Unit 7: Reagan, Bush, and Clinton: 1980-2000 Flashcards
What was the Moral Majority?
In 1979, a small conservative group known as the Moral Majority began. Founded by Jerry Falwell, a Baptist minister and televangelist, the group encouraged political involvement. Their mission was to get people to vote for a return to traditional values.
What did the Moral Majority believe?
Many in this group faulted Carter for the growth of federal and state governments. They were also displeased with the social reforms and cultural changes under his watch and opposed the large benefit programs that had increased taxes. The evangelical Christians in the Moral Majority opposed the legalization of abortion, sex education in public schools, and the fervent feminist movement.
Who won the presidential election of 1980?
Ronald Reagan
Which people were most influential in Reagan presidential victory?
Only 52 percent of eligible voters went to the polls in 1980, the lowest turnout for a presidential election since 1948. Those who did cast a ballot were older, whiter, and wealthier than those who did not. White voters older than 45 and voters with annual incomes of more than $50,000 were influential in Reagan’s victory.
Which conservative activists was the most influential in stopping the Equal Rights Amendment from passing?
Phyllis Schlafly
What was Phyllis Schlafly’s opinion on the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)?
She used “STOP” as an acronym for “Stop Taking Our Privileges” and led the STOP ERA movement to oppose ratification. Schlafly argued that women enjoyed special privileges, such as gender-specific restrooms and exemption from the military draft. These, she said, would be lost should the ERA be ratified. Schlafly also claimed to stand up for the dignity of being a homemaker. She suggested that feminists were demeaning the importance of staying home to care for children and accused the feminist movement of being elitist. Her organization implied that privileged women could afford to support the ERA. Working women and poor housewives, however, would ultimately bear the brunt of the loss of protection it would bring.
How did Ronald Reagan influence the ERA?
President Reagan, who had supported ratification of the ERA when he was governor of California, remained neutral as president, neither supporting nor working against the amendment. His lack of involvement also hurt its chances of passage.
What was the condition of crime and drug usage during Ronal Reagan’s presidency?
As Ronald Reagan took office in 1981, violent crime in the United States was reaching an all-time high. While there were different reasons for the spike, the most important one was demographics. The primary category of offenders were males between the ages of 16 and 36. This was at the time the baby boomer generation came of age. Most politicians honed in on the abuse of a new, cheap drug called crack cocaine. This smokable type of cocaine was popular with poorer addicts and available, though illegal, on the city streets.
