The John Birch Society: Its History, Platform, and Impact

Abstract

This essay uses existing scholarship to examine the founding, rise, and current standing of the ultra-conservative group known as the John Birch Society. At its inception, the John Birch society prioritized isolationist, protectionist policy to secure the United States against communism, alleging communist plots even within the government. These accusations secured its status as a conspiracist group early in its lifetime. The Society found the majority of its support and lobbying through grassroots organizing by using local factions of the group to encourage members to engage. Today, they still work to combat “Big Government” and encourage economic protectionism and isolationism through grassroots campaigns. Although the John Birch Society began as an extremist offshoot of the Republican Party, this essay demonstrates that the modern Republican Party has shifted to the point that the two are indistinguishable, signaling a massive ideological shift in the Republican Party and the significance of extremist groups. This research could be used as a broader study to understand the rise of ultra-right conspiracy groups and their role in the increasing radicalism in the American right.