CONSERVATIVES VS LIBERALS: 1910

In my musings over the clash of liberals and conservatives here on Gather it has occurred to me that the positions of conservatives seem to have changed whereas, in general, the positions of liberals has been more nearly constant.  Not being an expert in such things and preferring that people speak for themselves it seems to me that it might be fun to have the conservative and liberal positions at several points in history be set forth to see which of our gather conservatives, liberals, and “independents” would consider themselves to still be of that same type in previous days.

1910, New York City.

At this time, Conservatives were riding high and liberals were struggling.

Liberals wanted workplace legislation to protect workers from dangerous work environments.

Liberals wanted legislation banning child labor.

Liberals wanted labor unions to have legal status.

Liberals wanted women to have the right to vote.

Liberals favored public education even for women.

Liberals were opposed to the huge business trusts which dominated industry and politics.

Liberals thought the government should regulate the food producing industries.

Conservatives felt that businesses should be free to operate as they liked since their employees were not slaves.

Conservatives felt that anyone should be allowed to work at a paying job no matter what their age.

Conservatives felt that labor unions were conspiracies and should be illegal.

Conservatives opposed women being allowed to vote.

Conservatives believed it was a waste of money to provide education for minorities and women.

Conservatives felt that huge trusts were just good business and that the government should not attempt to regulate business.

Conservatives felt that the free market was all the protection the consumer needed.

Would you have considered yourself a conservative or a liberal in 1910?

Next, 1935, the Great Depression.