Emergence of the Right (+ Reagan)

Question 1

Context

Answer 1

Started to mobilise in 1970s/80s, concerned about an increase in crime + sexual immorality, especially Roe vs Wade ruling
Wanted to return religion to central role

Question 2

New Right

Answer 2

Favoured strict limits to gov. intervention in the economy
Wanted to use state power to encourage its view of family values, restrict homosexuality, and censor pornography
Tough measures against crime, strong national defence, permit prayer in public schools, opposed abortion, wanted to defeat Equal Rights Amendment for women.

Question 3

Religious Right

Answer 3

Believed in ‘traditional values’ + that the family and Christianity should play a central role in American society
1970s- 50% of Americans prayed every day, 80% believed in an afterlife
Disliked counter-culture + sought to conform

Question 4

Religious Right Promotion

Answer 4

Used organisations, the media, and supported cons. politicians
Televangelists played major role
Rev. Pat Robertson ran Christian Broadcasting Network + for Rep. nomination for President
Rev. Jim Bakker founded Praise the Lord ministry in 1974, had his own TV network + religious theme park.
Top 8 televangelists in 1980 made $310 million + reached audience of 20 million

Question 5

Prominent Members- Jerry Falwell (1)

Answer 5

Baptist minister Jerry Falwell emphasised his opposition to smoking, drinking + rock’n’roll , and advised women to follow the Bible + submit to husbands
Founded Baptist Moral Majority organisation in 1979- ‘pro-life, pro-family, pro-morality’ and ‘pro-American’

Question 6

Prominent Members- Jerry Falwell (2)

Answer 6

His show- Old Time Gospel Hour- broadcast in 225 TV + 300 radio stations, audience of 1.5 million people (1980)
Helped to raise millions for Reagan, estimated $100 million for MM causes + estimate registered 2 million voters
Disbanded MM in 1989

Question 7

Prominent Members- Pat Robertson

Answer 7

Built the Christian Coalition- had 150,000 members by 1992 + claimed to control the Republican Party in several Southern states
Ran Christian Broadcasting Network + ran for Republican nomination for president

Question 8

Prominent Members- Phyllis Schlafly

Answer 8

‘Sweetheart of the Silent Majority’- lawyer + mother of 6
Mobilised opposition to Equal Rights Amendment and abortion
50,000 people joined Eagle Forum, her organisation, mailed legislators against ERA, said it would sanction gay marriage, unisex toilets, women in combat + destroy the traditional family
She campaigned for women’s skirts to be 2 inches below the knee

Question 9

Use of Mail

Answer 9

Used mail to fundraise and recruit
70% of contacted by National Right to Life Committee voted in 1978- twice national average, 50% donated at least $25
Accounted for defeat of several liberals, inc. McGovern, in 1980 congressional elections

Question 10

Was Reagan Motivated by Religious Right?- Election Campaigns

Answer 10

Election campaign in 1980- emphasised opposition to 60s excesses, feminism + ERA.
Despite divorce in 1952, he promoted the nuclear family
‘Morning Again in America’ ads in 1984 campaign played on traditional family values
Supported school prayers + teaching of creationism in schools, said he was a ‘born again’ Christian

Question 11

Was Reagan Motivated by Religious Right?- Presidency (No)

Answer 11

Failed to get 2/3rd majority to ban abortion and restore prayer in public schools (constitutional amendment)
Failed to endorse Family Protection Act (1981)- ban abortion, restore school prayer, tax breaks for wives+mothers at home, tax credits for private school pupils, single sex school sports, censorship of books in school + denial of access to contraception without parental awareness

Question 12

Was Reagan Motivated by Religious Right?- Presidency (Yes)

Answer 12

Nominated nearly 400 conservative judges
‘Reaganised’ the judiciary
Appointed conservatives William Rehnquist and Antonin Scalia as Supreme Court justices in 1986
Appointed over 50% of federal judiciary by end of presidency