The History of Conservative Politics in America

Gr 9 Up—This is an ambitious attempt to explain conservative politics in the U.S. from the 1929 stock market collapse to the present day. Using old film clips, newsreels, and still photos, a narrator describes issues that confronted American voters and politicians in various eras. The Great Depression, World War II, and its aftermath are briefly summarized in the context of economic conditions. The growth of communism in Europe and Asia, as well as the fear of communism in the United States is discussed. The separation of North and South Korea is covered, along with the development of the Cold War. The historic roles of well-known Americans including Richard Nixon, Alger Hiss, William Buckley, James Baldwin, Ronald Reagan, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, Barry Goldwater, Jane Fonda, Jimmy Carter, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Rush Limbaugh, and George W. Bush are briefly summarized. Following the historic overview, the ideals of today's conservatives are recapped. Since this program covers over 80 years in only 40 minutes, the transitions between topics and events are rough. The still pictures and videos of events and people illustrate world and national history, but the program is not well focused on modern conservatism.—Ann Weber, Bellarmine College Prep., San Jose, CA