The Rise of Conservatism in America, 1945-2000 A Brief History with Documents

The last half of the twentieth century saw the advent of a new conservative movement in the United States, a coalition that shared a common determination to redefine the American government, culture, and economy. In this volume Ronald Story and Bruce Laurie present a rich variety of primary sources, including speeches, cartoons, party platforms, and editorials, that speak to the remarkable impact of the conservative movement, from its solvent think tanks to its grassroots support. Outspoken intellectuals such as William F. Buckley and George Gilder, charismatic political figures such as George Wallace, Barry Goldwater, and Ronald Reagan, and powerful organizations like the Southern Baptist Convention and the National Rifle Association weigh in on such issues as the death penalty, taxation, gun control, affirmative action, abortion, and foreign policy. The authors' lucid introduction traces America's turn to the right from the demise of New Deal liberalism to the election of George W. Bush in 2000, examining the conservatives' motivations and strategies and the key events that fostered the rise of conservative attitudes. Each document is preceded by a headnote, helping students understand how the author and his or her line of thinking fit into the story of the movement. A timeline, questions for consideration, and a list of suggested readings also aid comprehension of the material.

RONALD STORY taught social, political and military history at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and elsewhere for many decades before retiring in 2006. Among his works are A Concise Historical Atlas of World War II (2005), Five Colleges (1993), Sports in Massachusetts (1991), A More Perfect Union (1984–1995), The Forging of an Aristocracy (1980), Generations of Americans (1976); thirty articles and essays; and two digital works, The Jackie Robinson Educational Archives (1998) and The American Civil War (1996).

BRUCE LAURIE is professor of history at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he teaches courses in U.S. labor, comparative slavery and emancipation, and historiography. His books include Beyond Garrison: Antislavery and Social Reform (2005) and Artisans into Workers (1989). He has received fellowships from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Antiquarian Society and is a Co-Education Director of a Fulbright Summer Institute at Amherst College.