Do Now:
FRQ Locks - 10:32
Reagan and Conservatism
Late work will be checked this weekend
HW:
Task A: Explain one immediate reason for Ronald Reagan’s election victory in the 1980 presidential election.
The course framework often allows teachers the flexibility to select their own examples when teaching the course content. As a result, responses may vary. Some examples that would earn credit include:
· In his 1980 election victory, Reagan benefited from direct appeals to evangelical Christians, who had become far more politically mobilized during the late 1970s in support of culturally conservative issues.
· Disillusionment with the foreign policy and economic failures of the Democratic administration of Jimmy Carter encouraged many White and working-class Americans, who had been long-time Democrats, to vote for the Republican candidate Ronald Reagan in the 1980 election.
· In contrast to Jimmy Carter’s pessimistic view that Americans suffered from a “crisis of confidence,” Reagan’s emphasis on hope, faith, and a resurgent American power created great popular appeal for his candidacy in the 1980 election.
· Voters in the Sunbelt region of the South and West established a new base for the conservative movement, bringing crucial votes to the Republican Party and Ronald Reagan in 1980.
· Reagan’s promise to return economic prosperity to the United States through reducing the size of government and through deregulation and a lowered tax burden encouraged many traditionally Democratic voters to cast their ballots for Reagan in 1980.
Task B: Describe how ONE change in United States politics in the 1960s and/or 1970s contributed to Ronald Reagan’s victory in the 1980 presidential election.
The course framework often allows teachers the flexibility to select their own examples when teaching the course content. As a result, responses may vary. Some examples that would earn credit include:
· By the 1970s, many Americans grew disillusioned with liberal policies and the cultural and protest movements of the 1960s and turned to new conservative Republican candidates like Richard Nixon, who emphasized law and order and a return to traditional values.
· Many long-time Democratic voters in the South shifted their allegiances to new conservative Republican candidates during the 1960s and 1970s.
· New conservative critiques of the expanded welfare and regulatory state and the liberal programs associated with the Great Society contributed to the splintering of the long-time Democratic coalition, while unifying a new Republican coalition that favored a return to traditional values, an interventionist foreign policy, Christian evangelicalism, and support for the free market.
· In the 1960s and 1970s, a major political realignment occurred between the Republican Party and the Democratic Party in which the urban, and mostly northern, centers became Democratic while the South, which had long been Democratic, and the West became predominately Republican.
· The migration of many White middle-class Americans to the Sunbelt region of the South and West during the 1960s and 1970s helped establish a new political base for the conservative movement of “middle Americans,” or the “silent majority.”
· The association of the Democratic administrations with the foreign policy missteps in Vietnam and anti-war student protests contributed to the shift of many voter allegiances to the Republican Party.
· During the 1970s, new conservatives became increasingly adept at spreading their ideologies through direct mail, single-issue organizations, and new think tank institutions devoted to supporting their policies and issues.
Task C: Explains one major similarity or difference between Reagan’s policies in the 1980s and President Franklin Roosevelt’s policies in the 1930s.
The course framework often allows teachers the flexibility to select their own examples when teaching the course content. As a result, responses may vary. Some examples that would earn credit include:
· One major difference is that Roosevelt’s policies, known as the New Deal, expanded government intervention in business, commerce, and people’s everyday lives, while Reagan’s policies focused on decreasing the size of the federal government, reducing federal oversight of business and the economy, and ending federal welfare programs.
· One difference is that while Roosevelt’s policies under the New Deal created a social welfare state, job programs for the unemployed, and increased government spending in order to address economic depression, Reagan’s policies sought to dismantle the welfare state, reduce aid to those living in poverty, and provide tax cuts in order to boost economic growth.
· One difference is that while Roosevelt’s New Deal expanded rights and federal protections for workers and labor unions, Reagan’s policies opposed organized labor as expensive, antithetical to the free market, and potentially corrupt.
· One major similarity is that both Roosevelt’s and Reagan’s policies expanded government spending and programs, even though Reagan campaigned against the expansion of government in the 1980 election. Both presidents oversaw the creation or continuation of social welfare, Medicaid, Medicare, food stamps, and other subsidies for farmers and businesses, while Reagan also increased defense spending.
