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Since America lacks an aristocracy or an established church, the tradition that American conservatives defend is not simple to define. Schneider identifies American conservatism with support of republicanism, "the rule of law and the Christian religion," and a defense of "Western civilization from the challenges of modernist culture and totalitarian governments."<ref name="Schneider" />

Since America lacks an aristocracy or an established church, the tradition that American conservatives defend is not simple to define. Schneider identifies American conservatism with support of republicanism, "the rule of law and the Christian religion," and a defense of "Western civilization from the challenges of modernist culture and totalitarian governments."<ref name="Schneider" />

===Republicans and Federalists===

===Adams and Jefferson===

Burke was read by the first generation of American conservatives, including [[Alexander Hamilton]], [[John Adams]], and [[John Randolph]]. Historian [[Russell Kirk]] identifies the Citizen Genêt affair of 1793 as the first occasion when American liberals and conservatives squared off. In the election of 1800, Republican [[Thomas Jefferson]] and Federalist John Adams clashed over policy toward France, taxes, state's rights, and other issues. This type of intensely ideological politicking dissipated with the end of the French Revolution. The Federalist Party dissolved in 1816. At the same time, the Republican Party adopted many of its positions regarding tariffs, a national bank, and other issues.

Burke was read by the first generation of American conservatives, including [[Alexander Hamilton]], [[John Adams]], and [[John Randolph]]. Historian [[Russell Kirk]] identifies the Citizen Genêt affair of 1793 as the first occasion when American liberals and conservatives squared off. In the election of 1800, Republican [[Thomas Jefferson]] and Federalist John Adams clashed over policy toward France, taxes, state's rights, and other issues. This type of intensely ideological politicking dissipated with the end of the French Revolution. The Federalist Party dissolved in 1816. At the same time, the Republican Party adopted many of its positions regarding tariffs, a national bank, and other issues.

===Whigs, Democrats, and Republicans===

===Whigs and Democrats===

Jefferson's Republican Party dissolved in 1825, succeeded by the Democrats and the American Whigs. The Whigs identified as conservative. In practice, the political positions of the party's state organizations varied widely. It's nominees for president were non-ideological war heroes.

Jefferson's Republican Party dissolved in 1825, succeeded by the Democrats and the American Whigs. The Whigs identified as conservative. In practice, the political positions of the party's state organizations varied widely. It's nominees for president were non-ideological war heroes.

The modern Republican Party was founded in 1854 as an anti-slavery party. In the election of 1860, Lincoln, the Republican nominee, emphasized that federal control of slavery in the federal territories was a conservative idea, based on a straightforward reading of the U.S. Constitution. Douglas, the Democratic nominee, supported the Supreme Court's Dred Scott decision, which forbad such control. The Abolitionists, or liberal wing of the Republican Party, wanted to abolish slavery nationally, a position not based on the Constitution. Once the slavery issue was resolved, the Democrats became simply the party of the South, the Republicans the party of the North.

The modern Republican Party was founded in 1854 as an anti-slavery party. In the election of 1860, Lincoln, the Republican nominee, emphasized that federal control of slavery in the federal territories was a conservative idea, based on a straightforward reading of the U.S. Constitution. Douglas, the Democratic nominee, supported the Supreme Court's Dred Scott decision, which forbad such control. The Abolitionists, or liberal wing of the Republican Party, wanted to abolish slavery nationally, a position not based on the Constitution. Once the slavery issue was resolved, the Democrats became simply the party of the South, the Republicans the party of the North.

The rise of labor unions in the late the nineteenth century led to renewed ideological struggle. With the Pullman strike of 1894, the nation was again split into liberal and conservative camps. In the 1896 presidential election, "populist" William Jennings Bryan ousted President [[Grover Cleveland]], a conservative icon, as the Democratic Party's nominee. Cleveland's supporters fled to the Republican Party to support William McKinley, who won the general election. In this way, the Republicans became a conservative pro-business party, the party of "sound money and protection." The 1896 election proved to be a watershed event that would define the positions of the two major parties for generations.

The rise of labor unions in the late the nineteenth century led to renewed ideological struggle. With the Pullman strike of 1894, the nation was again split into liberal and conservative camps. In the 1896 presidential election, "populist" William Jennings Bryan ousted President [[Grover Cleveland]], a conservative icon, as the Democratic Party's nominee. Cleveland's supporters fled to the Republican Party to support William McKinley, who won the general election. In this way, the Republicans became a conservative pro-business party, the party of "sound money and protection." The 1896 election proved to be a watershed event that would define the positions of the two major parties for generations.