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Chad

2021-01-06T02:54:17Z

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{{Country
|name =''République du Tchad جمهورية تشاد Jumhūriyyat Tshād''
|map =Chad rel91.jpg
|map2 =Chad location.png
|flag =Flag of Chad.jpg
|arms =Arms of Chad.png
|capital =N'Djamena
|capital-raw =
|government =Republic
|government-raw =
|language =French, Arabic
|king =
|queen =
|monarch-raw =
|governor general=
|governor general-raw=
|president =Idriss Deby
|president-raw =
|chancellor =
|chancellor-raw =
|pm =
|pm-raw =
|chairman =
|general secretary=
|governor =
|governor-raw =
|premier =
|premier-raw =
|area =496,000 sq. mi.
|pop =16,500,000 (2020)
|pop-basis =
|gdp =$16.26 billion
|gdp-year =2008
|gdp-pc =$1,600
|currency =CFA franc
|idd =
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}}
The '''Republic of Chad''' is a nation of sub-Saharan [[Africa]] and is the fifth-largest African country.<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/country_profiles/1068700.stm</ref> It has an area of 495,800 square miles (1,280,000 million km2) and a population of 9.1 million. Its [[capital]] is [[N'Djamena]]. It is bounded by [[Libya]], [[Sudan]], [[Central African Republic]], [[Cameroon]], [[Nigeria]] and [[Niger]].

==Geography==
Chad is a landlocked country in north central Africa measuring 1,284,000 square kilometers (496,000 sq. mi.), roughly three times the size of California. Most of its ethnically and linguistically diverse population lives in the south, with densities ranging from 54 persons per square kilometers in the Logone River basin to 0.1 persons in the northern B.E.T. desert region, which is larger than France. The capital city of N'Djaména, situated at the confluence of the Chari and Logone Rivers, is cosmopolitan in nature, with a current population nearing one million people.

Chad has four bioclimatic zones. The northernmost Saharan zone averages less than 200 mm (8") of rainfall annually. The sparse human population is largely nomadic, with some livestock, mostly small ruminants and camels. The central Sahelian zone receives between 200 and 600 mm (24") rainfall and has vegetation ranging from grass/shrub steppe to thorny, open savanna. The southern zone, often referred to as the Sudanian zone, receives between 600 and 1,000 mm (39"), with woodland savanna and deciduous forests for vegetation. Rainfall in the Guinea zone, located in Chad's southwestern tip, ranges between 1,000 and 1,200 mm (47").

The country's topography is generally flat, with the elevation gradually rising as one moves north and east away from Lake Chad. The highest point in Chad is Emi Koussi, a mountain that rises 3,100 meters (10,200 ft.) in the northern Tibesti Mountains. The Ennedi Plateau and the Ouaddaï highlands in the east complete the image of a gradually sloping basin, which descends toward Lake Chad. There also are central highlands in the Guera region rising to 1,500 meters (4,900 ft.).

Lake Chad is the second-largest lake in West Africa and is one of the most important wetlands on the continent. Home to 120 species of fish and at least that many species of birds, the lake has shrunk dramatically in the last four decades due to the increased water use and low rainfall. Bordered by Chad, Niger, Nigeria, and Cameroon, Lake Chad currently covers only 1,350 square kilometers, down from 25,000 square kilometers in 1963. The Chari and Logone Rivers, both of which originate in the Central African Republic and flow northward, provide most of the water entering Lake Chad.
*Area: 1,284,634 km2. (496,000 sq. mi.); about twice the size of Texas.
*Cities: Capital—N'Djamena (pop. 1 million est.). Other major cities—Moundou, Abeche, Sarh.
*Terrain: Desert, mountainous north, large arid central plain, fertile lowlands in extreme southern regions.
*Climate: Northern desert—very dry throughout the year; central plain—hot and dry, with brief rainy season mid-June to mid-September; southern lowlands—warm and more humid with seasonal rains from late May to early October.

==People==
There are more than 200 ethnic groups in Chad. Those in the north and east are generally Muslim; most southerners are Christians or animists. Through their long religious and commercial relationships with Sudan and Egypt, many of the peoples in Chad's eastern and central regions have become more or less Arabized, speaking Arabic and engaging in many other Arab cultural practices as well. More than three-quarters of the Chadian population is rural. Near the eastern border there are over 250,000 refugees from the Sudanese conflict in Darfur and 56,000 Central African Republic refugees in the south. Due to internal rebel activity, there are also approximately 185,000 internally displaced persons in Chad.
*Nationality: Noun and adjective—Chadian(s).
*Population (July 2009 est.): 10,329,208.
*Annual growth rate (2009 est.): 2.069%.
*Density: 6.6 per km2. (17 per sq. mi.).
*Ethnic groups: 200 distinct groups. In the north and center, Gorane (Toubou, Daza, Kreda), Zaghawa, Kanembou, Ouaddai, Arabs, Baguirmi, Hadjerai, Fulbe, Kotoko, Hausa, Boulala, and Maba, most of whom are Muslim. In the south, Sara (Ngambaye, Mbaye, Goulaye), Moudang, Moussei, Massa, most of whom are Christian or animist. About 1,000 French citizens live in Chad.
*Religions: Muslim 51%, Christian 35%, animist 7%, other indigenous beliefs 7%.
*Languages: French and Arabic (official); Sara (in the south), more than 120 indigenous Chadian languages and dialects.
*Education: Years compulsory—6. Attendance—primary school 68% (1998); secondary school 5.5% (1995); higher education n/a. Literacy (age 15 and over can read and write French or Arabic, 2003 est.)--48%.
*Health: Life expectancy (2009 est.)--47.7 years. Infant mortality rate (2008 est.)--98.69 deaths/1,000 live births.
*Work force (2006 est.)--3.747 million. Agriculture—more than 80%; largely subsistence agriculture.

====Religion====
More than half of the population of 10 million is Muslim, approximately one-third is Christian, and the remainder practice traditional indigenous religious beliefs or have no religion. Most northerners practice Islam, and many southerners practice Christianity or traditional indigenous religious beliefs; however, population patterns are becoming more complex, especially in urban areas.

The great majority of Muslims belong to the Sufi brotherhood Tijaniyah. A small minority of Muslims (5 to 10% ) hold more fundamentalist beliefs, which in some cases are associated with Wahhabism or Salafism.

Roman Catholics represent the largest Christian denomination. Most Protestants are affiliated with various evangelical Christian groups. Small Baha'i and Jehovah's Witnesses communities also are present.

==Government and Political Conditions==
The constitutional basis for the government is the 1996 Constitution. A strong executive branch headed by the president dominates the Chadian political system. Following his December 1990 military overthrow of Hissein Habre, Idriss Deby in the mid-1990s gradually restored basic functions of government and entered into agreements with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) intended to carry out substantial economic reforms, including the Doba Basin oil extraction project.

The president has the power to appoint the prime minister and the Council of State (or cabinet), and exercises considerable influence over appointments of judges, generals, provincial officials and heads of Chad's parastatal firms. In cases of grave and immediate threat, the president, in consultation with the National Assembly President and Council of State, may declare a state of emergency. Most of the Deby's key advisers are members of the Zaghawa clan, although some southern and opposition personalities are represented in his government.

According to the 1996 Constitution, National Assembly deputies are elected by universal suffrage for 4-year terms. Parliamentary elections were last held in April 2002, with President Deby's MPS party winning a large majority. The Assembly holds regular sessions twice a year, starting in March and October, and can hold special sessions as necessary and called by the prime minister. Deputies elect a president of the National Assembly every 2 years. Assembly deputies or members of the executive branch may introduce legislation; once passed by the Assembly, the president must take action to either sign or reject the law within 15 days. The National Assembly must approve the prime minister's plan of government and may force the prime minister to resign through a majority vote of no confidence. However, if the National Assembly rejects the executive branch's program twice in one year, the president may disband the Assembly and call for new legislative elections. In practice, the president exercises considerable influence over the National Assembly through the MPS party structure.

Despite the Constitution's guarantee of judicial independence from the executive branch, the president names most key judicial officials. The Supreme Court is made up of a chief justice, named by the president, and 15 councilors chosen by the president and National Assembly; appointments are for life. The Constitutional Council, with nine judges elected to 9-year terms, has the power to review all legislation, treaties and international agreements prior to their adoption. The Constitution recognizes customary and traditional law in locales where it is recognized and to the extent it does not interfere with public order or constitutional guarantees of equality for all citizens.

===Principal Government Officials===
*President—Idriss Deby
*Minister of Foreign Affairs and African Integration—Moussa Faki
*Minister of Finance and Budget—Gata Ngoulou
*Minister of Mines and Energy—Yaya Dillo
*President of the National Assembly—Nassour Guelengdouksia Ouaidou

===Foreign Relations===
Chad is officially nonaligned but has close relations with France, the former colonial power, and other members of the Western community. It receives economic aid from countries of the European Union, the United States, and various international organizations. Libya supplies aid and has an ambassador resident in N'Djamena.

Other resident diplomatic missions in N'Djamena include the embassies of Algeria, Cameroon, Central African Republic, China, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, France, Germany, Nigeria, Russia, Sovereign Military Order of Malta, South Africa, Sudan, Taiwan, the United States, and the European Economic Community. A number of other countries have nonresident ambassadors. In 1988, Chad recognized the State of Palestine, which maintains a mission in N'Djamena. Chad has not recognized the State of Israel.

Although relations with Libya improved with the advent of the Deby government, strains persist. Chad has been an active champion of regional cooperation through the Central African Economic and Customs Union, the Lake Chad and Niger River Basin Commissions, and the Interstate Commission for the Fight Against the Drought in the Sahel. On February 8, 2006 the Tripoli Agreement, an attempt to end ongoing conflict between Chad and Sudan, was signed by Deby and Sudanese leader Al-Bashir at a summit hosted by Libyan leader Gaddafi. Following several violent confrontations between Chadian Government troops and rebels in the east, Deby broke off diplomatic ties with Al-Bashir, who he accused of backing Chadian rebels (the Sudanese Government, in turn, accused Chad of supporting Sudanese rebel groups operating in Darfur). Due to the gravity of the humanitarian crisis caused by these violent conflicts, the UN authorized the deployment of an EU peacekeeping force of 3,700 on September 25, 2007. On February 2, 2008 rebels infiltrated N'Djamena, surrounding the Presidential Palace, forcing the evacuation of U.S. Embassy personnel, and stalling the arrival of the peacekeeping presence. A cease-fire agreement was tentatively reached on February 5, 2008. On March 12, both sides met in Dakar, Senegal and signed a peace accord agreeing that they would stop backing rebels hostile to each other. Following that agreement, Sudan accused Chad of continuing to back Sudanese rebels and then severed ties with Chad. While relations between the neighboring nations continued to deteriorate, Chad experienced further rebel attacks within its borders in June 2008. On July 18, President Al-Bashir expressed his desire to restore diplomatic ties with Chad. In early August, the Libyan Government helped to broker an agreement between the Governments of Chad and Sudan. In October 2008, representatives from Chad and Sudan met in Tripoli to formally restore diplomatic ties between their nations, and an exchange of ambassadors occurred in mid-November. In January 2009, the UN also decided to renew the current mission in eastern Chad and northern Central African Republic (MINURCAT) and replace the EUFOR force with a UN peacekeeping mission. Following the announced unification of major Chadian rebel groups in January 2009 and an escalation of tensions in Darfur between the Government of Sudan and armed groups, both Chad and Sudan once again accused each other of supporting their respective rebel groups. Following the signing of the May 3 Doha accord between Chad and Sudan, Chadian rebels launched a fresh round of attacks. After repelling rebel forces inside Chad, the Chadian military launched military operations into Sudan in mid-May to target Chad rebel bases. This military action exacerbated tensions between Chad and Sudan, as President Deby publicly accused the African Union and other international actors (such as Libya and China) of doing little to condemn Sudan’s support for Chadian rebel groups. While tensions between the two countries remain high, there has been no formal rupture in diplomatic relations.

Chad belongs to the following international organizations: UN and some of its specialized and related agencies; African Union; Central African Customs and Economic Union (UDEAC); African Financial Community (Franc Zone); Agency for the Francophone Community; African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States; African Development Bank; Central African States Development Bank; Economic and Monetary Union of Central African (CEMAC); Economic Community of Central African States (CEEAC); Economic Commission for Africa; G-77; International Civil Aviation Organization; International Confederation of Free Trade Unions; International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement; International Development Association; Islamic Development Bank; International Fund for Agricultural Development; International Finance Corporation; International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies; International Labor Organization; International Monetary Fund; Interpol; International Olympic Committee; International Telecommunication Union; NAM; Organization of the Islamic Conference; Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons; Universal Postal Union; World Confederation of Labor; World Intellectual Property Organization; World Meteorological Organization; World Tourism Organization; World Trade Organization.

==Defense==
Under President Hissein Habre, members of Gourane, Zaghawa, Kanembou, Hadjerai, and Massa ethnic groups dominated the military. Idriss Deby, a member of the minority Zaghawa-related Bidyate clan and a top military commander, revolted and fled to Sudan, taking with him many Zaghawa and Hadjerai soldiers in 1989. The forces that Deby led into N'Djamena on December 1, 1990 to oust President Habre were mainly Zaghawa (including a large number of Sudanese), many of whom were recruited while Deby was in the bush. Deby's coalition also included a small number of Hadjerais and southerners.

Chad's armed forces numbered about 36,000 at the end of the Habre regime but swelled to an estimated 50,000 in the early days of Idriss Deby. With French support, a reorganization of the armed forces was initiated early in 1991 with the goal of reducing the size of the armed forces. An essential element of this effort was to make the ethnic composition of the armed forces reflective of the country as a whole. While the military's size has been reduced to approximately 25,000 soldiers, leadership positions are still dominated by the Zaghawa.

Following Idriss Deby's rise to power, Habre loyalists continued to fight government troops and rob civilians around Lake Chad. In the mid- and late-1990s, a rebellion in the south by the FARF delayed the promised oil development until crushed by government forces. Most recently, the Movement for Democracy and Justice in Tchad (MDJT) launched the most serious threat to Deby's hold on power, but little progress was ever made on either side. In January 2002, the government and the MDJT signed a formal peace accord. Although remnants are still present in the North, active rebellion there has been negligible since late 2003.

Long, porous borders continue to render Chad vulnerable to incursions. In March 2004, the Algerian terrorist organization, the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC), strayed into Chadian territory, where they were engaged by Chadian armed forces. Since the 2003 outbreak of the Darfur crisis in Sudan, armed militias have occasionally crossed into Chad, resulting in small-scale skirmishes. In response to such ongoing threats Chad has joined in the Pan Sahel Initiative (PSI), a U.S. Government military-to-military assistance program which helps participant countries counter terrorist operations, border incursions, and trafficking of people, illicit materials, and other goods. Initial PSI training was completed in Chad in July 2004.

==Economy==
In 2008, Chad's GDP was estimated at approximately $16.26 billion. Oil, cotton, cattle, and gum arabic are Chad's major exports.

The effects on foreign investment of years of civil war are still felt today, as investors who left Chad between 1979-82 have only recently begun to regain confidence in the country's future. The most important economic venture to date is the Doba Basin oil extraction project in southern Chad. The project included unique mechanisms for World Bank, private sector, government, and civil society collaboration to guarantee that future oil revenues would benefit local populations and result in poverty alleviation.

Oil exploitation in the southern Doba region began in June 2000, with U.S.-based Exxon Mobil leading a consortium, with assisted funding from the World Bank, in a $3.7 billion project to export oil via a 1,000-km. buried pipeline through Cameroon to the Gulf of Guinea. Beginning in late 2000, development of Chad's petroleum sector stimulated economic growth by attracting major investment and increased levels of U.S. trade. Oil revenue began trickling into the country in July 2004. It was hoped that this project would serve as a catalyst for the entire economy by helping to reduce energy costs and attracting additional trade and investment in other sectors. Following the government's decision to amend the oil revenue management law in 2006, the World Bank froze the escrow account that received the country's revenues. Later that year, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the World Bank and the Government of Chad that agreed on a new percentage of oil revenue to be used toward poverty reduction. Unfortunately, due to rebel attacks on N'djamena, Deby issued a "state of emergency" placing oil revenue funds into his direct command. This pipeline project was officially suspended in September 2008 following World Bank accusations that oil profits were not going toward poverty reduction efforts, as outlined in the initial agreement. In January 2009, the World Bank partially reopened its office in Chad, noting that it would only be involved in development assistance programs, and not play a role in the oil sector. Political controversy surrounding elections and insecurity in eastern Chad also dampen Chad's economic prospects somewhat by exposing the weaknesses in Chad's political institutions.
*GDP, current prices (2008 est.): $16.26 billion.
*GDP per capita income (2008 est.): $1,600.
*Population living below poverty line (2001 est.): 80%.
*Natural resources: Petroleum, natron (sodium carbonate), kaolin, gold, bauxite, tin, tungsten, titanium, iron ore.
*Agriculture (2007 est., 21.5% of GDP): Products—cotton, gum arabic, livestock, fish, peanuts, millet, sorghum, rice, sweet potatoes, cassava, dates, manioc. Arable land—30%.
*Industry (2007 est., 47.8% of GDP): Types—meatpacking, beer brewing, soap, cigarettes, construction materials, natron mining, soft-drink bottling.
*Services (2007 est.): 30.6% of GDP.
*Trade: Exports--$5.501 billion (f.o.b., 2008 est.): oil, cotton, livestock, gum arabic. Major markets (1999)--Portugal, Germany, Thailand, Costa Rica, South Africa, France, Nigeria, Cameroon. Imports--$1.47 billion (f.o.b., 2008 est.): petroleum products, machinery and transportation equipment, foodstuffs, industrial goods, textiles. Major suppliers (2004)--U.S., France, Cameroon, Nigeria.
*Central government budget (2006 est.): Revenues--$617.3 million. Expenditures--$877.6 million.
*Defense (2002): $31 million.

The U.S. Government expressed both concern and disappointment after the Government of Chad on August 26, 2006 ordered Chevron Oil Corporation and Petronas, members of the Exxon Mobil-led and operated oil consortium, to cease operations and leave Chad within 24 hours for alleged non-payment of income taxes. Chevron and Petronas entered into a tax agreement in 2000 with the government, represented by Petroleum Minister Mahamat Hassan Nasser, when they replaced Elf and Shell as minority members of the consortium. The companies assert that the agreement authorizes them to use a special depreciation schedule allowing greater tax deductions than those afforded consortium partner Exxon Mobil. The Government of Chad, however, claimed that the 2000 tax agreement was illegal, because it was negotiated by officials without proper authority and was not vetted by the National Assembly. The Government of Chad also announced plans to press charges against negotiating officials, and on August 28, 2006 replaced Nasser, as well as Economic Minister Mahamat Ali Hassan and Farming Minister Moucktar Moussa. Chevron and Petronas consider the Government of Chad to have violated its contractual obligations and planned to seek recourse through all diplomatic and legal means. While the U.S. takes no position on the merits of the dispute, it has urged all parties involved to respect any binding contractual commitments.

Despite recent development of the petroleum sector, more than 80% of the work force is involved in agriculture (subsistence farming, herding, and fishing). Like many other developing countries, Chad has a small formal sector and a large, thriving informal sector. Statistics indicate the following distribution as percentage of GDP: Agriculture—21.5% (farming, livestock, fishing); industry—47.8%; and services—30.6%. Chad is highly dependent on foreign assistance. Its principal donors include the European Union (EU), France, and the multilateral lending agencies.

Primary markets for Chadian exports include neighboring Cameroon and Nigeria and France, Germany, and Portugal. Aside from oil, cotton remains a primary export, although exact figures are not available. Rehabilitation of CotonTchad, the major cotton company that suffered from a decline in world cotton prices, has been financed by France, the Netherlands, the European Economic Community (EC), and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD). The parastatal is now being privatized.

The other major export is livestock, herded to neighboring countries. Herdsmen in the Sudanic and Sahelian zones raise cattle, sheep, goats, and, among the non-Muslims, a few pigs. In the Saharan region, only camels and a few hardy goats can survive. Chad also sells smoked and dried fish to its neighbors and exports several million dollars worth of gum arabic to Europe and the United States each year. Other food crops include sesame, millet, sorghum, peanuts, rice, sweet potatoes, manioc, cassava, and yams.

After averaging 0.8% in 1999-2000, Chad's real GDP growth was estimated at 8.9% in 2001, and 10% in 2002 and 2003 as the Doba oil project accelerated. Inflation rose from 3.7% in 2000 to 12.4% in 2001, dropped to 5.2% in 2002, and was estimated to level out at 3% in 2004. These fluctuations were due in large part to increasing demand from the Doba project but also to fluctuations in agricultural production. After a disappointing agricultural campaign in 2000, increased production during the 2001-02 timeframe helped reduce inflation in 2002. In 2003, the contraction in investments, the 7% appreciation in the CFA Franc exchange rate, and bumper harvests combined to generate a 1% deflation in place of the projected 4.3% inflation. Chad's economic performance, at least until the onset of oil exports, continued to depend on fluctuations in rainfall and in prices of its principal export commodities, especially cotton.

Since 1995, the Government of Chad has made incremental progress in implementing structural reforms and improving government finances under two successive structural adjustment programs. Most state enterprises have been partially or completely privatized, non-priority public spending has been lessened, and the government has gradually liberalized some key sectors of the economy. Liberalization of the telecommunications, cotton, and energy sectors is expected to proceed over the next several years. Chad reached the enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative completion point in May 2001.

==History==
In ancient times the Saharan area was not totally arid, and Chad's population was more evenly distributed than it is today. For example, 7,000 years ago, the north central basin, now in the Sahara, was still filled with water, and people lived and farmed around its shores. Cliff paintings in Borkou and Ennedi depict elephants, rhinoceroses, giraffes, cattle, and camels; only camels survive there today. The region has been known to traders and geographers since the late Middle Ages. Since then, Chad has served as a crossroads for the Muslim peoples of the desert and savanna regions, and the animist Bantu tribes of the tropical forests.

