The Radical Left and Conservative Movement 1960s Left

The Radical Left and Conservative Movement 1960’s

Left vs. Right • The “Left” is associated with liberals, most often Democrats • The “Right” is associated with conservatives, most often Republicans

The “New Lefts” Beliefs • Liberalism was the “establishment. ” • Establishment –the dominant group or elite that holds power and is opposed to change • They believed the Democrates were not liberal enough.

S. D. S. Students for a – Democratic - Society • Who: Well educated, middle class, college students, inspired by the Civil Right Movement • Why: Only students had the time to invest

Goals of the S. D. S. • Wanted Liberal agendas to be carried out – Civil Rights, War on Poverty etc. . • Liberalism from the bottom up, “grassroots” • Democracy at every level (participatory Democracy: purest form) • Felt heart of Dem. Party was corrupt (Ike, JFK)

S. D. S. Moves Toward Anti-War • 1965 the war in Vietnam escalates • S. D. S. begins first anti-war demonstrations

Abby Hoffman

Abby Hoffman • A leader of the Weatherman • Encouraged others to survive by stealing • Ave American thought he was too extreme and “a stupid hippie”

Weatherman Day of Rage October 1962 The Weatherman

The Weatherman “don’t need a weatherman to tell you which way the wind blows. ” • Fell in love w/ the romantic idea of 3 rd world commy (college kids) • Revolution only way to change: Radical = Violence • Confront war makers (Chicago) • By 1970 some became bombers

U Michigan

U Michigan

University of Wisconsin Madison May 1966 See my dad?

Middle America’s view of New Left/Radicals • Spoiled brats • Working class kids no time to protest • WAY too extreme and not in touch with reality • Imagine what a WWII vet thinks of this

Richard Nixon and American Conservatism Conservative Dilemma Conservative Crusade Liberalism Besieged Richard Nixon

Conservative Dilemma

Conservative Delema • 1960 election was close (JFK won) • What to do? • Move to middle? • Get back to conservative basics?

Young Americans for Freedom (the student Right) • “Power is threatening liberty. ” (power of fed govt” • Goals: – Take control of party – Take control of politics

Young Americans for Freedom (1960) In this time of moral and political crises, it is the responsibility of the youth of America to affirm certain eternal truths. We, as young conservatives, believe: That liberty is indivisible, and that political freedom cannot long exist without economic freedom; That the purpose of government is to protect those freedoms through the preservation of internal order, the provision of national defense, and the administration of justice; That when government ventures beyond these rightful functions, it accumulates power, which tends to diminish order and liberty;

• This is basic argument today: role of fed govt in our lives. • Left feels govt needs to step in to protect and ensure rights • Right feels people or states do this. Govt may get too strong • Frame this w/ Civil Rights • States or Feds trusted to ensure rights

Young Americans for Freedom (1960) That the market economy, allocating resources by the free play of supply and demand, is the single economic system compatible with the requirements of personal freedom and constitutional government, and that it is at the same time the most productive supplier of human needs; That when government interferes with the work of the market economy, it tends to reduce the moral and physical strength of the nation; that when it takes from one man to bestow on another, it diminishes the incentive of the first, the integrity of the second, and the moral autonomy of both; That the forces of international Communism are, at present, the greatest single threat to these liberties …

Conservative Crusade -Barry Goldwater

Goldwater • Voted against Civil Rights Act of ‘ 64 – Felt unconst. Govt should not step in and tell states what to do. – Racist or Upholding conservative thought? • Believed in voluntary integration • Feared racial backlash that would make things worse

Racial Backlash

Barry Goldwater (1964) “Security from domestic violence, no less than from foreign aggression, is the most elementary and fundamental purpose of any government, and a government that cannot fulfill that purpose is one that cannot long command the loyalty of its citizens. History shows us – demonstrates – that nothing prepares the way for tyranny more than the failure of public officials to keep the streets from bullies and marauders. This is a party, this Republican Party, a Party for free men, not for blind followers, and not for conformists. Anyone who joins us in all sincerity, we welcome. Those who do not care for our cause, we don’t expect to enter our ranks in any case. And let our Republicanism, so focused and so dedicated, not be made fuzzy and futile by unthinking and stupid labels. I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue. ”

Law and Order • Street Crime • Civil Unrest • Moral Chaos

Election of 1964 • Right: (Goldwater) Pushes idea of Law and Order • Street crime, civil unrest (riots) & moral chaos (drugs/sexual revolution) • Left: (LBJ) Pushes idea of Civil Rights, War on Poverty and The Great Society. Carrying out JFK legacy.

1964 LBJ wins by Landslide • American’s felt Goldwater to be: – Too “angry. ” – Not ready for his conservative message – Wanted to see LBJ’s policies carried out

Liberalism Besieged Riots and assassinations rock the county Who are the good guys? A matter of perspective.

Watts (1965)

Detroit (1967) Troops couldn’t restore order Notice age of these National Guard troops

MLK Assassinated (1968)

Robert Kennedy

D. C. Riot (1968)

Democratic Convention (1968)

“Battle of Michigan Avenue”

Election ‘ 68 • Due to these events “Law and Order” becomes # 1 campaign issue. • “Middle America” / “Silent Majority” is tired and scared of unrest. • *LBJ doesn’t run to due Vietnam

Richard Nixon • Worked hard for a comeback • Resented JFK • Everything handed to them • “Law & Order” • Found the hot topic

Nixon Campaign (1968)

Nixon Campaign (1968)

The “War of Ideas” Right v Left LEFT RIGHT • Govt action to achieve equality • Govt duty is to alleviate social problems (poverty, injustice) • Govt duty is to protect individual civil liberties and human rights • Empower individuals to solve own problems • Govt small role in individual lives • Govt should not restrict business and markets. • Individuals and businesses are best to monitor own behavior