TJ Tynan US History 2 Professor Gosse 12/3/10 Essay # 2 Throughout the 1950 s well on towards the present day the

movements of the New Left and the rise of conservatism in the United States both provided a great impact on my individual life. The movements of the New Left introduced and sustained the importance of civil liberties in the United States. Whereas, Conservatism introduced the reimplementation the principle of laissez faire, hands off style government, into the American society. Fostering and supporting free enterprise, stating its significance for the success of the nation. The rises of these two political ideologies lead to the creations of interesting political discourses. These public political languages and concepts soon received nationwide recognition. Later the terms were soon labeled and associated with particular words. The two political ideologies both played a significant role that helped shape American society. The Movements of the New Left from 1950-1975 helped the American people take a drastic step forward in social change. It was believed To become significant, politics must discover its ethical foundations and dynamic. 1 This very belief changed the course of politics of the United States, moving the focus more on to the individual lives of the citizens. Civil rights were highly regarded and sought out for all different American citizens during the New Left s era. African-Americans in particular pursued for their own civil freedoms. Beginning with Rosa Parks in March 1956. which got the ball rolling for African-Americans as well as other civil rights groups. She is famous because she was arrested because she refused to obey a segregation law in Montgomery, Alabama that declared she must give up her seat on the bus to a white man. Park s arrest on December 1, 1955, sparked a long-planned bus boycott. Martin Luther King Jr. a reverend and black civil rights activist that was on the Birmingham African-American committee urged this boycott as well as other non-violent tactics to force the American government pass laws for black liberties. As time the movement grew stronger, blacks began coming together to thwart the civil rights injustices and formed a larger organization the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). To the groups dismay a law was soon issued in Alabama outlawing civil rights marches. Still leader of the group Martin Luther King Jr. led a march but he and his fellow protesters were arrested immediately. The campaign that SCLC initiated in Birmingham, Alabama, in the spring of 1963 was the climax of the civil rights movement in the South. It forced President Kennedy to commit to a major civil rights bill. 2 A success for black civil
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Anonymous, "Tract For The Times: Editorial ," Van Gosse, The Movements of the New Left (Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2005) 50. 2 Martin Luther King Jr., "Letter from Birmingham Jail," Van Gosse, The Movements of the New Left (Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2005) 72.

rights, but King was in jail. While in Birmingham jail Martin Luther King Jr. wrote a letter underscoring his views on his politics and unwillingness to give up for equality. For years now I have heard the word Wait! It rings in the ear of every Negro with piercing familiarity. We have waited for more than 340 years for our constitutional and God-given rights. The nations of Asia and Africa are moving with jet-like speed toward gaining political independence, but we still creep at horseand-buggy pace One has not only legal but a moral responsibility to obey law. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws 3 Here Martin Luther King Jr. alludes that the time for equality is now, all over the world segregation and discrimination laws are dissipating but here in the United States they still exist and they are unjust. The last line of his letter One day the South will know that when these disinherited children of God sat down at lunch counters, they were in reality standing up for what is best in the American dream and for the most sacred values in Judaeo-Christian heritage 4 Here he points to America s foundation and what it was once built on, the so-called American dream, equal opportunity for everybody to prosper coming and living in America. Martin Luther Kings believes with his relentless non-violent strategy to keep attacking discrimination equality can be achieved. Before his death in 1968, King was able to push forward civil rights for all African-Americans and it was he who was able to get the ball rolling for the rest of the civil rights groups. The Black Panthers for example were another African-American movement. In 1966 they released their party s Ten Point Program that listed of complex demands for black people. Yet their tenth point arguably the most influential of them all stated, We want land, bread, housing, education, clothing, justice and peace. And as our major political objective, a United Nations-supervised plebiscite to be held throughout the black colony in which only black colonial subjects will be allowed to participate, for the purpose of determining the will of black people as to their national destiny.5 This point truly captures the audacity of the black nationalists group, claiming the American revolutionary legacy as their own. It was through these African-American peoples demonstrative actions, that laws were changed giving them more equal opportunity in society. Soon others than African-Americans began pushing for Civil rights Other advancements in civil liberties through politics were the Feminist and Gay Lesbian movements. In 1963 Betty Friedan spoke out for the civil rights of women in her article The Feminine Mystique. Each suburban wife struggled with it alone. As she made the beds, shopped for groceries, matched slipcover material, ate peanut butter sandwiches with her children, chauffeured Cub Scouts and Brownies, lay beside her husband at night she was afraid to ask even of herself the silent question Is this all? 6 Here Betty points out that only the domestic values in women are appreciated in American society nothing more. There seem to be many
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IBID 73-74 IBID 75 5 Huey P. Newton, "Black Panther Party For Self-Defense," Van Gosse, The Movements of the New Left (Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2005) 102. 6 Betty Friedan, "The Feminine Mystique," Van Gosse, The Movements of the New Left (Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2005) 68.

