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Madilynn McCarroll (Delbridge)
Professor Feld
HIUS445-D01
06 May 2022
Annotated Bibliography
Our country has come a long way, especially when referring to politics. The Democratic
and Republican parties as we know to be today have redefined their own political views and that
process will never change. American conservatism changed the course of American politics,
During the time of Ronald Reagan, Christianity was on the rise and the time for a change in
government and politics was long overdue. As a result of several evangelists, well know
preachers, and even the television broadcasting Jerry Falwell and many other preachers; the
American people began to change. They changed their views on family values, church, schools,
and even politics.
Since War World 2 and the heartbreak many Americans faced losing loved ones and
suffering economically, they decided to reach out in hopes of grasping something better than this
physical and mortal life. So as a result of this, Christianity emerged and inspired many
Americans to make a change; starting with family first but reaching as far as political values.
From the 1940s, post-war, to 1980 was the escalation of the Christian Right and the Evangelical
Christians.
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The book Stumping God: Reagan, Carter, and the Invention of a Political Faith which
was written by Andrew Hogue; discusses and emphasizes that there was a major expansion that
began in 1980 during Ronald Reagan's election. At this time there became a mix of Christianity
and politics which led to a huge rise in Christian conservatism this was encouraged by Reagan’s
ideology and Christian worldview of politics so his campaign lead the way for a modernized
presidency where faith and government became interwoven together. The author continues as he
explains the increase in Cristian conservatism that roughly began slowly in the late 1940s and
then the election in 1976-1980s made the numbers escalate very quickly. The author then goes on
to express his prognostication for what would take place in 2008 between Barrack Obama and
John McCain's election and Obama’s presidency. The hearts of Americans were so tender and
sensitive after the war that they melted for the Gospel and most people grabbed hold of religion.
There was an immense of evangelical Christians that went out and engaged and American life
during this time was known as “The Year of the Evangelical”(Hogue 2012).
Chapter three is entitled ,Raising the Rhetorical Righteous: The Pivotal 1976 Election
this chapter starts by describing Jimmy Carter and President Gerald Ford and their religious
beliefs. Carter was the presidential candidate to claim his salvation and Christianity and this
caught the attention of many Americans and was very appealing to the public. Ford recognized
how prestige and importance of having religion made as a result of voting and his chance to win
the election so he brought in his own endeavor of religion to win the people over. (Hogue 2012)
This was the first election, according to Hogue that faith and religion had a deciding factor and
was used as a tool to win the election.
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The author then goes on to express his prognostication for what would take place in 2008
between Barrack Obama and John McCain's election and Obama’s presidency. the “Birth” and
the profound “Legacy” (Hogue 2012) of Christian politics in the 1980s. Family and morality
were put as the number one priority in the lives of the American people and were broadcasted
and prompted throughout the election. Ronald Reagan brought to light the missing pieces in
politics and constructed the Christian conservatism viewpoint and defined it. Reagan redefined
what it meant to be a Republican and set the standard for every candidate that would come next
and it set the bar quite high. The author hit every aspect of this process and put into perspective
the amount of change that Christian authority has on the governmental system and the difference
a religious leader can have.
This author breaks down and analysis the ideology and philosophy of every decision of
Ronald Reagan. David T. Byrne addresses major milestones in the life of Reagan and digs deep
into his personal life before, during, and after his Presidency. (Byrne 2018) He paints a picture of
the American dream of the former President and shows how his life and views fit the American
perspective of Christian conservatism and the vision of the United States. This book gives
distinct details of Reagan’s motives and strong opinions on centralized government, post-War
World 2, and foreign policy.
The transition of conservatism started in 1940 after War World 2. The authors of Postwar
Conservatism, A Transnational Investigation: Britain, France, and the United States evaluates
how the War had changed politics in several countries including France, the United States, and
Britain. They investigate and highlight the decrease in conservatism before and during the war
and the incredible inclination of conservatism that takes place post-war. (Berthezène and Vinel,
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n.d.) This major transition continues and escalates quickly during the election of 1980 when
Ronald Reagan runs as President the book discusses how this new view affects voting.
