The Rise of Conservatism in America, 1945-2000

The Rise of Conservatism in America, 1945-2000 documents the transformation of conservative politics in post-World War II United States. The book traces how conservative movements evolved from a marginal position to become a dominant force in American society and government. Through primary source documents and historical analysis, Story and Laurie examine key figures, organizations, and events that shaped modern conservatism. The text includes materials from conservative intellectuals, grassroots activists, political leaders, and media figures who contributed to this ideological shift. The authors present conservatism's response to major developments including the Cold War, Civil Rights Movement, Vietnam War, and economic changes of the late 20th century. Their compilation reveals how conservatives built coalitions, developed strategies, and refined their message across different eras. This historical collection illuminates broader themes about American democracy, social movements, and political realignment. The book serves as a resource for understanding how ideological movements can reshape national politics and policy over decades.

Students and educators found this to be a focused collection of primary documents that track conservatism's development post-WWII. Readers appreciated: - Clear organization by decade - Mix of texts from mainstream and fringe conservative voices - Helpful introductions before each document - Breadth of topics from economics to social issues Common criticisms: - Too much focus on extreme right-wing views - Some key conservative thinkers and documents omitted - Limited context provided for certain documents - Price high for page count Ratings: Goodreads: 3.5/5 (12 ratings) Amazon: 3.7/5 (6 ratings) Several history professors noted using it as a supplementary text rather than primary textbook. One reviewer on Amazon stated "good primary source reader but needs more moderate conservative voices." Multiple reviewers mentioned it works best when paired with other readings that provide fuller historical context.

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📚 Ronald Story and Bruce Laurie both taught history at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where they specialized in researching social movements and labor history. 🗽 The book explores how conservatism transformed from a marginalized ideology in the 1950s to becoming the dominant political force by the end of the 20th century. 📜 The text includes 74 primary source documents, including speeches, letters, and articles from figures like Barry Goldwater, Phyllis Schlafly, and Ronald Reagan. 🏛️ The authors trace how three distinct branches of conservatism—libertarianism, traditionalism, and anti-communism—merged into a unified movement by the 1980s. 📊 The book reveals how conservatives successfully reframed economic debates, shifting public discourse from New Deal-era concerns about inequality to focuses on inflation, taxes, and government regulation.