Sao people lived along the Chari River for thousands of years, but their relatively weak chiefdoms were overtaken by the powerful chiefs of what were to become the Kanem-Bornu and Baguirmi kingdoms. At their peak, these two kingdoms and the kingdom of Ouaddai controlled a good part of what is now Chad, as well as parts of Nigeria and Sudan. From 1500 to 1900, Arab slave raids were widespread. The French first penetrated Chad in 1891, establishing their authority through military expeditions primarily against the Muslim kingdoms. The first major colonial battle for Chad was fought in 1900 between the French Major Lamy and the African leader Rabah, both of whom were killed in the battle. Although the French won that battle, they did not declare the territory pacified until 1911; armed clashes between colonial troops and local bands continued for many years thereafter.

In 1905, administrative responsibility for Chad was placed under a governor general stationed at Brazzaville in what is now Congo. Although Chad joined the French colonies of Gabon, Oubangui-Charo, and Moyen Congo to form the Federation of French Equatorial Africa (AEF) in 1910, it did not have colonial status until 1920. The northern region of Chad was occupied by the French in 1914. In 1959, the territory of French Equatorial Africa was dissolved, and four states—Gabon, the Central African Republic, Congo (Brazzaville), and Chad—became autonomous members of the French Community. On August 11, 1960 Chad became an independent nation under its first president, Francois Tombalbaye.

A long civil war began as a tax revolt in 1965 and soon set the Muslim north and east against the southern-led government. Even with the help of French combat forces, the Tombalbaye government was never able to quell the insurgency. Tombalbaye's rule became more irrational and brutal, leading the military to carry out a coup in 1975 and to install Gen. Felix Malloum, a southerner, as head of state. In 1978, Malloum's government was broadened to include more northerners. Internal dissent within the government led the northern prime minister, Hissein Habre, to send his forces against the national army in the capital city of N'Djamena in February 1979. The resulting civil war amongst the 11 emergent factions was so widespread that it rendered the central government largely irrelevant. At that point, other African governments decided to intervene.

A series of four international conferences held first under Nigerian and then Organization of African Unity (OAU) sponsorship attempted to bring the Chadian factions together. At the fourth conference, held in Lagos, Nigeria, in August 1979, the Lagos accord was signed. This accord established a transitional government pending national elections. In November 1979, the National Union Transition Government (GUNT) was created with a mandate to govern for 18 months. Goukouni Oueddei, a northerner, was named President; Colonel Kamougue, a southerner, Vice President; and Habre, Minister of Defense. This coalition proved fragile; in January 1980, fighting broke out again between Goukouni's and Habre's forces. With assistance from Libya, Goukouni regained control of the capital and other urban centers by year's end. However, Goukouni's January 1981 statement that Chad and Libya had agreed to work for the realization of complete unity between the two countries generated intense international pressure and Goukouni's subsequent call for the complete withdrawal of external forces. Libya's partial withdrawal to the Aozou Strip in northern Chad cleared the way for Habre's forces to enter N'Djamena in June. French troops and an OAU peacekeeping force of 3,500 Nigerian, Senegalese, and Zairian troops (partially funded by the United States) remained neutral during the conflict.

Habre continued to face armed opposition on various fronts, and was brutal in his repression of suspected opponents, massacring and torturing many during his rule. In the summer of 1983, GUNT forces launched an offensive against government positions in northern and eastern Chad with Libyan support. In response to Libya's direct intervention, French and Zairian forces intervened to defend Habre, pushing Libyan and rebel forces north of the 16th parallel. In September 1984, the French and the Libyan governments announced an agreement for the mutual withdrawal of their forces from Chad. By the end of the year, all French and Zairian troops were withdrawn. Libya did not honor the withdrawal accord, and its forces continued to occupy the northern third of Chad.

Southern rebel commando groups (CODO) in southern Chad were broken up by government massacres in 1984. In 1985 Habre briefly reconciled with some of his most powerful opponents, including the Chadian Democratic Front and the Coordinating Action Committee of the Democratic Revolutionary Council. Goukouni also began to rally toward Habre, and with his support Habre successfully expelled Libyan forces from most of Chadian territory. A cease-fire between Chad and Libya held from 1987 to 1988, and negotiations over the next several years led to the 1994 International Court of Justice decision granting Chad sovereignty over the Aouzou strip, effectively ending Libyan occupation.

However, rivalry between Hadjerai, Zaghawa, and Gorane groups within the government grew in the late 1980s. In April 1989, Idriss Deby, one of Habre's leading generals and a Zaghawa, defected and fled to Darfur in Sudan, from which he mounted a Zaghawa-supported series of attacks on Habre (a Gorane). In December 1990, with Libyan assistance and no opposition from French troops stationed in Chad, Deby's forces successfully marched on N'Djamena. After 3 months of provisional government, Deby's Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS) approved a national charter on February 28, 1991, with Deby as president.

In the following 2 years, Deby faced at least two coup attempts. Government forces clashed violently with rebel forces (including the Movement for Democracy and Development, MDD, National Revival Committee for Peace and Democracy (CSNPD), Chadian national Front (FNT), and the Western Armed Forces, FAO) near Lake Chad and in southern regions of the country. Earlier French demands for the country to hold a national conference resulted in the gathering of 750 delegates representing political parties (legalized in 1992), the government, trade unions, and the army to discuss creation of a pluralist democratic regime.

Unrest continued, however, sparked in part by large-scale killings of civilians in southern Chad. The CSNPD, led by Kette Moise and other southern groups, entered into a peace agreement with government forces in 1994, which later broke down. Two new groups, the Armed Forces for a Federal Republic (FARF) led by former Kette ally Laokein Barde and the Democratic Front for Renewal (FDR), and a reformulated MDD clashed with government forces 1994-95.

Talks with political opponents in early 1996 did not go well, but Deby announced his intent to hold presidential elections in June. Deby won the country's first multi-party presidential elections with support in the second round from opposition leader Kebzabo, defeating General Kamougue (leader of the 1975 coup against Tombalbaye). Deby's MPS party won 63 of 125 seats in the January 1997 legislative elections. International observers noted numerous serious irregularities in presidential and legislative election proceedings.

By mid-1997 the government signed peace deals with FARF and the MDD leadership and succeeded in cutting off the groups from their rear bases in the Central African Republic and Cameroon. Agreements also were struck with rebels from the National Front of Chad (FNT) and Movement for Social Justice and Democracy in October 1997. However, peace was short-lived, as FARF rebels clashed with government soldiers, finally surrendering to government forces in May 1998. Barde was killed in the fighting, as were hundreds of other southerners, most civilians.

From 1998 to 2003, Chadian Movement for Justice and Democracy (MDJT) rebels skirmished periodically with government troops in the Tibesti region, resulting in hundreds of civilian, government, and rebel casualties, but little ground won or lost. Following an accord with the government in 2003, several hundred rebels rejoined the Chadian Army. Armed remnants of the MDJT linger in the Tibesti region, but no active armed opposition has emerged in other parts of Chad.

In May 2001, Deby won a flawed 63% first-round victory in presidential elections after legislative elections were postponed until spring 2002. Six opposition leaders were arrested (twice), and one opposition party activist was killed following the announcement of election results. However, despite claims of government corruption, favoritism of Zaghawas, and security forces abuses, opposition party and labor union calls for general strikes and more active demonstrations against the government were unsuccessful.

In May 2004, the National Assembly voted in favor of an amendment to the Constitution that would allow President Deby to run again. The amendment was approved in a national referendum June 2005 and abolished presidential term limits. In the last 3 years, Deby faced at least three coup attempts. In April 2006, the capital city of N'djamena was attacked by the United Front for Democratic Change—which was led by the Tama ethnic group—coordinating with another Chadian rebel organization from President Deby's Zaghawa ethnic group. The government put down the attacks. On May 3, 2006 Deby was elected to his third presidential term with a substantial majority, according to Chadian election officials. Provisional figures showed Deby receiving 77.6% of the vote. More than 60% of Chad's 5.8 million registered voters cast ballots. Frequent bouts of fighting between rebel groups characterized 2006. On October 26, 2007 a peace agreement was signed by four Chadian rebel groups and the Government of Chad. Hosted by Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, the talks took place in the Libyan city of Sirte.

=== References ===
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!colspan=2 style="width: 100%; text-align: center; background-color: #000088; color: white; "|'''Copyright Details'''
|-
!style="background-color: #000088; color:white;"|License:
|style=" background-color: none;"| This work is in the [[Public Domain]] in the United States because it is a work of the United States Federal Government under the terms of Title 17, Chapter 1, Section 105 of the U.S. Code
|-
!style=" background-color: #000088; color:white;"|Source:
|style="background-color: none;border-top: 2px solid black"| File available from the {{{1|[[United States Federal Government]] [http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/37992.htm]}}}.

{{African Countries}}
[[Category:Landlocked Countries]]
[[Category:Muslim-Majority Countries]]

Somalia

2021-01-06T02:47:50Z

King Conservative: /* External links */

{{Country
|name =''Soomaaliya'' الصومال
|map =Somalia rel02.jpg
|map2 =Location of Somalia.png
|flag =Flag of Somalia.png
|arms =Arms of Somalia.png
|capital =Mogadishu
|capital-raw =
|government =Federal parliamentary republic
|government-raw =
|language =Somali (official); Arabic, English
|king =
|queen =
|monarch-raw =
|president =Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed
|president-raw =
|chancellor =
|chancellor-raw =
|pm =Mohamed Hussein Roble
|pm-raw =
|area =246,201 sq mi
|pop =16,000,000 (2020)
|pop-basis =
|gdp =$5.26 billion
|gdp-year =2006
|gdp-pc =$600
|currency =Somali shilling
|idd =
|tld =
}}
The '''Somali Republic''' is a [[Muslim]] country that is a combination of two former European colonies known as [[British]] Somaliland and Italian Somaliland. Somalia has been Muslim since A.D. 900 and today is considered one of the bases for pirates and for the [[terrorist]] group [[al-Qaeda]]. Roughly the size of [[New Jersey]] in area and population, Somalia is located in the Horn of Africa, its coastline on the [[Indian Ocean]] bordering [[Djibouti]] (the former French Somaliland), [[Ethiopia]] and [[Kenya]]. The capital city is [[Mogadishu]].

==Geography==
Somalia is located on the east coast of Africa on and north of the Equator and, with Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, and Kenya, is often referred to as the Horn of Africa. It comprises Italy's former Trust Territory of Somalia and the former British Protectorate of Somaliland (now seeking recognition as an independent state). The coastline extends 2,720 kilometers (1,700 mi.).

The northern part of the country is hilly, and in many places the altitude ranges between 900 and 2,100 meters (3,000 ft.-7,000 ft.) above sea level. The central and southern areas are flat, with an average altitude of less than 180 meters (600 ft.). The Juba and the Shabelle Rivers rise in Ethiopia and flow south across the country toward the Indian Ocean. The Shabelle, however, does not reach the sea.

Major climatic factors are a year-round hot climate, seasonal monsoon winds, and irregular rainfall with recurring droughts. Mean daily maximum temperatures range from 30oC to 40oC (85o F-105oF), except at higher elevations and along the east coast. Mean daily minimums usually vary from about 15oC to 30oC (60oF-85oF). The southwest monsoon, a sea breeze, makes the period from about May to October the mildest season in Somalia. The December–February period of the northeast monsoon also is relatively mild, although prevailing climatic conditions in Somalia are rarely pleasant. The "tangambili" periods that intervene between the two rainy seasons (October–November and March–May) are hot and humid.

==People==
The Cushitic populations of the Somali Coast in the Horn of Africa have an ancient history. Known by ancient Arabs as the Berberi, archaeological evidence indicates their presence in the Horn of Africa by A.D. 100 and possibly earlier. As early as the seventh century A.D., the indigenous Cushitic peoples began to mingle with Arab and Persian traders who had settled along the coast. Interaction over the centuries led to the emergence of a Somali culture bound by common traditions, a single language, and the Islamic faith.

The Somali-populated region of the Horn of Africa stretches from the Gulf of Tadjoura in modern-day Djibouti through Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, and down to the coastal regions of southern Kenya. Unlike many countries in Africa, the Somali nation extends beyond its national borders. Since gaining independence in 1960, the goal of Somali nationalism, also known as Pan-Somalism, has been the unification of all Somali populations, forming a Greater Somalia. This issue has been a major cause of past crises between Somalia and its neighbors—Ethiopia, Kenya, and Djibouti.

Today, about 60% of all Somalis are nomadic or semi-nomadic pastoralists who raise cattle, camels, sheep, and goats. About 25% of the population is settled farmers who live mainly in the fertile agricultural zone between the Juba and Shabelle Rivers in southern Somalia. The remainder of the population (15%-20%) is urban.

Sizable ethnic groups in the country include Bantu agricultural workers, several thousand Arabs and some hundreds of Indians and Pakistanis. Nearly all inhabitants speak the Somali language, which remained unwritten until October 1973, when the Supreme Revolutionary Council (SRC) proclaimed it the nation's official language and decreed an [[orthography]] using Latin letters. Somali is now the language of instruction in schools, although Arabic, English, and Italian also are used extensively.
*Population (2006 est., no census exists): 8.8 million (of which an estimated 2 million in Somaliland). Population figures are difficult to estimate since the last census was completed in the 1970s and the instability of the country makes it impossible to collect this data.

*Annual growth rate (2006 est.): 2.85%.
*Ethnic groups: Somali, with a small non-Somali minority (mostly Bantu and Arabs).
*Religion: 99.9% Muslim.
*Languages: Somali (official), Arabic, Italian, English.
*Education: Literacy—total population that can read and write, 37.8%: male 49.7%; female 25.8%.
*Health: Infant mortality rate—114.9/1,000 live births. Life expectancy at birth—total population: 48.7 yrs.
*Work force (3.7 million; very few are skilled workers): Pastoral nomad—60%. Agriculture, government, trading, fishing, industry, handicrafts, and other—40%.
===Religion===
Citizens are overwhelmingly Sunni Muslims of a Sufi tradition. There also is a very small, extremely low-profile Christian community, and small numbers of followers of other religions. The number of adherents to strains of conservative Islam and the number of Islamic schools supported by religiously conservative sources continued to grow.

==Government==
A transitional government, the components of which are known as the Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs) was formed in 2004 following the conclusion of a 2-year reconciliation conference. The TFIs include a transitional parliament, known as the Transitional Federal Assembly (formed in August 2004), as well as a Transitional Federal Government (TFG) that includes a transitional President, Prime Minister and a cabinet known as the "Council of Ministers." For administrative purposes, Somalia is divided into 18 regions; the nature, authority, and structure of regional governments vary, where they exist.

===Principal Government Officials===
Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed was elected as Transitional Federal President of Somalia in October 2004. On October 29, 2007, Ali Mohamed Gedi resigned as Prime Minister of the TFG; Nur "Adde" Hassan Hussein was appointed Prime Minister on November 22 and confirmed by the Parliament on November 24, 2007. Following a no-confidence motion against former Speaker of Parliament Shariff Hassan Sheikh Adan on January 17, Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur was elected the new Speaker on January 31, 2007. A cabinet known as the Council of Ministers also exists; Prime Minister Hussein is in the process of forming a new cabinet.

===Political Conditions===
In early 2002, Kenya organized a reconciliation effort under IGAD auspices known as the Somalia National Reconciliation Conference, which concluded in October 2004. In August 2004, the Somali Transitional Federal Assembly (TFA) was established as part of the IGAD-led process. Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed was elected President of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia on October 10, 2004. The components of the TFG, including the Parliament and Executive, are known as the Transitional Federal Institutions (TFIs).

Two regional administrations exist in northern Somalia—the self-declared "Republic of Somaliland" in the northwest and the semi-autonomous region of Puntland in the northeast. In Somaliland, which is made up of the former British protectorate, Dahir Riyale Kahin was elected President in presidential elections deemed free and fair by international observers in May 2003. The area of Puntland declared itself autonomous (although not independent) in 1998 with its capital at Garowe. General Mohamed Adde Muse was elected President by the Puntland parliament in January 2005. Puntland declared it would remain autonomous until a federated Somalia state was established.

===Foreign Relations===
Somalia followed a foreign policy of nonalignment for a brief period following independence. In 1970, the Siad Barre regime declared a national ideology based on scientific Socialism and aligned its foreign policy with the Soviet Union and China. In the 1980s, Somalia shifted its alignment to the West following a territorial conflict with Ethiopia over the disputed Somali-populated region of the Ogaden from 1977–78, which was supported by the Soviet Union. The central government also sought ties with many Arab countries, and continued to receive financial and military support from several Arab countries prior to its collapse in 1991.

In 1963, Somalia severed diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom for a period following a dispute over Kenya's Somali-populated northeastern region (Northern Frontier District), an area inhabited mainly by Somalis. Related problems have arisen from the boundary with Ethiopia and the large-scale migrations of Somali nomads between Ethiopia and Somalia. In the aftermath of the 1977-78 war between Somalia and Ethiopia, the Government of Somalia continued to call for self-determination for ethnic Somalis living in the Ogaden region of eastern Ethiopia. At the March 1983 Nonaligned Movement summit in New Delhi, President Siad Barre stated that Somalia harbored no expansionist aims and was willing to negotiate with Ethiopia over the disputed Ogaden region.

Following the collapse of the Barre regime, the foreign policy of the various entities in Somalia, including the Transitional Federal Government, has centered on gaining international recognition, winning international support for national reconciliation, and obtaining international economic assistance.

==Defense==
The Transitional Federal Government and other various groups throughout Somalia are estimated to control militias ranging in strength from hundreds to thousands. Some groups possess limited inventories of older armored vehicles and other heavy weapons, and small arms are prevalent throughout Somalia. Elements of these militias, either operating under their command or acting independently, have engaged in acts of piracy in the waters of the Gulf of Aden and the [[Indian Ocean]], seizing ships and crew. [http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/news/216025.php][https://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-relief14dec14,1,3845026.story?track=rss][]

==Economy==
Somalia lacks natural resources and faces major development challenges, and recent economic reverses have left its people increasingly dependent on remittances from abroad. Its economy is pastoral and agricultural, with livestock—principally camels, cattle, sheep, and goats—representing the main form of wealth. Livestock exports in recent years have been severely reduced by periodic bans, ostensibly for concerns of animal health, by Arabian Peninsula states. Drought has also impaired agricultural and livestock production. Because rainfall is scanty and irregular, farming generally is limited to certain coastal districts, areas near Hargeisa, and the Juba and Shabelle River valleys. The agricultural sector of the economy consists mainly of banana plantations located in the south, which has used modern irrigation systems and up-to-date farm machinery.

A small fishing industry exists in the north where tuna, shark, and other warm-water fish are caught, although fishing production is seriously affected by poaching. Aromatic woods—frankincense and myrrh—from a small and diminishing forest also contribute to the country's exports. Minerals, including uranium and likely deposits of petroleum and natural gas, are found throughout the country, but have not been exploited commercially. Petroleum exploration efforts have ceased due to insecurity and instability. Illegal production in the south of charcoal for export has led to widespread deforestation. With the help of foreign aid, small industries such as textiles, handicrafts, meat processing, and printing are being established.

The absence of central government authority, as well as profiteering from counterfeiting, has rapidly debased Somalia's currency. By the spring of 2002, the Somali shilling had fallen to over 30,000 shillings to the U.S. dollar. The self-declared Republic of Somaliland issues its own currency, the Somaliland shilling, which is not accepted outside of the self-declared republic.

There are no railways in Somalia; internal transportation is by truck and bus. The national road system nominally comprises 22,100 kilometers (13,702 mi.) of roads that include about 2,600 kilometers (1,612 mi.) of all-weather roads, although most roads have received little maintenance for years and have seriously deteriorated.

Air transportation is provided by small air charter firms and craft used by drug smugglers. A number of airlines operate from Hargeisa. Some private airlines, including Daallo Airlines, serve several domestic locations as well as Djibouti and the United Arab Emirates. The UN and other NGOs operate air service for their missions.

The European Community and the World Bank jointly financed construction of a deepwater port at Mogadishu (currently closed). The Soviet Union improved Somalia's deepwater port at Berbera in 1969. Facilities at Berbera were further improved by a U.S. military construction program completed in 1985, but they have since become dilapidated. During the 1990s the United States renovated a deepwater port at Kismayo that serves the fertile Juba River basin and is vital to Somalia's banana export industry. Smaller ports are located at Merca, Brava, and Bossaso. Absence of security and lack of maintenance and improvement are major issues at most Somali ports.

Radiotelephone service is available to both to regional and international locations. The public telecommunications system has been destroyed or dismantled, but cellular phone service is readily available throughout the country. Somalia is linked to the outside world via ship-to-shore communications (INMARSAT) as well as links to overseas satellite operators by private telecommunications operators (including cellular telephone systems) in major towns. Radio broadcasting stations operate at Mogadishu, Hargeisa, and Galkaiyo, with programs in Somali and some other languages. There are two television broadcast stations in Mogadishu and one in Hargeisa.
*GDP (2005 est.): U.S. $4.809 billion.
*Annual growth rate (2005 est.): 2.4%.
*Per capita GDP (2005 est.): $600.
*Avg. inflation rate: N/A.
*Natural resources: Largely unexploited reserves of iron ore, tin, gypsum, bauxite, uranium, copper, and salt; likely petroleum and natural gas reserves.
*Agriculture: Products—livestock, fish, bananas, corn, sorghum, sugar. Arable land—13%, of which 2% is cultivated.
*Industry: Types—Telecommunications, livestock, fishing, textiles, transportation, and limited financial services. Somalia's surprisingly innovative private sector has continued to function despite the lack of a functioning central government since 1991.
*Trade: Exports--$241 million (f.o.b., 2004 est.): livestock, bananas, hides, fish, charcoal, scrap metal. Major markets—United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Oman. Imports--$576 million (f.o.b., 2004 est.): food grains, animal and vegetable oils, petroleum products, construction materials, manufactured products, qat. Major suppliers—Djibouti, Kenya, Brazil, India, United Arab Emirates, Oman.
*Aid disbursed: N/A. Primary aid donors—United States, European Union, Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom.
*Remittances (2006 est.): $800 million to $1 billion.

