Changes

Between 1939 and 1963, the coalition was able to exercise virtual veto power over domestic legislation, and no major liberal legislation was passed during this entire quarter century.  [[Harry Truman]] won reelection in 1948 and carried a Democratic Congress, but the only portion of his [[Fair Deal]] program that passed was cosponsored by Taft. Under [[Lyndon Johnson]] in 1963-65 liberals broke the power of the coalition by passing the Civil Rights Act, which was assisted by a newly-elected liberal Congress in 1964. Congress passed the liberal [[Great Society]] programs over the opposition of the coalition. However the coalition regained strength in the 1966 election, in the face of massive rioting in the cities, and the tearing apart of the Democratic [[New Deal coalition]] over issues of black power, liberalism, student radicalism and Vietnam.  

Between 1939 and 1963, the coalition was able to exercise virtual veto power over domestic legislation, and no major liberal legislation was passed during this entire quarter century.  [[Harry Truman]] won reelection in 1948 and carried a Democratic Congress, but the only portion of his [[Fair Deal]] program that passed was cosponsored by Taft. Under [[Lyndon Johnson]] in 1963-65 liberals broke the power of the coalition by passing the Civil Rights Act, which was assisted by a newly-elected liberal Congress in 1964. Congress passed the liberal [[Great Society]] programs over the opposition of the coalition. However the coalition regained strength in the 1966 election, in the face of massive rioting in the cities, and the tearing apart of the Democratic [[New Deal coalition]] over issues of black power, liberalism, student radicalism and Vietnam.  

In 1981 President [[Ronald Reagan]] won over enough conservative southern Democrats--called '''Boll Weevils'''-- to carry his major tax cuts through a House nominally controlled by the Democrats. Led by Congressman [[Phil Gramm]] of Texas,<ref>Gramm later became a Republican. On Gramm see David Frum, "Righter Than Newt," ''The Atlantic Monthly'' v. 275#3 (March 1995) pp 81+, online at [[Questia]] </ref> they helped Reagan enact many of his domestic policy proposals, to increase defense spending sharply, and to block leftists attacks on Reagan's anti-Communist policies in Central America. They also helped dismantle some of the remnants of [[Lyndon Johnson]]'s [[Great Society]].<ref>The "boll weevil" was a pest that ruined cotton plants across the South in the early 20th century, and forced the region to diversify out of cotton.</ref> Reagan did not campaign against them, so they kept their seats a few years longer.<ref> Lou Cannon, ''President Reagan: The Role of a Lifetime'' (2000) pp 89, 754</ref>

In 1981 President [[Ronald Reagan]] won over enough conservative southern Democrats—called '''Boll Weevils'''-- to carry his major tax cuts through a House nominally controlled by the Democrats. Led by Congressman [[Phil Gramm]] of Texas,<ref>Gramm later became a Republican. On Gramm see David Frum, "Righter Than Newt," ''The Atlantic Monthly'' v. 275#3 (March 1995) pp 81+, online at [[Questia]]</ref> they helped Reagan enact many of his domestic policy proposals, to increase defense spending sharply, and to block leftists attacks on Reagan's anti-Communist policies in Central America. They also helped dismantle some of the remnants of [[Lyndon Johnson]]'s [[Great Society]].<ref>The "boll weevil" was a pest that ruined cotton plants across the South in the early 20th century, and forced the region to diversify out of cotton.</ref> Reagan did not campaign against them, so they kept their seats a few years longer.<ref>Lou Cannon, ''President Reagan: The Role of a Lifetime'' (2000) pp 89, 754</ref>

After 1994 the Republicans took control of most of the conservative southern districts, so the Southern Democratic part of the coalition has largely evaporated.

After 1994 the Republicans took control of most of the conservative southern districts, so the Southern Democratic part of the coalition has largely evaporated.

