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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]]. Today, it focuses on fighting against [[globalism]], the [[War on Sovereignty]], the [[homosexual agenda]], and other forces in the radical Left and establishment GOP.

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]]. Today, it focuses on fighting against [[globalism]], the [[War on Sovereignty]], the [[homosexual agenda]], and other forces in the radical Left and establishment GOP.

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= https://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= https://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 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.

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 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.

In October 2009, JBS criticized the Department of Homeland Security's TSA:

In October 2009, JBS criticized the Department of Homeland Security's TSA:

:''It’s not enough that the federal [[Transportation Security Administration]] (TSA) gropes us at checkpoints in airports, photographs passengers naked, steals from them, and even killed one. Now it’s recruiting the nation’s truck- and bus-drivers as snitches against us in a scheme it calls First Observer. The logic is diabolical, totalitarian, and simple...."<ref>Becky Akers, "Eyes on the Road" Oct. 15, 2009 [http://www.thenewamerican.com/index.php/opinion/948-becky-akers/1988-eyes-on-the-road on JBS official website]</ref>

:''It’s not enough that the federal [[Transportation Security Administration]] (TSA) gropes us at checkpoints in airports, photographs passengers naked, steals from them, and even killed one. Now it’s recruiting the nation’s truck- and bus-drivers as snitches against us in a scheme it calls First Observer. The logic is diabolical, totalitarian, and simple...."<ref>Becky Akers, "Eyes on the Road" Oct. 15, 2009 [https://www.thenewamerican.com/index.php/opinion/948-becky-akers/1988-eyes-on-the-road on JBS official website]</ref>

===Eisenhower and Johnson===

===Eisenhower and Johnson===

===Smart Meters and Technology===

===Smart Meters and Technology===

The John Birch Society opposes the deployment of utility smart meters at residences out of a concern for both privacy and radiation health risks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenewamerican.com/tech/energy/item/24569-the-great-smart-meter-con|title=The Great Smart Meter Con|work=New American|accessdate=January 2, 2017}}</ref>  The John Birch Society worries that society will become so dependent upon technology that it will evolve into a [[technocracy]] where technologist will be in control.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenewamerican.com/tech/environment/item/24927-alex-newma-patrick-wood-warns-technocracy-takeover|title=Researcher Warns of Technocracy Takeover|work=New American|accessdate=January 2, 2017}}</ref>

The John Birch Society opposes the deployment of utility smart meters at residences out of a concern for both privacy and radiation health risks.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenewamerican.com/tech/energy/item/24569-the-great-smart-meter-con|title=The Great Smart Meter Con|work=New American|accessdate=January 2, 2017}}</ref>  The John Birch Society worries that society will become so dependent upon technology that it will evolve into a [[technocracy]] where technologist will be in control.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenewamerican.com/tech/environment/item/24927-alex-newma-patrick-wood-warns-technocracy-takeover|title=Researcher Warns of Technocracy Takeover|work=New American|accessdate=January 2, 2017}}</ref>

==Relationship with other conservative groups==

==Relationship with other conservative groups==

*[https://www.thenewamerican.com/ The New American]

*[https://www.thenewamerican.com/ The New American]

*[http://johnbirchsocietyvolunteers.org/ The JBS Volunteers]

*[http://johnbirchsocietyvolunteers.org/ The JBS Volunteers]

*[http://www.thenewamerican.com/node/8694 "KAL Flight 007 Remembered" New American Magazine]

*[https://www.thenewamerican.com/node/8694 "KAL Flight 007 Remembered" New American Magazine]

*[http://www.rescue007.org/ Website of the International Committee for the Rescue of KAL 007 Survivors]

*[http://www.rescue007.org/ Website of the International Committee for the Rescue of KAL 007 Survivors]

*[http://politicalgraveyard.com/group/john-birch-soc.html members prominent in politics]

*[http://politicalgraveyard.com/group/john-birch-soc.html members prominent in politics]