● Period 9 is characterized by the wave of conservatism that swept through federal policies, as well as the official end to the Cold War. However, foreign policy continues as a large part of politics with the issues that rise up in the Middle East, as well as alliances with nearby nations. America also deals with internal issues.
● The Middle-East: how America promotes peace in the region and protects its interests as a nation
● Conservatism: how this movement affects American domestic policy
● Immigration: the rising rates of immigrants, the cultural and economic effects on American society
● Conservatism: by the 1980 election, Americans were tired of the constant conflict both inside and outside of America. Conservatives voted for Reagan, while others split their votes between Carter and a third-party candidate. Reagan won.
○ If taxes on big businesses were reduced (and thus government regulation of businesses decreases), these businesses would have greater profit in which they would then be able to hire more workers and pay them larger salaries.
○ Reagan’s policy did not work, seen by how the unemployment rate rose. This was attributed to the idea that business leaders were using the extra money on their personal life.
● New Federalism: Reagan’s failed policy that attempted to shift power from the federal government to state governments, giving the responsibility of social welfare programs to state governments.
● Military Spending: Reagan increased federal funds to the military while also funding research for a space missile shield. This in turn escalated the arms race with the Soviets.
● Federal Budget Deficit: rose during Reagan’s presidency; the government was spending more money as its revenue decreased due to tax cuts and the above mentioned policies.
○ Anti-Communist: Reagan was set out to oppose Communism anywhere, often disregarding the evils that were done by the groups he supported overseas.
○ Iran-Contra Affair: Reagan sold guns to Iran, using the profit to buy guns for the Nationalist, violent, murderous Contras in Nicaragua
○ Arms race: escalated the arms race with the Soviet Union and often spoke badly about them in his speeches. This further worsened the relations between the two nations.
■ Relations were improved when Gorbachev, leader in the Soviet Union, loosened his control over Eastern Europe and permitted more free-market commerce and personal liberties in the Soviet Union. Reagan was able to negotiate a nuclear-warhead withdrawal from Europe.
● Conservatism: Bush’s Republican presidency marks a period of extreme conservatism with many Americans following the traditional lifestyle involving abstinence and family values
● End of the Cold War: Soviet Union crumbles and the Berlin Wall is taken down
○ Bush deals with Saddam Hussein, who takes control over one of the biggest oil sources: Kuwait. In this operation, America used air strikes to regain control of the small nation as well as inspect the region for any facilities that built weapons of mass destruction.
○ Set the American goal of promoting political stability and human rights in the Middle East
○ Significantly high rates of immigration were observed during the years before the start of the 21st Century. The increase in diversity also meant the increase of cultures in American society that could reshape American culture.
○ Result of the Immigration Act of 1965 that relaxed immigration laws.
○ As minority groups grow, they have a more significant impact on society and politics, especially in terms of how they are included in American policies and programs.
● First Democratic president since the election of Carter
○ North American Free Trade Agreement
○ Removed any trade barriers (including protective import tariffs) between America, Mexico, and Canada.
○ Supported by corporate businesses
○ Opposed by workers and their unions who worried that their employers would move elsewhere to places with lower labor costs
○ The Republican-controlled Congress created an outline of reforms that would help decrease taxes, consolidate federal programs, and improve welfare program eligibility. The power of the Congress was limited by the democratic executive branch.
○ Serbia: the leader of Serbia inititated the murder of Balkan Muslims for the purpose of “ethnic cleansing”, leading Reagan to support bombing in the region to protect human rights.
○ “Don’t ask, don’t tell”: Reagan’s policy for homosexual individuals in the American military
○ Different from previous Republican conservatism
○ Advocated for the spread of democracy worldwide
○ Promoted American businesses and their interests through abroad military action
○ Increase of global trade and immigration
○ Problems: increased power could be put in the hands of greedy corporate owners, military spending would increase, open trade could result in less domestic American businesses, high immigration rates could cause unemployment surges and overcrowding
■ These problems brought light to how the government was failing in finding ways solve economic and social problems
○ The amount of blacks in federal positions had been increasing towards the end of the 20th Century.
○ Colin Powell and Condoleezza Rice: secretaries of state that served during Bush’s presidency. At the time of their service, they held the highest political office of any African American in the history of the US.
○ Due to the unemployment rates during the second half of the 20th century, people flocked to the cities to find better jobs (a well known pattern throughout history). In addition to unemployed whites, African Americans and immigrants moved to the cities. This in turn caused overcrowding, sanitation problems, rising crime rates and inadequate housing.
○ Overtime, middle-class white Americans moved to the suburbs, and with them, industry, businesses, and funds moved to the suburbs too. This left urban areas populated with mostly blacks and immigrants with decreased funding to help the poor environment.
■ This divide caused racial tension, especially after the assasination of Martin Luther King Jr. The Supreme Court continued to enforce desegregation in the nation, but conservative whites vandalized buses of black children headed for predominantly white schools. Some whites even sent their children to private schools with higher tuition. Blacks, angered by the forced transport of blacks to white schools (to promote racial integration), advocated for increased funding to black cities and neighborhoods.
○ Since the early 2000s, crime rates in American cities have decreased. The notion that American cities are violent and high in crime rates is no longer supported by current statistics.
● Conservatism: apparent throughout Period 9 and is often paired with the New Right movement in which Evangelical Christians support the Republican party. However, it is often seen to lose prominence with the election of Democratic President Barack Obama in the year 2008.
● Technology: increased technological innovations helped connect nations globally, resulting in stronger connections and communication overseas. The convenience of readily-available information also helped improve businesses, as well as helped spread news faster and more efficiently.
***Note: Understand how America deals with many domestic issues during this period, especially in regards to urban problems, immigration debates, and racial tensions. America is still heavily involved in foreign policy despite the end of the Cold War.