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The '''conservative movement''' is a collection of volunteers, principles and goals for the betterment of society.  A defining characteristic is adherence to [[logic]] and [[faith]] above self-centered behavior. The primary goals include:

The '''conservative movement''' is a collection of volunteers, [[principle]]s and goals for the betterment of society.  A defining characteristic is adherence to [[logic]] and [[faith]] above self-centered behavior. The primary goals include:

*less government

* [[limited government|less government]]

*more morality

* more [[morality]]

*hard work and prosperity

* hard work and prosperity

*genuine charity

* genuine [[charity]] rather than forced [[big government]] [[income redistribution]] via the [[Welfare state]] and [[Nanny state]].

==Early Roots==

==Early Roots==

While [[conservatism]] has been a defining force in American politics since the dawn of the nation, modern conservatism begins with the unfettered liberalism of the New Deal.  Recognizing the tremendous harm that massive government could bring, concerned Democrats and Republicans banded together behind North Carolina Senator [[Josiah Bailey]] to protest what they saw as a power grab by Roosevelt.  This protest, initially titled "An Address to the People of the United States," came to be known as the "Conservative Manifesto."   

While [[conservatism]] has been a defining force in [[American politics]] since the dawn of the nation, modern conservatism begins with the unfettered [[liberalism]] of the [[New Deal]].  Recognizing the tremendous harm that [[big government|massive government]] could bring, concerned [[Democrat]]s and [[Republican]]s banded together behind [[North Carolina]] [[Senator]] [[Josiah Bailey]] to protest what they saw as a power grab by [[Franklin Delano Roosevelt]].  This protest, initially titled "An Address to the People of the United States," came to be known as the "Conservative Manifesto."   

The Conservative Manifesto had ten points, most of which are familiar to any modern conservative:<ref>http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig7/kickler1.html</ref>

The Conservative Manifesto had ten points, most of which are familiar to any modern conservative:<ref>http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig7/kickler1.html</ref>

*1. The reduction or elimination of [[capital gain]]s [[taxes]].  

* 1. The reduction or elimination of [[capital gain]]s [[taxes]].  

*2. Cut government spending in order to achieve a [[balanced budget]].

 

*3. An end to the violence that resulted from confrontations between businesses and organized [[labor unions|labor]]

* 2. Cut [[deficit spending|government spending]] in order to achieve a [[balanced budget]].

*4. Opposition to government interference in private enterprise, and recognition of the fact that government should not attempt to do jobs which private enterprise can do better.

 

*5. Acknowledgement of the fact that private enterprise requires a reasonable [[profit]] in order to be successful.

* 3. An end to the [[violence]] that resulted from confrontations between [[businesses]] and organized [[labor unions|labor]]

*6. Secure collateral in order to ensure stable credit.

 

*7. [[Tax cut]]s wherever possible and practicable, and a commitment to resist tax increases.

* 4. Opposition to government interference in [[private enterprise]], and recognition of the fact that government should not attempt to do jobs which private enterprise can do better.

*8. [[Tenth Amendment|States' rights]] and the understanding that [[limited government|small local government]] is more efficiently able to meet the needs of its constituents than a [[big government|massive federal government]].

 

*9. An emphasis on the role of local government in providing economic relief.

* 5. Acknowledgement of the fact that private enterprise requires a reasonable [[profit]] in order to be successful.

*10. Acknowledgment of the value of the American democratic [[Constitutional republic]] with its [[unalienable rights]] enshrined in the [[Bill of Rights]] and the value of American [[free enterprise]].

 

* 6. Secure [[collateral]] in order to ensure stable [[credit]].

 

* 7. [[Tax cut]]s wherever possible and practicable, and a commitment to resist tax increases.

 

* 8. [[Tenth Amendment|States' rights]] and the understanding that [[limited government|small local government]] is more efficiently able to meet the needs of its constituents than a [[big government|massive federal government]].

 

* 9. An emphasis on the role of local government and [[church]]es in providing economic relief.

 

* 10. Acknowledgment of the value of the American [[democracy|democratic]] [[Constitutional republic]] with its [[unalienable rights]] enshrined in the [[Bill of Rights]] and the value of American [[free enterprise]].

 

==Taking Shape: Kirk and Buckley==

==Taking Shape: Kirk and Buckley==

While it is difficult to point to a single moment in time as the "birth" of modern conservatism, certain key events have been critical.  One of these was the publication of [[Russell Kirk]]'s ''[[The Conservative Mind]]'' in 1953.  Kirk established six critical "canons," which would become cornerstones of American conservatism:

While it is difficult to point to a single moment in time as the "birth" of modern conservatism, certain key events have been critical.  One of these was the publication of [[Russell Kirk]]'s ''[[The Conservative Mind]]'' in 1953.  Kirk established six critical "canons," which would become cornerstones of American conservatism:

*1. Society is not only governed by individual whim and conscience, but also by [[divine providence]] and intent.

