Summary
Highlights
The 1960s saw the peak of modern American liberalism with policies like the Great Society, and significant cultural shifts including the Civil Rights Movement and the counterculture. These rapid changes unsettled many conservative Americans who viewed them as threats, leading to the rise of a new conservative movement.
New conservatives aimed to prevent moral and cultural decline, limit the federal government's role, and enact a more aggressive foreign policy. They were dismayed by changing sexual norms, the feminist movement, and perceived social chaos. They opposed federal overreach, advocating for states' rights and a more assertive stance on the world stage, criticizing the gradual escalation of the Vietnam War.
Three key developments unified the new conservative movement: the National Review magazine, founded by William F. Buckley, which provided an ideological foundation; Barry Goldwater's 1964 presidential campaign, which attacked New Deal liberalism and emphasized states' rights; and Richard Nixon's 1968 election, where he appealed to the "silent majority" with promises of 'law and order' and a 'Southern Strategy' to roll back liberal policies.
The 1970s saw significant clashes, particularly over women's rights and the role of federal government. Conservatives opposed Roe v. Wade and the Equal Rights Amendment, fearing moral decline and emphasizing traditional gender roles. They championed states' rights against federal civil rights legislation and advocated for supply-side economics with lower taxes and deregulation, contrasting with liberal calls for federal intervention and higher taxes.
The 1970s marked the melding of conservative politics with the evangelical Christian movement, leading to the powerful Christian Right. Leaders like James Dobson (Focus on the Family) and Jerry Falwell (Moral Majority) galvanized evangelicals, promoting traditional family values, opposing abortion, and linking voting Republican with Christian values, creating a potent political force.
The 1970s were marked by political scandals and crises that eroded public trust in government. The Watergate scandal led to Nixon's resignation, an economic crisis of stagflation (rising inflation and unemployment) challenged government effectiveness, and the Iran hostage crisis highlighted American weakness on the world stage. These failures made the government appear ineffective and untrustworthy, contributing to the rise of conservatism and paving the way for Ronald Reagan.