History of conservatism in the United States facts for kids
In the United States, there has never been a big national political group called the Conservative Party. This is different from countries like Canada or the United Kingdom, which do have such parties. A small group called the Conservative Party of Virginia was started in 1867. It even had members elected to the United States House of Representatives from other states like Maryland and North Carolina. Since 1962, there has also been a smaller group called the Conservative Party of New York State.
After the American Civil War, in the late 1860s, some former Whigs formed a Conservative Party in Southern states. However, these groups soon joined the state Democratic parties. American conservatism is different from European ideas. It doesn't support things like a monarchy (a king or queen), an official church, or a hereditary aristocracy (where power is passed down through families). Instead, American conservatism often means being against ideas that promise a perfect future but might not be practical. Historian Patrick Allitt says that being conservative or liberal in America is more about how people think than about specific rules.
The Tea Party Movement
A newer part of American conservatism is the Tea Party movement. This movement includes over 600 local groups. These groups share their unhappiness with the government and both major political parties. Many Tea Party groups have organized activities and protests.
The main goal of the movement is to stop what they see as wasteful government spending. They also want to reduce high taxes and government rules that they believe harm the economy. The Tea Party gained a lot of attention when it helped Republican Scott Brown win a Senate election in Massachusetts in 2010. This seat had been held by the Kennedy family for almost 60 years.
In 2010, Tea Party candidates surprised many by winning against more traditional Republicans in several primary elections. These wins happened in states like Alaska, Colorado, and Florida. This gave new energy to conservative ideas in the 2010 elections. It also made Sarah Palin, a former governor, more visible. Experts Rasmussen and Schoen (2010) said that Palin was a key leader of the movement. They noted that she helped shape what the Tea Party stood for. In the 2010 elections, the New York Times found that 129 candidates for the House of Representatives had strong Tea Party support. Also, 9 candidates running for the Senate had their backing. All of these candidates were Republicans, as the Tea Party has not been active among Democrats.
Images for kids
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Daniel Webster, a prominent Whig leader
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Charles Lindbergh speaking at an America First Committee rally
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A 1947 booklet raising the idea of a Communist takeover
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Senator Barry Goldwater
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The Southern United States
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Hoover Tower at the Hoover Institution
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George W. Bush speaks at a campaign rally in 2004
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Sarah Palin addresses the 2008 Republican National Convention
