Barry Goldwater: Architect of Modern Conservatism
An in-depth exploration of the life and legacy of the influential U.S. Senator and 1964 Republican Presidential nominee.
Early Life ๐ 1964 Campaign ๐บ๐ธDive in with Flashcard Learning!
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Early Life and Education
Phoenix Roots
Born Barry Morris Goldwater in Phoenix, Arizona Territory, on January 2, 1909, he was the son of Baron M. Goldwater and Hattie Josephine Williams. His family established Goldwater's Department Store, a prominent retail business in Phoenix. Although his father was of Polish Jewish heritage, Goldwater was raised in his mother's Episcopal faith and remained an Episcopalian throughout his life.
Academic Path
After initial academic struggles in high school, Goldwater attended Staunton Military Academy in Virginia, where he excelled in athletics and leadership roles. He subsequently enrolled at the University of Arizona but left after one year. Notably, he remains the last major party presidential nominee to have not completed a college degree.
Family Heritage
Goldwater's paternal grandfather, Michel Goldwasser, emigrated from Poland in the mid-19th century, anglicizing his name and establishing the family's retail enterprise in Arizona. His maternal lineage traced back to New England, including ancestors like Roger Williams. He married Margaret Johnson in 1934, with whom he had four children, including Barry Goldwater Jr. He later married Susan Shaffer Wechsler in 1992.
Military Service
World War II Service
Upon the U.S. entry into World War II, Goldwater joined the Army Air Forces, serving as a pilot in the Ferry Command. His duties involved flying aircraft and supplies across global routes, including the critical link between the U.S. and India, often traversing hazardous territories.
Post-War Leadership
After the war, Goldwater was instrumental in the establishment of the U.S. Air Force Academy. He founded the Arizona Air National Guard in 1946, mandating its racial desegregation two years before President Truman's executive order. He retired from the Air Force Reserve in 1967 as a Major General, recognized as a Command Pilot.
Advocating Integration
Beyond his military service, Goldwater actively promoted racial integration within the armed forces. His efforts contributed to breaking down segregationist barriers, reflecting a commitment to equality that contrasted with some of his later political stances on federal civil rights legislation.
U.S. Senator from Arizona
Early Senate Career
Elected to the U.S. Senate in 1952, Goldwater represented Arizona for two terms (1953โ1965) and again from 1969โ1987. He emerged as a leading voice of the conservative movement, challenging the prevailing liberal consensus and advocating for limited government and a strong national defense.
Civil Rights Stance
Goldwater supported racial equality and integrated his family's business and the Arizona Air National Guard. He was a lifetime member of the NAACP and supported early civil rights legislation like the Civil Rights Acts of 1957 and 1960. However, he opposed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, particularly its provisions on employment, believing it overstepped federal authority. This stance drew criticism, with Martin Luther King Jr. noting Goldwater's philosophy aided racists, though the Urban League later honored him for his long-standing service.
Key Legislative Roles
During his tenure, Goldwater chaired the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the Senate Committee on Armed Services. He played a crucial role in the passage of the GoldwaterโNichols Act of 1986, which significantly reformed the U.S. military's command structure, enhancing civilian oversight.
Watergate and Nixon
In 1974, Goldwater was among the Republican leaders who urged President Richard Nixon to resign amid the Watergate scandal, demonstrating a commitment to constitutional principles over party loyalty.
1964 Presidential Campaign
Securing the Nomination
Goldwater mobilized a powerful conservative base to win the Republican presidential nomination in 1964. His victory marked a significant shift within the party, consolidating the influence of the conservative wing against the moderate and liberal factions.
Defining Speech
At the Republican National Convention, Goldwater delivered his famous acceptance speech, declaring, "Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice! And moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue!" This statement encapsulated his unwavering conservative principles and resonated deeply with his supporters.
