Right out of California : the 1930s and the big business roots of modern conservatism

"In a major reassessment of modern conservatism, noted historian Kathryn S. Olmsted reexamines the explosive labor disputes in the agricultural fields of Depression-era California, the cauldron that inspired a generation of artists and writers and that triggered the intervention of FDR's New Deal. Right Out of California tells how this brief moment of upheaval terrified business leaders into rethinking their relationship to American politics--a narrative that pits a ruthless generation of growers against a passionate cast of reformers, writers, and revolutionaries. Olmsted reveals how California's businessmen learned the language of populism with the help of allies in the media and entertainment industries, and in the process created a new style of politics: corporate funding of grassroots groups, military-style intelligence gathering against political enemies, professional campaign consultants, and alliances between religious and economic conservatives. The business leaders who battled for the hearts and minds of Depression-era California, moreover, would go on to create the organizations that launched the careers of Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan. A riveting history in its own right, Right Out of California is also a vital chapter in our nation's political transformation whose echoes are still felt today"-- Read more... Abstract: "In a major reassessment of modern conservatism, noted historian Kathryn S. Olmsted reexamines the explosive labor disputes in the agricultural fields of Depression-era California, the cauldron that inspired a generation of artists and writers and that triggered the intervention of FDR's New Deal. Right Out of California tells how this brief moment of upheaval terrified business leaders into rethinking their relationship to American politics--a narrative that pits a ruthless generation of growers against a passionate cast of reformers, writers, and revolutionaries. Olmsted reveals how California's businessmen learned the language of populism with the help of allies in the media and entertainment industries, and in the process created a new style of politics: corporate funding of grassroots groups, military-style intelligence gathering against political enemies, professional campaign consultants, and alliances between religious and economic conservatives. The business leaders who battled for the hearts and minds of Depression-era California, moreover, would go on to create the organizations that launched the careers of Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan. A riveting history in its own right, Right Out of California is also a vital chapter in our nation's political transformation whose echoes are still felt today"

"Olmsted finds in Depression-era California the crucible for strong-arm policies against farm workers that bolstered the conservative movement" ( Kirkus Reviews ). At a time when a resurgent immigrant labor movement is making urgent demands on twenty-first-century America—and when a new and virulent strain of right-wing anti-immigrant populism is roiling the political waters— Right Out of California is a fresh and profoundly relevant touchstone for anyone seeking to understand the roots of our current predicament. This major reassessment of modern conservatism reexamines the explosive labor disputes in the agricultural fields of Depression-era California, the cauldron that inspired a generation of artists and writers and that triggered the intervention of FDR's New Deal. Noted historian Kathryn S.Olmsted tells how this brief moment of upheaval terrified business leaders into rethinking their relationship to American politics—a narrative that pits a ruthless generation of growers against a passionate cast of reformers, writers, and revolutionaries. "Olmstead's vivid, accomplished narrative really belongs to the historiography of the left... As her strong research shows, race and gender prejudice informed, or deformed, almost the whole of American social and cultural life in the 1930s and was as common on the left as on the right." — The New York Times Book Review "An accessible work that aids in contextualizing the rise of future conservative leaders such as Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan." — Publishers Weekly "A major reworking of the Republican right's origins, this is also a compelling read for anyone interested in California's outsize importance in America's recent past." —Darren Dochuk, author of From Bible Belt to Sunbelt

"Olmsted finds in Depression-era California the crucible for strong-arm policies against farm workers that bolstered the conservative movement" ( Kirkus Reviews ). At a time when a resurgent immigrant labor movement is making urgent demands on twenty-first-century America—and when a new and virulent strain of right-wing anti-immigrant populism is roiling the political waters— Right Out of California is a fresh and profoundly relevant touchstone for anyone seeking to understand the roots of our current predicament. This major reassessment of modern conservatism reexamines the explosive labor disputes in the agricultural fields of Depression-era California, the cauldron that inspired a generation of artists and writers and that triggered the intervention of FDR's New Deal. Noted historian Kathryn S. Olmsted tells how this brief moment of upheaval terrified business leaders into rethinking their relationship to American politics—a narrative that pits a ruthless generation of growers against a passionate cast of reformers, writers, and revolutionaries. "Olmstead's vivid, accomplished narrative really belongs to the historiography of the left . . . As her strong research shows, race and gender prejudice informed, or deformed, almost the whole of American social and cultural life in the 1930s and was as common on the left as on the right." — The New York Times Book Review "An accessible work that aids in contextualizing the rise of future conservative leaders such as Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan." — Publishers Weekly "A major reworking of the Republican right's origins, this is also a compelling read for anyone interested in California's outsize importance in America's recent past." —Darren Dochuk, author of From Bible Belt to Sunbelt INTRODUCTION 12 1 REVOLUTION AND REACTION 22 2 THE GREAT STRIKE 50 3 A NEW DEAL 76 4 BOHEMIANS 94 5 IMPERIAL 118 6 CROOKS OR TOOLS 146 7 SEEING RED 162 8 CAMPAIGNS INC. 182 9 MAKING HISTORY 204 10 HARVEST 230 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 258 NOTES 262 INDEX 312 Content: Revolution and Reaction -- The Great Strike -- A New Deal -- Bohemians -- Imperial -- Crooks or Tools -- Seeing Red -- Campaigns Inc. -- Making History -- Harvest.