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).
We are able to analyse both a combination of white backlash, as well as the rise of the Sunbelt as major contributing factors in the New Right. The rise of the Sunbelt relates to a rise of population in the south, and therefore eradication, or loss of importance of old centres of political power. This can be viewed as a huge step towards white supremacy and as a step back for African Americans in regards to their civil rights. In regards to white backlash, we are able to analyse the way in which The New Right was a strong force in American life as a response to the high pressures to eradicate desegregation by conservative white Americans. Here, we are able to analyse the actions of political figures such as Nixon, who was in support of white supremacy.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the resurgence of the New Right was a reaction to what could be seen as an attempt to restore America to its former self following decades of change. For almost two hundred years, the United States had been a nation based on white, protestant male supremacy, and events such as the civil rights movement and the second wave of feminism had challenged this supremacy. Furthermore, the conservative ideas of working for your own success and not relying on the government had been challenged with increased government welfare programs and affirmative action. Therefore the New Right is a reaction to a perception that the American nation is changing, and that the New Right wishes for America to return to its conservative and traditional roots.
ReplyDeleteThe 20th century saw huge changes in American society with the integration of black in the community and their gradual rise to equality. Furthermore, the early to mid-years of the 20th century saw women rebel and vacate their stereotypical roles of ‘housewife’ and enter the workforce. However the final straw came with the legalization of abortion, which resulted in the awakening of the dormant New Right. Their public outrage, combined with their large numbers and President Regan’s public “support”, fuelled the New right these factors coupled with the economy’s downturn, saw the new right become a strong force in American life.
ReplyDeleteThe conservative american ideals of white supremacy and the family life that had dominated american society were undermined with the emergence of campaigns to change society in the 20th century. The civil rights movement, women's liberation, the changing ideas of sex, contraception and abortion along with the beginning of the gay rights movement dominated the middle to late 20th century. This shift away from traditional american life allowed for the formation of the conservative "new right" and allowed the more traditional aspects of american life to be embraced.
ReplyDeleteI think that the New Right became such a strong force in American life as a reaction to the social changes that were brought forth during the 1960s and 1970s. For many Americans, the economic, social and political trends of the previous two decades, ranging from, the sexual revolution, the victories of the civil rights and the feminist movements and the economic downturn and inflation of the Carter years, created a mood of disillusionment. Conservatives exploited the mood at a time when many Americans were receptive to their message of limited government, strong national defense and the protection of traditional values against what was seen as the encroachment of a permissive and often chaotic modern society. The 1973 Supreme Court decision, Roe vs. Wade, which upheld a women’s right to an abortion in the early month of pregnancy was played a key role in galvanizing support for the New Right. The New Right was successful as it appealed to the frustrations of the average American people, promising a move away from big government, to reduce social spending on welfare in order to reduce the tax burden on individuals and families. It also offered a return to traditional sexual and gender norms, was strongly anticommunist and skeptical about civil/minority rights.
ReplyDeleteThe 1960s and 1970s saw the emergence of radical groups all very different in ideology. The New right became powerful due to a range of factors coinciding in interest. Such groups included the white backlash movement, woman’s rights movement and the evangelicals who rose to its political peak with the legalization of abortion. President Reagan responded to their calls with words of aspiration and arguably false hope. Non-the less support for the Republicans increased significantly, especially with the introduction of the Supply-side economic strategy, in which gained momentous votes (however the policy proved to benefit the 1% minority of wealthiest Americans). Reagan appeared to have restored confidence back into the nation, arguably raising questions whether he was a man of words or actions.
ReplyDeleteWhen discussing the rise to greater prominence of the New Right in the last 20th Century, it is important to look at the values America has held throughout its entire history. In the face of the radical and sudden change that had occured since the 1960s, we can consider the election of Ronald Reagan and Richard Nixon, the push towards smaller government and reduced welfare a natural backlash aiming for more traditional American values. Despite proclaiming freedom as key to its way of life, such a shift is indicative of America's fear of any change that could affect the working of society such as the advancement of civil rights and legalised abortion. This is in line with many other events of the 20th Century that we have studied this semester, fitting in with this discussed idea of America's societal dynamic of 'Freedom vs. Fear'.
ReplyDelete