Changes

The '''John Birch Society''' is an American [[paleoconservative]] organization founded in 1958 by Massachusetts businessman [[Robert Welch]] (1900-1985).  Until the collapse of the [[Soviet Union]] in 1991, it focused on [[Communism]] as the enemy of [[American values]], warning that Communism already exerted a powerful control on the [[United States government|United States federal government]].  

The '''John Birch Society''' is an American [[paleoconservative]] organization founded in 1958 by [[Massachusetts]] businessman [[Robert Welch]] (1900-1985).  Until the collapse of the [[Soviet Union]] in 1991, it focused on [[Communism]] as the enemy of [[American values]], warning that the extremist ideology already exerted a powerful control on the [[United States government|United States federal government]].  

Originally based in Belmont, Massachusetts, its headquarters are now in Appleton, Wisconsin,<ref>{{Cite news|author = Dan Barry |url= http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/26/us/26Land.html |title = Holding Firm Against Plots by Evildoers |work = [[The New York Times]] |date = June 25, 2009 |accessdate = January 1, 2017}}</ref> with local chapters throughout the United States. The organization owns American Opinion Publishing, which publishes ''[[The New American]]''.<ref name="newamerican">{{Cite web |url= http://www.thenewamerican.com/ |title = The New American }}</ref>

Originally based in Belmont, Massachusetts, its headquarters are now in Appleton, [[Wisconsin]],<ref>{{Cite news|author = Dan Barry |url= http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/26/us/26Land.html |title = Holding Firm Against Plots by Evildoers |work = [[The New York Times]] |date = June 25, 2009 |accessdate = January 1, 2017}}</ref> with local chapters throughout the United States. The organization owns American Opinion Publishing, which publishes ''[[The New American]]''.<ref name="newamerican">{{Cite web |url= http://www.thenewamerican.com/ |title = The New American }}</ref>

At its peak in 1964 the Society claimed to have hundreds of chapters throughout the country, 100,000 members, 400 American Opinion bookstores to distribute and sell its magazine and pamphlets, and an active cadre of speakers that crisscrossed the country.  Welch ruled with an iron hand,<ref>Schoenwald, (2001) pp. 83-91</ref> sending out his agents to make sure the local units never engaged in operations on their own, such as endorsing candidates or lobbying for legislation. All the dues went to national headquarters in Belmont, Massachusetts and the members were to spend their energy writing letters that echoed Welch's thesis that that Communists were already in power in Washington and were about to fully take over the country.  Welch sponsored "Support Your Local Police"  

At its peak in 1964 the Society claimed to have hundreds of chapters throughout the country, 100,000 members, 400 American Opinion bookstores to distribute and sell its magazine and pamphlets, and an active cadre of speakers that crisscrossed the country.  Welch ruled with an iron hand,<ref>Schoenwald, (2001) pp. 83-91</ref> sending out his agents to make sure the local units never engaged in operations on their own, such as endorsing candidates or lobbying for legislation. All the dues went to national headquarters in Belmont, Massachusetts and the members were to spend their energy writing letters that echoed Welch's thesis that that Communists were already in power in Washington and were about to fully take over the country.  Welch sponsored "Support Your Local Police"  

campaign which opposed civilian review boards to monitor police brutality.<ref>Some chapters without Welch's approval did organize opposition to fluoridation of local water supplies or pushed a slate for election to local school boards.</ref> The one notable national campaign was to demand the impeachment of Chief Justice [[Earl Warren]].  Not a single member of Congress was willing to present an impeachment resolution, and over the years only three Congressmen were members, most notably [[Larry McDonald]] (1935-1983), the Society president when his plane, [[Korean Airlines Flight 007]],was shot down by the Soviet Air Force on Sept. 1, 1983 in international air space in between Soviet [[Moneron Island]] and [[Sakhalin]] island.<ref>Since June of 2012, there is a petition drive, supported by Senator [[Scott Brown]], to be  presented to President Obama and Speaker of the House John Boehner, to reopen the investigation into the shooting down of KAL 007 and reports of the survival of Congressman McDonald [http://www.change.org/petitions/president-barack-obama-speaker-of-the-house-john-boehner-conduct-an-investigation-of-flight-kal-007].

campaign which opposed civilian review boards to monitor police brutality.<ref>Some chapters without Welch's approval did organize opposition to fluoridation of local water supplies or pushed a slate for election to local school boards.</ref> The one notable national campaign was to demand the impeachment of Chief Justice [[Earl Warren]].  Not a single member of Congress was willing to present an impeachment resolution, and over the years only three Congressmen were members, most notably [[Larry McDonald]] (1935-1983), the Society president when his plane, [[Korean Airlines Flight 007]],was shot down by the Soviet Air Force on Sept. 1, 1983 in international air space in between Soviet [[Moneron Island]] and [[Sakhalin]] island.<ref>Since June of 2012, there is a petition drive, supported by Senator [[Scott Brown]], to be  presented to President Obama and Speaker of the House John Boehner, to reopen the investigation into the shooting down of KAL 007 and reports of the survival of Congressman McDonald [http://www.change.org/petitions/president-barack-obama-speaker-of-the-house-john-boehner-conduct-an-investigation-of-flight-kal-007].</ref>

One of the society's most popular spokesmen was [[John Rousselot]], a former Republican congressman from southern [[California]]. Another was [[John Schmitz]] (1930-2001), briefly a Congressman from Southern California.</ref>    

One of the society's most popular spokesmen was [[John Rousselot]], a former Republican congressman from southern [[California]]. Another was [[John Schmitz]] (1930-2001), briefly a Congressman from Southern California.   

==History==

==History==