Difference between revisions of "John Birch Society"
(I think my college's chapter is unofficial but I can't find better info bc we don't have a webpage and the pamphlets come straight from JBS - please revert if his doesnt meet standards) |
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| − | The '''John Birch Society''' is a [[Conservative]] [[American]] anti-[[Communist]] organization. | + | The '''John Birch Society''' is a [[Conservative]] [[American]] anti-[[Communist]] organization. It was moderately active in the 1960s with numerous chapters, but rarely engaged in coalition building with other conservatives. Starting with its leader--who considered President [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]] a Communist stooge, it was deeply distrustful of all presidents since Franklin Roosevelt. The John Birch Society was a favorite target of liberals--some of whom laughed and others pointed to it as a dangerous organization of the "radical right" that aimed to subvert democracy. In practice, the Society actually did little more than publish pamphlets and sponsor local discussion groups. |
The organization was founded by [[Robert Welch]] in 1958 to aid America in fighting Communist infiltration of the [[United States]], and has been active ever since, opposing [[collectivist]] infiltration from communists, [[fascists]], the [[United Nations]], and various front groups. | The organization was founded by [[Robert Welch]] in 1958 to aid America in fighting Communist infiltration of the [[United States]], and has been active ever since, opposing [[collectivist]] infiltration from communists, [[fascists]], the [[United Nations]], and various front groups. | ||
| − | It was named after [[John Birch]], whom | + | It was named after [[John Birch]], whom Welch said was the first American to die in the [[Cold War]]. |
| − | The Society works towards educating Americans about the original intent of the [[Founding Fathers]]. The John Birch Society strongly believes that the United States is a [[Constitutional Republic]], not a [[democracy]]. | + | The Society works towards educating Americans about the original intent of the [[Founding Fathers]]. The John Birch Society strongly believes that the United States is a [[Constitutional Republic]], not a [[democracy]]. |
Although the JBS is considered to be "right-wing", the group has taken many positions contrary to neo-Conservatism. The group is a proponent of what many consider to be conspiracy theories, and the group freely confesses to this "charge". | Although the JBS is considered to be "right-wing", the group has taken many positions contrary to neo-Conservatism. The group is a proponent of what many consider to be conspiracy theories, and the group freely confesses to this "charge". | ||
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The official magazine of the John Birch Society is ''[[The New American]]''. | The official magazine of the John Birch Society is ''[[The New American]]''. | ||
| + | The Birch Society has an active publication and reprint program. Reflecting its distrust of national leadership over the last 70 years, many of the books blame the White House and national leaders for deliberately damaging the national interest--for example, by encouraging the Japanese to sink the American fleet at Pearl Harbor. | ||
==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
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[[category:Political Organizations]] | [[category:Political Organizations]] | ||
| + | [[category:Conservatives]] | ||
Revision as of 05:41, October 21, 2009
The John Birch Society is a Conservative American anti-Communist organization. It was moderately active in the 1960s with numerous chapters, but rarely engaged in coalition building with other conservatives. Starting with its leader--who considered President Dwight D. Eisenhower a Communist stooge, it was deeply distrustful of all presidents since Franklin Roosevelt. The John Birch Society was a favorite target of liberals--some of whom laughed and others pointed to it as a dangerous organization of the "radical right" that aimed to subvert democracy. In practice, the Society actually did little more than publish pamphlets and sponsor local discussion groups.
The organization was founded by Robert Welch in 1958 to aid America in fighting Communist infiltration of the United States, and has been active ever since, opposing collectivist infiltration from communists, fascists, the United Nations, and various front groups.
It was named after John Birch, whom Welch said was the first American to die in the Cold War.
The Society works towards educating Americans about the original intent of the Founding Fathers. The John Birch Society strongly believes that the United States is a Constitutional Republic, not a democracy.
Although the JBS is considered to be "right-wing", the group has taken many positions contrary to neo-Conservatism. The group is a proponent of what many consider to be conspiracy theories, and the group freely confesses to this "charge".
There are unofficial JBS chapters on many college campuses throughout the United States.
The official magazine of the John Birch Society is The New American.
The Birch Society has an active publication and reprint program. Reflecting its distrust of national leadership over the last 70 years, many of the books blame the White House and national leaders for deliberately damaging the national interest--for example, by encouraging the Japanese to sink the American fleet at Pearl Harbor.
See Also
- Robert W. Welch Jr. The blue book of the John Birch Society. Boston: Western Islands, 1961.
- Robert W. Welch Jr. and the John Birch Society The White Book of the John Birch Society for 1964. Belmont: John Birch Society, 1961.
- Robert W. Welch Jr. The New Americanism and Other Speeches. Boston: Western Islands, 1966.
- Gary Allen. None Dare Call It Conspiracy. G S G & Associates, Inc., 1971.
- Korean Airlines Flight 007 - Congressman Larry McDonald, the 2nd President of the JBS, was a passenger of this flight downed by the Soviets on Sept. 1, 1983 in international waters west of Sakhalin Island.
Links
The John Birch Society Website
"KAL Flight 007 Remembered" New American Magazine
Website of the International Committee for the Rescue of KAL 007 Survivors
[1] = FBI files pertaining to the John Birch Society and its arguments.