This six-minute video introduces students to the “civil war” between the Republican Party’s moderates and conservatives that led to one of the most raucous conventions in American political history. After disciplined and combative conservative forces successfully nominated Senator Barry Goldwater, the party’s moderates sabotaged their own nominee at the convention, virtually ensuring President Lyndon Johnson’s landslide victory in November. Vividly illustrating both the electoral high-water mark of American liberalism, as well as the birth of modern conservatism, the video is useful for lessons covering the 1964 election, the rise of the conservative movement, or the political context of the Great Society.
Lessons From the 1964 Republican Convention: Declaring War on the Establishment
Donald Trump’s candidacy wasn’t the first time the Republican Party was split by an outsider declaring war on the establishment elite.
This series was produced by Matt Spolar, in partnership with Politico.
For teachers
- Lesson plan 1: 1964 Republican Convention – Chaos and Conservatism
- Read transcript
- Producer: Matthew Spolar
- Editor: Brian Kamerzel
- Associate Producer: Victor Couto
For Educators
Subjects
Lesson Plan 1: 1964 Republican Convention – Chaos and Conservatism
1964 Republican Convention – Chaos and Conservatism
1964 Republican Convention – Chaos and Conservatism
Political Parties & Conventions