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THE EVOLUTION OF CONSERVATISM
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Roosevelt’s attempt to “pack” the Supreme Court causes conservative backlash in Congress.
In 1937, an attempt by Roosevelt to “pack” the Supreme Court by adding new justices caused a backlash. Conservatives in both major political parties formed a coalition that opposed further New Deal legislation. Nevertheless, Republicans struggled to overcome Roosevelt's enduring popularity as President. -
Dwight D. Eisenhower is elected as a moderate Republican
As the Republican, Eisenhower entered the 1952 presidential race to counter the non-interventionism of Sen. Robert A. Taft, and to crusade against "Communism, Korea and corruption". He won by a landslide, defeating Democrat Adlai Stevenson and ending two decades of the New Deal Coalition holding the White House. -
Barry Goldwater runs on a conservative platform and loses to LBJ in a landslide.
Goldwater remained popular in Arizona, and in the 1968 Senate election he was reelected (this time to the seat of retiring Senator Carl Hayden). He was subsequently reelected in 1974 and 1980. The 1974 election saw Goldwater easily reelected. His final campaign in 1980 was close, with Goldwater winning in a near draw against Democrat challenger Bill Schulz. Goldwater said later that the close result convinced him not to run again. -
The Supreme Court angers social conservatives with its decision to legalize abortion in Roe v. Wade
The use of the new birth control pill encouraged promiscuity, critics said. Also, after the 1973 Supreme Court ruling in Roe v. Wade legalized abortion, anti-abortion forces launched a campaign to overturn that decision. The movement for gay and lesbian rights further angered many conservative Americans. -
Conservative Republicans sweep the historic 1980 election
The United States presidential election of 1980 featured a contest between Democrat Jimmy Carter and his Republican opponent, Ronald Reagan.There was also Republican Congressman John B. Anderson, who ran as an independent. Reagan, aided by the Iran hostage crisis and a worsening economy at home, won the election in a landslide -
The American Liberty League is founded to defend conservative values of private property and individual enterprise
The American Liberty League was an American political organization formed in 1934. It was formed by conservative Democrats to oppose the New Deal of Franklin D. Roosevelt. It was active for just two years.