As a former actor and entertainer as well as a radio speaker, Ronald Reagan had a very
interesting background and career choice. So as President of the United States many Americans
were unsure what to expect when it came to his decision-making and overall outlook on political
values. Reagan being a Born again believer and a Baptist made every decision based upon moral
principles of the Bible, he prompted the practice of religious rights and condemned drugs.
(Davies and Hudson 2008) The author describes his determination and his goal as President and
follows the legacy that he left behind.
The Republican party was not known for their Christianity and their political nominees
and leadership did not share that type of reputation. In the book: The transformation of the
Christian Right shows and highlights this and allows us to see when the transformation begins
and it discusses how Christianity itself changed drastically during the 1980s. Most people
address how politics changed due to religion and faith but they often leave out how the fact that
Christianity was also reconstructed as well. The increase of tent meetings and revivals and the
expansion of television evangelists really made a difference. Christianity was something that had
always been there in the United States but only in the 1980s was it taken more seriously as
salvation and the Bible were being preached on television and the American people had access to
hearing God’s Word preached, and the Christian faith grew stronger and vibrant. (Moen 1992)
This book focuses on the other side of the political party, the democrats. Most Christians
during this time started to vote Republican and made up the majority of Christian conservatives
otherwise known as the “Christian Right” but in this book, the author shows us the other side
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which he calls the “Evangelical Left”. The democratic party from the 1970s through the 1980s
had very few conservative Christians and most candidates that had claimed to be Christian or
even remotely religious it was often used to gain more of the popular vote. Although most of the
left may have used religion and God as an extra ticket or tool for votes there were authentic
Christian leftists that truly believed in the principles of the Bible and saw past the facade of the
fakes. Swartz says: “As the past ten American elections have shown, the twentieth century
alliance of evangelicals and Republicans empathetically defines both evangelicalism and
conservative politics in America today. Their focus on their sanctity of life and marriage and
freedom of religion issues has forced a sharp partisan divided along religious lines.”(Swartz
2012)
The book Family Values and the Rise of the Christian Right discusses the values of the
American family, it talks about how religion or Christianity is the center of everything. This
book gives great details of what took place during this era of the rise of the Christian
conservative movement because this was the time of tent revivals. Billy Graham was one of the
main pioneers post-War World 2 that preached the Gospel and contributed to new principles, and
this way of thinking translated into more aspects of life aside from church. People started to
realize how important Christianity was for the country, especially for the political leaders in
America.
The author of the book The new Christian Right only focuses on the Christians on the
Republican side from 1981 to 1988 so during the time of Ronald Reagan’s presidency. Christian
conservatism at this point was at its peak so once elected president of the United States, Ronald
Reagan continued to practice and use his conservative ideology and principles to impress and
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satisfy the American people. He aimed to fulfill his role as “Making America Great Again” and
bring America back to where it once was religiously. During the presidency of Reagan, Christian
conservatism was finalized and the Republican party was redefined.
Jerry Falwell and Pat Robinson were well-known television evangelists during the rise of
Christian conservatism and they had reached people all over the country. The article There is Sin
and Evil in the World: Reagan, Trump, and the News Media marks the impact that these men and
many men like them had on the American people due to their high standards of conservatism and
ultimate faith in God. after the failed presidency of Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan was a breath
of fresh air to the American people and inspired “righteousness of faith” (Winston 2016) and the
evilness of communism.
Reagan promted limited governmental control and Winston says: Before the Reagan
revolution, the United States’s religious imaginary tilted to a Rawlsian liberalism that justified
first the welfare state and, later, a Great Society. But the social and cultural upheavals of the
1960s, followed by the cataclysms of the 1970s (from Vietnam and the oil embargo to the Iranian
hostage crisis and stagflation), doomed that expansive outlook. What Jimmy Carter called
“malaise” was actually the disintegration of the “common understandings” that inclined
citizens to care for their neighbor, trust in their government, and believe in a beneficent universe.
