Liberalism-Late 20 th Century Style

Definition of Liberalism vs Conservatism?? In GENERAL, liberals examine and challenge existing attitudes and behaviors of their society and seek to change them In GENERAL, conservatives embrace conventional wisdom of their times, accept the status quo, and support incremental changes in society. HOWEVER, the examples/ideas of each changes through time as you will see! Examples of this in history? You are assigned a period of time in which you must give 3-5 examples of liberalism and conservativism. You may include presidents, ideologies, events, political parties, groups, gov. involvement, economics, society, tariffs etc ; ; ; ; ;

Liberal Thomas Jefferson Best gov’t is least gov’t Advocated states’ rights Opposed national bank Supported low tariffs/taxes Supported small army/navy Laissez faire economy Conservative A. Hamilton Favored merchants Gov’t is strong Centralized power Favored national banks Favored tariffs Strong national defense

Liberal Personal liberty, weak gov Free competition and opportunity Opposed national bank States should fund roads, canals Supported Jackson Conservative Weak presidents Pro bank National gov should fund roads, canals Whigs-opponents of Jackson Supported Henry Clay

—wait, what happened to definitions here? Liberal Pro-Unions Antislavery Favored national programs of roads/canals Opposed westward expansion Opposed extending slavery Opposed secession Conservative States’ rights Proslavery Opposed national roads/canals Favored westward expansion Favored extending slavery Supported secession

Liberalism Supported Radical Reconstruction Wanted honesty in gov’t Supported Social Darwinism Anti-imperialist Expanded $ supply-silver Support gov regulation of business Wanted low tariffs Conservativism Resisted Radical Reconstruction Tolerated spoils system Supported Social Darwinism (yes, both did!) Expansionist Gold standard Laissez faire economy High tariffs Gospel of Wealth-Carnegie

Liberalism Gov intervention in society Progressives Regulations League of Nations Consumer protection TR, Wilson, FDR Square Deal, New Deal Low tariffs Conservativism Old Guard Republicans Extremely favorable to business Isolationism Rugged individualism Taft, Harding, Coolidge, Hoover Normalcy in 20s No direct welfare relief High tariffs

Liberalism Gov regulates economy Gov responsible for people’s welfare Deficit spending is ok US accepts international role Communism a challenge at home and abroad Support organized labor Embraced fed support of racial justice Encourage flexible military response Conservativism Gov should be limited in society Promoted individual resp. for welfare Wanted balanced budget Communism was great domestic threat Limited overseas involvement but contained communism via force Reconsidered much of New Deal Sates should handle their racial issues Encouraged “massive retaliation”

Rise of Liberalism Evidence? Civil, racial and ethnic justice—Women’s liberation, ERA, Friedan, Stonewall Riots, Gay liberation, AIM, Chicano power, CR Act 1964, Voting Rights Act 1965 Environmental Movement-Silent Spring Vietnam-limited war or none at all. Protests, Kent State, songs Show clip: Youth-respected, encouraged, tolerated, celebrated Government-expanded role in society, CR Act 1964, Great Society: NEH, Head Start, War on Poverty, National School Lunch Act, Voting Rights Act 1965

Still on Rise? Evidence? Withdrawal from Vietnam Affirmative Action Nixon/Watergate threat to liberty Impeach Nixon Great Society must be cont’d Socio-economic equality=legal equality Support the ERA But do we see rise in conservativism too? Peace with honor in Vietnam Silent majority needs a voice No special treatment for minority groups Nixon/Watergate no more corrupt than past presidents

Conservatism on the Rise? Evidence: Reagan Revolution “Evil Empire” US vs THEM Increase defense spending Repeal Great Society programs Family values stressed New sources of oil Limited role in civil rights-that’s all done! Opposition to Roe v Wade (1973)

Analyze Documents-Liberal or Conservative? -Evidence?

Why do we see these rises and falls? -Application of historical context