The Rise of a NEW CONSERVATISM [APUSH Review]

The Rise of New Conservatism in the 1960s

Overview of Liberalism and Cultural Upheaval

• The 1960s marked a significant period for American liberalism, characterized by policies from the New Deal and Great Society that many conservatives sought to dismantle.

• This decade was also defined by cultural upheaval, including the civil rights movement and youth counterculture, which unsettled conservative Americans who viewed these changes as threats rather than progress.

Conservative Response to Change

• A new conservatism emerged in response to perceived moral and cultural decline, particularly regarding sexual norms challenged by the counterculture movement.

• Conservatives were alarmed by feminist movements advocating for social equality, viewing them as chaos undermining traditional family structures.

Political Ideology Shifts

• Conservatives aimed to limit federal government roles, perceiving the expansion of federal power through civil rights policies as a violation of states' rights.

• The emphasis on states' rights became a hallmark of this new conservatism, contrasting with liberal interpretations of progress.

Foreign Policy Perspectives

• New conservatives advocated for a more aggressive foreign policy despite previous military engagements like Korea and Vietnam; they criticized gradual strategies that led to national disgrace.

Unifying Developments in Conservatism

• The publication of The National Review in 1955 helped unify various strands of conservative thought under William F. Buckley’s leadership.

• Barry Goldwater's campaign in 1964 became pivotal for articulating conservative values against New Deal liberalism while emphasizing states' rights over federal intrusion.

Key Figures and Events

• Goldwater's stance included opposition to social security benefits and progressive taxation but paradoxically supported military spending.

• Although Goldwater lost decisively to Johnson, his campaign laid groundwork for future conservative successes culminating in Nixon's election.

Nixon's Southern Strategy and the Rise of Conservatism

Nixon's Appeal to Southern Voters

• Nixon positioned himself as the "law and order" candidate, subtly targeting minority crime in urban areas.

• He refrained from overtly endorsing racial inequality but used coded language like "states rights" to resonate with white southern voters uneasy about social changes.

• The concept of a "silent majority" emerged, suggesting many Americans were discontented with cultural upheaval and would support a candidate promising stability for the white middle class.

Clashes Between Liberals and Conservatives

Women's Rights Movement

• The 1973 Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade legalized abortion, which was celebrated by women's rights activists but opposed by conservatives who viewed it as a moral issue.

• Conservative women, led by figures like Phyllis Schlafley, mobilized against the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), which ultimately fell short of ratification by two votes.

Federal Government Power Disputes

• Liberals advocated for increased federal involvement to expand civil liberties and economic intervention; conservatives rejected this view, citing states' rights under the 10th Amendment.

• Conservatives argued that federal policies on school busing and integration represented unconstitutional overreach while opposing high tax rates needed to fund liberal programs.

Economic Policies and Supply-Side Economics

• In response to high taxation (up to 70% for wealthiest Americans), conservatives promoted supply-side economics aimed at lowering taxes and deregulating businesses to stimulate job creation through investment.

Emergence of the Christian Right

• The 1970s saw an alliance between conservative politics and evangelical Christianity, leading to the rise of the Christian right as a significant political force opposing abortion and advocating traditional gender roles.

• Influential leaders like James Dobson emphasized family values through media platforms such as Focus on the Family, promoting strict gender roles within families.

• Jerry Falwell founded the Moral Majority in 1979, supporting candidates aligned with his vision of family values, thus attracting politicians eager for evangelical endorsements.

Political Failures and Erosion of Trust in the 1970s

The Impact of Political Scandals

• Over time, voting for the Republican party was perceived as a vote for Jesus, creating a potent political combination.

• Richard Nixon's Watergate scandal significantly damaged public trust; he won re-election in 1972 while being embroiled in this controversy.

• Five men from Nixon's re-election committee broke into the Watergate Hotel to steal documents from the Democratic Party, leading to an elaborate cover-up authorized by Nixon.

• Despite his claims of innocence, investigations revealed Nixon's deep complicity in election theft plans, culminating in his resignation in disgrace in 1974.

• This scandal led Americans to view their government officials with distrust, seeing Nixon not as a president but as a symbol of governmental failure.

Economic Crisis: Stagflation

• The economic crisis known as stagflation emerged due to OPEC cutting oil exports to the U.S., resulting in simultaneous inflation and rising unemployment.

• This unprecedented economic situation rendered federal policies ineffective, further eroding public confidence in government capabilities.

Foreign Policy Crises

• The Iran hostage crisis of 1979 marked another significant blow to public trust; it stemmed from U.S. involvement in Iran’s political affairs dating back to a CIA-led coup in 1953.

• Following the overthrow of Mohammad Raza Pahlavi by Ayatollah Khomeini, tensions escalated when Carter allowed Pahlavi into the U.S. for medical treatment despite warnings from Khomeini.

• Iranian troops seized the U.S. embassy and held 52 Americans hostage for over a year; failed rescue attempts made Carter appear weak and ineffective.

Consequences on American Politics

• These events contributed to growing conservatism and set the stage for Ronald Reagan's rise as a prominent conservative figure.