Chapter 1 - American Conservatism Flashcards
What is the traditional definition of “conservative” political philosophy?
A dedication to maintaining government stability and resisting ideology, advocating for slow, considered changes based on actual conditions.
How did the Republican Party in the Civil War era define conservatism?
They declared that the anti-slavery movement supported the conservative principles of the nation’s Founders.
What significant shift in conservatism occurred in the 1930s?
Conservatism began to represent a specific political ideology opposing the New Deal, advocating for tax cuts, elimination of government-provided social services, and states’ rights to enforce discriminatory laws.
Who comprised the coalition that opposed the New Deal?
Anti-Black southern Democrats, Westerners opposing federal control over land and water, and Republicans frustrated with federal business regulation.
What was the “Conservative Manifesto”?
An open letter written by politicians opposed to the New Deal, calling for tax cuts, elimination of government-provided social services, and states’ rights to enforce discriminatory laws.
How did movement conservatism use historical narratives?
It promoted a mythologized version of American history to drive support for policies that were detrimental to most Americans.
What was the “liberal consensus” of the 1940s and 1950s?
A dominant ideology promoting strong government support for the general welfare, leading to a prosperous and stable nation
How did movement conservatives use anti-Black bias in their rhetoric?
They convinced white people to oppose federal policies by suggesting that federally supported integration efforts were socialist wealth redistribution through taxation
What myth did movement conservatives embrace to symbolize their ideals?
The myth of the cowboy as a white, independent man who did not rely on the government, despite westward expansion depending on federal support and strong communities.
How did movement conservatism’s rhetoric create its own reality in the late 20th century?
By rejecting factual analysis in favor of ideological beliefs, such as reprogramming computers to support tax cuts despite evidence of deficits, and manufacturing false evidence to justify war.