One major similarity is that both Roosevelt’s and Reagan’s policies renewed popular hope in the economic prospects and future of the United States, even if the policies and programs of each president did not completely solve the economic concerns during their respective administrations (economic depression in the case of Roosevelt, and an increased federal deficit and growing wealth inequality in the case of Reagan).
Agenda
9.3
9.6
The End of the Cold War
Challenges of the 21st Century
Reagan and the End of the Cold War
Reagan and the End of the Cold War
Collapse of the Soviet Union (1991)
Post–Cold War U.S. Foreign Policy
U.S. emerged as a global superpower in a unipolar world
Intervened in conflicts: Somalia, Bosnia, Kosovo:
Somalia (1992–1994): Humanitarian mission under Bush and Clinton to deliver food and aid during a famine and civil war. Turned violent in the Battle of Mogadishu, leading to U.S. withdrawal.
Bosnia (1995): The U.S. helped broker the Dayton Accords to end ethnic violence and genocide during the Yugoslav Wars. NATO airstrikes backed U.S. diplomacy.
Kosovo (1999): The U.S., under Clinton and through NATO, intervened militarily to stop ethnic cleansing by Serbian forces, again using airstrikes without UN approval.
Expanded NATO into Eastern Europe
Promoted democracy and global capitalism
🧠 AP Skill – Change Over Time: How did U.S. foreign policy shift between the Cold War and the 1990s?
Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, the United States emerged as the lone superpower in the world
After the nation of Iraq, under leader Saddam Hussein, invaded Kuwait in the 1990s, the United States led the global charge against aggression during the Persian Gulf War in 1991
While the Iraqis were using weapons purchased from the US in order to fight America’s enemy Iran, a U.S.-led coalition quickly defeated and removed Iraqi forces from Kuwait
Fearing another Vietnam War situation, the U.S. did not pursue Iraqi forces into Iraq, and left Saddam’s regime in power (i.e., they simply removed Iraqi forces from Kuwait)
The actions of the US and the Persian Gulf War represented a policy shift in which the US adopted the role as ‘world police’ or ‘peacekeepers’ by utilizing diplomatic, economic, or military measures through either the UN or NATO
For example, during the Slavic/Muslim ethnic cleansings and conflicts in the Balkans region of Europe, the United States led NATO forces in bombarding and combating Serbian forces in Kosovo in 1999 to end the bloody genocidal conflict
© Morgan AP Teaching
Keeping the Peace
What American buildings are these?
1
3
2
4
5
What American buildings are these?
1
3
2
4
5
1. The Twin Towers
NYC
Global Trade
2. The Pentagon
Washington, DC
Military
3. The Capitol
Washington, DC
Legislative Branch
4. The White House
Washington, DC
President’s House
5. The Empire State Building
NYC
Offices
9/11 Targets
Pentagon, Department of Defense, Virgina
World Trade Center, NYC (GLOBALIZATION)
Terrorism
In a document created in 1996 in which he argued for a war against “the blatant imperial arrogance of America, under the cover of the immoral United Nations,” Osama bin Laden, the leader of the terrorist group Al Qaeda who organized and carried out the attacks on September 11, 2001, referenced some of the effects of globalization as reasons for encouraging terrorism.
September 11, 2001
Terrorist attacks by al-Qaeda on the World Trade Center and Pentagon
Led by Osama bin Laden
Nearly 3,000 Americans killed
Marked beginning of the War on Terror
🧠 Discussion: How did this event change U.S. identity and global role?