==History==
Early history traces the development of the Somali state to an Arab sultanate, which was founded in the seventh century A.D. by Koreishite immigrants from Yemen. During the 15th and 16th centuries, Portuguese traders landed in present Somali territory and ruled several coastal towns. The sultan of Oman and Zanzibar subsequently took control of these towns and their surrounding territory.

Somalia's modern history began in the late 19th century, when various European powers began to trade and establish themselves in the area. The British East India Company's desire for unrestricted harbor facilities led to the conclusion of treaties with the sultan of Tajura as early as 1840. It was not until 1886, however, that the British gained control over northern Somalia through treaties with various Somali chiefs who were guaranteed British protection. British objectives centered on safeguarding trade links to the east and securing local sources of food and provisions for its coaling station in Aden. The boundary between Ethiopia and British Somaliland was established in 1897 through treaty negotiations between British negotiators and King Menelik.

During the first two decades of this century, British rule was challenged through persistent attacks by a dervish rebellion led by Mohamed Abdullah, known as the "Mad Mullah" by the British. A long series of intermittent engagements and truces ended in 1920 when British warplanes bombed Abdullah's stronghold at Taleex. Although Abdullah was defeated as much by rival Somali factions as by British forces, he was lauded as a popular hero and stands as a major figure of national identity to many Somalis.

In 1885, Italy obtained commercial advantages in the area from the sultan of Zanzibar and in 1889 concluded agreements with the sultans of Obbia and Aluula, who placed their territories under Italy's protection. Between 1897 and 1908, Italy made agreements with the Ethiopians and the British that marked out the boundaries of Italian Somaliland. The Italian Government assumed direct administration, giving the territory colonial status.

Italian occupation gradually extended inland. In 1924, the Jubaland Province of Kenya, including the town and port of Kismayo, was ceded to Italy by the United Kingdom. The subjugation and occupation of the independent sultanates of Obbia and Mijertein, begun in 1925, were completed in 1927. In the late 1920s, Italian and Somali influence expanded into the Ogaden region of eastern Ethiopia. Continuing incursions climaxed in 1935 when Italian forces launched an offensive that led to the capture of Addis Ababa and the Italian annexation of Ethiopia in 1936.

Following Italy's declaration of war on the United Kingdom in June 1940, Italian troops overran British Somaliland and drove out the British garrison. In 1941, British forces began operations against the Italian East African Empire and quickly brought the greater part of Italian Somaliland under British control. From 1941 to 1950, while Somalia was under British military administration, transition toward self-government was begun through the establishment of local courts, planning committees, and the Protectorate Advisory Council. In 1948 Britain turned the Ogaden and neighboring Somali territories over to Ethiopia.

In Article 23 of the 1947 peace treaty, Italy renounced all rights and titles to Italian Somaliland. In accordance with treaty stipulations, on September 15, 1948, the Four Powers referred the question of disposal of former Italian colonies to the UN General Assembly. On November 21, 1949, the General Assembly adopted a resolution recommending that Italian Somaliland be placed under an international trusteeship system for 10 years, with Italy as the administering authority, followed by independence for Italian Somaliland. In 1959, at the request of the Somali Government, the UN General Assembly advanced the date of independence from December 2 to July 1, 1960.

Meanwhile, rapid progress toward self-government was being made in British Somaliland. Elections for the Legislative Assembly were held in February 1960, and one of the first acts of the new legislature was to request that the United Kingdom grant the area independence so that it could be united with Italian Somaliland when the latter became independent. The protectorate became independent on June 26, 1960; five days later, on July 1, it joined Italian Somaliland to form the Somali Republic.

In June 1961, Somalia adopted its first national constitution in a countrywide referendum, which provided for a democratic state with a parliamentary form of government based on European models. During the early post-independence period, political parties were a fluid concept, with one-person political parties forming before an election, only to defect to the winning party following the election. A constitutional conference in Mogadishu in April 1960, which made the system of government in the southern Somali trust territory the basis for the future government structure of the Somali Republic, resulted in the concentration of political power in the former Italian Somalia capital of Mogadishu and a southern-dominated central government, with most key government positions occupied by southern Somalis, producing increased disenchantment with the union in the former British-controlled north. Pan-Somali nationalism, with the goal of uniting the Somali-populated regions of French Somaliland (Djibouti), Kenya and Ethiopia into a Greater Somalia, remained the driving political ideology in the initial post-independence period. Under the leadership of Mohamed Ibrahim Egal (prime minister from 1967 to 1969), however, Somalia renounced its claims to the Somali-populated regions of Ethiopia and Kenya, greatly improving its relations with both countries. Egal attempted a similar approach with Ethiopia, but the move towards reconciliation with Ethiopia, which had been a traditional enemy of Somalia since the 16th century, made many Somalis furious, including the army. Egal's reconciliation effort toward Ethiopia is argued to be one of the principal factors that provoked a bloodless coup on October 21, 1969 and subsequent installation of Maj. Gen. Mohamed Siad Barre as president, bringing an abrupt end to the process of party-based constitutional democracy in Somalia.

Following the coup, executive and legislative power was vested in the 20-member Supreme Revolutionary Council (SRC), headed by Barre. The SRC pursued a course of "scientific socialism" that reflected both ideological and economic dependence on the Soviet Union. The government instituted a national security service, centralized control over information, and initiated a number of grassroots development projects. Barre reduced political freedoms and used military force to seize and redistribute rich farmlands in the interriverine areas of southern Somalia, relying on the use of force and terror against the Somali population to consolidate his political power base.

The SRC became increasingly radical in foreign affairs, and in 1974, Somalia and the Soviet Union concluded a treaty of friendship and cooperation. As early as 1972, tensions began increasing along the Somali-Ethiopian border; these tensions heightened after the accession to power in Ethiopia in 1973 of the Mengistu Haile Mariam regime, which turned increasingly toward the Soviet Union. In the mid-1970s, the Western Somali Liberation Front (WSLF) began guerrilla operations in the Ogaden region of Ethiopia. Following the overthrow of the Ethiopian Emperor in 1975, Somalia invaded Ethiopia in 1977 in a second attempt to regain the Ogaden, and the second attempt initially appeared to be in Somalia's favor. The SNA moved quickly toward Harer, Jijiga, and Dire Dawa, the principal cities of the region. However, following the Ethiopian revolution, the new Ethiopian government shifted its alliance from the West to the Soviet Union, and the Soviet Union supplied Ethiopia with 10,000-15,000 Cuban troops and Soviet military advisors during the 1977-78 Ogaden war, shifting the advantage to Ethiopia and resulting in Somalia's defeat. In November 1977, Barre expelled all Soviet advisers and abrogated the friendship agreement with the U.S.S.R. In March 1978, Somali forces retreated into Somalia; however, the WSLF continued to carry out sporadic but greatly reduced guerrilla activity in the Ogaden. Such activities also were subsequently undertaken by another dissident group, the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF).

Following the 1977-1978 Ogaden war, desperate to find a strong external alliance to replace the Soviet Union, Somalia abandoned its Socialist ideology and turned to the West for international support, military equipment, and economic aid. In 1978, the United States reopened the U.S. Agency for International Development mission in Somalia. Two years later, an agreement was concluded that gave U.S. forces access to military facilities at the port of Berbera in northwestern Somalia. In the summer of 1982, Ethiopian forces invaded Somalia along the central border, and the United States provided two emergency airlifts to help Somalia defend its territorial integrity. From 1982 to 1988, the United States viewed Somalia as a partner in defense in the context of the Cold War. Somali officers of the National Armed Forces were trained in U.S. military schools in civilian as well as military subjects.

Following the Ogaden war, the Barre regime violently suppressed opposition movements and ethnic groups, particularly the Isaaq clan in the northern region, using the military and elite security forces to quash any hint of rebellion. By the 1980s, an all-out civil war developed in Somalia. Opposition groups began to form following the end of the Ogaden war, beginning in 1979 with a group of dissatisfied army officers known as the Somali Salvation Democratic Front (SSDF). In 1981, as a result of increased northern discontent with the Barre regime, the Somali National Movement (SNM), composed mainly of the Isaaq clan, was formed in Hargeisa with the stated goal of overthrowing of the Barre regime. In January 1989, the United Somali Congress (USC), an opposition group of Somalis from the Hawiye clan, was formed as a political movement in Rome. A military wing of the USC was formed in Ethiopia in late 1989 under the leadership of Mohamed Farah "Aideed," a former political prisoner imprisoned by Barre from 1969-75. Aideed also formed alliances with other opposition groups, including the SNM and the Somali Patriotic Movement (SPM), an Ogadeen sub-clan force under Colonel Ahmed Omar Jess in the Bakool and Bay regions of Southern Somalia. In 1988, at the President's order, aircraft from the Somali National Air Force bombed the city of Hargeisa in northwestern Somalia, the former capital of British Somaliland, killing nearly 10,000 civilians and insurgents. The warfare in the northwest sped up the decay already evident elsewhere in the republic. Economic crisis, brought on by the cost of anti-insurgency activities, caused further hardship as Siad Barre and his cronies looted the national treasury.

[[File:Somalia.jpg|thumb|Left-wing poster about U.S. operation in Somalia.]]

By the end of the 1980s, armed opposition to Barre's government, fully operational in the northern regions, had spread to the central and southern regions. Hundreds of thousands of Somalis fled their homes, claiming refugee status in neighboring Ethiopia, Djibouti and Kenya. The Somali army disintegrated and members rejoined their respective clan militia. Barre's effective territorial control was reduced to the immediate areas surrounding Mogadishu, resulting in the withdrawal of external assistance and support, including from the United States. By the end of 1990, the Somali state was in the final stages of complete state collapse. In the first week of December 1990, Barre declared a state of emergency as USC and SNM forces advanced toward Mogadishu. In January 1991, armed opposition factions drove Barre out of power, resulting in the complete collapse of the central government. Barre later died in exile in Nigeria. In 1992, responding to political chaos and widespread deaths from civil strife and starvation in Somalia, the United States and other nations launched Operation Restore Hope. Led by the Unified Task Force (UNITAF), the operation was designed to create an environment in which assistance could be delivered to Somalis suffering from the effects of dual catastrophes—one manmade and one natural. UNITAF was followed by the United Nations Operation in Somalia (UNOSOM). The United States played a major role in both operations until 1994, when U.S. forces withdrew.

Following the collapse of the Barre regime in 1991, various groupings of Somali factions sought to control the national territory (or portions thereof) and fought small wars with one another. Approximately 14 national reconciliation conferences were convened over the succeeding decade. Efforts at mediation of the Somali internal dispute were also undertaken by many regional states. In the mid-1990s, Ethiopia played host to several Somali peace conferences and initiated talks at the Ethiopian city of Sodere, which led to some degree of agreement between competing factions. The Governments of Egypt, Yemen, Kenya, and Italy also have attempted to bring the Somali factions together. In 1997, the Organization of African Unity and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) gave Ethiopia the mandate to pursue Somali reconciliation. In 2000, Djibouti hosted a major reconciliation conference (the 13th such effort), which in August resulted in creation of the Transitional National Government (TNG), whose 3-year mandate expired in August 2003. The absence of a central government in Somalia also allowed outside forces to become more influential by supporting various groups and persons in Somalia, particularly Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Egypt, Yemen, and Libya, all of which have supported various Somali factions and transitional governments.

== External links ==

*[http://english.aljazeera.net/focus/2010/01/201016102343505552.html Somali Islamists: A potential ally?] by Dr. Afyare Abdi Elmi.

 
{| style="width: 100%; background:transparent; border: 2px solid #000099;" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1"
!colspan=2 style="width: 100%; text-align: center; background-color: #000088; color: white; "|'''Copyright Details'''
|-
!style="background-color: #000088; color:white;"|License:
|style=" background-color: none;"| This work is in the [[Public Domain]] in the United States because it is a work of the United States Federal Government under the terms of Title 17, Chapter 1, Section 105 of the U.S. Code
|-
!style=" background-color: #000088; color:white;"|Source:
|style="background-color: none;border-top: 2px solid black"| File available from the {{{1|[[United States Federal Government]] [http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2863.htm]}}}.
|}
{{African Countries}}
[[Category:Muslim-Majority Countries]]

Mauritania

2021-01-06T02:46:47Z

King Conservative: /* History */

{{Country
|name =الجمهورية الإسلامية الموريتانية ''Al-Jumhūriyyah al-Islāmiyyah al-Mūrītāniyyah''
|map =Mauritania rel95.jpg
|map2 =Location of Mauritania.png
|flag =Flag of Mauritania.png
|arms =Arms of Mauritania.png
|capital =Nouakchott
|capital-raw =
|government =Parliamentary republic
|government-raw =
|language =Arabic
|king =
|queen =
|monarch-raw =
|president =Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz
|president-raw =
|chancellor =
|chancellor-raw =
|pm =Yahya Ould Hademine
|pm-raw =
|area =397,954 sq mi
|pop =4,666,667 (2020)
|pop-basis =
|gdp =$7.159 billion
|gdp-year =2005
|gdp-pc =$2,402
|currency =Ouguiya
|idd =
|tld =
}}
'''Mauritania''' is a nation of north-western [[Africa]], bounded by [[Senegal]], [[Mali]], [[Algeria]], [[Western Sahara]] and the [[Atlantic Ocean]]. Much of its territory is [[desert]] or semi-desert. The capital city is [[Nouakchott]].

==People==
*Population (2005): 2,906,000.
*Annual growth rate: 2.7%.
*Ethnic groups: Arab-Berber (White Moor), Arab-Berber-Negroid (Black Moor), Haalpulaar, Soninke, Wolof (Black African Mauritanians).
*Religion: Islam.
*Languages: Arabic (official), Hassaniya (Arabic dialect), French, Pulaar, Wolof, and Soninke.
*Education: Years compulsory—six. Attendance (student population enrolled in primary school)--82%. Adult literacy (% of population age 15+)--59%.
*Health: Infant mortality rate—77/1,000. Life expectancy—51 yrs.
*Work force: Agriculture and fisheries—50%. Services and commerce—20%. Government—20%. Industry and transportation—10%.

==Government and Political Conditions==
Mauritania held series of elections that began in November 2006 with a parliamentary vote and culminated March 25, 2007 with the second round of the presidential election. Sidi Ould Cheikh Abdellahi was elected President.

The government bureaucracy is composed of ministries, special agencies, and parastatal companies. The Ministry of Interior controls a system of regional governors and prefects modeled on the French system of local administration. Under this system, Mauritania is divided into 13 regions (wilaya), including the capital district, Nouakchott. Control is tightly concentrated in the executive branch of the central government, but a series of national and municipal elections since 1992 have produced some decentralization

Politics in Mauritania have always been heavily influenced by personalities, with any leader's ability to exercise political power dependent upon control over resources; perceived ability or integrity; and tribal, ethnic, family, and personal considerations. Conflict among White Moor, Black Moor, and Black African Mauritanian groups, centering on language, land tenure, and other issues, continues to be a major challenge to national unity. Political parties, illegal during the military period, were legalized again in 1991.

===Principal Government Officials===
*President—Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz
*Prime Minister—Yahya Ould Hademine
*Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation—Mohamed Saleck Ould Mohamed Lemine
*Minister of Economic Affairs and Development—Hammada Ould Abed
*Minister of Commerce, Handicrafts, and Tourism—Ba Abderrahmane
*Ambassador to the United Nations—Mohamed Ould Tolba

===Human rights issues===
*[[Slavery]] is reported to still be widespread in Mauritania, despite a 1981 law outlawing it. [https://www.reuters.com/article/inDepthNews/idUSL1833437920070322?feedType=RSS]
*[[Mohamed Cheikh Ould Mkhaitir]] was arrested and currently sits on death row for the "crime" of apostasy after he wrote an opinion editorial critical of [[Muhammad]].

==Economy==
*GDP (2003): $1.1 billion.
*Annual growth rate (2003): 2.7%.
*Per capita income (2003): $430.
*Natural resources: petroleum, fish, iron ore, gypsum, copper, phosphates, salt.
*Agriculture (19.3% of GDP 2003): Products—livestock, traditional fisheries, millet, maize, wheat, dates, rice.
*Industry (30% of GDP 2003): Types—iron mining, fishing.
*Services (50.8% of GDP 2003).
*Trade: Exports (f.o.b.)--$388 million (2003). Export partners—Japan 13%, France 10.9%, Spain 9.6%, Italy 9.5%, Germany 8.7%, Belgium 7.4%, China 5.8%, Russia 4.8% (2004). Imports--$418 million (2002): foodstuffs, machinery, tools, petroleum products, and consumer goods. Import partners—France 14.5%, U.S. 7.7%, China 7.4%, Spain 5.9%, Belgium 4.3%, U.K. 4.3% (2004).
*Currency: Ouguiya (UM).
*USAID: Total FY 2005 USAID assistance to Mauritania--$14,160,300.

==History==
From the 3rd to 7th centuries, the migration of Berber tribes from North Africa displaced the Bafours, the original inhabitants of present-day Mauritania and the ancestors of the Soninke. Continued Arab-Berber migration drove indigenous black Africans south to the Senegal River or enslaved them. By 1076, Islamic warrior monks (Almoravid or Al Murabitun) completed the conquest of southern Mauritania, defeating the ancient Ghana empire. Over the next 500 years, Arabs overcame fierce Berber resistance to dominate Mauritania. The Mauritanian Thirty-Year War (1644–74) was the unsuccessful final Berber effort to repel the Maqil Arab invaders led by the Beni Hassan tribe. The descendants of Beni Hassan warriors became the upper stratum of Moorish society. Berbers retained influence by producing the majority of the region's Marabouts—those who preserve and teach Islamic tradition. Hassaniya, a mainly oral, Berber-influenced Arabic dialect that derives its name from the Beni Hassan tribe, became the dominant language among the largely nomadic population. Within Moorish society, aristocratic and servant classes developed, yielding "white" (aristocracy) and "black" Moors (the enslaved indigenous class).

French colonization at the beginning of the 20th century brought legal prohibitions against slavery and an end to interclan warfare. During the colonial period, the population remained nomadic, but sedentary black Africans, whose ancestors had been expelled centuries earlier by the Moors, began to trickle back into southern Mauritania. As the country gained independence in 1960, the capital city of Nouakchott was founded at the site of a small colonial village. Ninety percent of the population was still nomadic. With independence, larger numbers of ethnic Sub-Saharan Africans (Haalpulaar, Soninke, and Wolof) entered Mauritania, moving into the area north of the Senegal River. Educated in French, many of these recent arrivals became clerks, soldiers, and administrators in the new state.

Moors reacted to this change by trying to Arabicize much of Mauritanian life, such as law and language. A schism developed between those who considered Mauritania to be an Arab country (mainly Moors) and those who sought a dominant role for the Sub-Saharan peoples. The discord between these two conflicting visions of Mauritanian society was evident during intercommunal violence that broke out in April 1989 (the "1989 Events").

The country's first president, Moktar Ould Daddah, served from independence until ousted in a bloodless coup on July 10, 1978. Mauritania was under military rule from 1978 to 1992, when the country's first multi-party elections were held following the July 1991 approval by referendum of a constitution.

The Democratic and Social Republican Party (PRDS), led by President Maaouiya Ould Sid'Ahmed Taya, dominated Mauritanian politics from April 1992 until he was overthrown in August 2005. President Taya, who won elections in 1992 and 1997, first became chief of state through a December 12, 1984 bloodless coup which made him chairman of the committee of military officers that governed Mauritania from July 1978 to April 1992. A group of current and former Army officers launched a bloody but unsuccessful coup attempt on June 8, 2003.

On November 7, 2003, Mauritania's third presidential election since adopting the democratic process in 1992 took place. Incumbent President Taya was reelected. Several opposition groups alleged that the government had used fraudulent means to win the elections, but did not elect to pursue their grievances via available legal channels. The elections incorporated safeguards first adopted in 2001 municipal elections—published voter lists and hard-to-falsify voter identification cards.

On August 3, 2005, President Taya was deposed in a bloodless coup. Military commanders, led by Colonel Ely Ould Mohammed Fal (alternative spelling: Vall) seized power while President Taya was attending the funeral of Saudi Arabia's King Fahd. Colonel Fal established the ruling Military Council for Justice and Democracy to run the country. The council dissolved the Parliament and appointed a transitional government.

{| style="width: 100%; background:transparent; border: 2px solid #000099;" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1"
!colspan=2 style="width: 100%; text-align: center; background-color: #000088; color: white; "|'''Copyright Details'''
|-
!style="background-color: #000088; color:white;"|License:
|style=" background-color: none;"| This work is in the [[Public Domain]] in the United States because it is a work of the United States Federal Government under the terms of Title 17, Chapter 1, Section 105 of the U.S. Code
|-
!style=" background-color: #000088; color:white;"|Source:
|style="background-color: none;border-top: 2px solid black"| File available from the {{{1|[[United States Federal Government]] [http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5467.htm]}}}.
|}

{{African Countries}}
[[Category:Mauritania]]
[[Category:Muslim-Majority Countries]]

Sudan

2021-01-06T02:46:09Z

King Conservative: /* External links */

{{Country
|name =''جمهورية السودان Jumhūriyyat as-Sūdān''
|map =Sudan rel00.jpg
|map2 =Location of Sudan.png
|flag =Flag of Sudan.png
|arms =Sudan coa.JPG
|capital =Khartoum
|capital-raw =
|government =Authoritarian
|government-raw =
|language =Arabic
|king =
|queen =
|monarch-raw =
|president =Omar Hassan al-Bashir
|president-raw =
|chancellor =
|chancellor-raw =
|pm =
|pm-raw =
|area =967,495 sq mi
|pop =44,000,000 (2020)
|pop-basis =
|gdp =$84.755 billion (2007)
|gdp-year =
|gdp-pc =$2,522 (2007)
|currency =
}}
'''Sudan''' (or '''The Sudan''', Arabic '''السودان'''), officially the '''Republic of the Sudan''', is an East [[Africa]]n country, notable for being one of the last remaining countries in the world where [[slavery]] still exists.

