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The '''New Left''' refers to [[radical]], often [[Communist]] or [[anarchist]], political parties and movements which emerged in the United States, Western Europe, Japan, Mexico and elsewhere during the 1960s. It flourished into the 1970s and faded in importance after 1980. The New Left was a political reaction against the acceptance of capitalism by the major established parties. It was a generational revolt, dominated by "red diaper babies" (whose parents had been active in the old left), and was strongest on university campuses. The old bastions of left-wing strength, especially the labor unions, generally rejected the New Left.  In the 21st century the remnants of the New Left dominate the Green Parties in many countries.

The '''New Left''' refers to [[radical]], often [[Communist]] or [[anarchist]], political parties and movements which emerged in the United States, Western Europe, Japan, Mexico and elsewhere during the 1960s. It flourished into the 1970s and faded in importance after 1980. The New Left was a political reaction against the acceptance of capitalism by the major established parties. It was a generational revolt, dominated by "red diaper babies" (whose parents had been active in the old left), and was strongest on university campuses. The old bastions of left-wing strength, especially the labor unions, generally rejected the New Left.  In the 21st century the remnants of the New Left dominate the Green Parties in many countries.

The New Left is distinguished from the "Old Left" of such groups that originated from the 1890s-1930s, such as the Soviet-line [[Communist Party USA]] which carried an apologetic line in support of [[Stalinism]].  The New Left repudiated the [[Soviet Union]] and favored [[Mao Zedong]] of China, [[Fidel Castro]] of [[Cuba]] and [[Ho Chi Minh]] of [[North Vietnam]].  They strongly opposed the [[Vietnam War]] and organized many demonstrations, some of which turned violent.  In an effort to disrupt the Democratic National Convention in 1968 thousands poured into Chicago, where they were stopped by the police and Mayor [{Richard M. Daley]]. The confrontations highlighted the deepening split in the Democratic party that destroyed the presidency of [[Lyndon B. Johnson]] and ruined the Democratic coalition.  

The New Left is distinguished from the "Old Left" of such groups that originated from the 1890s-1930s, such as the Soviet-line [[Communist Party USA]] which carried an apologetic line in support of [[Stalinism]].  The New Left repudiated the [[Soviet Union]] and favored [[Mao Zedong]] of the [[People's Republic of China]], [[Fidel Castro]] of [[Cuba]] and [[Ho Chi Minh]] of [[North Vietnam]].  They strongly opposed the [[Vietnam War]] and organized many demonstrations, some of which turned violent.  In an effort to disrupt the Democratic National Convention in 1968 thousands poured into Chicago, where they were stopped by the police and Mayor [{Richard M. Daley]]. The confrontations highlighted the deepening split in the Democratic party that destroyed the presidency of [[Lyndon B. Johnson]] and ruined the Democratic coalition.  

New Left groups were even more violent in Italy and West Germany, where they kidnapped and executed prominent politicians.  In Italy the "Red Brigade" kidnapped, tortured and executed Aldo Moro in 1978; he had was a former prime minister.

New Left groups were even more violent in [[Italy]] and [[West Germany]], where they were personified by terrorist organizations such as the [[Red Army Faction]] and the [[Red Brigades]]. The kidnapping, torture and murder of former Italian [[Prime Minister]] [[Aldo Moro]] in [[1978]] remains one of the most notorious terrorist actions of this era.

The New Left rejected capitalism, technology, bureaucracy and modernity generally. They took the fought the universities they attended, sometimes seizing offices and always denouncing the administration. Most senior professors were liberals who rejected the radicalism of the New Left. After ten or twenty years the phenomenon of "tenured radicals" emerged--that is, New left graduate students who themselves became professors.

The New Left rejected [[capitalism]], [[technology]], [[bureaucracy]] and modernity generally. They took the fight to the universities they attended, sometimes seizing offices and denouncing the administration. According to former New Left radical [[Ronald Radosh]], the object was to politicize the university curriculum. Many senior professors of the era were liberals who rejected the aims of the New Left, and generally favored keeping the universities as an apolitical place of learning and debate. Eventually, the phenomenon of "tenured radicals" emerged--that is, New Left graduate students who themselves obtained [[PhD]]s.

 

The New Left encouraged free use of drugs and free sexuality--and (much to the dismay of their elders), long hair styles for men. They found their uniforms in working class clothes such as [[T-shirts]] and jeans.  Some joined hippie communes where everything was shared in common; most folded after a few months.

==Parties==

==Parties==

Parties and movements which emerged from the New Left in the U.S. include the [[Revolutionary Communist Party]], the [[Progressive Labor Party]], the political movement of [[Lyndon LaRouche]], [[Students for a Democratic Society]], the [[Weather Underground]], the [[Youth International Party]], and several others.  A distinguishing feature of the New Left was a tendency to view the [[Third World]] as the "vanguard" of the "revolution", rather than the industrial working class of Europe and North America as the Old Left did.  Thus, the imagery and ideology of such Third World revolutionaries as [[Mao Zedong]] and [[Che Guevara]] were favored.  Another distinguishing feature of the New Left was a much greater emphasis on manifestations of cultural rebellion against mainstream society, particularly borrowing from the [[hippie]] movement, radical [[feminism]], and [[black nationalism]].  Again, was a sharp reaction against the Old Left which was culturally very staid and which saw counter-cultural movements as decadent and capitalistic.

Parties and movements which emerged from the New Left in the U.S. include the [[Revolutionary Communist Party]], the [[Progressive Labor Party]], the political movement of [[Lyndon LaRouche]], [[Students for a Democratic Society]], the [[Weather Underground]], the [[Youth International Party]], and several others.  A distinguishing feature of the New Left was a tendency to view the [[Third World]] as the "vanguard" of the "revolution", rather than the industrial working class of Europe and North America as the Old Left did.  Thus, the imagery and ideology of such Third World revolutionaries as [[Mao Zedong]] and [[Che Guevara]] were favored.  Another distinguishing feature of the New Left was a much greater emphasis on manifestations of cultural rebellion against mainstream society, particularly borrowing from the [[hippie]] movement, radical [[feminism]], and [[black nationalism]].  Again, was a sharp reaction against the Old Left which was culturally very staid and which saw counter-cultural movements as decadent and capitalistic.

[[Category:Politics]]

[[Category:Politics]]

[[Category:Socialism]]

[[Category:Socialism]]