lash is explained by the combination of the Civil Rights Act and the revolutionary views and actions of splinter minority groups. Segments of the American population looked at the Civil Rights Act as giving minorities preference in the hiring process. Combine this with the belief that revolutionary minority groups were viewed as pushing for "black supremacy" and the field is set up for a conservative victory in 1980. This stems from the rhetoric of conservatives. Reagan is pushing for the reduction of the role of government in the public sphere. This includes areas such as civil rights.Secondly, stemming from the recessions and inflation of the 1970's there was a distrust of the government, because of the failure of the economy to grow. Conservatives capitalize on this in the 1980 elections. Reagan, in a speech as a presidential candidate, states,In my administration there should and will be a thorough and systematic review of the thousands of Federal regulations that affect the economy. Along with spending control, tax reform and deregulation, a sound stable and predictable monetary policy is essential to restoring economic health.Each of these policies is intended to make the economy run smoother and to cause growth in the economy. The Watergate scandal of the Nixon presidency also plays a major role in rise of conservatism by the 1980 elections. Following the fragmentation of the liberal consensus, Nixon was faced with many opponents to his proposed policies toward Vietnam, civil rights, women's rights, and the environment. With the break in of the Democratic National Headquarters, Nixon was trying to make sure that he was able to breakup any rebuilding of a consensus by the Democratic party of these currently splintered groups, in order to ensure his election. The Watergate scandal had a major effect on the American populace. Namely it created a distrust of big government. This distrust of excessive government power wa...