Sudan is the largest African country by area, and the 10th largest country in the world by area. The capital of Sudan is [[Khartoum]], and the president is [[Omar al-Bashir]]. The country has a population of approximately 33 million (2006 estimate).<ref>[https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/su.html Sudan], ''CIA World Factbook</ref> Since 2003, Sudan has come under serious international scrutiny for the [[Darfur conflict]], a government-sponsored ethnic cleansing campaign against black Africans by the Arabic [[Janjaweed]] militias.<ref>[https://www.un.org/apps/news/infocusRel.asp?infocusID=88&Body=Sudan Darfur News Centre], ''The UN''</ref>

==Slavery==

Despite official denials, [[slavery]] continues to exist in Sudan.
*"Mende Nazer published a book about her life story as a slave in Sudan and how she finally escaped to freedom in London - which became an immediate best-seller."<ref>[http://www.ncadc.org.uk/archives/filed%20newszines/oldnewszines/Old%201-50/news28/mendenazer.html National Coalition of Anti-Deportation Campaigns]</ref>

Although the British outlawed slavery in Sudan, this did not quite have the effect of a complete [[abolition]]. Slavery continued in remote areas.<ref name=real>[http://africansudanesesociety.freehomepage.com/custom4.html Slavery in Sudan is real]</ref> In the 1980s, civil war between the Muslim north and non-Muslim south fueled the revival of slavery.
[[Susan Rice]] told reporters in southern Sudan,
*"Part of why I am here is to show the world that, despite what the government in Khartoum says, despite what some of our partners in the European Union may want to pretend ... slavery exists, it has to be acknowledged, and it has to be addressed."<ref name=real />

==People==
Sudan's population is one of the most diverse on the African continent. There are two distinct major cultures--"Arab" and black African—with hundreds of ethnic and tribal subdivisions and language groups, which make effective collaboration among them a major political challenge.

The northern states cover most of the Sudan and include most of the urban centers. Most of the 22 million Sudanese who live in this region are Arabic-speaking Muslims, though the majority also uses a non-Arabic mother tongue—e.g., Nubian, Beja, Fur, Nuban, Ingessana, etc. Among these are several distinct tribal groups: the Kababish of northern Kordofan, a camel-raising people; the Ja'alin and Shaigiyya groups of settled tribes along the rivers; the semi-nomadic Baggara of Kordofan and Darfur; the Hamitic Beja in the Red Sea area and Nubians of the northern Nile areas, some of whom have been resettled on the Atbara River; and the Nuba of southern Kordofan and Fur in the western reaches of the country.
[[File:People in Yambio Sudan.jpg|thumb|left|People in Yambio.]]
The southern region has a population of around 6 million and a predominantly rural, subsistence economy. Except for a ten-year hiatus, southern Sudan has been embroiled in conflict, resulting in major destruction and displacement since independence. More than 2 million people have died, and more than 4 million are internally displaced or have become refugees as a result of the civil war and war-related impacts. The southern Sudanese practice mainly indigenous traditional beliefs, although Christian missionaries have converted some. The south also contains many tribal groups and many more languages than are used in the north. The Dinka—whose population is estimated at more than 1 million—is the largest of the many black African tribes of the Sudan. Along with the Shilluk and the Nuer, they are among the [[Nilotic]] tribes. The Azande, Bor, and Jo Luo are "Sudanic" tribes in the west, and the Acholi and Lotuhu live in the extreme south, extending into Uganda.

In 2006, Sudan's population reached an estimated 41 million. A new census is planned for 2008. The population of metropolitan Khartoum (including Khartoum, Omdurman, and North Khartoum) is growing rapidly and ranges from 6-7 million, including around 2 million internally displaced persons from the former southern war zone as well as western and eastern regions affected by drought, conflict, and marginalization. In Darfur, there are an estimated 1.8 million internally displaced persons and another 220,000 refugees in neighboring Chad—200,000 in 12 camps and 20,000 in the border area.
*Population (2005 est.): 40.2 million; 30%-33% urban.
*Annual growth rate (2004 est.): 2.6%.
*Ethnic groups: Arab/Muslim north and black African/Christian and animist south.
*Religions: Islam (official), indigenous beliefs (southern Sudan), Christianity.
*Languages: Arabic (official), English, tribal languages.
*Education: Years compulsory—8. Attendance—35%-40%. Literacy—61%.
*Health: Infant mortality rate—64/1,000. Life expectancy—58.5 yrs.
*Work force: Agriculture—80%; industry and commerce—7%; government—13%.
===Religion===
{{See also|Christians in Sudan}}

An estimated 70% of the population is Muslim. Islam predominates in the north. Almost all Muslims are Sunni, although there are significant distinctions between followers of different Sunni traditions, particularly among Sufi brotherhoods.

An estimated 25% of the population holds traditional indigenous beliefs (animism), which are prevalent in rural areas throughout the country. Some animists have been baptized but do not identify themselves as Christians, or they combine Christian and animist practices.

Christians are the third largest religious group, traditionally concentrated in the south and the Nuba Mountains. Widespread displacement and migration during the long civil war increased the population of Christians living in the north. While many Christians have returned to the south, Khartoum still has a significant Christian population. The Roman Catholic Church of Sudan and the Episcopal Churches of Sudan estimate they have six million and five million baptized followers, respectively, although active churchgoers are far fewer.

There are very small but long-established groups of Orthodox Christians in Khartoum and other northern cities, including Coptic Orthodox and Greek Orthodox. There are also Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox communities in Khartoum and the east, largely made up of refugees and migrants. Other Christian groups with smaller followings include the Africa Inland Church, Armenian (Apostolic) Church, Sudan Church of Christ, Sudan Interior Church, Jehovah's Witnesses, Sudan Pentecostal Church, Sudan Evangelical Presbyterian Church (in the north), Presbyterian Church of the Sudan (in the south), and the Seventh-day Adventist Church of Sudan.

Religion plays a prominent role in the complex system of political alliances. Northern Muslims have dominated the political and economic system since independence in 1956. Since the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in 2005, the GNU has appointed both Muslims and Christians to prominent executive positions.

The dominant political power in Sudan, the National Congress Party (NCP), draws its support from conservative Arab Muslims in the north. Its previous incarnation, the National Islamic Front, ruled from 1989 to 1998. Northern opposition parties draw their support from different Sufi brotherhoods: the Umma Party is closely connected with Arab followers of the Ansar sect, and the Democratic Unionist Party with the Khatmia sect. Opposition parties typically include non-Arab Muslims from the north, east, and Darfur.

Following the civil war, the Sudanese People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) became the dominant political power in the south, and is the main coalition partner with the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) in the GNU. The SPLM draws its support from Southern Christians, but regularly engages with Muslim opposition parties and rebel groups in Darfur and the east.

The Government favored Muslims over Christians in the north in part by funding the construction of mosques but not churches. Many southern Christians living in the north are economic migrants, and due to many factors, they suffer from social, educational, and job discrimination.

The Government prevents foreigners from entering the country expressly for Christian missionary work, but it did permit foreign Christian religious leaders to enter in support of their local congregations. The Humanitarian Affairs Committee routinely expels foreign workers of international aid organizations, although several U.S.-based Christian aid organizations maintain large operations throughout the north.

In November 2007 a British national teaching at a Christian school in Khartoum was held briefly and threatened with imprisonment and corporal punishment for acceding to her students' suggestion to name a class teddy bear after the Prophet Muhammad. Some government officials organized a street protest against the Briton, but President Bashir pardoned her, and several days after the incident she was permitted to depart the country.

In July 2007 a Catholic priest was jailed and held without charges for 3 days in connection with an investigation regarding a Khartoum woman who had planned to convert to Christianity. The priest was questioned about the woman's disappearance until the woman reported she had run away from home.

The ongoing conflict in [[Darfur]] between the government-backed Arab Muslim militias (janjaweed) and non-Arab Muslim rebels does not center on religious differences but rather on political, economic, and ethnic issues. The United States declared the situation in Darfur a [[genocide]] in September 2004.

Although there was no evidence of forced conversions in 2007, there is considerable social pressure on non-Muslims in the North to convert to Islam. Muslims in the north who express an interest in Christianity or convert to Christianity faced severe social pressure to recant.

Some universities continue to encourage students to pressure women to wear heads carves to classes, although social pressure for women to wear headscarves in public in the north has decreased overall.

==Government and Political Conditions==
[[File:Omar al-Bashir.jpg|thumb|Omar al-Bashir.]]
Principal Government Officials
*President, Prime Minister, and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces—Lt. Gen. Omar Hassan Ahmed al-Bashir
*First Vice President—Salva Kiir
*Vice President—Ali Osman Muhamad Taha
*Foreign Minister—Lam Akol
*Ambassador to the U.S.--vacant (John Ukec Lueth, Chargé d'Affaires)
*Ambassador to the UN—vacant (Abdalmahmood Abdalhaleem Mohamed)

===Foreign Relations===
Solidarity with other Arab countries has been a feature of Sudan's foreign policy. When the Arab-Israeli war began in June 1967, Sudan declared war on Israel. However, in the early 1970s, Sudan gradually shifted its stance and was supportive of the Camp David Accords.

Relations between Sudan and Libya deteriorated in the early 1970s and reached a low in October 1981, when Libya began a policy of cross-border raids into western Sudan. After the 1985 coup in Sudan, the military government resumed diplomatic relations with Libya, as part of a policy of improving relations with neighboring and Arab states. In early 1990, Libya and the Sudan announced that they would seek "unity," but this unity was not implemented.

During the 1990s, as Sudan sought to steer a nonaligned course, courting Western aid and seeking rapprochement with Arab states, its relations with the U.S. grew increasingly strained. Sudan's ties with countries like North Korea and Libya and its support for regional insurgencies such as Egyptian Islamic Jihad, Eritrean Islamic Jihad, Ethiopian Islamic Jihad, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Lord's Resistance Army generated great concern about its contribution to regional instability. Allegations of the government's complicity in the assassination attempt against the Egyptian President in Ethiopia in 1995 led to UNSC sanctions against the Sudan. By the late 1990s, Sudan experienced strained or broken diplomatic relations with most of its nine neighboring countries. However, since 2000, Sudan has actively sought regional rapprochement that has rehabilitated most of these relations.

===Relations with the United States===
The United States is a major donor of humanitarian aid to Sudan, and the U.S. has welcomed steps toward peace in the country. The U.S. also has been a leader in pressing for strong international action by the United Nations and its agencies in Darfur. The U.S. and the international community welcomed the January 9, 2005 signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and the May 5, 2006 signing of the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA), while a series of UN Security Council resolutions in late March 2005 and 2006 underscored concerns about Sudan's continuing conflicts. On September 11, 2006 the U.S. linked improved relations to Sudanese acceptance of a UN peacekeeping operation in Darfur. Since that time, the U.S. has been successful in bringing new economic sanctions against Sudan, as well as ushering in the passage of UN Security Council Resolution 1769 on July 31, 2007, which mandates the rapid deployment of a joint African Union/United Nations hybrid peacekeeping force to Darfur. (For more, see "End to the Civil War" and "Darfur," below.)

====A Review of Relations====
Sudan broke diplomatic relations with the U.S. in June 1967, following the outbreak of the Arab-Israeli War. Relations improved after July 1971, when the Sudanese Communist Party attempted to overthrow President Nimeiri, and Nimeiri suspected Soviet involvement. U.S. assistance for resettlement of refugees following the 1972 peace settlement with the south added further improved relations.

On March 1, 1973, Palestinian terrorists of the "Black September" organization murdered U.S. Ambassador Cleo A. Noel and Deputy Chief of Mission Curtis G. Moore in Khartoum. Sudanese officials arrested the terrorists and tried them on murder charges. In June 1974, however, they were released to the custody of the Egyptian Government. The U.S. Ambassador to the Sudan was withdrawn in protest. Although the U.S. Ambassador returned to Khartoum in November, relations with the Sudan remained static until early 1976, when President Nimeiri mediated the release of 10 American hostages being held by Eritrean insurgents in rebel strongholds in northern Ethiopia. In 1976, the U.S. decided to resume economic assistance to the Sudan.

In late 1985, there was a reduction in staff at the U.S. Embassy in Khartoum because of the presence in Khartoum of a large contingent of Libyan terrorists. In April 1986, relations with Sudan deteriorated when the U.S. bombed Tripoli, Libya. A U.S. Embassy employee was shot on April 16, 1986. Immediately following this incident, all non-essential personnel and all dependents left for six months. At this time, Sudan was the single largest recipient of U.S. development and military assistance in sub-Saharan Africa. However, official U.S. development assistance was suspended in 1989 in the wake of the military coup against the elected government, which brought to power the National Islamist Front led by General Bashir.

U.S. relations with Sudan were further strained in the 1990s. Sudan backed Iraq in its invasion of Kuwait and provided sanctuary and assistance to Islamic terrorist groups. In the early and mid-1990s, Carlos the Jackal, Osama bin Laden, Abu Nidal, and other terrorist leaders resided in Khartoum. Sudan's role in the radical Pan-Arab Islamic Conference represented a matter of great concern to the security of American officials and dependents in Khartoum, resulting in several drawdowns and/or evacuations of U.S. personnel from Khartoum in the early-mid 1990s. Sudan's Islamist links with international terrorist organizations represented a special matter of concern for the U.S. Government, leading to Sudan's 1993 designation as a state sponsor of terrorism and a suspension of U.S. Embassy operations in Khartoum in 1996. In October 1997, the U.S. imposed comprehensive economic, trade, and financial sanctions against the Sudan. In August 1998, in the wake of the East Africa embassy bombings, the U.S. launched cruise missile strikes against Khartoum. The last U.S. Ambassador to the Sudan, Ambassador Tim Carney, departed post prior to this event and no new ambassador has been designated since. The U.S. Embassy is headed by a chargé d'affaires.

The U.S. and Sudan entered into a bilateral dialog on counter-terrorism in May 2000. Sudan has provided concrete cooperation against international terrorism since the September 11, 2001, terrorism strikes on New York and Washington. However, although Sudan publicly supported the international coalition actions against the al Qaida network and the Taliban in Afghanistan, the government criticized the U.S. strikes in that country and opposed a widening of the effort against international terrorism to other countries. Sudan remains on the state sponsors of terrorism list.

In response to the Government of Sudan's continued complicity in unabated violence occurring in Darfur, President Bush imposed new economic sanctions on Sudan in May 2007. The sanctions blocked assets of Sudanese citizens implicated in Darfur violence, and also sanctioned additional companies owned or controlled by the Government of Sudan. Sanctions continue to underscore U.S. efforts to end the suffering of the millions of Sudanese affected by the crisis in Darfur.

Despite policy differences the U.S. has been a major donor of humanitarian aid to the Sudan throughout the last quarter century. The U.S. was a major donor in the March 1989 "Operation Lifeline Sudan," which delivered 100,000 metric tons of food into both government and SPLA-held areas of the Sudan, thus averting widespread starvation. In 1991, the U.S. made major donations to alleviate food shortages caused by a two-year drought. In a similar drought in 2000-01, the U.S. and the international community responded to avert mass starvation in the Sudan. In 2001 the Bush Administration named a Presidential Envoy for Peace in the Sudan to explore what role the U.S. could play in ending Sudan's civil war and enhancing the delivery of humanitarian aid. For fiscal years 2005-2006, the U.S. Government committed almost $2.6 billion to Sudan for humanitarian assistance and peacekeeping in Darfur as well as support for implementation of the peace accord and reconstruction and development in southern Sudan.

==Economy==
In 2004, the cessation of major north-south hostilities and expanding crude oil exports resulted in 6.4% GDP growth and a near doubling of GDP per capita since 2003. The aftereffects of the 21-year civil war and very limited infrastructure, however, present obstacles to stronger growth and a broader distribution of income. The country continued taking some steps toward transitioning from a socialist to a market-based economy, although the government and governing party supporters remained heavily involved in the economy.

Sudan's primary resources are agricultural, but oil production and export have taken on greater importance since October 2000. Although the country is trying to diversify its cash crops, cotton, and gum Arabic remain its major agricultural exports. Grain sorghum (dura) is the principal food crop, and millet and wheat are grown for domestic consumption. Sesame seeds and peanuts are cultivated for domestic consumption and increasingly for export. Livestock production has vast potential, and many animals, particularly camels and sheep, are exported to Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and other Arab countries. However, Sudan remains a net importer of food. Problems of irrigation and transportation remain the greatest constraints to a more dynamic agricultural economy.

The country's transportation facilities consist of one 4,800-kilometer (2,748-miles), single-track railroad with a feeder line, supplemented by limited river steamers, Sudan Airways, and about 1,900 kilometers (1,200 miles) of paved and gravel road—primarily in greater Khartoum, Port Sudan, and the north. Some north-south roads that serve the oil fields of central/south Sudan have been built; and a 1,400 kilometer. (840 miles) oil pipeline goes from the oil fields via the Nuba Mountains and Khartoum to the oil export terminal in Port Sudan on the Red Sea.
*GDP (2005): $22.75 billion.
*GDP annual growth rate (2005): 7%.
*Per capita income GDP (2005): $2,100.
*Avg. annual inflation rate (2005): 9.0%.
*Natural resources: Modest reserves of oil, natural gas, gold, iron ore, copper, and other industrial metals.
*Agriculture: Products—cotton, peanuts, sorghum, sesame seeds, gum Arabic, sugarcane, millet, livestock.
*Industry: Types—motor vehicle assembly, cement, cotton, edible oils and sugar refining.
*Trade (2005 est.): Exports--$6.989 billion: crude oil and petroleum products, cotton, gold, sorghum, peanuts, gum arabic, sugar, meat, hides, live animals, and sesame seeds. Major markets—Egypt, Persian Gulf states, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, China, South Korea. Imports (2005 est.)--$5.028 billion: oil and petroleum products, oil pipeline, pumping and refining equipment, chemical products and equipment, wheat and wheat flour, transport equipment, foodstuffs, tea, agricultural inputs and machinery, industrial inputs and manufactured goods. Major suppliers—European Union, China, Malaysia, Canada, U.K., Italy, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the Persian Gulf states, and surrounding East African nations.
*Fiscal year: January 1-December 31.

Sudan's limited industrial development consists of agricultural processing and various light industries located in Khartoum North. In recent years, the GIAD industrial complex introduced the assembly of small autos and trucks, and some heavy military equipment such as armored personnel carriers and the proposed "Bashir" main battle tank. Although Sudan is reputed to have great mineral resources, exploration has been quite limited, and the country's real potential is unknown. Small quantities of asbestos, chromium, and mica are exploited commercially.

Extensive petroleum exploration began in the mid-1970s and might cover all of Sudan's economic and energy needs. Significant finds were made in the Upper Nile region and commercial quantities of oil began to be exported in October 2000, reducing Sudan's outflow of foreign exchange for imported petroleum products. There are indications of significant potential reserves of oil and natural gas in southern Sudan, the Kordofan region and the Red Sea province.

Sudan is seeking to expand its installed capacity of electrical generation of around 300 megawatts—of which 180 megawatts is hydroelectric and the rest, thermal. Considering the continuing U.S. economic, trade, and financial sanctions regime, European investors are the most likely providers of technology for this purpose. More than 70% of Sudan's hydropower comes from the Roseires Dam on the Blue Nile grid. Various projects are proposed to expand hydropower, thermal generation, and other sources of energy, but so far the government has had difficulty arranging sufficient financing.

The Merowe dam project has received a boost from various Arab funds. The Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development donated $150 million, the Abu Dhabi Development Fund $100 million, the Kuwaiti Development Fund $150 million, and the Saudi Fund $150 million. The Sultanate of Oman may finance the dam power plant with $106 million. The Merowe dam, if built, would have a capacity of 1,250 megawatts. It would be built at the Nile's fourth cataract. Egypt has not voiced major objections on the issue of Nile water diversion, which Sudan's hydroelectric project would entail. The estimated total cost of the dam is $1.8 billion.

Historically, the U.S., the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and other Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) have supplied most of Sudan's economic assistance. Sudan's role as an economic link between Arab and African countries is reflected by the presence in Khartoum of the Arab Bank for African Development. The World Bank had been the largest source of development loans.

Sudan will require extraordinary levels of program assistance and debt relief to manage a foreign debt exceeding $21 billion, more than the country's entire annual gross domestic product. During the late 1970s and 1980s, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, and key donors worked closely to promote reforms to counter the effect of inefficient economic policies and practices. By 1984, a combination of factors—including drought, inflation, and confused application of Islamic law—reduced donor disbursements, and capital flight led to a serious foreign-exchange crisis and increased shortages of imported inputs and commodities. More significantly, the 1989 revolution caused many donors in Europe, the U.S., and Canada to suspend official development assistance, but not humanitarian aid.

However, as Sudan became the world's largest debtor to the World Bank and IMF by 1993, its relationship with the international financial institutions soured in the mid-1990s and has yet to be fully rehabilitated. The government fell out of compliance with an IMF standby program and accumulated substantial arrear-ages on repurchase obligations. A 4-year economic reform plan was announced in 1988 but was not pursued. An economic reform plan was announced in 1989 and implementation began on a 3-year economic restructuring program designed to reduce the public sector deficit, end subsidies, privatize state enterprises, and encourage new foreign and domestic investment. In 1993, the IMF suspended Sudan's voting rights and the World Bank suspended Sudan's right to make withdrawals under effective and fully disbursed loans and credits. Lome Funds and European Union agricultural credits, totaling more than 1 billion euros, also were suspended.

