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).
A reason why the New Right had developed into such a solid power in American society could be due to fear. Great anxiety had generated in America about communism, over sexualized behavior resulting in unwanted pregnancy, different sexual orientations and the end of economic dominance. The New Right gave a sense of security to aspects that the wider community felt apprehensive about. It was conservative American’s categorized as anti-communist, religiously orientated, pro small government and supportive of traditional sexual/gender norms. They were focused on cutting taxes which people believed would result in more savings and stability in their financial worries, rejected the idea of abortion and emphasized the role of woman at home. Essentially the New Right provided answers to people’s fear.
ReplyDeleteThe success of the New Right was a reaction to the social progression of the 1960's and 1970's. Movements such as the Civil Rights Movement, the Women's Liberation Movement and the Gay Right's Movement had created many social changes that saw women and minorities overcome much of the oppression that they had previously suffered. The white male middle class felt that their power, which came from the status quo, was threatened by these changes, and so were supportive of a conservative movement.
ReplyDeleteBy 1980, the Cold War, and with it the fear of Communism, had pervaded American culture for over thirty years. The New Right was know for its strong stance against Communism, and so this foreign policy made conservativism more attractive to Americans.
Alex Callahan
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