parallels that can be drawn between treatment of Negroes and treatment of women in our society as a whole. 7 African-Americans and women seemed to be both suffering from lack of equality. In 1966 groups of women responded after being fed up with being the lesser man, and created the National Organization For Women. The purpose of NOW is to take action to bring women into full participation in the mainstream of American society now, exercising all the privileges and responsibilities thereof in truly equal partnership. 8 This movement sought out to solve the problem of sexism plaguing the United States society. The initial influence of the African-American civil rights movement helped build the infrastructure for the future of affirmative action groups. The consequences from the movements of the New Left are slightly the reason American society looks today. The rise of conservatism ideas in the American people helped reincorporate traditional values, stronger military and the growth of capitalism. Shifting away from the New Left, which was mainly concerned with political and social reforms. Conservatism wanted to end big government control it was more focused on free enterprise. Conservatives were afraid the big role of government would ruin the economy. The root evil is that the government is engaged in activities in which it has no legitimate business. 9 The government s taxation on the people is an attack on freedom. 10 Conservatives wanted a hands off style government to promote private enterprise. In addition they believed the money for government taxes should be put towards military spending rather than social reforms. During the late 1960 s the taxes favored the growth of large corporations, inhibiting the operation of the capital market, and discouraging the establishment of new enterprises 11 This was stalling the government and making every one poorer. Conservatives believed less government involvement in economics would help accumulate capital. And by putting this revenue towards military spending it would help thwart communism. Some conservatives were fearful of losing their individual liberties because they felt this constant government control would evolve into a socialist society and eventually turn communist. This so called intrusion on Americans freedoms is what steered them away from big government in society. Our avowed national objective is peace. We have, with great sincerity, waged peace, while the communists wage war. We have south settlements, while the communists seek victories. 12 Thus that is why taxes should be put towards military spending so the United States of America can become more powerful than the USSR if they wage war. Not towards Casey Hayden and Mary King, "Sex and Caste," Van Gosse, The Movements of the New Left (Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2005) 100. 8 National Organization For Women, "Statement of Purpose," Van Gosse, The Movements of the New Left (Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2005) 107. 9 Barry Goldwater, "The Conscience of a Conservative," Ronald Story and Bruce Laurie, The Rise of Conservatism (Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2008) 62. 10 IBID 62 11 Milton Friedman, "Capitalism and Freedom," Ronald Story and Bruce Laurie, The Rise of Conservatism (Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2008) 67. 12 Barry Goldwater, "The Conscience of a Conservative," Ronald Story and Bruce Laurie, The Rise of Conservatism (Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2008) 62-63.
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social reforms like social security where Millions receive social security benefits. Yet the relief rolls grow and the sums spent on direct assistance mount. 13 It is only through this pure free enterprise, not redistribution or welfare, is the path to prosperity for the poor as well as the American nation.14 Although capitalism may be slow at times, it still leads to a more prosperous future than having federal economic regulation. Another virtue the conservatives were seeking was the regaining of traditional values in society. They sought for an increase of moral values throughout the nation. For years during the twentieth century: drugs, alcohol, premarital sex, abortion and atheism have plagued the United States civil moralities. David Frum in 1994 made it clear that the youth needs to maintain social order and individual discipline. America turns out students the way General Motors used to turn out cars: slovenly and stupid assembly workers bang the doors on any old way they feel like, counting on a highly paid team of fixers at the end of the line to redo and repair their bungled work. 15 The youth will soon run this country; there is a demand for social order to control future conflicts from happening. The rises of new ideologies like liberalism are against the traditional social norms, which are plaguing the conservative society. Liberalism denounces God and the Bible and replaces them with freedom from responsibility. These actions always lead to anarchy. 16 This new individualism is hindering society; there must be some sort of way to combat these problems. Otherwise traditional moralities will all be anything but forgotten. These sins are already being advocated at government expense in the model nation in the world, the country is called the last best hope of mankind. 17 These problems would soon decrease when George W. Bush was nominated for presidential candidacy. He denounces previous president Clinton stating But when the moment for leadership, came this administration did not teach our children, it disillusioned them. Referring to Clinton s affair with Monica Lewinsky and lying about it to the American people. Our traditional values had been lost with Clinton s presidency and Bush was up for the challenge to bring them back as well as preaching other conservative ideals. First stating, When this money is in your name, in your account, it s not just a program, it s your property. 18 No one can take your property referring back to the taxes implemented before the conservative era that stalled the nations economy. Then he goes on stating We must teach our children the values Milton Friedman, "Capitalism and Freedom," Ronald Story and Bruce Laurie, The Rise of Conservatism (Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2008) 67. 14 George Gilder, "Wealth and Poverty," Ronald Story and Bruce Laurie, The Rise of Conservatism (Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2008) 122. 15 David Frum, Dead Right, Ronald Story and Bruce Laurie, The Rise of Conservatism (Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2008) 16 Tim LaHaye, "Anti-Christ Philosophy Already Controls America and Europe," Ronald Story and Bruce Laurie, The Rise of Conservatism (Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2008) 161. 17 IBID 163 18 George W. Bush, "Nomination Acceptance Speech," Ronald Story and Bruce Laurie, The Rise of Conservatism (Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2008) 165.
