THE NEW RIGHT AND THE END OF THE 1960S

CONSERVATIVE AMERICA/ LIBERAL AMERICA/RADICAL AMERICA

The battle between modernity and religion (Catholic and Protestant)

The white South, race and the white backlash Red Scare (1919), McCarthyism and the

anticommunist crusade. Communism as UnAmericanism. Cold War.

Consumer culture and the free market Economic conservatism and/vs moral

conservatism. Style and politics. The limits of the New Deal and Liberalism

(right resentments about the BIG state) The maverick issue….

INTELLECTUALS

Friedrich Von Hayeck, ‘The Road to Serfdom’ (1944) Attack on communist and collectivist economic models. Free market = freedom

Milton Friedman. Academic. ‘A Monetary history of the United States, 1867-1960 (1963, with Anna Schwarz). Monetarism. Adviser to Goldwater in 1964.

Russell Kirk, ‘The Conservative Mind’ (1963). Will Herberg and the need for a moral reawakening. Liberal ‘immorality’.

WILLIAM F. BUCKLEY AND THE “NATIONAL REVIEW”

William F. Buckley Jr. Ironic, right wing, catholic intellectual

‘God and Man at Yale’ (1951). Attacked liberalism at Yale. Influenced by Kirk.

“National Review” founded 1955, became house journal of the right, anti left and liberal. Irony and argument,

Buckley and Review outspoken supporter of White South from 1957, although changes view in mid 60s.

TV show ‘The Firing Line’ 1966-99. Respected programme, interviewing intellectuals

THE JOHN BIRCH SOCIETY

Founded in 1958 by Robert Welch. Fred Koch of Koch industries and 10 others.

More militant politics and language than “National Review”

Virulent attacks on liberalism, communism and civil rights. Conspiracy theories

100,000 members in local chapters by early 1960s

Grass roots lobbying and campaigning Links with Catholic church

STUDENT ACTIVISTS

Intercollegiate Society of Individualists (1953) by Frank Chodorov (with Buckley)

Pamphlets and other publications, monitor attack on liberal educationalists. Lectures and even student fellowships

Autumn 1960 ‘Young Americans for Freedom’ (YAF) Sharon statement, written by Buckley after first

conference on latter’s family estate In this time of moral and political crises, it is the

responsibility of the youth of America to affirm certain eternal truths. (c/w Port Huron Statement, 1962)

25,000 members sign up.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AND THE SUN BELT

Sun Belt non-union, defence jobs important, affluent. Business support for conservative politics

Religion important (again Protestant and Catholic)

Critique of moderate Republicans (Phyllis Shaffly)

Orange County – JBS presence, moral and political conservatism, radical Republicanism

Newer activists

THE GOLDWATER CAMPAIGN, 1964

‘The Conscience of a Conservative’ (1960) Remaking the Republican Party New Right come together and unite in

campaign. Fervour, fund raising and campaigning

secures the nomination Goldwater outspoken on campaign – attack

on state projects, civil rights and argues for the use of nuclear weapons.

Soundly beaten by LBJ, but success in South, and paved way for grassroots revival.

ENTER REAGAN

Former B movie actor, and one time supporter of the New Deal

Supports Goldwater campaign Attacks big state, inc welfare, law and order. Speaks to ordinary Americans using popular

images and language, but moderates some of the message.

1966 Governor of California unexpectedly defeating Dem Pat Brown

Helped by Watts Riot and Student unrest at Berkeley

Importance after, eventually becoming President in 1980.

GEORGE WALLACE

Governor of Alabama, serving 4 terms, first in 1963. Presidential runs as Democrat, then Independent (1968)

Outspoken defender of the South, ‘populist’, maverick

Appeal to working class Americans, economics and culture (inc country music).

GEORGE WALLACE CONTD.

Tension with right wing intellectuals who dislike his style

1964 polls well in primaries in north, drawing white support

White southerners and east European origin key to his support in the North.

1966 Chicago and King 1968 Campaign Shot in 1972

1968 AND THE END OF LIBERALISM: THE TET OFFENSIVE

31 Jan 1968

LBJ ON THE ROCKS

12 Mar Defeat at New Hampshire

16 Mar Robert Kennedy enters race

31 Mar LBJ announces partial cessation of bombing and that he will not seek the Democratic nomination.

ENDGAME IN MEMPHIS

4 Apr Assassination of Martin Luther King

Riots erupt in over 100 Cities

THE KENNEDY CURSE

4 June RK shot at Ambassador Hotel, LA by Sirhan Sirhan

The Israeli question?

THE 1968 DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION

Mayor Daley ‘Yippies’ and

‘Pigasus’ Dissent in

Convention Hall A ‘police riot’

outside Hubert Humphrey

secures nomination.

1968 ELECTION

Nixon and ‘Peace with Honour’

Wallace secures 13%, polling well in North.

1969-70: EXTREMISM AND VIOLENCE

1969 SDS split Chicago 8 ‘People’s Park’ ‘Days of Rage’ Altamont

A DARK ENDING….

Manson Murders

Weathermen bombings

Kent State

The counterculture and consumerism

Drugs and crime