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Silent Majority
A phrase used by President Nixon to indicate his belief that the population of Americans that supported his policies and that those who demonstrated against the involvement of the United States in the Vietnam War amounted to only a rioting, trouble making minority. -
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The Rise Conservatism
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Vietnamization
After President Nixon was elected, he was pressured to bring home many of the American troops in Vietnam. So he started the process of training troops of South Vietnam to better fight against the Communists. This greatly supported process was Vietnamization -
The Kent State Massacre
There was an anti-Vietnam war protest at Kent State against the bombing of Cambodia. Students rallied and were becoming violent that the National Guard were called to try to calm the croud. Instead four students were killed and eleven were injured at the shooting. That shooting contributed to more anti-war protests. -
The "Pentagon Papers" are Released
On June 13, 1971, the "Report of the Office of the Secretary of Defense Vietnam Task Force", was released on accident to the press. Americans reacted badly, as they found out they were lied to about the war in Vietnam and the decisions made here. These were infamously called the "Pentagon Papers". -
Shlafly's Campaign
Phyllis Schlafly lead a nationwide campaign against the ERA. She argued that it would subject young women to the military draft, make married women legally responsible for 50% of income, and deprive women of alimony and child custody. -
Law and Order Movement
During the 70's and 80's conservative activists managed to elect officials who passed tougher laws, hired more police and build additional prisons. Capital Punishment was resumed in 1976, and tougher sentences made it more difficult for prisoners to obtain parole. -
Jerry Falwell and his Moral Majority
Jerry Falwell was a Reverend who founded the moral majority to combat immoral opinions and actions. Drug abuse, gays, criminal coddling, communism and abortion were what the organization was against. -
Reagan Conservatism
Reagan supported for praying in school and to outlaw abortion which are known to be conservatism ideals. Then Reaganomics played a part in conservatism, thats where Reagan made Tax cuts, increased the Military spending, and made reductions in certain social programs. -
George Bush
George Bush opposed abortion and gun control. Bush also called for an amendment prohibiting the burning of the American flag and promised to reduce taxes. Because of his more traditional methods he contributed to the rise of conservatism. -
"Read my lips, no new taxes"
When George W. Bush was running for president, he had a catchy phrase, "Read my lips, no new taxes". No new taxes was Bush's promise to America when he was to be elected, making a smaller, less active federal government. Of course, this did not happen in reality, as he government needed money.
