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The Rise of Conservatism (1968 - 1992)
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Nixon is Elected President of the United States
Nixon is Elected President of the United States. He campaigned as the candidate of the “silent majority” of Americans. The silent majority were people who were tired of the anti war protests and disagreed with the “free love” movements of hippies. They were concerned that America was losing its traditional values. Nixon promised to be tough on crime, and wouldn’t support civil rights protests. This allowed him to gain the support of white segregists who were previously democrats. -
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Richard Nixon’s Domestic Agenda
Nixon wanted to cut spending programs, including defence programs. Nixon also believed in “New Federalism” which would give more control to the state and local governments. (No Ability To Add Picture) -
Nixon freezes prices and wages for 90 days
To battle inflation, Nixon decided to freeze prices and wages for 90 days. During this time, he tried to regulate prices and wages when the freeze was over. Although it weakened the effects of inflation, it did not completely stop it, and inflation rose again when the freeze had ended. -
Gerald Ford serves as president after Nixon resignation
His main goal was to stop inflation. He tried to enforce it by having patriotic people wear WIN buttons. Despite his efforts, the economy slumped, production falling and the unemployment rate rising. -
Capital Punishment resumed after not being a punishment since 1967 (No Exact Date Given)
Increasingly conservative state legislature imposed tougher sentences and made it more difficult for prisoners to receive parole. A rise of people wanting to restore “Law and Order” was caused by an increase of violence, and crime, themselves caused by political protests, organized crime, and drug use. -
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Conservative women try to block the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment. (No Exact Date Given)
Many conservative women thought ERA would be more negative than positive. Women’s Groups killed the amendment in the 1930s, thinking that the ERA would rescind laws protecting poor women and children. In 1973, Phyllis Schlafly countered the ERA through her arguments that it would subject young women to the military draft, deprive divorced of child custody, and make married women responsible for providing 50% of household income. The arguments eventually led to the death of ERA in 1980. -
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Reagan promotes “supply side economics”
1981 Reagan promotes “supply side economics” arguing that tax cuts will stimulate the economy. At this point in time, the economy was already suffering from high unemployment and high inflation, called stagflation. By lowering taxes and decreasing regulation, Reagan believed that economic growth would occur. -
George H. W. Bush is elected president
President Bush’s agenda consisted of many conservative ideas, including cracking down on crime and drugs, and attempting to not raise any taxes. He named a “drug czar” to coordinate various beaucracies which in turn increased the federal funding of local police. He also spent $2.5 billion to stop the flow of illegal drugs into the nation. Bush’s attempt to not raise taxes ended how other conservative attempts had, and he ended up raising taxes, which angered critics and led to Clinton’s election -
Supreme Court limits abortion rights in Webster v Reproductive Health Services
Supreme Court limits abortion rights in Webster v Reproductive Health Services and Planned Parenthood of Southern Pennsylvania v. Casey. The Supreme Court allowed states to impose certain conditions, like tests of viability and waiting periods, before abortions could be performed. Webster v Reproductive Health Services also imposed restrictions on the use of state funds on abortions. -
Bill Clinton is Elected President
Bill Clinton, a democrat, is Elected President, ending the rise of conservatism. George H. W. Bush had been defeated by Clinton in the presidential election. Bush had alienated most of his conservative base by breaking his 1988 campaign pledge “Read my lips: no new taxes” and proceeding to introduce several new taxes. He had also been more active in foreign affairs than in domestic issues that concerned most voters.
