Unit 9: The Rise of the New Right and the Post-Cold War Era

Conservative Resurgence

The political realignment in the U.S. starting in the late 1970s, shifting away from liberalism towards limited government and traditional values.

The New Right

A coalition formed in the 1980s, promoting conservative values and opposing cultural changes from the 1960s.

The Moral Majority

A political action group led by Reverend Jerry Falwell, mobilizing evangelical Christians to support conservative candidates.

Sun Belt

Regions of the U.S. (South and West) that became more politically influential due to population shifts from the Rust Belt.

Neoconservatism

A movement of former liberals advocating for aggressive anti-Soviet foreign policy and reducing government welfare programs.

Ronald Reagan

The President of the U.S. from 1981 to 1989, known for his conservative policies and economic reforms.

Reagan Coalition

A coalition of free-market conservatives, social conservatives, cold war hawks, and white working-class voters.

Supply-Side Economics

Economic theory arguing that cutting taxes encourages investment, creating jobs and increasing production.

Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981

Legislation that significantly lowered income tax rates, especially for top earners.

Deregulation

The reduction of federal regulations on businesses, which was part of Reagan's economic policies.

Affirmative Action

Programs intended to promote opportunities for historically marginalized groups, challenged by Reagan's administration.

HIV/AIDS Crisis

An epidemic in the 1980s that the Reagan administration was criticized for responding to too slowly.

Détente

A period of eased tensions between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, which Reagan's policies rejected.

Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI)

A proposed missile defense system that aimed to protect against nuclear attacks, often referred to as 'Star Wars'.

The Reagan Doctrine

U.S. policy pledging support to anti-communist resistance movements globally.

Mikhail Gorbachev

Soviet leader whose reforms contributed to the end of the Cold War.

Glasnost

Gorbachev's policy of increased openness and freedom of speech in the USSR.

Perestroika

Gorbachev's reform policy for restructuring the Soviet economy with limited capitalist practices.

INF Treaty

A 1987 treaty between the U.S. and USSR eliminating a class of nuclear weapons.

Iran-Contra Affair

A political scandal involving the secret sale of arms to Iran to fund Nicaraguan rebels.

Fall of the Berlin Wall

The 1989 event symbolizing the end of the Cold War and the division of Europe.

Collapse of the Soviet Union

The dissolution of the USSR in 1991, leading to the end of the Cold War.

Reaganomics

Reagan's domestic economic policies, emphasizing tax cuts, deregulation, and reduced social spending.

Reagan Democrats

Formerly working-class voters who shifted to support Reagan, changing the electoral landscape.

National Debt

The total amount of money that a country's government has borrowed; rose significantly during Reagan's presidency.

Cultural Shift

The transformation in political and social values driven by the New Right and evangelical movements.

Fiscal Conservative

A belief in limited government spending and lower taxes, which contrasted with Reagan's budgetary outcomes.