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that defeat violence. I will lead our nation toward a culture that values life. Here we observe the importance of conservatism in the American society keeping the nation from becoming too radical. Both the New Left and conservatism played significant roles in shaping my life. So to say that one is more influential than the other would be inaccurate, for both the two movements impacted my life just as much as the other. Each movement was complementary of the other. For example gay people today are more accepted in society than they were years prior. This is because of the 1969 political action the Gay Activists Alliance (GAA), who held an exclusive devotion to the liberation of homosexuals. 19 GAA is a political organization Although dances and other social events are sometimes held, their purpose is to raise the political consciousness of the gay community and to contribute to its sense of social solidarity. 20 The GAA was a very political based civil rights group, their tactics and events were all for the purpose of gaining civil rights for the homosexual community. This organization backed that being a homosexual was okay in society. If it wasn t for the GAA, my Gay Aunt may have never told me she was gay because she wouldn t feel accepted in society. Another civil rights event that was influential to society and me was Coleman Young s testimony before the House Committee on Un-American Activities. It is towards the end of his testimony with the committee, a committee member slurs the word Negro and Mr. Young proceeds to tell this member he did so but the committee member becomes agitated and denies it. In response to the members agitation Young says, It isn t my purpose to argue. As a Negro, I resent the slurring of the name of my race. 21 Here only 60 years ago a man is discriminated against because of his race. Had Coleman Young not argued back maybe no African-American would have ever stepped up to challenge racism. Which case I would not have any African-American friends and they would continue to be oppressed in society. My acceptance for people s differences would have been far very limited had it not been for the New Left. The New Left has provided me education and enlightenment for viewing society. From a Conservative standpoint had politician Barry Goldwater never published his book The Conscience of a Conservative. Introducing the main two arguments of conservatism, capitalism and military strength. The government must begin to withdraw from a whole series of programs that are outside its constitutional mandate that can be better performed by lower levels of government or by private institution or by individuals. 22 Big government stalled the United States economy and limited enterprise, but capitalism allowed for the freedom of enterprise creating higher incomes. We must strive to achieve and Gay Activists Alliance, "Preamble to Constitution," Van Gosse, The Movements of the New Left (Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2005) 149. 20 IBID 150. 21 Coleman Young, Testimony Before the House Committee on Un-American Activities, Ronald Story and Bruce Laurie, The Rise of Conservatism (Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2005) 44. 22 Barry Goldwater, "The Conscience of a Conservative," Ronald Story and Bruce Laurie, The Rise of Conservatism (Boston: Bedford/St. Martins, 2008) 62
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maintain military superiority. Mere parity will not do. 23This quote refers to the arms race between the United States and the USSR. Without the revenue and capital to put towards military spending the USSR possibly could have overtaken us in the Cold War. Had that happened, had the United States turned Communist maybe I would not be here or I might be living an extremely different life. The importance of the rise of conservatism and the movements of the New Lefts both played a prominent role in my life. The two eras provided an abundant amount of political, social and economic change throughout the United States. Without the institution of civil rights and capitalism, the people of America would be very unlike the country I live in today. The two movements both complement the other, where one falls short on success the other picks up where it left off. One was more social with civil rights events where the other was more economical with implementation of capitalism but what tied the two together was the effect of politics on the other. These advancements over the latter part of the 19th century are why the United States of America is viewed the way it is today. pick a side which was more influential or come to piece with each era s influence defend it with two quotes liberalism equality->conservatism expanding that helped grow economically together wrap it up

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IBID 63