Old Right and its influence on the development of modern American conservatism

Abstract

In November of 1955, William F. Buckley published the first issue of National Review. His journal defined modern American conservatism as a mix of anti-Marxism, tradition, and a belief in limited government. These three interconnected ideas formed the foundation of modern American conservatism. In the first issue of National Review, Buckley wrote that the intent of his journal was to "stand athwart history, yelling stop!" Buckley hoped that National Review would halt the growth of atheism and collectivism in the United States. The journal would work to protect American traditions, argue for limited government, and attack all forms of Marxism. In addition the name National Review reflected the journal's goal of bringing all conservatives together in one national movement. However, the basic ideas of modern American conservatism already existed in scholarly journals of the 1930s and 1940s. Publications like American Review and Human Events had discussed and debated the nature of conservatism and had agreed that it consisted of a mix of three elements: tradition, limited government, and anti-Marxism. The real accomplishment of William F. Buckley was in repackaging these ideas and changing the tone of conservatism. This dissertation will focus on three journals to show a continuity of ideology from the 1930s to the 1950s. These journals will be American Review, Human Events, and finally National Review. However, most of this dissertation will cover American Review as it was the only truly conservative journal in publication in the 1930s.