* 1. [[Society]] is not only governed by individual whim and [[conscience]], but also by [[divine providence]] and intent.

*2. [[Tradition]] leads to variety, whereas [[radical]]ism leads to stagnation and stifling uniformity of thought.

* 2. [[Tradition]] leads to variety, whereas [[radical]]ism leads to stagnation and stifling uniformity of thought.

*3. Civilization is predicated on order.

* 3. Civilization is predicated on order.

*4. [[Private property]] is inextricably tied to [[liberty]], and vice versa.

* 4. [[Private property]] is inextricably tied to [[liberty]], and vice versa.

*5. [[Moderation]] and [[self-control]] are crucial to civilization.

* 5. [[Moderation]] and [[self-control]] are crucial to civilization.

*6. The natural progression of society is one of slow, gradual change, informed by tradition and custom.  Rapid change -- particularly rapid change for the sake of change -- is dangerous and corrosive to society. <ref name="heritage">http://www.heritage.org/Research/PoliticalPhilosophy/HL811.cfm</ref>

* 6. The natural progression of society is one of slow, gradual change, informed by [[tradition]] and custom.  Rapid change -- particularly rapid change for the sake of change -- is dangerous and corrosive to society. <ref name="heritage">http://www.heritage.org/Research/PoliticalPhilosophy/HL811.cfm</ref>

These ideas served as a framework, giving form and direction to American conservative philosophy.

These ideas served as a framework, giving form and direction to American conservative philosophy.

==Genesis of a Movement==

==Genesis of a Movement==

Senator [[Robert Taft]] was one of the founders of the conservative movement.  He authored perhaps the most significant legislation of the 20th century, the [[Taft-Hartley Act]] to preserve [[free enterprise]] against suffocating [[unionism]], and obtained its passage over President [[Harry Truman]]'s veto.

Senator [[Robert Taft]] was one of the founders of the conservative movement.  He authored perhaps the most significant legislation of the [[20th century]], the [[Taft-Hartley Act]] to preserve [[free enterprise]] against suffocating [[unionism]], and obtained its passage over President [[Harry Truman]]'s veto.

Nearly two decades later, [[Barry Goldwater]] built on free enterprise to obtain an unlikely nomination as the the [[Republican]] candidate for president in 1964.  A United States Senator from [[Arizona]], Goldwater's insistence upon [[conservative values|conservative principles]] helped redefine the [[Republican Party]], transforming it into the party of conservatism and conservatives in the early 1960s.  In Goldwater's acceptance speech at the [[Republican National Convention]] in 1964, he famously declared, "I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.”<ref>http://usconservatives.about.com/od/thinkersanddoers/a/Goldwater.htm</ref>

Nearly two decades later, [[Barry Goldwater]] built on free enterprise to obtain an unlikely nomination as the the [[Republican]] candidate for president in 1964.  A United States Senator from [[Arizona]], Goldwater's insistence upon [[conservative values|conservative principles]] helped redefine the [[Republican Party]], transforming it into the party of conservatism and conservatives in the early 1960s.  In Goldwater's acceptance speech at the [[Republican National Convention]] in 1964, he famously declared, "I would remind you that extremism in the [[defense]] of liberty is no vice. And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.”<ref>http://usconservatives.about.com/od/thinkersanddoers/a/Goldwater.htm</ref>

==21st Century Movement==

==21st Century Movement==

In a new bid to regain lost political power, conservatives have embraced the [[internet]] (such as [[Conservapedia]]) and [[social media]] in particular, to further the cause. In addition, hundreds of thousands, some suggest even millions of conservatives have or will participate in nationwide TEA parties, a demonstration against a government out-of-step with the "We the people." Some conservatives call the 21st century movement [[Reagan]] 2.0, saying his ideas didn't end when he left office 01-20-1989.

In a new bid to regain lost political power, conservatives have embraced the [[internet]] (such as [[Conservapedia]]) and [[social media]] (especially [[Twitter]]) in particular, to further the cause. In addition, hundreds of thousands, some suggest even millions of conservatives have or will participate in nationwide [[TEA Party|TEA parties]], a demonstration against a government out-of-step with the "[[We the people]]." Some conservatives call the [[21st century]] movement [[Reagan]] 2.0, saying his ideas didn't end when he left office January 20, 1989.

