican presidential candidate in 1964 who ran on a conservative platform.

2. What was the name of the policy of relaxation of tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union pursued by Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan? a) Détente b) Trickle-Down Economics c) Supply-Side Economics Answer: a) Détente Explanation: Détente was a policy of relaxation of tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union pursued by Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan.

3. What was the name of the 1980s tax reform that lowered tax rates and reduced government revenue? a) Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981 b) Tax Reform Act of 1986 c) Both of the above Answer: c) Both of the above Explanation: Both the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981 and the Tax Reform Act of 1986 lowered tax rates and reduced government revenue.

Last?Minute Cram Sheet

• The "Gilded Age" was named by Mark Twain – it means glittering on the outside, corrupt inside.
• The 1964 Republican Platform was the first major conservative platform in the United States.
• The Southern Strategy was a Republican Party campaign tactic that targeted white Southern voters.
• The 1980s Tax Cuts lowered tax rates and reduced government revenue.
• The Iran-Contra Affair was a scandal involving the Reagan administration's secret sale of arms to Iran and diversion of funds to support anti-Sandinista rebels in Nicaragua.
• The Supreme Court's Buckley v. Valeo (1976) ruling limited campaign finance regulations and allowed corporations to spend unlimited amounts on elections.
• The rise of think tanks and conservative media, such as the Heritage Foundation and Fox News, promoted conservative ideas and research.
• Ronald Reagan's presidency marked the beginning of the "Reagan Revolution," a conservative movement that aimed to reduce government spending, lower taxes, and promote free market economics.
• The Cold War lasted from the end of World War II to the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.
• The New Deal Coalition was a coalition of groups, including labor unions, farmers, and minorities, that supported the Democratic Party's New Deal policies.