The Rise of Conservatism: Crash Course US History #41

CrashCourse・2 minutes read

Alabama transitioned from Democratic to Republican senators due to the rise of conservatism in the 1960s and 1970s, with figures like Barry Goldwater challenging the New Deal and Nixon appealing to the 'silent majority.' Nixon's presidency was marked by liberal programs like the Great Society and affirmative action, but his downfall due to the Watergate scandal highlighted government abuse of power, leading to a conservative push against liberal policies.

Insights

  • The shift from Democratic to Republican senators in Alabama during the 1960s and 1970s was influenced by the rise of conservatism, challenging New Deal policies and associating Democrats with civil rights, leading to significant political changes in the region.
  • Nixon's presidency, marked by the continuation of liberal programs like the Great Society and controversies such as Watergate, highlighted the complexities and contradictions within conservative movements, showcasing the challenges of balancing traditional values with governmental actions and power dynamics.

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  • What political shifts occurred in Alabama?

    Alabama shifted from Democratic to Republican senators due to rising conservatism.

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Summary

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Alabama's Shift to Republican Senators in 1960s

  • Alabama, a conservative state, has shifted from Democratic to Republican senators due to the rise of conservatism in the 1960s and 1970s.
  • Conservative thinking, including free market ideology and libertarianism, was prevalent in the 1960s, challenging the regulatory state created by the New Deal.
  • The 1964 presidential election saw Barry Goldwater as the Republican candidate, advocating a harder line in the Cold War and criticizing the New Deal welfare state.
  • Goldwater's extreme views led to his defeat by Lyndon Johnson, but his nomination marked a significant conservative victory.
  • The shift from Democratic to Republican in the South was influenced by the Democrats' association with civil rights, demonstrated in the 1968 election.
  • Richard Nixon, campaigning as the candidate of the "silent majority," won the presidency in 1968, appealing to Americans alarmed by the rights revolution and advocating tough stances on crime.
  • Nixon's presidency saw the continuation of liberal programs like the Great Society, with initiatives such as the Clean Air Act and affirmative action.
  • Nixon's Supreme Court nominee, Warren Burger, upheld affirmative action and integration policies, disappointing conservatives.
  • Roe v. Wade, legalizing abortion, sparked opposition from Catholics and Evangelical Protestants, aligning with the conservative push against the sexual revolution and traditional family values.
  • The defeat of the Equal Rights Amendment in 1974 reflected concerns about gender roles and the breakdown of the family, with arguments that free enterprise liberated women in traditional roles.

11:20

Nixon's Watergate Scandal and Downfall

  • Nixon, paranoid about his opponents, created an enemies list and established a special investigative unit called the plumbers to prevent leaks, not fix toilets. He also taped conversations in the Oval Office, leading to a constitutional crisis when the tapes were demanded during the Watergate investigation.
  • Nixon's downfall was not the break-in itself, but the cover-up through hush money payments and obstruction of justice. The House Judiciary Committee recommended articles of impeachment for conspiracy and obstruction of justice, ultimately leading to Nixon's resignation due to abuse of power.
  • Watergate, followed by the Church Committee investigation, revealed widespread government abuse of power, undermining the belief in a benevolent government. These scandals signaled to conservatives that the liberal government needed to be stopped, as it failed to promote freedom and solve problems.
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