Conservative Movement
A conservative movement is, in general terms, a shift towards conservative policies; in the words of President Abraham Lincoln, "...adherence to the old and tried, against the new and untried..." [1] In modern American parlance, it refers to a movement opposed to the liberal policies of Franklin Delano Roosevelt and the New Deal, and the unrestrained growth of government stemming from those policies.
Early Roots
While conservatism has been a defining force in American politics since the dawn of the nation, modern conservatism begins with the unfettered liberalism of the New Deal. Recognizing the tremendous harm that massive government could bring, concerned Democrats and Republicans banded together behind North Carolina Senator Josiah Bailey to protest what they saw as a power grab by Roosevelt. This protest, initially titled "An Address to the People of the United States," came to be known as the "Conservative Manifesto."
The Conservative Manifesto had ten points, most of which are familiar to any modern conservative:
Genesis of a Movement: Barry Goldwater
Barry Goldwater is generally regarded as the father of the modern conservative movement. A United States Senator from Arizona, Goldwater's insistence upon conservative principles helped redefine the Republican Party, transforming it into the party of conservatism and conservatives over the course of the 1950's and 1960's. Goldwater received the Republican presidential nomination in 1964; in his acceptance speech, he gave voice to a sentiment which has resonated with conservatives ever since. "I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.” [3]