Chapter 33 Section 1 Study Guide

Note the individuals, groups and institutions that fueled the conservative movement. Then identify issues the New Right emphasized as well as the interests it promoted.
A.
1) Individuals: "Conservative intellectuals" argued in favor of conservatism in newspapers such as The Wall Street Journal and magazines such as The National Review, which was founded by the conservative William F. Buckley, Jr in 1955 (p. 1037). Influential televangelists Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson preached conservative views on TV and the radio. Falwell formed the organization The Moral Majority, which was a group for evangelical and fundamentalist Christians who interpreted the bible literally and condemned liberal beliefs as "wrong" and their own beliefs as "right" (p. 1037-38). Conservative Ronald Reagan and his running mate George h.W. Bush were elected as president and vice-president in 1980. His beliefs were all things that conservatives were concerned about: the Roe v. Wade decision, pornography, the teaching of evolution in schools and prayer in schools, which had been banned by the Supreme Court in 1962.
2) Groups and Institutions: The conservative coalition was a number of conservative groups that came together in an alliance for "business leaders, middle-class voters, disaffected Democrats and fundamentalist Christian groups" (p. 1037). Other conservative groups such as the American Enterprise Institute and the Heritage Foundation were founded to create conservative policies that would appeal to the average American and the majority of voters. organization The Moral Majority, which was a group for evangelical and fundamentalist Christians who interpreted the bible literally and condemned liberal beliefs as "wrong" and their own beliefs as "right". They raised money to support conservative candidates and did "direct-mail campaigns", both of which were attempts to get closer to their political goals. (p. 1037-38).
3) Issues and Interests:
The issues and interests of the new conservative group were mainly linked to religious beliefs: Conservatives were concerned about the Roe v. Wade decision, the teaching of evolution in schools, the ban on schools prayer, the lack of traditional "family values"(a.k.a. Christian values). The groups' main political goals were to reduce the size of the federal government and spending, promote traditional family values and "patriotic ideals", stimulate business by reducing government regulations and lowering taxes, and strengthen the national defense.

B.
Identify four factors that lead to Ronald Reagan's victory
1) The Iranian hostage crisis and weak economy under Jimmy Carter, who was his political opponent in the 1980 election, made him seem highly electable to the American public.
2) His conservative beliefs matched those of concerned conservatives who were unhappy with America's status on abortion, prayer in schools, the teaching of evolution in schools and other such issues made him popular with the right wing.
3) As an actor and a politician with years of experience, he was very comfortable and charming whilst in the public eye, making jokes and seeming relaxed, as opposed to Carter, who appeared stiff and uncomfortable in public.
4) Reagan had been elected as governor of California two times, and had given a speech nominating Barry Goldwater as a Republican presidential candidate, making him seen eligible for election in public office. He was also a spokesman for General Electric, and traveled the country promoting free enterprise and shrinking the federal government.