Final answer:
The resurgence of conservative values in the 1980s represented a reaction to previous liberal policies, leading to the emergence of the New Right. Their focus was on reducing government size, cutting taxes and welfare spending, and promoting traditional values, culminating in Ronald Reagan’s presidency.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Resurgence of Conservative Values and the New Right
The resurgence of conservative values in the 1980s was partly a reaction to the perceived excesses and failures of liberalism in the 1960s and 1970s. Attracted to simple and direct messages, many Americans found solace in the past and the promises made by the New Right to restore what they perceived as traditional values. This conservative wave, often referred to as the “Reagan Revolution,” was marked by a desire to reduce the size of the federal government, lower taxes, and cut social welfare spending. It also sought to improve the nation's economic standing and global prestige.
Various coalitions, including the Heritage Foundation, conservative Christians, and organizations like the National Review, supported and facilitated the conservative resurgence. Policy recommendations, like those in the 'Mandate for Leadership' document, contributed to this political shift, advocating for smaller government and conservative fiscal policies. A key aspect of this conservative movement was its blend of pro-business economic policies with support for conservative social issues, aiming to attract a broad support base that included wealthy patrons.
The New Right set their goals to enact policies aligning with their conservative ideology, such as opposition to affirmative action, demands for a return to “traditional” family values, and suspicions of federal government overreach. They advanced a form of conservative populism, espousing the need for a government responsive to the concerns of 'ordinary people'. Notably, this movement gained significant momentum and political influence with the election of Ronald Reagan.