How did conservatism rise in the 1970s and 1980s, and what changes did the Reagan era bring?
Analyze the rise of modern conservatism, the Watergate scandal and its effect on trust in government, and the policies of the Reagan era (TEKS US History RC3 Government and Citizenship; RC4 Economics).
A STAAR-level answer on the conservative resurgence for the Texas US History EOC: the Watergate scandal and falling trust in government, the rise of modern conservatism, and the Reagan era policies of tax cuts, deregulation, and a military buildup, with worked stimulus questions.
Reviewed by: AI editorial process; not yet individually human-reviewed
Have a quick question? Jump to the Q&A page
Jump to a section
What this topic is asking
The modern era opens with a turn toward conservatism after the turbulence of the 1960s and 1970s. The TEKS want you to explain the Watergate scandal and its effect on trust in government, the rise of modern conservatism, and the policies of the Reagan era. This topic spans Reporting Category 3 (Government and Citizenship) and Category 4 (Economics).
A crisis of confidence
By the 1970s the optimism of the postwar years had faded. The divisive Vietnam War, social conflict, and economic trouble left many Americans distrustful of institutions. Into this came a scandal that struck at the presidency itself.
Watergate
The rise of modern conservatism
The discontent of the 1970s fueled a conservative resurgence. Modern conservatives generally favored:
- smaller government and lower taxes;
- less regulation of business and the free market;
- traditional social values;
- a strong national defense and a tough line against the Soviet Union.
This movement reacted against the expanded federal government of the New Deal and the Great Society (see impact of the New Deal).
The Reagan era
Try this
Q1. Explain the main effect of the Watergate scandal on Americans' view of government. [2]
- Cue. It sharply reduced public trust in the federal government and the presidency after Nixon's cover-up and resignation, while also affirming that no one, including the president, is above the law.
Q2. Identify one Reagan-era economic policy and explain its goal. [2]
- Cue. A policy such as cutting income taxes or deregulating business; the goal was to stimulate growth by shrinking government and freeing business, on the supply-side theory that lower taxes and less regulation encourage investment.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of TEA exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
STAAR (US History, style)1 marksThe Watergate scandal, which led to President Nixon's resignation in 1974, most directly resulted inShow worked answer →
A single-select item (Reporting Category 3, Government and Citizenship).
Correct answer: a decline in Americans' trust in the federal government and the presidency.
Markers reward connecting Watergate to lost public trust in government. The scandal also reinforced the idea that no one, not even the president, is above the law (United States v. Nixon). Distractors crediting Watergate with ending the Cold War or starting the New Deal are incorrect.
STAAR (US History, style)2 marksPart A: Identify ONE economic policy of the Reagan era. Part B: Explain the goal of Reagan-era economic policy.Show worked answer →
A two-part evidence-based item (Reporting Category 4, Economics).
Part A (1 point): any one Reagan-era policy, such as cutting income taxes, reducing government regulation of business (deregulation), reducing some domestic spending, or increasing military spending.
Part B (1 point): explain that the goal was to stimulate economic growth by reducing the size and cost of government and freeing businesses, on the theory that lower taxes and less regulation would encourage investment and growth (supply-side economics).
Markers reward a real Reagan-era policy and a clear explanation of the supply-side, smaller-government goal.
Related dot points
- Analyze the end of the Cold War, including the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of the Soviet Union, and the resulting position of the United States in the world (TEKS US History RC1 History; RC3 Government and Citizenship).
A STAAR-level answer on the end of the Cold War for the Texas US History EOC: the reasons the Soviet Union weakened, the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, and the new role of the United States as the sole superpower, with worked stimulus questions.
- Analyze the impact of the technological revolution (the computer and the internet) and globalization on the American economy and society from the late twentieth century to today (TEKS US History RC4 Economics, Science, Technology, and Society; RC2 Geography and Culture).
A STAAR-level answer on technology and the modern economy for the Texas US History EOC: the computer and internet revolution, the shift to an information and service economy, globalization and free trade, and the effects on American jobs and society, with worked stimulus questions.
- Analyze the demographic, political, and social changes of the contemporary United States, including immigration and the growth of the Sunbelt, the continuing expansion of rights, and ongoing political debates (TEKS US History RC2 Geography and Culture; RC3 Government and Citizenship).
A STAAR-level answer on the contemporary United States for the Texas US History EOC: recent immigration and demographic change, the growth of the Sunbelt, the continuing expansion of rights and civic participation, and the major political debates that shape the nation today, with worked stimulus questions.
- Analyze the debate over the New Deal, including criticism from the left and right, the Supreme Court conflict, and the New Deal's lasting impact on the relationship between citizens and the federal government (TEKS US History RC3 Government and Citizenship; RC1 History).
A STAAR-level answer on the impact of the New Deal for the Texas US History EOC: the criticisms from the left and right, the conflict with the Supreme Court and the court-packing plan, what the New Deal did and did not achieve, and its lasting legacy for the role of the federal government, with worked stimulus questions.
- Analyze the major Cold War conflicts, including the Korean War, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the Vietnam War, and the arms race and space race (TEKS US History RC1 History; RC4 Science, Technology, and Society).
A STAAR-level answer on Cold War conflicts for the Texas US History EOC: the Korean War, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Vietnam War, and the arms race and space race, all understood through the policy of containment, with worked stimulus questions.
Sources & how we know this
- Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Social Studies, United States History Studies Since 1877 (19 TAC 113.41) — Texas Education Agency (2018)
- STAAR US History Blueprint Effective as of Academic Year 2022 to 2023 — Texas Education Agency (2022)