HIST 1502 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Modern Liberalism In The United States, Richard Hofstadter, Conservative Coalition
Document Summary
Business growth leads to prosperity for all(or almost all) Those who fail do so because of moral lapses on their part; those who succeed do so because of good values and hard work. American wealth produced by traditional american values so resist social and cultural change. Conservative coalition in congress of northern republicans. Not a political party like the populists or socialists. Coalition of middle class, working class, western/southern farmers and other reformers, could be democrats, republicans, socialists or third part. Saw government(federal, state, local) as a vehicle for change, but it had to be made more democratic. Advocated for more of the populist ideas; expand the money supply, regulate railroads, direct election of senators, graduated income tax, limit immigration, 8hr work day. Narrow the gap between rich and poor. Progressives were native born, middle class wasp"s. They were neither populists nor socialists, who were other groups.
