Conservative Social Values

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 129 views

The New Right: A Political Movement that Shaped the 1970s

Introduction

The 1970s was a transformative decade in American politics, marked by significant social, economic, and cultural changes. Amidst this backdrop, a powerful political movement emerged to defend traditional family roles and promote conservative values. This movement, known as the New Right, played a crucial role in shaping the country's political landscape and continues to influence contemporary politics.

The Rise of the New Right

The New Right was a coalition of conservative groups, individuals, and organizations that coalesced in the early 1970s. Its primary objective was to counter the perceived liberal and progressive trends of the time, which they saw as threatening traditional American values. The movement drew inspiration from the ideas of Barry Goldwater, a conservative Republican who ran for president in 1964, and the writings of William F. Buckley Jr., a prominent conservative commentator.

Key Figures of the New Right

Several key figures played important roles in shaping the New Right movement. These included:

Phyllis Schlafly: A prominent conservative activist and writer, Schlafly was a vocal critic of the women's liberation movement and a strong advocate for traditional family roles.
Paul Weyrich: A conservative strategist and activist, Weyrich was a key figure in the development of the New Right movement and served as the president of the Free Congress Foundation.
Richard Viguerie: A conservative activist and fundraiser, Viguerie was instrumental in building the New Right's grassroots network and raising funds for conservative causes.

The New Right's Platform

The New Right's platform was centered on several key issues, including:

Traditional Family Roles: The New Right advocated for a return to traditional family roles, with men as the primary breadwinners and women as homemakers.
Conservative Social Values: The movement promoted conservative social values, including opposition to abortion, gay rights, and other perceived liberal and progressive trends.
Limited Government: The New Right advocated for limited government intervention in economic and social matters, promoting free market principles and individual liberty.
National Security: The movement emphasized the importance of national security and a strong military, particularly in the context of the Cold War.

The New Right's Impact

The New Right movement had a significant impact on American politics in the 1970s and beyond. Some of the key consequences of the movement include:

The Rise of the Republican Party: The New Right's emphasis on conservative values and limited government helped to shift the Republican Party to the right, paving the way for the party's future success.
The Election of Ronald Reagan: The New Right's grassroots network and fundraising efforts played a crucial role in Ronald Reagan's 1980 presidential campaign, which marked a significant turning point in American politics.
The Conservative Movement's Growth: The New Right's emphasis on conservative values and limited government helped to fuel the growth of the conservative movement, which continues to shape American politics today.

Conclusion

The New Right was a powerful political movement that emerged in the 1970s to defend traditional family roles and promote conservative values. Through its emphasis on limited government, conservative social values, and national security, the movement helped to shape the country's political landscape and continues to influence contemporary politics. As we look to the future, it is essential to understand the New Right's impact and legacy, as well as the ongoing relevance of its ideas and ideals.

References

Buckley, W. F. (1951). God and Man at Yale: The Superstitions of the Educated.
Goldwater, B. (1964). The Conscience of a Conservative.
Schlafly, P. (1964). A Choice, Not an Echo.
Viguerie, R. (1972). The New Right: We're Right, You're Wrong.
Weyrich, P. (1974). The New Right: A Call to Action.
The New Right: A Q&A Guide

Introduction

The New Right was a powerful political movement that emerged in the 1970s to defend traditional family roles and promote conservative values. In this Q&A guide, we'll delve into the key aspects of the New Right movement, its impact on American politics, and its ongoing relevance today.

Q: What was the New Right movement?

A: The New Right was a coalition of conservative groups, individuals, and organizations that coalesced in the early 1970s. Its primary objective was to counter the perceived liberal and progressive trends of the time, which they saw as threatening traditional American values.

Q: Who were the key figures of the New Right movement?

A: Several key figures played important roles in shaping the New Right movement, including:

Phyllis Schlafly: A prominent conservative activist and writer, Schlafly was a vocal critic of the women's liberation movement and a strong advocate for traditional family roles.
Paul Weyrich: A conservative strategist and activist, Weyrich was a key figure in the development of the New Right movement and served as the president of the Free Congress Foundation.
Richard Viguerie: A conservative activist and fundraiser, Viguerie was instrumental in building the New Right's grassroots network and raising funds for conservative causes.

Q: What were the key issues of the New Right's platform?

A: The New Right's platform was centered on several key issues, including:

Traditional Family Roles: The New Right advocated for a return to traditional family roles, with men as the primary breadwinners and women as homemakers.
Conservative Social Values: The movement promoted conservative social values, including opposition to abortion, gay rights, and other perceived liberal and progressive trends.
Limited Government: The New Right advocated for limited government intervention in economic and social matters, promoting free market principles and individual liberty.
National Security: The movement emphasized the importance of national security and a strong military, particularly in the context of the Cold War.

Q: What was the impact of the New Right movement?

A: The New Right movement had a significant impact on American politics in the 1970s and beyond. Some of the key consequences of the movement include:

The Rise of the Republican Party: The New Right's emphasis on conservative values and limited government helped to shift the Republican Party to the right, paving the way for the party's future success.
The Election of Ronald Reagan: The New Right's grassroots network and fundraising efforts played a crucial role in Ronald Reagan's 1980 presidential campaign, which marked a significant turning point in American politics.
The Conservative Movement's Growth: The New Right's emphasis on conservative values and limited government helped to fuel the growth of the conservative movement, which continues to shape American politics today.

Q: Is the New Right movement still relevant today?

A: Yes, the New Right movement's ideas and ideals continue to influence contemporary politics. The movement's emphasis on conservative values, limited government, and national security remains a key part of the Republican Party's platform, and its impact can be seen in the ongoing debates over issues such as abortion, gay rights, and immigration.

Q: What can we learn from the New Right movement?

A: The New Right movement offers several lessons for contemporary politics, including:

The importance of grassroots organizing: The New Right's emphasis on grassroots organizing and fundraising helped to build a powerful movement that continues to shape American politics today.
The power of conservative values: The New Right's emphasis on conservative values, including traditional family roles and limited government, helped to fuel the growth of the conservative movement and continues to shape American politics today.
The need for a strong national security: The New Right's emphasis on national security and a strong military remains a key part of the Republican Party's platform and continues to shape American foreign policy today.

Conclusion

The New Right movement was a powerful and influential force in American politics in the 1970s and beyond. Through its emphasis on conservative values, limited government, and national security, the movement helped to shape the country's political landscape and continues to influence contemporary politics today. As we look to the future, it is essential to understand the New Right's impact and legacy, as well as the ongoing relevance of its ideas and ideals.