70s and 80s America

Question 1

Neoconservatives

Answer 1

• Former liberals disillusioned with Democratic policies, especially on social issues and foreign policy.
• Advocated for free-market capitalism, strong anti-communism, and traditional family values.
• Influential in shaping Reagan’s era policies.

Question 2

Religious Right

Answer 2

• Conservative Christian political movement that gained momentum in the late 70s.
• Emphasized issues like opposition to abortion, school prayer, and perceived moral decline.
• Became a key Republican voting bloc.

Question 3

Jerry Falwell & Moral Majority

Answer 3

• Jerry Falwell is an evangelical pastor who founded the Moral Majority in 1979.
• It mobilized conservative Christians into politics.
• The Moral Majority was about making conservative Christian values a political agenda and it had a big impact on how religion and politics got intertwined in modern American life.
• Played a major role in electing Ronald Reagan in 1980.

Question 4

Election of 1980

Answer 4

Ronald Reagan ( Republican ) defeated incumbent Jimmy Carter ( Democrat ). This marked a conservative shift in U.S. politics. The key issues during the election was inflation, Iran hostage crisis and government mistrust.