Notes on the Conservative Movement in America (1945-1980)

  • Overview of the Conservative Movement (1945-1980)

    • The rise of liberalism during this period had prominent achievements including:
    • Lyndon Johnson's Great Society program
    • Women's Liberation Movement
    • This liberal progress led to a conservative backlash as many conservative groups felt threatened by these cultural changes.

  • Election of Ronald Reagan (1980)

    • Often seen as the crowning achievement of the conservative movement, signaling a significant political shift.
    • Details of Reagan's election will be explored in the next unit.

  • Roots of Conservative Backlash (1960s-1970s)

    • The 60s and 70s were characterized by drastic cultural shifts that alarmed conservative Americans, particularly those in the Southern states.
    • Vietnam War protests
    • Changing traditional family structures due to women's movements
    • Civil Rights movement gains affecting Southern white conservatives

  • Key Conservative Groups

    • Young Americans for Freedom (YAF)
    • Coalition of conservative college students.
    • Supported Barry Goldwater in 1964, coining the term "New Right".
    • John Birch Society
    • Opposed communism; advocated for limited government.
    • Believed in conspiracy theories regarding government actions, e.g., opposition to fluoride in drinking water.
    • William F. Buckley and The National Review
    • Critiqued radical elements like the John Birch Society to maintain a more moderate conservatism.

  • Religious Right Emergence

    • Growth of conservative Christian groups aimed at opposing liberal trends.
    • Roe v. Wade (1973): Legalized abortion, uniting Protestants and Catholics against a common issue.
    • Moral Majority founded by Jerry Falwell (1979): Mixed politics with Christianity, claiming the separation of church and state led to moral decline.
    • Focus on the Family by James Dobson: Focused on social issues like prayer in schools and opposition to gay rights, less directly political.

  • Economic Context of the Era

    • 1970s faced significant economic challenges including:
    • Oil Crisis: Led to energy shortages.
    • Stagflation: A combination of stagnant economic growth and high inflation.
    • Actions taken by President Nixon to cut federal spending generally worsened conditions, undermining public confidence in government solutions.

  • Watergate Scandal

    • Richard Nixon's administration involved in a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters.
    • Initial denial by Nixon, but investigations revealed his knowledge and endorsement.
    • Resulted in Nixon's resignation and deepened public distrust in government institutions.

  • Conservative Clashes with Liberal Movements

    • Equal Rights Amendment (ERA): Proposed to ensure gender equality but was halted largely due to conservative resistance, particularly by Phyllis Schlafly.
    • Affirmative Action: Policies intended to address historical injustices; led to resentment among white conservatives when perceived as reverse discrimination.
    • Bakke v. University of California (1978): Supreme Court ruled against strict racial quotas in admissions, upholding the use of race as a consideration but not the sole factor.

  • Conclusion

    • The growth of the conservative movement reached a critical peak toward the end of this period, setting the stage for future transformations and developments in American politics.
    • Next unit will elaborate on the culmination of these trends and events leading to the conservative resurgence in the 1980s.