===Survival Concerns Cause Preppers to Join the Movement===

===Survival Concerns Cause Preppers to Join the Movement===

Many [[citizen]]s more actively joined the Conservative Movement since 1999 because of a interest in [[:Category:Survivalism|preparedness and survivalism]]. This burgeoning interest began just before [[Y2K]] and continued to increase, as did [[Gun Owners of America|gun ownership]] due to [[9/11]] [[terrorist]] attacks and the increasingly worse [[deficit spending]]/[[National debt]] caused by the [[Financial Crisis of 2008]] and the [[United States Presidential Election, 2008|the election of Obama]] ([[Obamageddon]]-[[Obamunism]]).  

Many [[citizen]]s more actively joined the Conservative Movement since 1999 because of a interest in [[:Category:Survivalism|preparedness and survivalism]]. This burgeoning interest began just before [[Y2K]] and continued to increase, as did [[Gun Owners of America|gun ownership]] due to [[9/11]] [[terrorist]] attacks and the increasingly worse [[deficit spending]]/[[National debt]] caused by the [[Financial Crisis of 2008]] and the [[United States Presidential Election, 2008|the election of Obama]] ([[Obamageddon]]-[[Obamunism]]). Many [[gun enthusiast]]s, conservatives and preppers have stated that "Obama is the greatest gun [[sales]]man ever." This is due to Obama's extreme "[[gun control|gun grabbing]]" policies and [[Executive Order]]s.

These events greatly worsened the already out-of-control [[liberal]] [[Welfare state]] leading to a [[socialist]] [[Nanny state]] and now under the [[Obama Administration]]'s [[ObamaCare]] and increasing irrelevance of the [[Bill of Rights]]-[[Constitution]], there is a budding [[Police state]]. This situation has caused many ordinary citizens, including those who formerly thought of themselves as [[moderate]]s to become [[Patriot]]-[[Prepper]] [[conservatives]] as evidenced by numerous programs such as [[Doomsday Preppers]] and other similar "survivalist" [[reality TV]] shows and the massive popularity of [[The Survival Blog]] with over 80 millions unique visits since 2005.

These events greatly worsened the already out-of-control [[liberal]] [[Welfare state]] leading to a [[socialist]] [[Nanny state]] and now under the [[Obama Administration]]'s [[ObamaCare]] and increasing irrelevance of the [[Bill of Rights]]-[[Constitution]], there is a budding [[Police state]]. This situation has caused many ordinary citizens, including those who formerly thought of themselves as [[moderate]]s to become [[Patriot]]-[[Prepper]] [[conservatives]] as evidenced by numerous programs such as [[Doomsday Preppers]] and other similar "[[survivalist]]" [[reality TV]] shows and the massive popularity of [[The Survival Blog]] with over 80 millions unique visits since 2005.

==See also==

==See Also==

* [[Conservative values]] - [[traditional values]] - [[American values]] - [[Small town values]] - [[Family values]]

* [[Conservative values]] - [[traditional values]] - [[American values]] - [[Small town values]] - [[Family values]]

* [[Robert Taft]] - "Grand-daddy of the Conservative Movement"

* [[Robert Taft]] - "Grand-daddy of the Conservative Movement"

* [[William F. Buckley]] - The [[National Review]]

* [[William F. Buckley]] - The [[National Review]]

* [[Cleon Skousen]] - [[Anti-Communist]] best-selling author of [[The Naked Communist]]

* [[Cleon Skousen]] - [[Anti-Communist]] best-selling author of [[The Naked Communist]]

* [[Barry Goldwater]]

* [[Barry Goldwater]]

* [[Ronald Reagan]]

* [[Ronald Reagan]]

* [[Moral Majority]]

* [[Moral Majority]]

* [[American Redoubt]] political migration movement of strategic relocation

** [[American Redoubt]] political "[[Vote with your feet]]" migration movement of [[strategic relocation]]

* [[Big tent]]

* [[Big tent]]

<references/>

<references/>

[[Category:Conservatism]]

[[Category : Conservatism]]

[[Category:Conservatives]]

[[Category : Conservatives]]

[[Category:Libertarianism]]

[[Category : Libertarianism]]

[[Category:Libertarians]]

[[Category : Libertarians]]

[[Category:American Redoubt]]

[[Category : American Redoubt]]

[[Category:Survivalism]]

[[Category : Survivalism]]

[[Category:Anti-Communism]]

[[Category : Anti-Communism]]

[[Category : Red States]]