Semester

Spring

Date of Graduation

2009

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MA

College

Eberly College of Arts and Sciences

Department

History

Committee Chair

Elizabeth Fones-Wolf

Abstract

Carl McIntire (1906--2002), the fiery Fundamentalist leader, led a crusade against the civil rights movement between 1960 and 1964. This thesis explores McIntire's protests of civil rights legislation as they complicate the standard narrative which is typically southern focused and hones on racial arguments against civil rights, while McIntire was based in New Jersey and made political arguments. Additionally, McIntire's language of American traditionalism, anti-communism, and libertarian economics parallel the rise of modern conservatism which culminated in the candidacy of Barry Goldwater for President. This thesis shows that McIntire and other religious and social conservatives built momentum through organization and a shared dialogue, which calls to question the notion of an Old Right and New Right dichotomy.

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