The last decades of the 20th Century saw the rise
to dominance of the New Right. Historians have argued why, from economic
turmoil, the rise of the Sunbelt, white backlash, disillusionment with government
welfare programs, or simply the ideological exhaustion of liberalism. Why do
you think the New Right became such a strong force in American life? (100-150
words, by 5pm Friday May 17).
I think the swing to more right-winged dominance of domestic American politics stems from disillusionment reaching almost all the way back to FDR and the New Deal. During that time Americans were somewhat convinced that government could be the answer to their economic and social turmoil. However during the somewhat tumultuous 60s and shift in the 70s, the public was ready to explore other avenues to try and advance their situations. Reagan installed confidence in the people, and his the rhetoric including smaller government and appealing to traditional values presented the change that many Americans were looking for.
ReplyDeleteThe rise of the New Right, came about as a result of a conservative backlash to the Civil Rights movements, which by the end of the 60s, was becoming somewhat more radical and violent in nature. Jerry Falwell, a key leader of the New Right, became involved in politics because of another factor: Roe v Wade. This landmark court-case, seen as a defeat for conservatives who were pro-life, is unarguably a major factor why the New Right emerged. The sexual permissiveness of the Civil Rights/post Civil Rights era also undoubtedly caused conservatives to speak up and to preserve the society they believed in. Finally, with the humiliating and socially unsettling end to Jimmy Carter's presidency over the Iranian hostage crisis, coupled with Ronald Reagan's appeal to conservative and stable societal reform, the New Right promised the precise solution for which American society was yearning at that time.
ReplyDeleteThe New Right was a natural evolution as a response to the wave of liberalism in the 1960s which alienated many and created a desire amongst conservatives to re-assert religion and traditional values into the national consciousness. Disillusionment with politics following the controversies of the Vietnam War, Watergate and the Iranian Hostage Crisis led Americans to open their ears to the messages of Ronald Reagan, a more ‘solid’ President than his predecessors. Reagan’s mere competency as a leader played a huge role in the rise of the New Right. After the failings of Jimmy Carter, the shame of Nixon, and the general lack of inspiration offered by Ford and Johnson, the American people were ready to embrace the messages of a competent leader, which Reagan proved to be.
ReplyDeleteIt is not possible to pinpoint one particular cause of the growing dominance of the New Right in the United States, rather it was a culmination of both social and economic factors that saw this strong political swing. From an economic perspective, the country had moved out of their post-WWII strength and were awakened by the reality that they were more vulnerable than once thought. This occurred through the growing strength of the international market, and also the effects of the Oil crises. The economy thus played a role in moving America’s political favours towards the right as many citizens became frustrated by the “welfare state” created by previously implemented policies. Reagan represented a change from that as he promised to cut taxes in order to stimulate growth of the economy, as individuals were encouraged to save and invest more. However social movements similarly played a role in this movement. There was a strong backlash against the liberal and equal rights movements of the 1960s, such as the imposition of forcible integration in schools, affirmative action, and the Equal Rights Amendment. This alienated many former Democrats, particularly white Southerners. Reagan similarly appealed to citizens who wanted a return to more traditional, conservative values.
ReplyDeleteThe dominance of a “politicized Christian Right” existed throughout the 20th century, evidenced by the involvement of this movement in Prohibition and the opposition to teaching evolution in schools. The rise to dominance of the New Right in the 1970’s was its return to the attention of the public. Liberalism within the legislature and the progression of the 1960’s facilitated this return, because they created a conservative reaction against equality movements such as feminism, and therefore an environment for this movement to move into public consciousness. Reagan’s support of the New Right, as he sought to use its votes in his Presidency campaign, increased awareness of the movement and allowed the New Right to become a strong force in American life.
ReplyDeleteAlthough it is not easy to define one answer as to why the last decades in the 20th Century America moved towards the New Right in American society however it seems that social and economical factors played a major role of the force of the New Right in American life. American society lost belief in the government after the Vietnam War and controversies to follow such like Watergate and the hostage crisis where Reagan was able to give the people a new attitude towards politics. After the Civil Rights movement of the 1960’s and liberalism there was a strong backlash where Jerry Farwell and following conservatives argued against the political rights they believed in. This included their concern for the well fare system and how American society were abusing such rights. Another factor that favored the New Right was Reagan’s introduction to tax cuts and the reduction of federal government interference.
ReplyDeleteAmidst growing disillusionment toward government policy and the wave of liberalism sweeping the United States, the New Right conservative group dominated the political and social scenes of American life through the end of the 20th Century. The public’s lack of confidence in the government’s ability to tackle social and economic issues, stemming from the apparent failures of both the New Deal and the Civil Rights Movement, facilitated the growth of the New Right conservatives. With a negative view on the “welfare state”, as well as schemes such as affirmative action and forceful integration in schools, President Ronald Reagan led the movement back toward a traditional and conservative outlook.
ReplyDeleteThere was considerable growth in support for the conservative New Right in American society for both domestic and international reasons. Domestically, there was a reaction to the liberalist movements, such as the Civil Rights Movement and feminism, which typified the 1960s and 1970s. Mainly middle class Americans began to reassert the importance of conservative values founded upon Christian beliefs, and railed behind people such as Jerry Falwell and the Moral Majority. However the rise of the New Right must also be attributed to America’s changing role in the world, in particular its emergence as the sole superpower in the 1980s following the collapse of the Soviet Union. The success of republican Ronald Reagan’s tough, unambiguous policy towards the USSR was well received by Americans and certainly contributed to the popularity of the New Right.
ReplyDeleteThe rise to dominance of the New Right can be attributed to several factors. Reagan was a key actor as he appealed to those who wished to return to a more conservative society that upheld Christian beliefs; this targeted those who initiated the backlash against 1960's civil rights movements. He also put forward popular policies in the wake of disillusionment with the government following the Vietnam War, Watergate and the Iranian hostage crisis. People were frustrated with the welfare state and Reagan promised to reduce government interference. Economic turmoil and disillusionment with the government were the two main forces in the rise of New Liberalism as they led people to seek new ideas and a new leader.
ReplyDeleteThe New Right was the emergence of a new group, but not necessarily a coalition, of religious and conservative movements. This was largely a reactive response to the 1960’s youth culture and the liberal ideas of feminism and the New Left. Conservative and Christian values were thus brought to the fore, as exhibited by the influential political group, the Moral Majority. The New Right remained a critic of big government, but was willing and happy to utilise government to its own ends, as seen by Reagan’s presidency. This more populist approach combined with Reagan’s charismatic leadership held greater appeal, and gave the New Right its enduring strength of the late 20th century.
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