In 1980, candidate Ronald Reagan offered voters a new vision that affirmed the rightness of
faith, the wrongness of Communism, and the importance of free markets and limited government.
(Winston 2016) Former President Donald Trump was influenced by this new rights movement,
the evangelists, and Ronald Reagan and this movement of conservatism is something that is still
alive and thriving today and the author brefly mentions that as well saying: “Donald Trump is
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both the beneficiary and the apotheosis of that perspective. His exercise of economic freedom —
evident in his lust for winning and enjoyment of wealth — makes him a popular hero to many.
His commitment to political freedom — reflected in statements that denigrate international
alliances and lambaste “politics as usual” — likewise endears him to frustrated voters. Trump
does not need to be a conventional churchgoer, because his words and actions show his
adherence to a certain “common understanding,” “a shared sense of legitimacy.” (Winston
2016)
One way to see Reagan's authenticity in religion, moral principles, and political
philosophies is by looking directly at his personal life before Reagan took office. Lou Cannon’s
article portrays and reveals to us the background of Reagan’s personal life before he stepped onto
the scene as the 40th President of the United States. The author describes his childhood,
education, religious influence, and career before he pursued politics. We are told of his mother
and his family, where he was born, and the small details and things that had impacted his life that
made him who he was. The era he grew up in was the beginning of the rise of the early
conservative Christinized movement so he was heavily influenced spiritually by politics and his
perspective was shaped by the Bible. Reagan's parents were Roman Catholics and raised their
children hoping that the same values that they held would transfer to them.
Reagan’s mother played a tremendous influence on him and he took mostly after his
mother according to Lou Cannon. The author explains: “Nelle raised Ronald in her church, the
Disciples of Christ. She was a relentless do-gooder, visiting prisoners, poorhouse inmates, and
hospital patients. She also organized drama recitals—some of which featured her sons—and
worked as a salesclerk and seamstress in the 1930s. As an adult, Ronald often reminisced fondly
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about his mother's compassion and generosity. He moved her to Hollywood after Jack died; she
died in 1962.” (Cannon 2022) He thrived in his film career and even signed a million-dollar
contract with the Warner brothers. Reagan throughout his film career showed his interest in
politics and claimed to support and associate with Roosevelt's internationalism. The author of
Ronald Reagan: Life Before the Presidency says: “Throughout his life, Ronald Reagan displayed
a strong interest in politics. Reagan's national political outlook was shaped by his parents, both
Democrats, and especially by the onslaught of the Great Depression. The entire Reagan family
supported Franklin D. Roosevelt for President in 1932 and backed his New Deal. Roosevelt's
resonant optimism dazzled Reagan, who imitated the President's 1932 inaugural speech on a
broomstick microphone to college friends. Reagan was grateful to FDR for providing work for
his father and brother in New Deal relief programs. He voted for FDR each of the four times he
was elected President and continued to speak well of him even after he became a conservative
Republican.” (Cannon 2022)
There were two different categorized groups of Christians, the “Christian Right”
(Johnson 1982) and the Evangelical Christians. The Christian Right according to The Christian
Right and the 1980 Presidential Election and the influence it had on the Republican campaign in
the 1980 election. During this election, the American people were looking for a
faith-proclaiming candidate that also had strong leadership and not someone like former
President Jimmy Carter.
The American people were looking for someone with “traditional values”(Johnson 1982)
and they believed that Ronald Reagan was the “Hero of the Christian Right” (Johnson 1982).
The author says: “The people who are a part of the Christian Right Movement are conservative
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evangelicals who abandoned the long-held belief that political activism is incompatible with
their religion and assert that the church has a role, indeed a duty, to change America by
becoming politically active.” (Johnson 1982) Reagan played a very important role as he filled
these needs of the United States.