Sudan produces about 401,000 barrels per day (b/d) (2005 est.) of oil, which brought in about $1.9 billion in 2005 and provides 70% of the country's total export earnings. Although final figures are not yet available, these earnings may have risen to an estimated $2 billion as of the end of 2004. The oil production was expected to reach 500,000 barrels by 2005. With a resolution of its 21-year civil war, Sudan and its people can now begin to reap the benefit from its natural resources, rebuild its infrastructure, increase oil production and exports, and be able to attain its export and development potential.

In 2000-2001, Sudan's current account entered surplus for the first time since independence. In 1993, currency controls were imposed, making it illegal to possess foreign exchange without approval. In 1999, liberalization of foreign exchange markets ameliorated this constraint somewhat. Exports other than oil are largely stagnant. The small industrial sector remains in the doldrums, and Sudan's inadequate and declining infrastructure inhibits economic growth.

==History==
Sudan was a collection of small, independent kingdoms and principalities from the beginning of the Christian era until 1820-21, when Egypt conquered and unified the northern portion of the country. However, neither the Egyptian nor the Mahdist state (1883-1898) had any effective control of the southern region outside of a few garrisons. Southern Sudan remained an area of fragmented tribes, subject to frequent attacks by slave raiders.

In 1881, a religious leader named Muhammad ibn Abdalla proclaimed himself the [[Mahdi]], or the "expected one," and began a religious crusade to unify the tribes in western and central Sudan. His followers took on the name "Ansars" (the followers) which they continue to use today and are associated with the single largest political grouping, the Umma Party, led by a descendant of the Mahdi, Sadiq al Mahdi.

Taking advantage of dissatisfaction resulting from Ottoman-Egyptian exploitation and maladministration, the Mahdi led a nationalist revolt culminating in the fall of Khartoum in 1885. The Mahdi died shortly thereafter, but his state survived until overwhelmed by an invading Anglo-Egyptian force under Lord Kitchener in 1898. While nominally administered jointly by Egypt and Britain, Britain exercised control, formulated policies, and supplied most of the top administrators.

====Independence====
In February 1953, the United Kingdom and Egypt concluded an agreement providing for Sudanese self-government and self-determination. The transitional period toward independence began with the inauguration of the first parliament in 1954. With the consent of the British and Egyptian Governments, Sudan achieved independence on January 1, 1956, under a provisional constitution. This constitution was silent on two crucial issues for southern leaders—the secular or Islamic character of the state and its federal or unitary structure. However, the Arab-led Khartoum government reneged on promises to southerners to create a federal system, which led to a mutiny by southern army officers that launched 17 years of civil war (1955–72).

Sudan has been at war with itself for more than three quarters of its existence. Since independence, protracted conflict rooted in deep cultural and religious differences retarded Sudan's economic and political development and forced massive internal displacement of its people. Northerners, who have traditionally controlled the country, have sought to unify it along the lines of Arabism and Islam despite the opposition of non-Muslims, southerners, and marginalized peoples in the west and east. The resultant civil strife affected Sudan's neighbors, as they alternately sheltered fleeing refugees or served as operating bases for rebel movements.

In 1958, General Ibrahim Abboud seized power and pursued a policy of Arabization and Islamicization in the south that strengthened southern opposition. General Abboud was overthrown in 1964 and a civilian caretaker government assumed control. Southern leaders eventually divided into two factions, those who advocated a federal solution and those who argued for self-determination, a [[euphemism]] for secession since it was assumed the south would vote for independence if given the choice.

Until 1969, there was a succession of governments that proved unable either to agree on a permanent constitution or to cope with problems of factionalism, economic stagnation, and ethnic dissidence. These regimes were dominated by "Arab" Muslims who asserted their Arab-Islamic agenda and refused any kind of self-determination for southern Sudan.

In May 1969, a group of communist and socialist officers led by Colonel Gaafar Muhammad Nimeiri, seized power. A month after coming to power, Nimeiri proclaimed socialism (instead of Islamism) for the country and outlined a policy of granting autonomy to the south. Nimeiri in turn was the target of a coup attempt by communist members of the government. It failed and Nimeiri ordered a massive purge of communists. This alienated the Soviet Union, which withdrew its support.

Already lacking support from the Muslim parties he had chased from power, Nimeiri could no longer count on the communist faction. Having alienated the right and the left, Nimeiri turned to the south as a way of expanding his limited powerbase. He pursued peace initiatives with Sudan's hostile neighbors, Ethiopia and Uganda, signing agreements that committed each signatory to withdraw support for the other's rebel movements. He then initiated negotiations with the southern rebels and signed an agreement in Addis Ababa in 1972 that granted a measure of autonomy to the south. Southern support helped him put down two coup attempts, one initiated by officers from the western regions of Darfur and Kordofan who wanted for their region the same privileges granted to the south.

However, the Addis Ababa Agreement had no support from either the secularist or Islamic northern parties. Nimeiri concluded that their lack of support was more threatening to his regime than lack of support from the south so he announced a policy of national reconciliation with all the religious opposition forces. These parties did not feel bound to observe an agreement they perceived as an obstacle to furthering an Islamist state. The scales against the peace agreement were tipped in 1979 when Chevron discovered oil in the south. Northern pressure built to abrogate those provisions of the peace treaty granting financial autonomy to the south. Ultimately in 1983, Nimeiri abolished the southern region, declared Arabic the official language of the south (instead of English) and transferred control of southern armed forces to the central government. This was effectively a unilateral abrogation of the 1972 peace treaty. The second Sudan civil war effectively began in January 1983 when southern soldiers mutinied rather than follow orders transferring them to the north.

In September 1983, as part of an Islamicization campaign, President Nimeiri announced that traditional Islamic punishments drawn from Shari'a (Islamic Law) would be incorporated into the penal code. This was controversial even among Muslim groups. Amputations for theft and public lashings for alcohol possession became common. Southerners and other non-Muslims living in the north were also subjected to these punishments.

In April 1985, while out of the country, Nimeiri was overthrown by a popular uprising in Khartoum provoked by a collapsing economy, the war in the south, and political repression. Gen. Suwar al-Dahab headed the transitional government. One of its first acts was to suspend the 1983 constitution and disband Nimeiri's Sudan Socialist Union.

Elections were held in April 1986, and a civilian government took over after the April 1986 elections. There were tentative moves towards negotiating peace with the south. However, any proposal to exempt the south from Islamic law was unacceptable to those who supported Arabic supremacy. In 1989, an Islamic army faction, led by General Umar al-Bashir mounted a coup and installed the National Islamic Front. The new government's commitment to the Islamic cause intensified the north-south conflict.

Meanwhile, the period of the 1990s saw a growing sense of alienation in the western and eastern regions of Sudan from the Arab center. The rulers in Khartoum were seen as less and less responsive to the concerns and grievances of both Muslim and non-Muslim populations across the country. Alienation from the "Arab" center caused various groups to grow sympathetic to the southern rebels led by the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A), and in some cases, prompted them to flight alongside it.

The Bashir government combined internal political repression with international Islamist activism. It supported radical Islamist groups in Algeria and supported Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. Khartoum was established as a base for militant Islamist groups: radical movements and terrorist organizations like Osama Bin Laden's al Qaida were provided a safe haven and logistical aid in return for financial support. In 1996, the U.N. imposed sanctions on Sudan for alleged connections to the assassination attempt on Egyptian President Mubarak.

Its policy toward the south was to pursue the war against the rebels while trying to manipulate them by highlighting tribal divisions. Ultimately, this policy resulted in the rebels' uniting under the leadership of Colonel John Garang. During this period, the rebels also enjoyed support from Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Uganda. The Bashir government's "Pan-Islamic" foreign policy, which provided support for neighboring radical Islamist groups, was partly responsible for this support for the rebels.

The 1990s saw a succession of regional efforts to broker an end to the Sudanese civil war. Beginning in 1993, the leaders of Eritrea, Ethiopia, Uganda, and Kenya pursued a peace initiative for the Sudan under the auspices of the Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD), but results were mixed. Despite that record, the IGAD initiative promulgated the 1994 Declaration of Principles (DOP) that aimed to identify the essential elements necessary to a just and comprehensive peace settlement; i.e., the relationship between religion and the state, power sharing, wealth sharing, and the right of self-determination for the south. The Sudanese Government did not sign the DOP until 1997 after major battlefield losses to the SPLA. That year, the Khartoum government signed a series of agreements with rebel factions under the banner of "Peace from Within." These included the Khartoum, Nuba Mountains, and Fashoda Agreements that ended military conflict between the government and significant rebel factions. Many of those leaders then moved to Khartoum where they assumed marginal roles in the central government or collaborated with the government in military engagements against the SPLA. These three agreements paralleled the terms and conditions of the IGAD agreement, calling for a degree of autonomy for the south and the right of self-determination.

However, by mid-2001, prospects for peace in Sudan appeared fairly remote. A few days before the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, the Bush Administration named former Senator John Danforth as its Presidential Envoy for Peace in the Sudan. His role was to explore the prospects that the U.S. could play a useful role in the search for a just end to the civil war, and enhance the delivery of humanitarian aid to reduce the suffering of the Sudanese people stemming from the effects of civil war. The terrorist attacks of September 11 dramatically impacted the bilateral relationship between the United States and the Khartoum government. (For "U.S.-Sudanese Relations," see below.)

====End to the Civil War====
In July 2002, the Government of Sudan and the SPLM/A reached a historic agreement on the role of state and religion and the right of southern Sudan to self-determination. This agreement, known as the Machakos Protocol and named after the town in Kenya where the peace talks were held, concluded the first round of talks sponsored by the IGAD. The effort was mediated by retired Kenyan General Lazaro Sumbeiywo. Peace talks resumed and continued during 2003, with discussions regarding wealth sharing and three contested areas.

On November 19, 2004, the Government of Sudan and the SPLM/A signed a declaration committing themselves to conclude a final comprehensive peace agreement by December 31, 2004, in the context of an extraordinary session of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in Nairobi, Kenya—only the fifth time the Council has met outside of New York since its founding. At this session, the UNSC unanimously adopted Resolution 1574, which welcomed the commitment of the government and the SPLM/A to achieve agreement by the end of 2004, and underscored the international community's intention to assist the Sudanese people and support implementation of the comprehensive peace agreement. It also demanded that the Government of Sudan and the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLM/A) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) halt all violence in Darfur.

In keeping with their commitment to the UNSC, the Government of Sudan and the SPLM/A initialed the final elements of the comprehensive agreement on December 31, 2004. The two parties formally signed the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) on January 9, 2005. The U.S. and the international community have welcomed this decisive step forward for peace in Sudan.

====Comprehensive Peace Agreement====
The CPA established a new Government of National Unity and the interim Government of Southern Sudan and called for wealth-sharing, power-sharing, and security arrangements between the two parties. The historic agreement provides for a ceasefire, withdrawal of troops from southern Sudan, and the repatriation and resettlement of refugees. It also stipulates that by the end of the six-year interim period, during which the various provisions of the CPA are implemented, there will be elections at all levels, including for president, state governors, and national and state legislatures.

On July 9, 2005, the Presidency was inaugurated with al-Bashir sworn in as President and John Garang, SPLM leader, installed as First Vice President. Ratification of the Interim National Constitution followed. The Constitution declares Sudan to be a "democratic, decentralized, multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-religious, and multi-lingual State."

On July 30, 2005, the charismatic and revered SPLM leader John Garang died in a helicopter crash. The SPLM immediately named Salva Kiir, Garang' s deputy, as First Vice President. As stipulated in the CPA, Kiir now holds the posts of President of the Government of Southern Sudan and Commander-in-Chief of the SPLA.

Implemented provisions of the CPA include the formation of the National Legislature, appointment of Cabinet members, establishment of the Government of Southern Sudan and the signing of the Southern Sudan Constitution, and the appointment of state governors and adoption of state constitutions.

New CPA-mandated commissions have also been created. Thus far, those formed include the Assessment and Evaluation Commission, National Petroleum Commission, Fiscal and Financial Allocation and Monitoring Commission, and the North-South Border Commission. The Ceasefire Political Commission, Joint Defense Board, and Ceasefire Joint Military Committee were also established as part of the security arrangements of the CPA.

With the establishment of the National Population Census Council, plans are anticipated for a population census to be conducted in February 2008 in preparation for national elections in 2009. The CPA mandates that the government hold a referendum at the end of a six-year interim period in 2011, allowing southerners to secede if they so wish. On January 9, 2007, commemoration of the second anniversary of the CPA was held in Juba. During the ceremony, President Bashir and First Vice President Kiir exchanged forceful accusations concerning the delays in the implementation of the agreement. In his remarks, Salva Kiir described the achievement of the CPA as the most important achievement in modern Sudanese history and confirmed that there would be no retreat from the path of peace.

While some progress has been achieved during the last two years, meaningful implementation of key CPA requirements has faltered and relations between the National Congress Party (NCP) and SPLM are at an all-time low. As of October 2007, a lack of progress on issues such as north-south border demarcation, certain security provisions, and north-south sharing of oil revenues threatened to erode the CPA. International attention is refocusing on the CPA as the mainstay of peace in Sudan in response to calls for reinvigorated CPA implementation.

====Darfur====
In 2003, while the historic north-south conflict was on its way to resolution, increasing reports of attacks on civilians, especially aimed at non-Arab tribes, began to surface. A rebellion broke out in Darfur, in the extremely marginalized western Sudan, led by two rebel groups—the SLM/A and the JEM. These groups represented agrarian farmers who are mostly non-Arabized black African Muslims. In seeking to defeat the rebel movements, the Government of Sudan increased arms and support to local tribal and other militias, which have come to be known as the "Janjaweed." Their members were composed mostly of Arabized black African Muslims who herded cattle, camels, and other livestock. Attacks on the civilian population by the Janjaweed, often with the direct support of Government of Sudan forces, have led to the death of tens of thousands of persons in Darfur, with an estimated 2.0 million internally displaced persons and another 234,000 refugees in neighboring Chad.

On September 9, 2004, Secretary of State Colin L. Powell told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, "genocide has been committed in Darfur and that the Government of Sudan and the Janjaweed bear responsibility--and that genocide may still be occurring." President Bush echoed this in July 2005, when he stated that the situation in Darfur was "clearly genocide."

A cease-fire between the parties was signed in N'Djamena, Chad, on April 8, 2004. However, despite the deployment of an African Union Military Mission to monitor implementation of the cease-fire and investigate violations, violence has continued. The SLM/A and JEM negotiated with the Government of Sudan under African Union auspices, resulting in additional protocols addressing the humanitarian and security aspects of the conflict on November 9, 2004. Like previous agreements, however, these were violated by both sides. Talks resumed in Abuja on June 10, 2005, resulting in a July 6 signing of a Declaration of Principles. Further talks were held in the fall and early winter of 2005 and covered power sharing, wealth sharing, and security arrangements. These negotiations were complicated by a split in SLM/A leadership.

The African Union, with the support of the UNSC, the U.S., and the rest of the international community, began deploying a larger monitoring and observer force in October 2004. The UNSC had passed three resolutions (1556, 1564, and 1574), all intended to move the Government of Sudan to rein in the Janjaweed, protect the civilian population and humanitarian participants, seek avenues toward a political settlement to the humanitarian and political crisis, and recognize the need for the rapid deployment of an expanded African Union mission in Darfur. The U.S. has been a leader in pressing for strong international action by the United Nations and its agencies.

A series of UNSC resolutions in late March 2005 underscored the concerns of the international community regarding Sudan's continuing conflicts. Resolution 1590 established the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) for an initial period of six months and decided that UNMIS would consist of up to 10,000 military personnel and up to 715 civilian police personnel. It requested UNMIS to coordinate with the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) to foster peace in Darfur, support implementation of the CPA, facilitate the voluntary return of refugees and internally displaced persons, provide humanitarian demining assistance, and protect human rights. The resolution also called on the Government of Sudan and rebel groups to resume the Abuja talks and support a peaceful settlement to the conflict in Darfur, including ensuring safe access for peacekeeping and humanitarian operations.

Resolution 1591 criticized the Government of Sudan and rebels in Darfur for having failed to comply with several previous UNSC resolutions, for ceasefire violations, and for human rights abuses. The resolution also called on all parties to resume the Abuja talks and to support a peaceful settlement to the conflict in Darfur; it also forms a monitoring committee charged with enforcing a travel ban and asset freeze of those determined to impede the peace process, or violate human rights. Additionally, the resolution demanded that the Government of Sudan cease conducting offensive military flights in and over the Darfur region. Finally, Resolution 1593 referred the situation in Darfur to the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and called on the Government of Sudan and all other parties to the conflict in Darfur to cooperate with the ICC.

On May 5, 2006, under strong pressure from the African Union (AU) and the international community, the government and an SLM/A faction led by Minni Minawi signed the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) in Abuja. Unfortunately, the conflict in Darfur intensified shortly thereafter, led by rebel groups who refused to sign. In late August government forces began a major offensive on rebel areas in Northern Darfur. On August 30, the Security Council adopted UNSCR 1706, authorizing the transition of AMIS to a larger more robust UN peacekeeping operation. To further facilitate an end to the conflict in Darfur, President Bush announced the appointment of Andrew S. Natsios as the Special Envoy for Sudan on September 19, 2006.

In an effort to resolve Sudan's opposition to a UN force, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and African Union Commission Chair Alpha Oumar Konare convened a meeting of key international officials and representatives of several African and Arab states in Addis Ababa on November 16, 2006. The agreement reached with the Government of Sudan provided for UN support to AMIS in three phases—light, heavy, and a joint AU/UN hybrid support operation. On November 30, the African Union Peace and Security Council also endorsed the Addis Ababa conclusions.

International efforts in 2007 focused on rallying support for DPA signatory and non-signatory rebel movements for renewed peace talks, and on finalizing plans for the joint AU/UN hybrid operation. UN Security Council Resolution 1769 was adopted on 31 July, providing the mandate for a joint AU/UN hybrid force to deploy to Darfur with troop contributions from African countries. The UN African Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) is to assume authority from AMIS in the field no later than December 31, 2007.

Following the passage of UNSCR 1769, a conference was held August 3–5, 2007 in Arusha, Tanzania between key UN and AU officials and delegates from Darfur rebel groups. Many movements' political and military leaderships were brought into the discussion in preparation for earnest peace talks. Peace talks between the Government of Sudan and rebel factions are scheduled to take place in Tripoli, Libya on October 27, 2007.

Relations with the West were improved somewhat in late 2007, when a British teacher convicted of "insulting Mohammad" was pardoned after two days in jail.

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
*[http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071204/ap_on_re_eu/sudan_british_teacher British teacher arrives home from Sudan]

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|style=" background-color: none;"| This work is in the [[Public Domain]] in the United States because it is a work of the United States Federal Government under the terms of Title 17, Chapter 1, Section 105 of the U.S. Code
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{{African Countries}}
[[Category:Genocide]]
[[Category:Sudan]]
[[Category:African History]]
[[Category:Muslim-Majority Countries]]

Mali

2021-01-06T02:44:32Z

King Conservative:

{{Country
|name =''République du Mali''
|map =Mali rel94.jpg
|map2 =Location of Mali.PNG
|flag =Flag of Mali.png
|arms =Arms of Mali.PNG
|capital =Bamako
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|government =Semi-presidential republic
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|language =French
|king =
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|governor general=
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|president =Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta
|president-raw =
|chancellor =
|chancellor-raw =
|pm =Modibo Keita
|pm-raw =
|chairman =
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|area =474,764 sq. mi.
|pop =20,250,000 (2020)
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|gdp =$15.045 billion
|gdp-year =2008
|gdp-pc =$1,126
|currency =West African CFA franc
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The '''Republic of Mali''' is a largely-[[Muslim]] country located in West [[Africa]]. The legendary city of [[Timbuktu]] (or Tombouktou) was once a center of trade and education. [[Ibn Battuta]], a Muslim traveler who toured the Islamic regions of the world around 1352, wrote of his admiration of Mali. It thrived under strong rulers and the very active [[gold]]-[[salt]] trade across the [[Sahara]]. Trade was based on leopard skins, slaves, pepper, ivory, bronze, brass and copper.

The modern state of Mali - known as [[French Sudan]] until the country gained independence from [[France]] in 1960 - took its name from the former Kingdom. The capital city is Bamako.

==Geography==
Mali has three distinct natural regions. The southern region consists of a tropical savannah, while the central region, or Sahel, is semi-arid; both of these regions have the Niger River flowing through towards the west. The remaining region, the Sahara Desert, occupies more than half the country to the north.
*Area: 1,240,278 km2. (474,764 sq. mi.); about the size of Texas and California combined.
*Cities: Capital—Bamako (pop. 1 million). Other cities—Segou (200,000), Sikasso (120,000), Mopti (90,000), Gao (65,000), Kayes (65,000), Timbuktu (38,000).
*Terrain: Savannah and desert.
*Climate: Semitropical in the south; arid in the north.

==People==
Mali's population consists of diverse Sub-Saharan ethnic groups, sharing similar historic, cultural, and religious traditions. Exceptions are the Tuaregs and Maurs, desert nomads, related to the North African Berbers. The Tuaregs traditionally have opposed the central government. Starting in June 1990, armed attacks in the north by Tuaregs seeking greater autonomy led to clashes with the military. In April 1992, the government and most opposing factions signed a pact to end the fighting and restore stability in the north. Its major aims are to allow greater autonomy to the north and increase government resource allocation to what has been a traditionally impoverished region. The peace agreement was celebrated in 1996 in Timbuktu during an official and highly publicized ceremony called Flamme de la Paix ("peace flame").

Historically, good inter-ethnic relations throughout the rest of the country were facilitated by easy mobility on the Niger River and across the country's vast savannahs. Each ethnic group was traditionally tied to a specific occupation, all working within close proximity. The Bambara, Malinke, and Dogon are farmers; the Fulani, Maur, and Tuareg are herders; the Soninkés or Saracolés are traders; while the Bozo are fishers. In recent years, this linkage has shifted as ethnic groups seek diverse, nontraditional sources of income.

