AP U.S. History 9.2: Reagan and Conservatism

Ronald Reagan won the presidential election of 1980. The AP U.S. History course framework calls that victory an important milestone: it allowed conservatives to enact significant tax cuts and to continue the deregulation of many industries, removing government rules on how businesses operate. The framework's word continue means deregulation was already under way before Reagan took office.

Reagan's first inaugural address, on January 20, 1981, made the case. He described "the longest and one of the worst sustained inflations in our national history" and "a tax system which penalizes successful achievement." Then came his most quoted line: "In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem." He promised "to curb the size and influence of the Federal establishment" and "to lighten our punitive tax burden," and said he would propose "removing the roadblocks that have slowed our economy and reduced productivity."

The same speech set a limit: "it is not my intention to do away with government." In his words, "Government can and must provide opportunity, not smother it."

In his second inaugural, on January 21, 1985, Reagan reported: "Tax rates have been reduced, inflation cut dramatically, and more people are employed than ever before in our history." That is a president describing his own record, so read it as a source with a purpose.

Sources: Reagan, First Inaugural, 1981 (Avalon Project); Reagan, Second Inaugural, 1985 (Avalon Project).

Liberal programs such as Lyndon Johnson's Great Society of the 1960s used federal legislation to try to end racial discrimination and eliminate poverty. Conservatives argued that liberal programs were counterproductive in fighting poverty and stimulating economic growth: they worked against their own goals. Reagan's 1985 address put it this way: "there is a place for the Federal Government in matters of social compassion. But our fundamental goals must be to reduce dependency and upgrade the dignity of those who are infirm or disadvantaged."

That was one side. The course framework records the other: some conservative efforts to reduce the size and scope of government met with inertia and liberal opposition, as many programs remained popular with voters. Inertia here means the pull of established programs to keep going.

Two later inaugurals show presidents promising to keep and reform large programs rather than end them. In 1997 Clinton pictured "A nation where our grandparents have secure retirement and health care, and their grandchildren know we have made the reforms necessary to sustain those benefits for their time." In 2001 George W. Bush promised: "we will reform Social Security and Medicare, sparing our children from struggles we have the power to prevent."

Sources: Reagan, Second Inaugural, 1985 (Avalon Project); Clinton, Second Inaugural, 1997 (Avalon Project); G. W. Bush, First Inaugural, 2001 (Avalon Project).

Three policy debates continued: over free-trade agreements, over the scope of the government social safety net (programs meant to help people who fall into need), and over calls to reform the U.S. financial system.

On the safety net, Clinton in 1997 said that "record numbers of our fellow citizens have moved from welfare to work," a president describing his own record. George W. Bush in 2001 said: "Government has great responsibilities for public safety and public health, for civil rights and common schools. Yet compassion is the work of a nation, not just a government."

On trade, Clinton spoke of new ties with former adversaries: "Growing connections of commerce and culture give us a chance to lift the fortunes and spirits of people the world over." He named no trade agreement.

On the financial system, Obama in 2009, speaking in what he called a crisis, said of the market: "Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control and that a nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous."

On trade and finance these sources show one side only; none argues against free-trade agreements or new oversight of the market.

Sources: Clinton, Second Inaugural, 1997 (Avalon Project); G. W. Bush, First Inaugural, 2001 (Avalon Project); Obama, Inaugural, 2009 (Avalon Project).

Conservative beliefs about the need for traditional social values, along with a reduced role for government, advanced in U.S. politics after 1980. In 1985 Reagan hoped Americans would remember his years in office as a time "when our values of faith, family, work, and neighborhood were restated for a modern age."

Intense political and cultural debates also continued over immigration policy, diversity, gender roles and family structures.

• Immigration. Clinton in 1997 warned that "each new wave of immigrants gives new targets to old prejudices." At an October 17, 2001 Senate hearing on immigration controls after the September 11 attacks, Senator Orrin Hatch stressed enforcement: "If a nonimmigrant illegally remains in the United States, he or she must be promptly removed if relief from removal is not merited." Senator Patrick Leahy said: "Immigrants play a vital role in refreshing our democracy and strengthening our economy."
• Diversity. Clinton: "Our rich texture of racial, religious and political diversity will be a Godsend in the 21st century."
• Gender roles. Clinton listed "extending the circle of citizenship, opportunity and dignity to women" among the century's achievements.

Inaugurals state shared ideals, so the presidents quoted here take the welcoming side, and no source here takes up family structures directly. When you write about these debates, find a source for each side.

Sources: Reagan, Second Inaugural, 1985 (Avalon Project); Clinton, Second Inaugural, 1997 (Avalon Project); Hatch, Senate hearing, 2001 (Avalon Project); Leahy, Senate hearing, 2001 (Avalon Project).