Political Spectrum Students will examine the political spectrum in order to classify the events of the Revolutionary period.

Vocabulary Loyalist Patriot Radical Liberal Moderate Conservative Reactionary

Loyalists Loyalists were American colonists who remained loyal to the Kingdom of Great Britain during the Revolutionary period

Patriots Patriots (also known as American Whigs), was the name that the colonists who rebelled against British control during the American Revolution, called themselves

What is a Continuum? A person’s views on the issues help determine where they fall on the political spectrum. The labels used on the spectrum are not pure categories, but they make up a continuum, or value line, and citizens and politicians fall somewhere on that line depending on what they believe.

Factors That Determine Placement Two major factors shape political views. –The first is how much change a person is willing to have within their society and government. –The second deals with how much government involvement in the economy a person calls for. Others also bring in the question of how much freedom from government authority a leader is willing to give the people.

Political Labels To see where you stand, you would have to figure out where you stand on a number of social (people-related), economic (money- related), and political (governmental) issues. First you need definitions of the terms radical, liberal, conservative, and reactionary.

Political Spectrum RadicalLiberalModerateConservativeReactionary DirectionofChange Looks toward the future (left) For Independence Looks toward the Past (right) Against Independence

What is a Radical? Seen as being on the far left of the political spectrum, radicals call for immediate change from the present system by any means necessary. Goals may be changes in political structure, laws, and government. They may be willing to resort to extreme methods to bring about change, including the use of violence, revolution, or illegal methods. Examples: Patriots, Malcolm X, Lenin

What is a Liberal? Liberals believe that the government should be actively involved in the promotion of social welfare of a nation’s citizens. They usually call for peaceful, gradual change within the existing political system. They reject violence Example: Dr. King or Gandhi

Liberals Point of View Government should not censor speech, press, media or the internet Repeal laws prohibiting adult possession and use of drugs Government regulation of business is necessary to protect the public Too much power is concentrated in the hands of a few large companies. The government should help those in need even if it has to raise taxes

What is a Moderate? Moderates may share viewpoints with both liberals and conservatives. Moderates may want change on some issues, and no change on others. A moderate emphasizes peaceful compromise with the system as a means of resolving conflict. They advocate a “go-slow” or “wait-and-see” approach to social or political change. Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-CT) is generally seen as a moderate.

What is a Conservative? A conservative is a person who wants to preserve the best of what exists today and in the past. Conservatives usually supports few changes. Conservatives are usually hesitant or cautious about adopting new policies, especially if they involve government activism in some way. They feel that the less government there is, the better. Legal or non violent methods used They agree with Jefferson’s view that “the best government governs least.” Examples: Loyalists, Ronald Reagan, and Barry Goldwater Sen. Barry Goldwater (R-AZ) is widely regarded as the father of the modern conservative movement

Conservative Point of View Let people control their own retirement; privatize Social Security. Replace government welfare with private charity. Government regulation of business usually does more harm than good Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. Government programs like welfare discourage people from working

What is a Reactionary? Sitting on the far right of the political spectrum, reactionaries want to go back to the way things were— the “good ol’ days.” A Reactionary is a person who supports an immediate change that would bring about a return to the old ways of doing things by any means necessary. Often reactionaries are willing to use extreme methods, such as repressive use of government power, to achieve their goals. The term “reactionary is generally negative. Use illegal or violent methods Examples: Hitler, KKK, some Loyalists.

American Politicians on the Spectrum Here is how one website places important American political figures on the spectrum. You can take the quiz at