Although each ethnic group speaks a separate language, nearly 80% of Malians communicate in Bambara, the common language of the marketplace. Malians enjoy a relative harmony rare in African states.
*Nationality: Noun and adjective—Malian(s).
*Population (2007 est.): 11,995,402.
*Annual growth rate: 2.4%.
*Ethnic groups: Manding (Bambara or Bamana, Malinke) 52%, Fulani 11%, Saracolé 7%, Mianka 4%, Songhai 7%, Tuareg and Maur 5%, other 14%.
*Religions: Islam 90%, indigenous 6%, Christian 4%.
*Languages: French (official) and Bambara (spoken by about 80% of the population).
*Education: Attendance—64.3% (primary). Literacy—31%.
*Health: Infant mortality rate—121/1,000. Life expectancy—47 yrs.
*Work force (4 million): Agriculture—70%; services—15%; industry and commerce—15%.

==Government and Political Conditions==
Under Mali's 1992 constitution, the president is chief of state and commander in chief of the armed forces. The president is elected to a 5-year term, with a limit of two terms. The president appoints the prime minister as head of government. The president chairs the Council of Ministers (the prime minister and currently 28 other ministers, including 5 women), which adopts proposals for laws submitted to the National Assembly for approval.

The National Assembly is the sole legislative arm of the government. It currently consists of 147 members. Representation is apportioned according to the population of administrative districts. Election is direct and by party or independent list. The term of office is 5 years. The Assembly meets for two regular sessions each year. It debates and votes on legislation proposed either by one of its members or by the government and has the right to question government ministers about government actions and policies. Sixteen political parties, aggregated into five parliamentary groups, are represented in the Assembly. In legislative elections held in July 2007, the ADEMA Party regained the majority it lost in 2002, winning 51 seats, ahead of another party aligned with President Toure, the Union for Republic and Democracy (URD), which won 36. The former majority party at the National Assembly, the Rassemblement Pour le Mali (RPM) of former Prime Minister Ibrahim B. Keita, won 11 seats. Other than the RPM, President Toure has the support of most of the political parties represented in the National Assembly.

Mali's constitution provides for a multiparty democracy, with the only restriction being a prohibition against parties based on ethnic, religious, regional, or gender lines. In addition to those political parties represented in the National Assembly, others are active in municipal councils.

Administratively, Mali is divided into eight regions and the capital district of Bamako, each under the authority of an appointed governor. Each region consists of five to nine districts (or cercles), administered by prefets (commandants). Cercles are divided into communes, which, in turn, are divided into villages or quarters. The decentralization process has started with the establishment of 702 elected municipal councils, headed by elected mayors. Election of local officials took place; greater local control over finances and the reduction of administrative control by the central government are being implemented.

Mali's legal system is based on codes inherited at independence from France. New laws have been enacted to make the system conform to Malian life, but French colonial laws not abrogated still have the force of law. The constitution provides for the independence of the judiciary. However, the Ministry of Justice appoints judges and supervises both law enforcement and judicial functions. The Supreme Court has both judicial and administrative powers. Under the constitution, there is a separate constitutional court and a high court of justice with the power to try senior government officials in cases of treason.

===Principal Government Officials===
*President—Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta
*Prime Minister—Modibo Keita
*Minister of Foreign Affairs—Moctar Ouane
*Minister of Economy and Finance—Sanoussi Toure
*Minister of Industry, Investment, and Commerce—Ahmadou Abdoulaye Diallo
*Minister of Defense—Natie Plea

===Foreign Relations===
Since independence in 1960, Malian governments have shifted from an ideological commitment to socialism and a policy alignment with communist states to pragmatism that judges issues and their merits, welcomes assistance from all sources, and encourages private investment. The present government, which assumed office in 2002, is committed to democracy, economic reform, free market policies, regional integration, and international cooperation on peacekeeping and counter-terrorism activities.

Mali is a member of the UN and many of its specialized agencies, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank; the International Labor Organization (ILO); the International Telecommunications Union (ITU); and the Universal Postal Union (UPU). It also belongs to the African Union (AU); the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC); the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM); and the African Development Bank (ADB). Mali also is an associate member of the European Union (EU).

Mali is active in regional organizations. It participates in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the West African Economic Monetary Union (UEMOA) for regional economic integration; Liptako-Gourma Authority, which seeks to develop the contiguous areas of Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso; the Niger River Commission; the Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS); and the Senegal River Valley Development Organization (OMVS).

==Defense==
Mali's armed forces number some 7,000 and are under the control of the Minister of Defense and Veterans, as is the National Guard. The Gendarmerie and local police forces are under the Ministry of Security and Civil Protection. The police and gendarmes share responsibility for internal security; the police are in charge of urban areas only. In the 1960s and 1970s, Mali's Army and Air Force relied primarily on the Soviet Union for materiel and training. A few Malians receive military training in the United States, France, and Germany. Under the Pan Sahel Initiative, more troops got training and equipment in 2003-2004 and in subsequent years. Military expenditures total about 13% of the national budget.

==Economy==
Mali's per capita gross domestic product (GDP) of $470 (2006 est.) places it among the world's 10 poorest nations. Its potential wealth lies in mining and the production of agricultural commodities, livestock, and fish. Agricultural activities occupy 70% of Mali's labor force and provide 36% of the GDP. Cotton, gold, and livestock made up 80%-90% of total export earnings in Mali in 2006. Small-scale traditional farming dominates the agricultural sector, with subsistence farming—of cereals, primarily sorghum, millet, and maize—on about 90% of the 1.4 million hectares (3.4 million acres) under cultivation. The high cost of petroleum products, the fall in the world market price for cotton and gold, and corresponding loss of customs revenues put pressure on the economy and led the government to be very tight on cash disbursements in recent years. In addition, the 2002-2003 closure of the main import/export route to the port of Abidjan increased the pressure on the fragile Malian economy. Nonetheless, a focus on quality cotton production and double-digit increases in cereal and gold production boosted real GDP growth from 2.2% in 2004 to 5.1% in 2005.
*GDP (2008 est.): $15.045 billion.
*Avg. annual growth rate (2006 est.): 5.1%.
*Per capita income (2008 est.): $1,126.
*Annual skilled worker's salary: $1,560.
*Avg. inflation rate (2005): -1.1%.
*Natural resources: Gold, phosphate, kaolin, salt, and limestone currently mined; deposits of oil, bauxite, iron ore, manganese, lithium, and uranium are known or suspected.
*Agriculture, livestock, and fishery (36% of GDP): Products—millet, sorghum, corn, rice, livestock, sugar, cotton, groundnuts (peanuts), and tobacco.
*Industry (24% of GDP): Types—food processing, textiles, cigarettes, fish processing, metalworking, light manufacturing, plastics, and beverage bottling.
*Services (40% of GDP): Telecommunications, construction.
*Trade (2004): Exports--$1,078 million: cotton and cotton products, animals, fish, tannery products, groundnuts, diamonds, and gold. Major markets—France, Switzerland, Italy, Thailand, Côte d'Ivoire, and Algeria. Imports--$1,084 million: food, machinery and spare parts, vehicles, petroleum products, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, textiles. Major suppliers—France, Côte d'Ivoire, Belgium, Luxembourg, U.S. ($43 million), Germany, and Japan.

The most productive agricultural area lies along the banks of the Niger River between Bamako and Mopti and extends south to the borders of Guinea, Côte d'Ivoire, and Burkina Faso. Average rainfall varies in this region from 50 centimeters per year (20 in.) around Mopti to 140 centimeters (55 in.) in the south near Sikasso. This area is most important for the production of cotton, rice, millet, corn, vegetables, tobacco, and tree crops.

Rice is grown extensively along the banks of the Niger between Ségou and Mopti, with the most important rice-producing area at the Office du Niger, located north of Ségou toward the Mauritanian border. Using water diverted from the Niger, the Office du Niger irrigates about 80,000 hectares of land for rice and sugarcane production. About one-third of Mali's paddy rice is produced at the Office du Niger.

The Niger River also is an important source of fish, providing food for riverside communities; the surplus—smoked, salted, and dried—is exported. Due to drought and diversion of river water for agriculture, fish production has steadily declined since the early 1980s. The government has started plans to develop fish breeding, mainly in the Niger delta, in order to boost fish production.

Sorghum is planted extensively in the drier parts of the country and along the banks of the Niger in eastern Mali, as well as in the lakebeds in the Niger delta region. During the dry season, farmers near the town of Diré have cultivated wheat on irrigated fields for hundreds of years. Peanuts are grown throughout the country but are concentrated in the area around Kita, west of Bamako.

Mali's resource in livestock consists of millions of cattle, sheep, and goats. Approximately 40% of Mali's herds were lost during the great drought in 1972-74. The level was gradually restored, but the herds were again decimated in the 1983-85 drought. The overall size of Mali's herds is not expected to reach pre-drought levels in the north of the country, where encroachment of the desert has forced many nomadic herders to abandon pastoral activities and turn instead to farming. The largest concentrations of cattle are in the areas north of Bamako and Ségou extending into the Niger delta, but herding activity is gradually shifting southward, due to the effects of previous droughts.

With the technical support of [[U.S. Agency for International Development]] (USAID)-funded projects, private cooperatives developed a regional border market in the southern city of Sikasso. Livestock professionals contributed to a steady increase in cattle exports. Sheep, goats, and camels are raised to the exclusion of cattle in the dry areas north and east of Timbuktu.

Until the mid-1960s, Mali was self-sufficient in grains—millet, sorghum, rice, and corn. Diminished harvests during bad years, a growing population, changing dietary habits, and, most importantly, policy constraints on agricultural production resulted in grain deficits almost every year from 1965 to 1986. Production has rebounded since 1987, however, thanks to agricultural policy reforms undertaken by the government and supported by the Western donor nations. Liberalization of producer prices and an open cereals market have created incentives to production. These reforms, combined with adequate rainfall, successful integrated rural agriculture programs in the south, and improved management of the Office du Niger, have led to surplus cereal production over the past 5 years. Except for 2002 and 2004, annual rainfall, critical for Mali's agriculture, has been at or above average since 1993. Cereal production, including rice, grew annually until 2002, when the country experienced a food production deficit, alleviated by donors' massive contributions to food security stocks. Locust infestation during the 2004 agricultural campaign prompted the government to seek assistance from the donor community in order to fill the gap in the regions that had a significant production deficit. The government anticipated a record harvest of 3.4 million tons in 2006/2007 due to abundant rainfall, 16% more than the average production of the previous 5 years. Mali’s cotton production grew from 500,000 tons in 1997 to a record 620,000 tons in 2003-2004, making Mali the largest cotton producer on the African continent. In 2004-2005 and 2005-2006, cotton production retreated respectively to 590,000 and 500,000 tons as the parastatal cotton company CMDT focused on quality of harvested cotton rather than quantity.

Mining is still a growing industry in Mali, with gold accounting for some 80% of mining activity. There are considerable proven reserves of other minerals not currently exploited. In 2002, gold briefly became Mali's number one export, before cotton and livestock. There are two large private investments in gold mining: Anglo-American ($250 million) and Randgold ($140 million), both multinational South African companies located respectively in the western and southern part of the country.

During the colonial period, private capital investment was virtually nonexistent, and public investment was devoted largely to the Office du Niger irrigation scheme and to administrative expenses. Following independence, Mali built some light industries with the help of various donors. Manufacturing, consisting principally of processed agricultural products, accounted for about 24% of the GDP in 2005.

Tourism remains a small part of Mali's economy; it is a sector with significant potential. Mali's national parks, its ancient cities and archeological sites, Niger River cruises, cultural festivals, and magnificent desert landscapes are major attractions. Mali also is home to a rare herd of elephants that continues its unique annual migration to the edges of the Sahara Desert in the northern part of the country.

====Economic Reforms====
With the encouragement of the major donors and international financial institutions, the Government of Mali initiated a series of adjustment and stabilization programs beginning in 1982. Measures were introduced to reduce budgetary deficits, public enterprise operating losses, and public sector arrears.

Under the economic reform program signed with the World Bank and the IMF in 1988, the government has taken a number of steps to liberalize the regulatory environment and thereby attract private investment. For example, applications for the establishment of business enterprises now enjoy "one window"—guichet unique—processing through a single ministry, allowing a business to be established in a matter of days. In addition, price controls on consumer goods have been progressively eliminated; the last price control, on petroleum products, was removed on July 1, 1992. Import quotas were eliminated in 1988, and export taxes were dropped in 1991. The Commerce Code was revised in 1991 to remove impediments to commercial activity. The investment and the mining codes also were revised in the early 1990s in order to present a good investment climate. Also in 1991, a system of commercial and administrative courts was established to handle private trade complaints and claims against the government.

During the period 1988-96, the government implemented a large reform program of the public enterprise sector, including the privatization of 16 enterprises, the partial privatization of 12, and the liquidation of 20; others were restructured. Among the 20 enterprises left, eight were privatized, including the largest—the electricity and water company (Energie du Mali, or EDM), and the textile company (Industry Textile du Mali, or ITEMA). The privatization of EDM was initially considered as a success, but the company returned to the government portfolio in mid-2005 when the French concessionaire SAUR and the Government of Mali agreed to end the 20-year concession. The government completed the concession of the railroad company to the Salt Lake City-based Savage Corporation in 2005. The privatization process for the cotton seed oil factory (Huilerie Cotonniere du Mali, or Huicoma), was completed in June 2005. The privatization completion date for two major companies—Societé de Telecommunications du Mali (SOTELMA) and the Cotton Ginning Company (CMDT)--was still uncertain as of 2008.

In 1999, the executive board of the IMF approved a 3-year loan for Mali under the enhanced structural adjustment facility (ESAF) to support the government's economic reform program, for a total of $63 million. For the third ESAF covering the period April 1999-March 2002, the IMF board of directors urged the Malian authorities to persevere with their policy of fiscal consolidation, including the modernizing of the tax system, and to deepen and accelerate structural reforms and rehabilitate the judicial system. Mali was selected in 1999 as an eligible country to the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) program and has been benefiting from the program since FY 2000 as a budgetary support. In April 2003, Mali reached the HIPC completion point with the result that former debt payments will now be used to fund poverty alleviation programs. Total debt relief under the original and the enhanced HIPC initiative will amount to about $539 million, representing a 37% reduction. As one of 14 African nations that have reached the HIPC completion point, Mali will benefit from multilateral debt forgiveness under the G8 Gleneagles debt forgiveness agreement.

====Foreign Aid====
Mali is a major recipient of foreign aid from many sources, including multilateral organizations (most significantly the World Bank, the African Development Bank, and Arab Funds), and bilateral programs funded by the European Union, France, United States, Canada, Netherlands, and Germany. Before 1991, the former Soviet Union had been a major source of economic and military aid, including construction of a cement plant and the Kalana gold mine. Currently, aid from Russia is restricted mainly to training and provision of spare parts. Chinese aid remains high, and Chinese-Malian joint venture companies became more numerous during the period 1999-2002, leading to the opening of a Chinese investment center. The Chinese are major participants in the textile and the sugar refinery industries and in large-scale construction projects, including irrigation infrastructures in the Niger Valley Authority (Office du Niger), a bridge across the Niger, a conference center, an expressway in Bamako, a new national stadium in Bamako, four regional stadiums completed for the Africa Cup competition in 2002, and three regional stadiums that were to be completed by June 2007.

In 2003, U.S. assistance reached $44.2 million: This included $40.7 million in sector support made available through [[U.S. Agency for International Development]] (USAID) programs; a Peace Corps program budget of $2.8 million for 190 volunteers serving in Mali; Self-Help and the Democracy Funds of $153,000; and State Department Public Diplomacy Funds of $300,000 for educational opportunities and local projects. Military assistance includes $100,000 for the International Military Education Training (IMET) program, and $200,000 for the Regional Defense Counter Terrorism Fellowship (RDCTF) program. The Department of State dedicated $1.05 million to train militaries of the Pan Sahel countries, including Mali. Mali was granted eligibility for funding from the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) in 2004 and 2005. The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) and the Government of Mali signed a compact in October 2006 for a U.S. $460 million grant to support Mali’s proposal for an agro-business development, airport modernization and extension, and an industrial zone development. Mali was also granted eligibility for funding from the President’s Malaria Initiative for about U.S. $75 million.

==History==
[[File:Mali Great Mosque of Djenne.jpg|thumb|360px|Great Mosque of Djenné.]]
Malians express great pride in their ancestry. Mali is the cultural heir to the succession of ancient African empires—Ghana, Malinké, and Songhai—that occupied the West African savannah. These empires controlled Saharan trade and were in touch with Mediterranean and Middle Eastern centers of civilization.

The Ghana Empire, dominated by the Soninke or Saracolé people and centered in the area along the Malian-Mauritanian frontier, was a powerful trading state from about A.D. 700 to 1075. The Malinke Kingdom of Mali had its origins on the upper Niger River in the 11th century. Expanding rapidly in the 13th century under the leadership of Soundiata Keita, it reached its height about 1325, when it conquered Timbuktu and Gao. Thereafter, the kingdom began to decline, and by the 15th century, it controlled only a small fraction of its former domain.

The Songhai Empire expanded its power from its center in Gao during the period 1465-1530. At its peak under Askia Mohammad I, it encompassed the Hausa states as far as Kano (in present-day Nigeria) and much of the territory that had belonged to the Mali Empire in the west. It was destroyed by a Moroccan invasion in 1591. Timbuktu was a center of commerce and of the Islamic faith throughout this period, and priceless manuscripts from this epoch are still preserved in Timbuktu. The United States and other donors are making efforts to help preserve these priceless manuscripts as part of Mali's cultural heritage.

French military penetration of the Soudan (the French name for the area) began around 1880. Ten years later, the French made a concerted effort to occupy the interior. The timing and resident military governors determined methods of their advances. A French civilian governor of Soudan was appointed in 1893, but resistance to French control did not end until 1898, when the Malinké warrior Samory Touré was defeated after 7 years of war. The French attempted to rule indirectly, but in many areas they disregarded traditional authorities and governed through appointed chiefs. As the colony of French Soudan, Mali was administered with other French colonial territories as the Federation of French West Africa.

In 1956, with the passing of France's Fundamental Law (Loi Cadre), the Territorial Assembly obtained extensive powers over internal affairs and was permitted to form a cabinet with executive authority over matters within the Assembly's competence. After the 1958 French constitutional referendum, the Republique Soudanaise became a member of the French Community and enjoyed complete internal autonomy.

In January 1959, Soudan joined Senegal to form the Mali Federation, which became fully independent within the French Community on June 20, 1960. The federation collapsed on August 20, 1960, when Senegal seceded. On September 22, Soudan proclaimed itself the Republic of Mali and withdrew from the French Community.

President [[Modibo Keita]]—whose party Union Soudanaise du Rassemblement Democratique Africain (US/RDA) had dominated preindependence politics—moved quickly to declare a single-party state and to pursue a socialist policy based on extensive nationalization. A continuously deteriorating economy led to a decision to rejoin the Franc Zone in 1967 and modify some of the economic excesses.

On November 19, 1968, a group of young officers staged a bloodless coup and set up a 14-member Military Committee for National Liberation (CMLN), with Lt. Moussa Traore as President. The military leaders attempted to pursue economic reforms but for several years faced debilitating internal political struggles and the disastrous Sahelian drought.

A new constitution, approved in 1974, created a one-party state and was designed to move Mali toward civilian rule. However, the military leaders remained in power. In September 1976, a new political party was established, the Democratic Union of the Malian People (UDPM), based on the [[concept]] of [[democratic centralism]]. Single-party presidential and legislative elections were held in June 1979, and Gen. Moussa Traore received 99% of the votes. His efforts at consolidating the single-party government were challenged in 1980 by student-led, anti-government demonstrations, which were brutally put down, and by three coup attempts.

The political situation stabilized during 1981 and 1982 and remained generally calm throughout the 1980s. The UDPM spread its structure to cercles and arrondissements (administrative subdivisions) across the land. Shifting its attention to Mali's economic difficulties, the government approved plans for cereal marketing liberalization, reform in the state enterprise system, and new incentives to private enterprise, and worked out a new structural adjustment agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). However, by 1990, there was growing dissatisfaction with the demands for [[Ascesis|austerity]] imposed by the IMF's economic reform programs and the perception that the President and his close associates were not themselves adhering to those demands.

As in other African countries, demands for multiparty democracy increased. The Traore government allowed some opening of the system, including the establishment of an independent press and independent political associations, but insisted that Mali was not ready for democracy. In early 1991, student-led, anti-government rioting broke out again, but this time government workers and others supported it. On March 26, 1991, after 4 days of intense anti-government rioting, a group of 17 military officers arrested President Traore and suspended the constitution. Within days, these officers joined with the Coordinating Committee of Democratic Associations to form a predominantly civilian, 25-member ruling body, the Transitional Committee for the Salvation of the People (CTSP). The CTSP then appointed a civilian-led government. A national conference held in August 1991 produced a draft constitution (approved in a referendum January 12, 1992), a charter for political parties, and an electoral code. Political parties were allowed to form freely. Between January and April 1992, a president, National Assembly, and municipal councils were elected. On June 8, 1992, Alpha Oumar Konare, the candidate of the Alliance for Democracy in Mali (ADEMA), was inaugurated as the President of Mali's Third Republic.

In 1997, attempts to renew national institutions through democratic elections ran into administrative difficulties, resulting in a court-ordered annulment of the legislative elections held in April 1997. The exercise, nonetheless, demonstrated the overwhelming strength of President Konare's ADEMA Party, causing some other historic parties to boycott subsequent elections. President Konare won the presidential election against scant opposition on May 11. In the two-round legislative elections conducted on July 21 and August 3, 1997, ADEMA secured more than 80% of the National Assembly seats.

