How did a conservative movement reshape American politics after the 1970s?
Analyze the rise of modern conservatism, the election of Ronald Reagan, Reaganomics and supply-side economics, and the conservative response to the Great Society (NGSSS SS.912.A.7, Reporting Category 3).
An EOC-level answer on the conservative resurgence for the Florida US History exam: the rise of modern conservatism, the election of Ronald Reagan, Reaganomics and supply-side economics, the response to the Great Society, and the changing political landscape, with worked stimulus questions.
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What this topic is asking
After the turmoil of the 1960s and 1970s, a powerful conservative movement reshaped American politics. The NGSSS benchmark SS.912.A.7 wants you to analyze the rise of modern conservatism, the election and policies of Ronald Reagan, and Reaganomics. This begins the Modern United States module within Reporting Category 3 and is tested with a quotation, a chart of tax rates or the deficit, or a question about conservative ideas.
The roots of modern conservatism
The conservative agenda
The election of Ronald Reagan
The conservative movement triumphed with the election of Ronald Reagan in 1980, who promised to cut taxes, shrink domestic government, strengthen the military, and stand firm against communism. His landslide reelection in 1984 confirmed the shift in American politics.
Reaganomics and supply-side economics
In practice, Reagan cut income taxes and many regulations and reduced some domestic programs, while increasing military spending. Supporters credited the policy with economic growth in the 1980s; critics blamed it for rising inequality and large budget deficits as spending outpaced the reduced tax revenue.
Try this
Q1. Describe the main ideas of modern conservatism. [2]
- Cue. Limited government, lower taxes, less regulation of business, a strong national defense, and often traditional social values.
Q2. Explain the theory behind Reaganomics. [2]
- Cue. That cutting taxes and reducing regulation would encourage business investment and growth (supply-side economics), creating jobs and prosperity that would benefit the whole economy; critics warned of deficits and inequality.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of FLDOE exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
FL EOC (US History, style)1 marksPresident Ronald Reagan's economic program, known as 'Reaganomics,' was based on the idea thatShow worked answer →
A single-select item (Reporting Category 3, SS.912.A.7).
Correct answer: cutting taxes and regulations would encourage business investment and growth that would benefit the whole economy (supply-side economics).
Markers reward identifying Reaganomics with tax cuts, reduced regulation, and supply-side ("trickle-down") theory. Distractors saying it raised taxes to expand government, or nationalized industry, describe the opposite approach.
FL EOC (US History, style)1 marksModern conservatives who supported Ronald Reagan in 1980 generally favoredShow worked answer →
A single-select item (Reporting Category 3, SS.912.A.7).
Correct answer: lower taxes, less government regulation, a stronger military, and a smaller role for the federal government in the economy.
Markers reward identifying the conservative agenda of limited government and lower taxes. Distractors describing support for expanding the Great Society and higher taxes name the liberal position conservatives opposed.
Related dot points
- Analyze the end of the Cold War, including Reagan's military buildup and diplomacy, Gorbachev's reforms, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the collapse of the Soviet Union (NGSSS SS.912.A.7, Reporting Category 3).
An EOC-level answer on the end of the Cold War for the Florida US History exam: Reagan's military buildup and diplomacy, Gorbachev's reforms of glasnost and perestroika, the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, and the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, with worked stimulus questions.
- Analyze the impact of new technology and globalization, including the computer and internet revolution, the shift to a service and information economy, free trade agreements such as NAFTA, and immigration in the modern era (NGSSS SS.912.A.7, Reporting Category 3).
An EOC-level answer on technology and globalization for the Florida US History exam: the computer and internet revolution, the shift from manufacturing to a service and information economy, globalization and free trade (NAFTA), the effects on American workers, and modern immigration, with worked stimulus questions.
- Analyze recent developments in the contemporary United States, including political milestones, the Great Recession of 2008, expanding rights, and ongoing debates over the role of government (NGSSS SS.912.A.7, Reporting Category 3).
An EOC-level answer on the contemporary United States for the Florida US History exam: recent political milestones, the Great Recession of 2008, the continuing expansion of rights, ongoing debates over the role of government, and how today connects to the longer story of US history, with worked stimulus questions.
- Analyze the major civil rights laws, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the Twenty-fourth Amendment, and the role of Lyndon Johnson and the Great Society (NGSSS SS.912.A.7, Reporting Category 3).
An EOC-level answer on civil rights legislation for the Florida US History exam: the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the Twenty-fourth Amendment ending the poll tax, the role of Lyndon Johnson and the Great Society, and the impact of these laws, with worked stimulus questions.
- Analyze major Cold War conflicts and crises, including the Korean War, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Vietnam War, the arms race, and the space race (NGSSS SS.912.A.7, Reporting Category 3).
An EOC-level answer on the major Cold War conflicts for the Florida US History exam: the Korean War, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Vietnam War and its domestic divisions, the nuclear arms race, and the space race, with worked stimulus questions.
Sources & how we know this
- US History End-of-Course Assessment Test Item Specifications — Florida Department of Education (2013)
- US History Reporting Category Statements — Florida Department of Education (2013)