Conservatism and Globalization
Explain political realignment, deregulation, religious conservatism, foreign policy shifts, globalization, and economic change.
A lesson of AP United States History, in Periods 8-9: 1945-Present, about 10 minutes.
The Rise of Conservatism and Globalization (1968–2000)
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to trace the rise of the conservative movement, analyze Reagan's domestic and foreign policies, and evaluate how globalization reshaped the American economy and politics in the late 20th century.
The Roots of Modern Conservatism
Modern conservatism was built over decades, reaching power with Reagan's election in 1980.
Intellectual and Political Foundations
Barry Goldwater (1964): Arizona senator; ran for president on explicitly conservative platform — oppose civil rights legislation, anti-communism, small government. Lost in a landslide to LBJ but mobilized a grassroots conservative movement.
"Southern Strategy": Nixon (1968, 1972) used coded racial appeals ("law and order," "silent majority") to attract white Southern voters fleeing the Democratic Party after the Civil Rights Act. This fundamentally realigned American politics — the "Solid South" shifted from Democratic to Republican.
Religious Right: Emerging in the late 1970s:
- Jerry Falwell's Moral Majority (1979): mobilized evangelical Christians as a political force
- Issues: opposition to abortion (Roe v. Wade, 1973), school prayer, feminism, gay rights
- Provided organizational infrastructure and voter turnout for Reagan
Tax revolt: California's Proposition 13 (1978): voted to cap property taxes; captured anti-government, anti-spending sentiment; Reagan incorporated into national platform.
Nixon, Watergate, and the Crisis of Confidence
Nixon's domestic policy: Despite conservative image, Nixon actually expanded government:
- Founded EPA (1970), OSHA (1970)
- Imposed wage and price controls (1971)
- Revenue sharing with states
- Signed Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act
Foreign policy achievements:
- Détente: improved relations with Soviet Union; SALT I treaty (1972) limited nuclear weapons
- China opening (1972): Nixon visited Mao's China; normalized relations; exploited Sino-Soviet split
Watergate
The break-in: In June 1972, Nixon's "plumbers" unit broke into Democratic headquarters at the Watergate Hotel. Nixon's campaign had also engaged in sabotage of Democratic campaigns.
The cover-up: Nixon paid hush money; ordered CIA to obstruct FBI investigation; fired the special prosecutor ("Saturday Night Massacre," 1973).