* Malsberger, John W. ''From Obstruction to Moderation: The Transformation of Senate Conservatism, 1938-1952'' 2000

* Malsberger, John W. ''From Obstruction to Moderation: The Transformation of Senate Conservatism, 1938-1952'' 2000

* Moore, John Robert. "The Conservative Coalition in the United States Senate, 1942-45." ''Journal of Southern History'' 1967 33(3): 369-376. [http://www.jstor.org/stable/2204865 in JSTOR] statistical analysis of roll calls   

* Moore, John Robert. "The Conservative Coalition in the United States Senate, 1942-45." ''Journal of Southern History'' 1967 33(3): 369-376. [http://www.jstor.org/stable/2204865 in JSTOR] statistical analysis of roll calls   

* Nye, Mary Alice. "Conservative Coalition Support in the House of Representatives, 1963-1988," ''Legislative Studies Quarterly,'' Vol. 18, No. 2 (May, 1993), pp. 255-270 [http://www.jstor.org/stable/439993 in JSTOR] +   

* Nye, Mary Alice. "Conservative Coalition Support in the House of Representatives, 1963-1988," ''Legislative Studies Quarterly,'' Vol. 18, No. 2 (May, 1993), pp.&nbsp;255–270 [http://www.jstor.org/stable/439993 in JSTOR] +   

* Patterson, James T. "A Conservative Coalition Forms in Congress, 1933-1939," ''The Journal of American History,'' Vol. 52, No. 4. (Mar., 1966), pp. 757-772. [http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0021-8723%28196603%2952%3A4%3C757%3AACCFIC%3E2.0.CO%3B2-C in JSTOR]

* Patterson, James T. "A Conservative Coalition Forms in Congress, 1933-1939," ''The Journal of American History,'' Vol. 52, No. 4. (Mar., 1966), pp.&nbsp;757–772. [http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0021-8723%28196603%2952%3A4%3C757%3AACCFIC%3E2.0.CO%3B2-C in JSTOR]

* Patterson, James. ''Congressional Conservatism and the New Deal: The Growth of the Conservative Coalition in Congress, 1933-39'' (1967) [http://www.historyebook.org/ online at ACLS e-books]

* Patterson, James. ''Congressional Conservatism and the New Deal: The Growth of the Conservative Coalition in Congress, 1933-39'' (1967) [http://www.historyebook.org/ online at ACLS e-books]

* Patterson, James T. ''Mr. Republican: A Biography of Robert A. Taft'' (1972)  

* Patterson, James T. ''Mr. Republican: A Biography of Robert A. Taft'' (1972)  

* Schapsmeier Edward L., and Frederick H. Schapsmeier. ''Dirksen of Illinois''. (1985) the standard biography

* Schapsmeier Edward L., and Frederick H. Schapsmeier. ''Dirksen of Illinois''. (1985) the standard biography

* Schickler, Eric. ''Disjointed Pluralism: Institutional Innovation and the Development of the U.S. Congress'' (2001)

* Schickler, Eric. ''Disjointed Pluralism: Institutional Innovation and the Development of the U.S. Congress'' (2001)

* Shelley II, Mack C. "Presidents and the Conservative Coalition in the U. S. Congress," ''Legislative Studies Quarterly,'' Vol. 8, No. 1 (Feb., 1983), pp. 79-96 [http://www.jstor.org/stable/439472 in JSTOR]  

* Shelley II, Mack C. "Presidents and the Conservative Coalition in the U. S. Congress," ''Legislative Studies Quarterly,'' Vol. 8, No. 1 (Feb., 1983), pp.&nbsp;79–96 [http://www.jstor.org/stable/439472 in JSTOR]  

* Shelley II, Mack C. ''The Permanent Majority: The Conservative Coalition in the United States Congress'' (1983)

* Shelley II, Mack C. ''The Permanent Majority: The Conservative Coalition in the United States Congress'' (1983)

* Rohde, David W. ''Parties and Leaders in the Postreform House'' (1991)

* Rohde, David W. ''Parties and Leaders in the Postreform House'' (1991)

[[Category:United States Political Organizations]]

[[Category:United States Political Organizations]]

[[Category:New Deal]]

[[Category:New Deal]]

[[category:1950s]]

[[Category:1950s]]

[[category:Conservatives]]

[[Category:Conservatives]]

[[Category:New Deal]]

[[Category:New Deal]]

[[Category:Broke with FDR]]

[[Category:Broke with FDR]]