Question

after you read (continued) chapter 25 the conservative tide

main ideas

1. why did reagan win the election of 1980?
2. name two key policies of reaganomics.
3. define deregulation.
4. name two gains made by women in the 1980s.
5. what caused the collapse of the soviet union?

thinking critically
answer the following questions on a separate sheet of paper.

1. what were two goals of the conservative movement in the late 1970s?
2. how did the conservative policies of the reagan and bush administrations affect women and minority groups in the 1980s?

Explanation:

Analyze the 1980 election factors

To understand Ronald Reagan's victory, we examine the historical context of 1980. The nation faced severe economic challenges, including high inflation and unemployment (stagflation), alongside the foreign policy crisis of the Iran hostage situation. Reagan's optimistic message, combined with the growing influence of the Conservative Movement, allowed him to build a broad coalition of voters dissatisfied with President Jimmy Carter's administration.

Identify core Reaganomics policies

Reaganomics, or supply-side economics, aimed to stimulate economic growth by reducing the size and influence of the federal government. Two central pillars of this strategy were:

1. Deep cuts in personal and corporate income taxes to encourage investment.
2. Significant reductions in government spending on social programs, alongside a massive increase in military defense spending.

Define economic deregulation

Deregulation is the reduction or elimination of government power and rules in a particular industry. During the Reagan Era, this policy aimed to increase competition, lower consumer prices, and spur economic growth by removing federal restrictions on businesses, particularly in financial services, transportation, and environmental standards.

Identify gains made by women

Despite challenges to the Equal Rights Struggle, women achieved historic milestones in the 1980s. Key advancements included:

1. The appointment of Sandra Day O'Connor as the first female Supreme Court Justice in 1981.
2. Geraldine Ferraro becoming the first female vice-presidential candidate on a major party ticket in 1984.

Analyze the Soviet Union's collapse

The Cold War End and the collapse of the Soviet Union resulted from internal structural weaknesses and external pressures. Economically, the Soviet system was exhausted by a stagnant command economy and a costly military buildup. Politically, Mikhail Gorbachev's reforms of glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring) inadvertently weakened communist party control, allowing nationalist movements in Eastern Europe and Soviet republics to successfully demand independence.

Analyze conservative goals and impacts

For the "Thinking Critically" section:

1. Two goals of the conservative movement in the late 1970s were shrinking the size of the federal government (reducing spending/taxes) and promoting traditional family values and social patriotism.
2. Conservative policies affected women and minority groups through budget cuts to social welfare programs that disproportionately aided low-income families, and through a more conservative judicial stance on civil rights issues like affirmative action.

Answer:

Main Ideas

Question 1

Why did Reagan win the election of 1980?
Answer: Reagan won due to widespread public frustration with stagflation and the Iran hostage crisis under Jimmy Carter, combined with his optimistic campaign and the rising support of the conservative coalition.

Question 2

Name two key policies of Reaganomics.
Answer:

1. Budget cuts on social programs combined with tax cuts for individuals and businesses.
2. Increased defense spending to rebuild the military.

Question 3

Define deregulation.
Answer: Deregulation is the cutting back of federal regulation and government intervention in industry and economic activities to promote competition and business growth.

Question 4

Name two gains made by women in the 1980s.
Answer:

1. Sandra Day O'Connor was appointed as the first female Supreme Court Justice.
2. Geraldine Ferraro became the first woman nominated for Vice President by a major political party.

Question 5

What caused the collapse of the Soviet Union?
Answer: The collapse was caused by severe economic stagnation, heavy military spending, and the political reforms of glasnost and perestroika, which allowed nationalist movements to rise and demand independence.

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Thinking Critically

Question 6

What were two goals of the conservative movement in the late 1970s?
Answer:

1. Shrink the size of the federal government and reduce government spending.
2. Promote traditional family values and strengthen the national defense.

Question 7

How did the conservative policies of the Reagan and Bush administrations affect women and minority groups in the 1980s?
Answer: Budget cuts to social welfare programs reduced support systems that disproportionately assisted low-income women and minorities, while conservative judicial appointments led to limits on affirmative action and civil rights enforcement.