The 1980 Presidential Election by Howison, Jeffrey D.;

Short description:

Ronald Reagan’s victory in the 1980 presidential election marked a watershed moment in the history of the United States, heralding the triumph of the American conservative movement. Once a supporter of the New Deal, Reagan had come to symbolize the union of three diverse forms of conservatism—anti-communism, social traditionalism, and libertarianism—that were increasingly intertwined under the banner of the Republican Party. The unlikely development of this new conservative coalition was based upon the larger impacts of the civil rights movement in reshaping the dynamics of the Democratic and Republican parties, the social "backlash" of the Nixon era, the emergence of the religious right, and the economic and political crises that directly set the stage for Reagan’s stunning victory.

In five original, engaging chapters, The 1980 Presidential Election shows how Reagan’s journey to the White House was connected to the wider transformations of post-1945 American history. Supplemented by a fresh collection of primary documents—including previously unpublished transcripts of Reagan’s radio addresses of the late-1970s—this book is an ideal introduction to the origins and impact of the American conservative movement.

Long description:

Ronald Reagan’s victory in the 1980 presidential election marked a watershed moment in the history of the United States, heralding the triumph of the American conservative movement. Once a supporter of the New Deal, Reagan had come to symbolize the union of three diverse forms of conservatism—anti-communism, social traditionalism, and libertarianism—that were increasingly intertwined under the banner of the Republican Party. The unlikely development of this new conservative coalition was based upon the larger impacts of the civil rights movement in reshaping the dynamics of the Democratic and Republican parties, the social "backlash" of the Nixon era, the emergence of the religious right, and the economic and political crises that directly set the stage for Reagan’s stunning victory.

In five original, engaging chapters, The 1980 Presidential Election shows how Reagan’s journey to the White House was connected to the wider transformations of post-1945 American history. Supplemented by a fresh collection of primary documents—including previously unpublished transcripts of Reagan’s radio addresses of the late-1970s—this book is an ideal introduction to the origins and impact of the American conservative movement.

1. Allan Winkler, University of Miami, Ohio

"This is an imaginative proposal. It would be useful in both a survey course and in a 20th century course, or one on the post-World War II era. It would serve as a supplemental text.. I think the sturctue of the book works. The outline makes sense to me. And, given the attention Reagan has been getting, I think it is timely. There are other books about Reagan and his times, but I think a crisp, terse, well-written account could work here. Coverage is good and I do recommend publication."

2. Zachary Schrag, George Mason

"Today's traditional college students are too young to remember anything of the Reagan administration, but they have heard pleny about it and are curious. I think this will lead to good enrollments. "

3. David Marley, Vanguard

"I liked that it covered much more than just the 1980 election, which would have kept it too limited... This book should have a lengthy shelf-life since Reagan's presidency was the most significant of the past 40 years...This is too uncool to admit, but I try to get students interested in history by showing them how current events have their roots in the past and how we can learn from the past to make the future better."

Table of Contents:

Preface 1. Introducing American Conservatism 2. The South, Civil Rights, and the Transformation of the Republican Party 3. The Social Backlash: Riots, Religion, and Realignment 4. Crises, Carter, and the Triumph of Ronald Reagan 5. The Image and Reality of Ronald Reagan and American Conservatism Documents