Following the 9/11 attacks against the World Trade Center and Pentagon,
the United States led the charge in the War on Terror in the early 2000s
Beginning in 2001 with the Invasion of Afghanistan, U.S.-led coalition forces pursued
the terrorist organization Al Qaeda (responsible for the 9/11 attacks) which had been
harbored by the Pakistan-backed Taliban government in Afghanistan since 1996
While the Taliban was quickly defeated and removed, complications and problems
arose when attempting to establish and stabilize a democratic state in Afghanistan
As a result, the US and coalition forces remained in Afghanistan for many years attempting to
restore peace, maintain stability, and pursue Al Qaeda leaders, such as Osama Bin Laden
Much like Vietnam, the US became bogged down in Afghanistan combating guerrilla fighters for well over a decade
While American opinion turned against the US during the Vietnam War, limited media coverage and
improved (but not perfect) control of the actions of soldiers reduced public opposition to the conflict
© Morgan AP Teaching
The War on Terror
15
2
1
1
Afghanistan
(headquarters)
One of the most controversial domestic policies implemented after the 9/11 attacks was The Patriot Act: a piece of legislation passed in 2001 intended to monitor and combat active terrorists in the United States
The Act was passed in the hopes of preventing another major terrorist attack following the 9/11 attacks, and while the bill had bipartisan support, it quickly drew criticism from many on the left and the right
Those concerned with personal liberty were appalled to see the constitutional violations that allowed members of the government to monitor the activity of citizens without a warrant or just cause
In addition, the Department of Homeland Security was established in 2002 as a means to better enforce and protect the national borders of the United States
While not as controversial as the Patriot Act, the department has drawn some criticism for its allegedly unethical and unconstitutional practices
The department, along with the CIA, bear allegations that include the torture and inhumane treatment of prisoners on foreign or non-American soil (such as Guantánamo Bay in Cuba)
© Morgan AP Teaching
The Patriot Act
While little criticism was drawn for US intervention in the Persian Gulf and Afghanistan, in 2001, substantial public opposition emerged following the Invasion of Iraq in 2003
The Bush Administration claimed that Saddam Hussein had been stockpiling weapons of mass destruction and chemical weapons, even gaining the hesitant endorsement of the trusted Secretary of State and former general, Colin Powell
US-led forces then proceeded with a ‘preemptive strike’ and toppled Saddam Hussein’s regime
While an unstable democratic government was established, many critics rightfully accused the Bush Administration of acting on false or incomplete intelligence as no weapons of mass destruction were found
While the tone of the invasion and purpose was allegedly to promote liberty and rid the world of evil, it was later discovered that there was likely corporate scheming involved through the actions of then Vice President Dick Cheney and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld
The event itself was controversial and drew staunch criticism from opponents on the American left and across the globe—particularly as details emerged regarding the perks to various American companies
© Morgan AP Teaching
The Invasion of Iraq
U.S. Response to 9/11 – War on Terror
War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) to target al-Qaeda and the Taliban
War in Iraq (2003) to remove Saddam Hussein and alleged WMDs
Passed the USA PATRIOT Act—expanded surveillance powers
Controversial use of Guantanamo Bay and enhanced interrogation
🧠 AP Skill – Sourcing: How might government, media, and global leaders interpret these policies differently?
Challenges in the 21st Century
Terrorism and homeland security remain national priorities
2008 Financial Crisis = housing market crash, bank bailouts, recession
Debates over immigration, climate change, and gun violence
Technological change: rise of social media, cybersecurity concerns
Globalization increased trade, migration, and economic competition
🧠 AP Skill – Causation: How did these challenges reflect longer historical trends?
Bank failures and loss of confidence in the economy.
Stock market crash (Dow dropped over 50% from its peak).
Massive job losses and rising unemployment.
Foreclosures: Millions of Americans lost their homes.
Global recession — affected economies around the world.
Risky mortgage lending: Banks gave out subprime loans (loans to people with poor credit who couldn’t afford them).
Housing bubble: Home prices rose quickly due to demand and speculation, then suddenly collapsed.
Deregulation: Financial institutions took more risks due to less government oversight (e.g., repeal of Glass-Steagall Act in 1999, aimed to separate commercial and investment banking)
Toxic assets: Banks and investors bought complex mortgage-backed securities that lost value when homeowners couldn’t pay.
TARP (Troubled Asset Relief Program): $700 billion used to bail out banks and stabilize the financial system.
Federal Reserve cut interest rates and added money into the economy.
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) (2009): Stimulus plan under President Obama to create jobs and rebuild infrastructure.
📉 Effects
🏦 Causes
Government Response
💥 The 2008 Financial Crisis
https://play.blooket.com/host?id=680937a38d1ae70e545b8569