-
Period: to
Rise of Conservatism
-
1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago
In Chicago at the Democratic convention, Hubert Humphrey was expected to be chosen as the presidential candidate and to continue Johnson's policies concerning the Vietnam War. Protesters stood outside of the convention and soon after, Chicago Police attacked the crowds of protesters. The televised event showed o the American people the instability that surrounded the democratic party, and helped Nixon to be elected. -
Nixon's De-Escalation of the Vietnam War
Starting in 1969 and continuing til 1973, Nixon uses Vietnamization to end the War for Americans in Vietnam. As a highly protested war, Nixon had to tread lightly to keep everyone happy. As Nixon did it it pleased most people, he both got American Men out of Vietnam while also not losing all hope for South Vietnam. This was a success for the Republicans by making the emocrats be the people who created the Vietnam War, and the Republicans being the ones who ended it. -
Nixon's Detente
Starting in China, Nixon's journeys to the communist world superpowers were immensely successful. In China, Nixon finally recognized mainland China as the true China rather than Taiwan. This lead to a happier relationship with China and better trade. Then, Nixon traveled to the USSR where he helped relax ongoing tensions. With the SALT agreement, the U.S. and USSR limited the amount of nuclear weapons in each of the countries. These successes in Nixon's detente were successes in Republicanism. -
Jimmy Carter's Failures
As the only Democratic President during this time period, Jimmy Carter's action had a lot to do with the rise of conservatism. Following Nixon's success and Ford's short term, Carter had a lot to live up to, and he did not. Firstly, Carter adopted the U.S. under his wing during an economic downturn wihch made him look bad, and his failure to improve it made him look even worse. Then at the end of his term, his inability to deal with the Iran hostage crisis sealed the Democratic party coffin. -
Jerry Falwell's moral majority
Jerry Falwell founded the Moral Majority and set out to create a new political movement. "Americans are sick and tired of the way amoral liberals are trying to corrupt our nation" with this Reagon agreed making the Moral Majority a powerful political force which was was key in Rebublican presidential victories in the 1980's. -
Ronald Reagan's success
Ronald Reagan had many conservative views as did many of his supproters. Much of his success was driven by the use of conservative tactics and family values. The Moral Majority helped propel Reagan to the Presidentcy by mobilizing a conservative Christian polical force. -
Iran's Release of U.S. Hostages
Following the Carter presidency, came Ronald Reagan, and as luck would have it, the Iranian government supported Reagan by releasing the U.S. hostages captive in Iran on his inauguration day. Whilst Carter had been unable to free the captive Americans in Iran, Reagan didn't have to spend a day before they were free which would seem to show Reagan as an excellent diplomat and sway public support towards the conservative Republican party. -
Tear Down of the Berlin Wall
In 1987, Ronald Reagan demanded that Mikhail Gorbachev tear down the Berlin Wall. In 1989, under George H. W. Bush, this request came true. Gorbachev withdrew Soviet troops from Berlin and the people of Berlin tore down the Berlin Wall. The Berlin Wall showed the collapse of communism and the Soviet Union which blessed the United States by removing fear, and ending the Cold War, all during Republican presidencies, supporting Conservatism. -
The Persian Gulf War
Bush's success in the Persian Gulf War was a great proponent for the support for Republican conservatism. Bush was able to use UN forces to force Saddam Hussein out of Kuwait. His swift and forceful action within the war ended it quickly and successfully and helped prevent further Iraqi control of oil. By the end of the Persian Gulf War, Bush's approval rating for his dealing with the Persian Gulf War was at 90%, showing American enthusiasm for the Republican party and their actions. -
1992 Election
In the election of 1992, many conservative views were brought to the public eye indicating a continued interrest in conservatism. Patrick Buchanon, a conservative from the republican party did well enough in thte primaries to alarm White House strategists.Then Ross Perot announced his independant candidacy. His platform had both conservative and liberal planks. and attracted those who were dissatified with the polical system.