Campaign Against Johnson
The general election campaign against incumbent President Lyndon B. Johnson was marked by sharp contrasts. Johnson's campaign effectively portrayed Goldwater as an extremist, particularly highlighting his views on nuclear weapons and national security, famously using the "Daisy" advertisement to evoke fears of nuclear war.
Electoral Outcome
Despite galvanizing the conservative base, Goldwater lost the election to Johnson in a landslide. He carried only his home state of Arizona and five Deep South states, which largely voted Republican in protest against the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The campaign, however, laid the groundwork for future conservative political realignments.
Core Policies and Evolution
Fiscal Conservatism
A cornerstone of Goldwater's platform was fiscal conservatism, emphasizing reduced government spending, lower taxes, and balanced budgets. He consistently opposed large federal programs and advocated for free-market principles.
Anti-Communism and Defense
Goldwater was a staunch anti-communist, advocating for a robust military and assertive foreign policy to counter Soviet influence. His strong stance on national security shaped his approach to international relations throughout his career.
Shifting Views
In his later years, Goldwater's political philosophy evolved. He became a notable advocate for environmental protection, gay rights (including military service and adoption rights for same-sex couples), abortion rights, and the legalization of marijuana, demonstrating a pragmatic and increasingly libertarian outlook.
Enduring Legacy
Foundation for Conservatism
Many historians credit Goldwater with laying the intellectual and organizational foundation for the modern conservative movement and the eventual rise of Ronald Reagan. His 1964 campaign energized grassroots conservatives and began a long-term realignment of American politics.
Libertarian Influence
Goldwater's emphasis on individual liberty and limited government also significantly influenced the American libertarian movement. His willingness to challenge established norms and advocate for personal freedoms, even within a conservative framework, left a lasting mark.
Senate Statesman
By the end of his Senate career, Goldwater was widely respected across the political spectrum as a stabilizing force and a statesman. His dedication to his duties, particularly in defense and intelligence oversight, earned him considerable influence and respect.
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References
References
- Edwards, Lee "In Barry Goldwater, The Conscience of a Conservative", The Miami Herald, www.miamiherald.com/article1973798.html Published July 2, 2014, Retrieved December 13, 2020
- Jonathan Bean, Race and Liberty in America (Kentucky: The University Press of Kentucky, 2009), p. 226.
- Charles S Bullock III, and Mark J. Rozell, The Oxford Handbook of Southern Politics (2012) p. 303
- Aranha, Gerard V, "JFK and Goldwater", The Chicago Tribune www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1998-06-14-9806140015-story.html June 14, 1998, Retrieved December 13, 2020
- Goldwater told the New York paper Newsday about the agreement in 1973, saying "We talked about it. We both thought it was a great idea," "Goldwater Tells Plan to Stump With Kennedy", Los Angeles Times, June 8, 1973, p. I-17
- Goldwater 1980, p.ย 161: "When that assassin's bullet ended the life of John Fitzgerald Kennedy in Dallas on November 22, 1963, it was for me a great personal loss."
- "Lodge Denounces Party Realigning; "Totally abhorrent", he says of Goldwater's proposal"", New York Times, November 16, 1964
- James M. Naughton (November 6, 1974). "Senate and House Margins Are Substantially Enlarged". New York Times. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016.
- Kolkey, Jonathan Martin. The New Right, 1960รขยย1968: With Epilogue, 1969รขยย1980. University Press of America. 1983. quote p. 254
- Brennan, Mary C. Turning Right in the Sixties: The Conservative Capture of the GOP. University of North Carolina Press. 1995. ch. 6
- Reinhard, David W. The Republican Right since 1945. University Press of Kentucky. 1983, p. 230.
- Barry Goldwater, The Conscience of a Majority (1969) in Brian Allen Drake, "The Skeptical Environmentalist: Senator Barry Goldwater and the Environmental Management State", Environmental History, (2010) 15#4 pp. 587รขยย611, [589]
- Goldwater Defending Clinton; Conservatives Feeling Faint, The New York Times, Timothy Egan, March 24, 1994
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