General elections were organized in June and July 2002. President Konare did not seek reelection since he was serving his second and last term as required by the constitution. All political parties participated in the elections. In preparation for the elections, the government completed a new voter's list after a general census was administered a few months earlier with the support of all political parties. Retired General Amadou Toumani Toure, former head of state during Mali's transition (1991-1992) became the country's second democratically elected President as an independent candidate in 2002, and was reelected to a second 5-year term in 2007.

In 2012 Islamist terror organization [[Ansar Dine]] took power in the northern Mali. The government of Mali and French soldiers are currently fighting against the terrorists.<ref>https://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/01/16/french-forces-to-be-in-direct-combat-with-mali-militants-within-hours/</ref><ref>http://frontpagemag.com/2013/joseph-klein/malis-liberation-from-islamist-colonial-occupation/</ref> The army got the most control under the cities back.<ref>https://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/02/07/france-wary-backlash-from-their-war-in-mali-tries-to-root-out-would-be/</ref> On September 4, 2014 Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta was elected as president of Mali.<ref>https://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/new-mali-president-keita-sworn-office</ref>

== References ==
<references/>

{| style="width: 100%; background:transparent; border: 2px solid #000099;" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1"
!colspan=2 style="width: 100%; text-align: center; background-color: #000088; color: white; "|'''Copyright Details'''
|-
!style="background-color: #000088; color:white;"|License:
|style=" background-color: none;"| This work is in the [[Public Domain]] in the United States because it is a work of the United States Federal Government under the terms of Title 17, Chapter 1, Section 105 of the U.S. Code
|-
!style=" background-color: #000088; color:white;"|Source:
|style="background-color: none;border-top: 2px solid black"| File available from the {{{1|[[United States Federal Government]] [http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2828.htm]}}}.
|}
[[Category:African Kingdoms]]
{{African Countries}}
[[Category:Landlocked Countries]]
[[Category:Mali]]
[[Category:Muslim-Majority Countries]]

Andrew Goldstein

2021-01-01T14:48:09Z

King Conservative:

'''Andrew Goldstein''' led the public corruption unit in the US attorney's office in [[Manhattan]] where he worked under [[Preet Bharara]]. According to [[Fox News]], “Goldstein contributed a combined $3,300 to [[Obama]]'s campaigns in 2008 and 2012”

Goldstein, with special counsel colleagues [[Jeannie Rhee]] and [[Aaron Zelinsky]], was involved in handling the case of former Trump campaign adviser [[George Papadopoulos]]. In October 2017, it was revealed that Papadopoulos pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI and was cooperating with Mueller's investigation.

Goldstein was part of the team that secured a 2015 corruption conviction of Sheldon Silver, the former Democratic speaker of the New York State Assembly. (Silver's conviction was overturned by a federal appeals court in July 2017, which ruled that there was an issue with the judge's instructions to the jury.)

Goldstein also successfully prosecuted three men associated with a New York City municipal fraud and kickback scheme project called CityTime. The investigation examined more than 150 bank accounts, hundreds of thousands of documents and more than 100 witnesses, according to the Justice Department.

==See also==
*[[Mueller office]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Goldstein, Andrew}}

[[Category:Trump-Russia Collusion Hoax]]
[[Category:American Jews]]

Beating NFL addiction

2020-12-29T22:21:01Z

King Conservative:

'''Beating NFL addiction''' is a challenge for some Americans. They spend hours each Sunday afternoon, and evenings on Sundays, Mondays, and Thursdays, watching a meaningless game that causes harm and expense to themselves and others. In addition, many who are addicted to the NFL waste additional hours during the week thinking about, discussing, or reading about the NFL, or even playing "[[fantasy football]]."

What are good ways to overcome this harmful and costly addiction? Possibilities include:

*schedule other activities during game times, such as shopping, exercise, writing letters, driving to a gas station to fill the car, cleaning/organizing, going to church, reading a book, watching a movie, or even sleeping.
*recognize that God does not care about who wins NFL games, so why do you?
*keep a tally of how much time you spend each week on the NFL, and reduce it towards zero.
*spend time with the 90% of Americans who did not watch NFL games on [[Thanksgiving]], rather than with people who are obsessed with the game.
*realize that no one regrets towards the end of his life not having spent more time watching NFL games.
*recognize that the NFL takes people away from their marriages, their churches, and the [[Bible]].
*pick your favorite team and then learn to root against it.
*learn to replace thoughts about football with wholesome, productive thoughts.
*join the movement to cut off the billions of dollars in annual taxpayer subsidies that flow to the NFL and its billionaire owners.
*warn others against the high percentage of drunken fans who create heightened safety risks on the roads after each NFL game.
*avoid buying products or patronizing businesses endorsed by teams or players.
*wear a rubber band around your wrist. Every time thoughts of the NFL come into your mind, pull back the rubber band and snap it against your wrist. This negative association with the thoughts you are trying to avoid will reduce their occurrence.
*talk to a leader at church, and let them know what you are trying to do. The rubber band plan is even more effective if others know what the band, and what you are trying to accomplish, means to you. When you are trying to overcome your unwelcome inclination to watch NFL games, you are not alone. Rely on God's chosen leaders.
*if you do backslide, and start watching the first quarter, it's OK. Keep rooting against your favorite team, and thinking about the harm you're doing to your marriage. Resolve to snap the rubber band before the second quarter starts, or before halftime. Keep warning others about drunken fans.
== See also ==

*[[Unplug the NFL]]
*[[Blacklisting Tim Tebow]]
[[Category:NFL]]

Major League Baseball

2020-12-29T03:32:28Z

King Conservative:

'''Major League Baseball''' is an organization that operates two leagues, the [[American League|American]] and the [[National League]], and has existed since 1903. It is comprised of 30 teams; 16 teams in the National League, and 14 Teams in the American League. The Major League baseball season runs from [[March]] or [[April]] until [[September]] or [[October]], and consists of 162 games (or 163 in the event of a tiebreaker). Spring training comes before the main season, usually in [[February]]. The playoffs follow the regular season, culminating in the [[World Series]] in [[October]]. The only difference between the play of the two leagues is that American League teams are permitted to allow a [[designated hitter]] to bat in place of the pitcher. The MLB is popular throughout [[North America|North]] and [[South America]] as well as [[Australia]], [[New Zealand]], [[South Africa]], [[Japan]], [[China]], [[South Korea]] and [[India]].

==The Leagues<ref>http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/standings/index.jsp</ref>==
{| border=1 style="Background:none" align='center'
|valign="top"|
{|style="Background:none" cellpadding=10
!colspan="3" style="font-variant:small caps"|American League
|-
! East Division !! Central Division !! West Division
|-
|colspan=3|<hr/>
|-
| [[Baltimore Orioles]] || [[Chicago White Sox]] || [[Texas Rangers]]
|-
| [[Boston Red Sox]] || [[Cleveland Indians]] || [[Los Angeles Angels]]
|-
| [[New York Yankees]] || [[Detroit Tigers]] || [[Oakland Athletics]]
|-
| [[Tampa Bay Rays]] || [[Kansas City Royals]] || [[Seattle Mariners]]
|-
| [[Toronto Blue Jays]] || [[Minnesota Twins]]||
|}
|
{|style="Background:none" cellpadding=10
!colspan="3" style="font-variant:small caps"|National League
|-
! East Division !! Central Division !! West Division
|-
|colspan=3|<hr/>
|-
| [[Atlanta Braves]] || [[Chicago Cubs]] || [[Arizona Diamondbacks]]
|-
| [[Florida Marlins]] || [[Cincinnati Reds]] || [[Colorado Rockies]]
|-
| [[New York Mets]] || [[Houston Astros]] || [[Los Angeles Dodgers]]
|-
| [[Philadelphia Phillies]] || [[Milwaukee Brewers]] || [[San Diego Padres]]
|-
| [[Washington Nationals]] || [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] || [[San Francisco Giants]]
|-
| ||[[Saint Louis Cardinals]] ||
|}
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Nb sl mlb american}}{{Nb sl mlb national}}
[[Category:Baseball]]
[[Category:Liberalism]]
[[Category:SJWs]]

National Basketball Association

2020-12-29T03:31:40Z

King Conservative:

The '''National Basketball Association''' (NBA) is a professional [[American]] [[basketball]] league. The current commissioner of the NBA is Adam Silver.

The first incarnation of the league was founded in 1946 as the Basketball Association of America (BAA). In these early years, there were numerous leagues that competed to be the one true professional association, yet none really stood out. In 1949, the BAA made the decision to merge with the National Basketball League (NBL) to form the National Basketball Association. By 1954, the League had contracted to only eight professional teams. The NBA was considerably strengthened, however, by the fact that its franchises moved and expanded to the more populated areas. (Minneapolis Lakers to Los Angeles, etc.) By the 1970s, the NBA had gained in popularity, growing from eight franchises to eighteen. And after the merger with another competing league, the American Basketball Association (ABA), the NBA grew to twenty-two teams. Today, the NBA consists of thirty franchises, with all but one (Toronto Raptors - [[Canada]]) located throughout the [[United States]]. The NBA is also mostly popular in the United States, Canada, [[Australia]], [[New Zealand]], [[Eastern Europe]]an countries, and [[Mediterranean]] countries. It is also growing in popularity in many [[South America]]n countries, [[Turkey]], [[Armenia]], [[Azerbaijan]], and [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]].

Previously the NBA was organized into two conferences, consisting of three, five-team divisions. Beginning with the 2019-2020 season, the divisions were eliminated, and the top eight teams from each conference make the playoffs. The playoff consists of four rounds, each series best-of-seven.

==NBA and Black Lives Matter==
NBA vigorously supports the domestic, looting BLM terrorists. LeBron James, leading this movement, is backing Joe Biden.

==External links==
*[http://www.nba.com/ Official Website of the NBA]
[[Category:Basketball]]
[[Category:Sports Leagues]]
[[Category:Banned in China]]
[[Category:SJWs]]
[[Category:Liberalism]]
{{NBA}}

National Basketball Association

2020-12-29T03:31:15Z

King Conservative:

Unplug the NFL

2020-12-29T03:30:48Z

King Conservative: NASCAR, NBA, MLB, and NHL are no longer positive alternatives to the NFL.

[[File:Pontiac Stadium misery.jpg|right|thumb|Pontiac Silverdome ([[Detroit]]), host to a [[Super Bowl]], in miserable disrepair prior to its demolition.]]
'''Unplug the NFL''' is advocated by ''Conservapedia'' in response to the [[NFL]]'s [[paganism]], its lack of true athletic competitiveness, its promotion of [[gambling]] rather than sportsmanship, its bilking of taxpayers for billions for stadiums, its predictable outcomes in playoffs due to obsessive coaching, and its [[Blacklisting Tim Tebow|exclusion of Tim Tebow]] apparently for quoting the [[Bible]] too much.<ref>The slogan "unplug the NFL" was created by ''Conservapedia'', with this entry. Others are welcome to use this slogan with attribution.</ref> Collusion among owners and coaches makes the NFL more like rigged professional wrestling than genuine athletic competitions like the [[Olympics]].

'''''Addiction as a spectator to football may cause dementia'''''. Studies show that watching 3.5 hours of television a day increases dementia, and the mind-numbing habits of addicted football fans are even worse.<ref>https://nypost.com/2019/02/28/watching-3-5-hours-of-tv-a-day-increases-risk-of-dementia-study/</ref> '''''Anecdotal evidence of addicted football fans developing dementia is commonplace'''''.

Players are cut from NFL squads based on what they say on [[social media]], and the [[Super Bowl]] no longer showcases the top talent. Additional reasons for unplugging the NFL include how it bilks taxpayers for an estimated $1 billion annually and even got the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]] to waste money on searching for a player's jersey in [[Mexico]] in 2017.

Grown men deserve mockery when they pretend that there is anything meaningful about the NFL. Compulsive coaching dictates who wins, and watching an NFL game today is as pointless as watching people (coaches) play a [[video game]]. Owners and coaches increasingly seem to prefer players who cheat rather than the best athletes. Herschel Walker, one of the greatest athletes ever, is excluded from the NFL Hall of Fame despite having had a tremendous career. The top recruits out of college rarely realize their potential by playing in the NFL anymore, and almost none of the top athletes in the league get to play on [[Super Bowl Sunday]].

The NFL panders to the [[liberal media]] and encourages "[[fantasy football]]," a form of [[gambling]] and false worship.<ref>"From very early times gambling was forbidden by canon law. Two of the oldest among the so-called canons of the [[Apostles]] forbade games of chance under pain of [[excommunication]] to clergy and laity alike." See [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06375b.htm Catholic Encyclopedia], which continues to observe: "The 79th canon of the Council of Elvira (306) decreed that one of the faithful who had been guilty of gambling might be, on amendment, restored to communion after the lapse of a year. A homily (the famous "De Aleatoribus") long ascribed by St. Cyprian, but by modern scholars variously attributed to Popes Victor I, Callistus I, and Melchiades, and which undoubtedly is a very early and interesting monument of Christian antiquity, is a vigorous denunciation of gambling. The Fourth Lateran Council (1215), by a decree subsequently inserted in the "Corpus Juris", forbade clerics to play or to be present at games of chance. Some authorities, such as Aubespine, have attempted to explain the severity of the ancient canons against gambling by supposing that idolatry was often connected with it in practice. The pieces that were played with were small-sized idols, or images of the gods, which were invoked by the players for good luck."</ref> Genuine fans—as opposed to gamblers—are mostly irrelevant to the NFL profit model.<ref>[https://ftw.usatoday.com/2016/01/rams-chargers-raiders-move-to-los-angeles-london-nfl-owners-proposal When will fans realize that NFL owners don't care about them?]</ref> Beginning in 2016, the NFL has allowed displays of defiance against the [[National Anthem]]. '''''Search on "demonic" and "NFL" on the internet and see a half million websites discussing it'''''.

The Washington Redskins cut one of the finest safeties in the [[NFL]] because he publicly criticized its awful coaching, and he pointed out that he probably watches more game films than the coaches do.<ref>https://ftw.usatoday.com/2018/12/fans-are-outraged-redskins-cut-d-j-swearinger-after-he-criticized-team</ref> Fans were furious how coaches cut this star, but genuine fans are irrelevant to NFL profits. This and other moves by the NFL shows that is more like professional wrestling, where participants are expected to puff up the product, than a meritocracy.

There is an average of only 11 minutes of football action in a typical 3-hour NFL broadcast.<ref name="WSJ">https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704281204575002852055561406</ref> Commercials, usually for beer or fantasy football, consume a third of the broadcast. Cheerleaders are rarely, if ever, shown in most NFL broadcasts anymore, while injured players are shown more than celebrating players.<ref name="WSJ"/>

Much of what the NFL does is fraudulent. While star NFL player Aaron Hernandez committed murder and later reportedly hung himself in prison when serving a life sentence for it, his team the New England Patriots gave outspokenly [[Christian]] [[Tim Tebow]] a phony tryout, apparently to deflect from the scandal. The public is further misled in how NFL players are promoted as superstar athletes, but many are actually in poor aerobic shape from a medical perspective and have reduced life expectancies. Often the better athlete—such as a quarterback with a stronger arm—is benched in favor of a weaker athlete who can "read" defenses and throw sissy short passes, as [[Tom Brady]] does.

NFL-promoted "[[fantasy football]]" has grown from only 12 million participants a decade ago to an estimated 56 million, mostly men, today. In addition, the NFL advances the [[homosexual agenda]], such as with its halftime shows at the [[Super Bowl]]. Gambling on the Super Bowl topped $4.7 billion (not million) in 2018.<ref>https://www.foxbusiness.com/features/2018/01/30/super-bowl-betting-total-to-top-4-7b-with-97-bet-illegally.html</ref> [[Timothy McVeigh]] lost his life savings by [[gambling]] on his hometown Buffalo team in the 1993 [[Super Bowl]], and in his despair turned his obsession to the [[Branch Davidians|Branch Davidian]] standoff, according to ''Politico.com''.<ref>https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2018/09/02/how-football-fed-timothy-mcveighs-despair-219625</ref>

'''''If the NFL does not want [[Christians]] who quote the [[Bible]], then Christians should not want the NFL'''''. There are many alternatives for sports fans, including the [[Olympics]], mixed martial arts, wrestling, boxing, golf, and, outside the [[U.S.]], [[soccer]], [[tennis]], [[rugby]], and cricket. There is also the option of spending less time watching televised sports, and spending that time more productively instead such as reading or studying mathematics, science, literature, religion, foreign languages, and/or history.

Much of the appeal of the NFL is the illusion that it is merit-based, like the Olympics, and has the best players. But the exclusion of Tim Tebow proves that the NFL is not really based on merit, but on [[political correctness]].

There is also a growing concern that watching or supporting the NFL may be immoral, in light of a study revealing that 96% of deceased NFL players test positive for [[chronic traumatic encephalopathy]], or CTE.<ref>https://www.forbes.com/sites/dandiamond/2015/09/18/96-of-surveyed-nfl-players-test-positive-for-brain-disease/</ref> Other studies suggest that the "average life expectancy of a retired NFL player is 55 years," and that "retired NFL players suffer from Alzheimer's at a 37 per cent higher rate than average."<ref>http://www.cbc.ca/strombo/news/the-average-life-expectancy-of-an-nfl-player-is-55-years.html</ref> Some have compared watching NFL games to what the Romans did in watching the brutal gladiator fights, which is widely recognized to have been immoral and harmful to the society.<ref>The NFL exaggerates its audience sometimes. For example, the NFL exaggerated ratings for its internet streaming, initially claiming that "33.6 million" watched a worldwide live stream of a Bills-Jaguars game in late October 2015, and then downgrading that estimate to less than half, or 15.2 million, which is still probably an exaggeration. [http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/10/27/nfl-exaggerated-sundays-bills-jags-internet-numbers/]</ref>

==Health concerns==
=== Harmful to players ===
"Sports Illustrated estimated in 2009 that 78 percent of NFL players are bankrupt or facing serious financial stress within two years of ending their playing careers and that 60 percent of NBA players are broke within five years of retiring from the game."<ref>http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/story/2012-04-22/Pro-athletes-and-financial-trouble/54465664/1</ref>

Chris Borland, one of the top rookies in the NFL in 2014, abruptly retired before the 2015 season due to safety concerns. "I just honestly want to do what's best for my health," Borland said. "From what I've researched and what I've experienced, I don't think it's worth the risk."<ref>http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/12496480/san-francisco-49ers-linebacker-chris-borland-retires-head-injury-concerns</ref>

The late NFL star quarterback Ken Stabler "had Stage 3 [[chronic traumatic encephalopathy]] ... widespread throughout his brain, with 'quite severe' damage to the regions involving learning, memory and regulation of emotion."<ref name="CTE">http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2016/2/3/former-nfl-quarterback-ken-stabler-had-cte-brain-disease.html</ref> A professor of neurology at Boston University, Dr. Ann McKee, observed that "we've now found CTE in former NFL players who played every position except kicker."<ref name="CTE"/> Of the 34 NFL player brains that McKee examined, 33 had CTE.<ref>https://www.npr.org/books/titles/228921701/league-of-denial-the-nfl-concussions-and-the-battle-for-truth#excerpt</ref>

=== Premature Death ===
The NFL players' union has pressed for health insurance and greater safety measures to address the well-documented health problems experienced by NFL players and alumni.

Quincy Monk, a former linebacker for the New York Giants, had a stroke at the age of only 35<ref>http://www.wral.com/former-athlete-survives-stroke-with-help-of-medical-device/14789103/</ref> and then died a year later from cancer.<ref>http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2015/11/former_giants_linebacker_quincy_monk_dead_at_36.html</ref>

Numerous people who played in the NFL have committed suicide (in some instances, Junior Seau most notably, upon examination of their brains CTE was noted).<ref>https://www.cnn.com/2013/09/25/us/former-nfl-player-suicide/</ref>

Mike Webster, a four-time Super Bowl winner as center for the Pittsburgh Steelers, died of a heart attack at the age of only 50, and the autopsy of his brain revealed that it was one of "boxers, very old people with Alzheimer's disease or someone who had suffered a severe head wound," quoting pathologist Bennet Omalu of the Allegheny Medical coroner's office.<ref>http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/10/8/4814434/concussion-suit-mike-webster-thing</ref>

=== Criticism by a former NFL player ===
Lem Barney, one of the greatest defensive backs ever in the NFL, predicted in 2013 that the sport would not exist within the next two decades, because of how harmful it has become. Despite being one of the best players ever, he wishes he had driven a truck or a cab instead.<ref>https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2013/06/14/lem-barney-football-will-be-gone-in-20-years/2424499/</ref>

=== Substance abuse ===
Performance-enhancing substance abuse has widespread for a long time in the NFL, as owners and the players' union engage in [[liberal denial]] about it while profiting from the more violent play. Lyle Alzado, a much-promoted star in the 1970s and 1980s, died at the age of only 43 from a rare form of cancer that he attributed to his steroid use,<ref>http://espn.go.com/classic/biography/s/Alzado_Lyle.html</ref> Alzado said he began taking anabolic steroids in 1969 (at the age of 20) and took them throughout his football career.<ref>http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1992-05-15/sports/1992136109_1_lyle-alzado-steroids-brain-cancer</ref>

At least one expert has opined that problem is never going away.<ref>http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/nfl-performance-enhancing-drug-testing-will-get-tougher-ped-testing-tougher-alex-marvez-062515</ref>

The NFL banned substances policy has drawn criticism,<ref name="CBS">{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/04/27/national/main691147_page3.shtml |work=CBS News |title=NFL Steroid Policy 'Not Perfect' |date=2005-04-27}}</ref> but the policy is one of the longest running in professional sports, beginning in 1987.<ref name="Apr28">{{cite news| url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A21734-2005Apr28.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |title=NFL's Steroid Policy Gets Kudos on Capitol Hill |first1=Mark |last1=Maske |first2=Leonard |last2=Shapiro |date=2005-04-28 |accessdate=2017-01-05}}</ref> Since the NFL started random, year-round tests and suspending players for banned substances, many more players have been found to be in violation of the policy. By April 2005, 111 NFL players had tested positive for banned substances, and of those 111, the NFL suspended 54.<ref name="CBS" /> The NFL testing for substance abuse is notoriously inadequate, as illustrated by the case of the convicted first-degree murderer, then-NFL star Aaron Hernandez.<ref>http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/04/05/aaron-hernandez-knew-that-beating-nfl-drug-tests-is-easy/</ref>

Unlike Olympic sports and the [[Ultimate Fighting Championship]], the NFL administers its substance abuse program independently of the [[United States Anti-Doping Agency]] (USADA). So, the quality and rigor of the NFL's drug testing is not independently controlled. However, since December 2009, USADA has a "Supplement Safety Now" program, in partnership with the NFL, [[Major League Baseball]], the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA), the [[National Hockey League]], the U.S. Olympic Committee and other national sports and health organizations. The program seeks to end dangerous and unscrupulous practices of "rogue" manufacturers within the nutritional supplement industry. The effort works to eliminate the practice of selling supplement products containing [[steroid]]s and other drugs which are labeled as "safe and legal" dietary supplements.

