9.1 Reagan and Conservatism

The Rise of the New Right

By 1980, many Americans blamed liberal policies for economic troubles like stagflation and viewed government as too big and intrusive. This fueled a conservative resurgence, uniting fiscal conservatives, evangelical Christians (the Moral Majority), and anti-communist hawks. Ronald Reagan won the 1980 election promising smaller government, lower taxes, and a stronger military.

Reaganomics

Reagan's economic program, called Reaganomics or supply-side economics, cut taxes on businesses and wealthy individuals, reduced social spending, and deregulated industries, believing benefits would "trickle down." This led to increased federal budget deficits and growing income inequality, even as inflation fell and the economy eventually grew.

Conservative Judicial and Social Shifts

Reagan appointed conservative judges, including Sandra Day O'Connor (first female Supreme Court justice) and later Antonin Scalia, shifting courts rightward. Conservatives also pushed back against feminism, abortion rights, and affirmative action, while emphasizing traditional family values, deregulation, and reduced federal power in favor of states' rights.

Key terms

Reaganomics

Reagan's supply-side economic policy of tax cuts, deregulation, and reduced social spending to stimulate growth.

Moral Majority

Evangelical Christian political organization led by Jerry Falwell that mobilized conservative voters in the 1980s.

Supply-side economics

Theory that cutting taxes on businesses and the wealthy encourages investment, boosting overall economic growth.

Sandra Day O'Connor

First female U.S. Supreme Court justice, appointed by Reagan in 1981, part of his conservative judicial legacy.

Federal budget deficit (1980s)

Grew significantly under Reagan due to tax cuts combined with increased defense spending.

Try an AP-style question

Reaganomics was based on…

1. nationalizing industries
2. higher taxes on the wealthy
3. expanding welfare programs
4. tax cuts and supply-side economics