The evangelical Christian otherwise knowns as the leftist Christians from the democratic
side influenced the election process of 1980, and there were about 40-50 billion saved Americans
that had a part in the voting process and their decisions changed the course of not only history
but American politics. As the American people dealt with the aftermath of War World 2 they
grasped the Bible as their shelter. For the first time in a long time, the people of the United
States, the author writes practiced their faith in politics”: "Believers in a living God are
beginning to assert their spiritual rights,"(Hyer 1981)
It is important to understand the meaning of conservatism, especially during the time of
Reagan. The book Conservatism and the rise of Ronald Reagan, mentions the Christian coalition
created and organized by Pat Robinson, and how it is directing affected the Republican party.
The article discusses political and governmental issues and decisions such as Roe Vs. Wade and
the moral right of abortion. Many political leaders are mentioned like Barry Goldwater, and
several journalists which had an extensive amount of influence on the American people, and the
article briefly mentions what the author calls “the Old Right” (American History: From
Revolution to Reconstruction and Beyond 2012) and how it is being affected and being
eliminated.
The author writes: “This conservative upsurge had many sources. A large group of
fundamentalist Christians, who regard the Bible as the direct and inerrant word of God, were
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particularly concerned about an increase in crime and sexual immorality. One of the most
politically effective groups in the early 1980s, called the Moral Majority, was led by a Baptist
minister, Jerry Falwell. Another, led by Pat Robertson, built an organization called the Christian
Coalition which by the 1990s was a potent force in the Republican Party. Like many such groups,
they wanted to return religion to a central place in American life. Television evangelists like
Falwell and Robertson developed huge followings.” (American History: From Revolution to
Reconstruction and Beyond 2012)
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References
American History: From Revolution to Reconstruction and Beyond. 2012. “Conservatism and
the rise of Ronald Reagan.”
http://www.let.rug.nl/usa/outlines/history-1994/toward-the-21st-century/conservatism-an
d-the-rise-of-ronald-reagan.php.
Berthezène, Clarisse, and Jean-Christian Vinel, eds. n.d. Postwar Conservatism, A Transnational
Investigation: Britain, France, and the United States, 1930-1990. N.p.: Springer
International Publishing. Accessed April 4, 2022.
Byrne, David T. 2018. Ronald Reagan: An Intellectual Biography. N.p.: University of Nebraska
Press.
Cannon, Lou. 2022. “RONALD REAGAN: LIFE BEFORE THE PRESIDENCY By Lou
Cannon.” https://millercenter.org/president/reagan/life-before-the-presidency.
Davies, Gareth, and Cheryl Hudson, eds. 2008. Ronald Reagan and the 1980s: Perceptions,
Policies, Legacies. N.p.: Palgrave Macmillan.
Dowland, Seth. 2015. . N.p.: University of Pennsylvania Press, Incorporated.
Hogue, Andrew P. 2012. . N.p.: Baylor University Press.Stumping God
Hyer, Marjorie. 1981. “Evangelical Christians Meet to Develop Strategy for 1980s.” The
Washington Post, (January).
https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1981/01/30/evangelical-christians-meet-t
o-develop-strategy-for-1980s/3ee92602-35a7-413a-ae2a-bb786fb3b396/.
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Johnson, Stephen D. 1982. “The Christian Right and the 1980 Presidential Election.” Journal for
the Scientific Study of Religion 21. https://www.jstor.org/stable/1385498.
Jorstad, Erling. 1987. The new Christian Right, 1981-1988: prospects for the post-Reagan
decade. N.p.: E. Mellen Press.
Moen, Matthew C. 1992. . N.p.: University of AlabamaThe transformation of the Christian Right
Press.
Swartz, David R. 2012. . N.p.:Moral Minority: The Evangelical Left in an Age of Conservatism
University of Pennsylvania Press, Incorporated.
Winston, Diane. 2016. ““There is Sin and Evil in the World”: Reagan, Trump, and the News
Media.” (September).
https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/sin-evil-world-reagan-trump-news-media/.