== Harmful effects on cities and taxpayers ==
There are "Five Reasons Losing an NFL Football Team is Good for a City,"<ref>http://sandiegofreepress.org/2015/02/five-reasons-losing-an-nfl-football-team-is-good-for-a-city/</ref> and the first reason is that the NFL bilks taxpayers of billions of dollars. Even though NFL owners are making billions of dollars for themselves, they get taxpayers to foot much of the costs for their stadiums.

There are additional reasons why a city is better off it if loses its NFL team, including:

*More support for college programs, which actually help people<ref>It should be noted, though, that only a handful of NFL cities also have a university with a football team which is a member of a FBS "Power 5" conference, and only one -- Los Angeles -- has two such universities. Even so, many of those programs have never benefitted from increased attendance at collegiate games when the team has done well while the professional team has done poorly.</ref>
*Less blighting of the land<ref>Though many new stadiums have been built in areas which were already blighted.</ref>
*Greater local church attendance
*Fewer traffic jams

On December 17, 2015, the [[NFL]] demanded that the State of Missouri reduce the obligation by the NFL for a new $1.1 billion stadium in [[St. Louis]] to less than 20% of the cost, with taxpayers of the struggling city then bearing the bulk of the enormous cost.

== Poor economic impact of Super Bowl ==
An economist concluded that the NFL's estimate of economic benefit to a city hosting a [[Super Bowl]] is "is inflated by a factor of about five."<ref name="Overhype">https://www.cbsnews.com/news/is-the-super-bowls-ecoomic-impact-super-hyped/</ref> The mayor of Glendale, Arizona (home of University of Phoenix Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals and host of the 2015 Super Bowl), did not even attend the game and "was worried that his cash-strapped city of 230,000 won't be able to afford the added costs that come with the Super Bowl, including $2.1 million in additional security. To make matters worse, approximately 40 percent of Glendale's debt is earmarked to paying off sports complexes."<ref name="Overhype"/><ref>A portion of that debt does not pertain to the NFL, but to the city's inexplicable decision to build a '''''separate''''' arena for the area's NHL Arizona Coyotes franchise instead of the team sharing an arena with the NBA's Phoenix Suns franchise; in every other case where a metropolitan area has both an NBA and an NHL franchise, the teams -- even if owned by different owners -- share the same arena. The problem was made worse by the team's poor performance and repeated threats to relocate -- even though the team itself relocated to the Phoenix area from Winnipeg, Canada.</ref>

In 2014, multiple articles explained that the NFL was grossly exaggerating any local economic benefit of hosting the Super Bowl, and one economist estimates that the economic benefit is zero. See, e.g., "Super Bowl 2014: Economist says NFL is full of it about local benefits of hosting game."<ref>http://www.nj.com/super-bowl/index.ssf/2014/01/economist_on_local_impact_of_hosting_super_bowl_the_nfl_is_full_of_it.html</ref> Meanwhile, government workers at taxpayer expense spent two years preparing for the event. After the Super Bowl in New Jersey in 2014,<ref>Played in an outdoor stadium in February, generally a bitterly cold time of the year.</ref> local businesses complained about the lack of boost in customers.

The overall economic return from hosting a Super Bowl may actually be a loss. As observed by the ''Daily Beast'':<ref>https://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/01/30/the-nfl-s-super-bowl-con-hosting-the-big-game-isn-t-an-economic-score-for-cities.html</ref>
{{cquote|Typically, according to Baade’s research (PDF) and supported by related studies, Super Bowl host cities see a negative rate of return. 'If you do a pure economic evaluation, we may be able to cover the explicit costs…but we can’t make the argument that accommodating the Super Bowl is actually better than anything else.'}}

At best, only a handful of warm-weather cities which are tourist destinations in and of themselves possibly benefit from hosting a Super Bowl. An example of a city that has done so successfully is [[New Orleans]], which has a large indoor stadium (the Mercedes-Benz Superdome) that has hosted numerous large-scale events, including six of the seven prior Super Bowls held in the city. Yet the NFL decided '''''not''''' to award Super Bowl LII in 2018 to New Orleans—which was celebrating its tri-centennial that year, and was clearly able to host both it and the Super Bowl—and instead awarded it to cold-weather Minneapolis-St. Paul as they were able to connive taxpayers into building a new stadium for the Minnesota Vikings franchise.

The 2018 Super Bowl showed an attendance anomaly—attendance was reported at 70,081, nearly 3,000 '''''fewer''''' fans than attended the MLS Cup (Major League Soccer final) in the same stadium two months prior, notwithstanding that 1) the Super Bowl was played in Atlanta, home to the world's busiest airport (thus, travel to and from the game would not have been an issue), 2) the Super Bowl featured two large-market teams—the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots, and 3) the general lack of interest in soccer among American fans, especially in the American South where football is widely popular.<ref>https://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/super-bowl-fails-to-draw-more-fans-than-mls-cup-final-at-same-stadium?fbclid=IwAR3D0_K6N4RiP649kmiqpQhcmZKu9ajxlf7URdDNQxkoxobW9fuIvGjBjOY</ref><ref>It should be noted that the MLS Cup featured a local franchise, Atlanta United FC, in the final.</ref> The 2019 Super Bowl was even worse: the reported attendance was the '''''second-lowest''''' ever, behind only the first Super Bowl (which at that time was called the "NFL-AFL Championship Game") and notwithstanding its playing in South Florida, a popular tourist destination due to warm climate.<ref>However, it was a sellout as the venue -- Hard Rock Stadium -- was recently renovated to '''''lower''''' overall seating capacity.</ref>

== Super Bowl politics ==
[[Liberals]] attempted to force relocation of the [[Super Bowl]] from [[Houston]], the 2017 edition's host city, to pressure that city to cave in to the [[homosexual agenda]]<ref>[https://www.wnd.com/2015/11/lesbian-mayor-vows-to-keep-pressing-for-transgender-law/ Lesbian mayor vows to keep pressing for transgender law] at WND.com</ref> as revenge for losing to conservatives 61% to 39% in Houston's recent referendum involving Houston's [[leftism|leftist]], [[feminism|feminist]] and openly lesbian then-mayor [[Annice Parker|Annise Parker]]'s attempt to force the city to cater to the [[gender confusion|gender-confused]] by allowing them to use restrooms of the opposite gender (i.e., "transgender" men insisting on using women's restrooms).<ref>[https://www.wnd.com/2015/11/houston-voters-reject-lesbian-mayors-transgender-agenda/ Houston voters reject lesbian mayor's LGBT agenda] at WND.com</ref>

== Objectionable Super Bowl shows ==
In 2017, [[Lady Gaga]] sang for the Super Bowl halftime show. Lady Gaga is also known for her political activism, particularly with Hilliary Clinton, [[immigration]], HIV/AIDS, and homosexual "rights".

In 2015, the Super Bowl halftime show featured in nearly every performance the pro-[[homosexual]] activist Katy Perry. She became popular among liberals for her pro-lesbian song in 2008, and is an outspoken supporter of homosexual "rights".

On February 1, 2004, the Super Bowl halftime show featured Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson and was broadcast live on [[CBS]]. Timberlake tore away the portion of Jackson's costume exposing her breast. They later tried to explain it away as a "wardrobe malfunction".<ref name="apologeticjackson">{{cite news|title=Janet Jackson Apologizes for Bared Breast|url=http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/S/SUPER_BOWL_JACKSON?SITE=MAHYC&SECTION=BUSINESS&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT|author=Nekesa Mumbi Moody|agency=[[Associated Press]]|date=February 3, 2004|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040203025228/http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/S/SUPER_BOWL_JACKSON?SITE=MAHYC&SECTION=BUSINESS&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT|archivedate=February 3, 2004}} Also published by CNN.com as "[https://www.cnn.com/2004/US/02/02/superbowl.jackson/ Apologetic Jackson says 'costume reveal' went awry]".</ref> The [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) fined CBS a record $550,000 which was fought in the [[Supreme Court of the United States|Supreme Court]],<ref name="CBS FCC Fines">{{cite news|title=CBS Fined $550,000 for Jackson Stunt |url=http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/F/FCC_CBS?SITE=FLSTU&SECTION=ENTERTAINMENT |author=Jennifer C. Kerr |agency=Associated Press |date=July 1, 2004 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040928060305/http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/F/FCC_CBS?SITE=FLSTU&SECTION=ENTERTAINMENT |archivedate=September 28, 2004 }} Also published by CBSNews.com as "[https://web.archive.org/web/20040925012741/https://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/07/01/entertainment/main626925.shtml CBS Dealt Record Fine Over Janet]".</ref> The fine was ultimately overturned in 2011.

The 2019 Super Bowl halftime show featured what can be labeled as "soft-core pornography", with one of the entertainers -- Latin superstar Jennifer Lopez -- dancing on a stripper pole and bringing her pre-teen daughter into the show.

== Gambling ==
The Super Bowl halftime show features bizarre symbolism that has been associated with the occult and/or [[gambling]]. Beginning in 2012, the NFL began allowing casino advertisements at stadiums during games.<ref>http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/04/12/nfl-lifts-ban-on-casino-ads-for-two-years/</ref>

The NFL allows ESPN to publicize point-spreads that encourage gambling, while the NFL publicly pretends to oppose betting on its games. The Super Bowl is the basis of more gambling than any other event, and the NFL profits from that through increased viewership.

The gambling drives television viewership up, while actual attendance by fans at football stadiums has generally not grown. With the NFL's exclusion of Tebow—who is very popular with fans at stadiums—the NFL may be saying that genuine fans (as opposed to gamblers and television viewers) don't really matter to the NFL's business model.

=== Christian position ===
The Catechism of the Catholic Church does not address whether gambling violates the First Commandment against idolatry (gamblers worship uncertainty and fall prey to superstition).<ref>http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p3s2c1a1.htm</ref> The Catholic Church has stated that gambling becomes morally unacceptable when they deprive someone of what is necessary to provide for his needs and those of others. The passion for gambling then risks becoming an enslavement.<ref>[http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p3s2c2a7.htm Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 2413]</ref> The early church excommunicated people for gambling, and theologians today generally consider gambling to be morally licit under certain conditions.<ref>http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06375b.htm</ref>

Among Protestants, fundamentalists are the most stringent opponents of gambling, believing it to be wrong in all cases. Evangelicals and Pentecostals/charismatics have generally opposed it as well, though not as stringently as fundamentalists. Mainline Protestants—consistent with their generally liberal theology—generally have only provided token opposition.

== Exclusion of Tim Tebow ==
Numerous experts have proven that [[Tim Tebow]] is fully qualified to play in the NFL. The widely followed ''Bleacher Report'' declared, after reviewing Tebow's record and strong preseason in 2015, that he "belongs in the NFL."<ref>https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2560964-after-solid-preseason-tim-tebow-finally-looks-like-he-belongs-in-the-nfl</ref> CBS in Philadelphia reported on September 4, 2015, that there was an open spot on the roster for Tebow, after a weaker player was traded to another team.<ref>http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2015/09/04/report-cardinals-working-on-trade-for-matt-barkley/</ref> Bleacher Report wrote that "it seemed as though Tebow would make the team. He certainly made a strong case for himself in the Eagles' preseason finale ...."<ref name="Bleacher Rpt">https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2436196-tim-tebow-released-by-eagles-latest-details-comments-and-reaction</ref> Yet Tebow was inexplicably cut by the Eagles, despite how the Eagles left themselves with only two quarterbacks on the roster, one of which is injury-prone.

'''''The Eagles then replaced the more-qualified Tebow on the roster with an undrafted QB named Stephen Morris, who had never played a single regular season NFL game, and who threw 30 interceptions in college'''''. One sports analyst wrote about the Eagles' coach in making this decision: "what he sees in Morris -- that nobody else does -- is perplexing. An executive in personnel for another NFC team was texted, 'Tell me what you know about Stephen Morris.' His response was two words: 'He's bad.'"<ref>http://www.nj.com/eagles/index.ssf/2015/09/what_you_need_to_know_about_eagles_qb_stephen_morr.html</ref>

Further proof that Tebow should be in the NFL is the fact that the Eagles traded a quarterback who did not play as well as Tebow in exchange for a seventh-round draft pick. Thus Tebow is more valuable than that.<ref name="Bleacher Rpt"/> But the Eagles cut Tebow outright without receiving anything. Apparently no other team in the NFL will play Tebow, and the only plausible explanation is that the NFL is appeasing the pro-[[homosexual]] media by refusing to allow the [[Bible]]-quoting Tebow to play. Despite not having Tebow on the team in 2018, the Eagles won their first Super Bowl with Nick Foles, another [[Christian]] and a [[Liberty University]] online student majoring in theology, as quarterback.

Tebow was immensely popular with fans, who chanted "Tebow! Tebow!" when he entered the first pre-season game in 2015 in the 3rd quarter. He proceeded to score a touchdown as the Eagles beat the Colts 36-10,<ref>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/F/FBN_COLTS_EAGLES?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2015-08-16-17-41-27</ref> and played well in his other games.

Every Tim Tebow jersey enters in the NFLshop's list of best-selling jerseys. Tebow's time with the Eagles put his number 11 jersey in 16th place, ahead of first string quarterback Tony Romo.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2015/07/08/tim-tebows-eagles-jersey-ranked-no-16-in-sales-for-june/ Tim Tebow’s Eagles jersey ranked No. 16 in sales for June, WaPo, July 8, 2015]</ref>

== Military Appreciation Fraud ==
The NFL looked like a true patriotic organization when they decided to honor the troops during halftime performances. Later it was revealed that 14 teams were paid by taxpayer-funded tributes, that is, $5.4 million from the Department of Defense went to NFL teams so they could hold military ceremonies. This despite the fact the NFL earned revenues of $9.5 billion. Appreciation for our military only if they pay, nothing patriotic about it.<ref>[http://www.ijreview.com/2015/06/338958-john-mccain-delivers-fiery-speech-nfls-military-fraud/ Senator John McCain Delivers Fiery Speech Against the NFL’s Military Appreciation Fraud, Independent Journal]</ref>

== Honor Liberalism Only ==
After the murder of five police officers in Dallas, the Cowboys requested to honor their sacrifice with a ribbon on their uniforms. Request denied by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who thought this move would upset the liberal terrorists of the [[Black lives matter]] movement. Liberal causes such as the Planned Parenthood-aligned [[Komen]] breast cancer awareness campaign get special treatment; pink ribbons on the field, pink official penalty flags, pink socks worn by players.

The season generally begins the second week of September. Some players choose to wear cleats themed with patriotic images of [[9/11]]. League management insists that if you choose this honor you will face stiff fines for violating uniform code. The police union offered to pay the players fines.<ref>[https://www.policeone.com/police/community/articles/220218006-NFL-player-wears-9-11-cleats-police-union-offers-to-pay-fines/ NFL player wears 9/11 cleats, police union offers to pay fines, PoliceOne.com, September 12, 2016]</ref> At the very last minute, due to negative publicity, the NFL relented its decision. However, when DeSean Jackson had anti-police, black supremacy themed cleats, the NFL allowed it free of charge.<ref>http://dailysnark.com/desean-jackson-cleats/</ref>

Many liberals hold open contempt for their country. Colin Kaepernick blames the USA for abuse of black people by police (while ignoring that most police and law enforcement forces also employ black officers) and decides to sit during the [[National Anthem]], to wear socks at practice mocking police as "pigs", and to wear a [[Che Guevara]] shirt, creating a national firestorm. Instead of publicly admonishing his actions, the liberal NFL management decided it was acceptable free speech. That image of disrespect now becomes a negative influence on other players. Boycott the NFL would be a top trending hashtag on [[Twitter]]. Sponsors abandoned players that supported this act of disloyalty to the nation. Videos of people burning Kaepernick's jersey went viral. The police union considered boycotting their presence at stadiums. Instead of wielding their undue influence, like they do on a regular basis, and protect the image of the NFL by fining or suspending those players making the sport look bad, NFL management would issue a weak press release stating they don't agree with Kaepernick's position. Like a good liberal, Goodell praises the protest against the National Anthem and encourages activism for social change.<ref>[https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2016/09/18/roger-goodell-commissioner-national-anthem-protests/90633952/ Roger Goodell praises player demonstrations for going from 'protests to progress' USAToday, September 19, 2016]</ref> NFL ratings are at seven-year lows after two weeks into the 2016 season.<ref>[https://www.forbes.com/sites/brandonkatz/2016/09/19/nfls-sunday-night-football-tumbles-hard-in-ratings-yet-again/#60d776c41ad5 ] NFL's 'Sunday Night Football' Tumbles Hard In Ratings Yet Again, Forbes, September 19, 2016</ref>

While overseas, NFL players stood and honored "''[[God Save the Queen]]''",<ref>[https://insider.foxnews.com/2017/09/24/nfl-players-kneel-anthem-stand-british-god-save-queen NFL in London: Ravens, Jaguars Stand for 'God Save the Queen', Kneel for 'Star-Spangled Banner'], [[Fox News]]</ref><ref>[https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2017/09/unreal-nfl-players-stand-god-save-queen-kneel-us-national-anthem-london/ https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2017/09/unreal-nfl-players-stand-god-save-queen-kneel-us-national-anthem-london/], [[Gateway Pundit]]</ref> even though it is Britain's fault that [[slaves]] were brought to America in the first place. NFL players and their supporters like to proclaim that the entire episode is specifically about race.<ref>[https://www.cnn.com/2017/09/27/us/nfl-anthem-protest-race-trump-trnd/index.html The #TakeAKnee protests have always been about race. Period.], [[CNN]]</ref>

== Exploitation of cheerleaders ==
In a demonstration of [[liberal hypocrisy]], the NFL has exploited cheerleaders with below-minimum-wage compensation, despite how fat cat owners are making billions at taxpayer expense. For example, the New York Jets are valued at $2.6 billion but the "Jets cheerleaders were given only $150 per game, and weren’t paid for any practice time," and had to sue just to obtain minimum wage for practice and travel.<ref name="Cheerleaders">https://www.forbes.com/sites/thecut/2016/01/29/new-york-jets-cheerleaders-win-324000-settlement-over-unpaid-work/#3b7c58663436</ref> In addition, onerous conditions are imposed on NFL cheerleaders as to hairstyle. If a conservative-owned business engaged in such unequal pay, liberals would be enraged and would call the owners "misogynistic."

== NFL Hall of Fame bias? ==
The NFL writers—who decide who does and does not get into the NFL Hall of Fame—have not been consistent (and some might even say, biased) -- in their voting patterns. Some claim that players who were open about their Christian faith were excluded (and still are).

One example of potential bias involves wide receiver Tim Brown. At the time of his retirement he ranked number five all-time in total yardage gained, despite playing for weak teams. But Brown also openly preached the [[Gospel]], and even played Gospel music in the weight room. He was kept out of the NFL Hall of Fame for his first five years of eligibility, and was not inducted until 2015.<ref>http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/159445/is-this-the-year-tim-brown-hears-from-the-hof</ref>

Another example involves outspoken Christian, Herschel Walker, who said, "We have the DNA of our Lord [[Jesus Christ]]."<ref>http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/h/herschel_walker.html#udJFdQwHUCqBX1Ls.99</ref> The NFL refused to allow him to play in the NFL when he had one year of eligibility left in college, despite that he was clearly able to play. Walker became the leading star of a rival league (the USFL) until it folded, and was the centerpiece of a trade that allowed the NFL's marquee franchise—the Dallas Cowboys—to rebuild and win three Super Bowls in the early 1990s. Yet despite his accomplishments, and his single-handedly causing the NFL to change its draft eligibility rules,<ref>The NFL now allows players to declare for the NFL draft after being out of high school for three years.</ref> Walker was never inducted during his eligibility period.

== Cover-up ==
ESPN reported that the "Spygate" scandal was bigger than the NFL admitted, and that "tapes and notes were found, and then destroyed on commissioner Roger Goodell's orders: league executives 'stomped the tapes into pieces and shredded the papers inside a Gillette Stadium conference room.'"<ref>http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/report--patriots--spygate-scandal-was-bigger-in-scope-than-first-realized-140513497.html</ref>

== Opposes [[Right to Work]] ==
NFL players belong to a union that sides with [[liberals]] in opposing [[right to work]] laws, and the NFL players union even spoke out against a proposal in 2015 to make [[Wisconsin]] the 25th right-to-work state.<ref>https://www.politico.com/story/2015/02/nfl-union-right-to-work-wisconsin-115454</ref>

== Contrast with NBA ==
While the NFL excludes Tebow for frequently quoting the [[Bible]], the NBA did not punish [[Steph Curry]] for beginning his MVP acceptance speech by expressly thanking [[Jesus Christ]], "first and foremost."

== Keeping Commissioner Roger Goodell ==
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has repeatedly abused his authority, and invented unjust punishments by making up his own rules after the facts. He has been publicly reversed in several high-profile cases, including Tom Brady, Adrian Peterson, Ray Rice and the New Orleans Saints’ bounty scandal.<ref>http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/judge-offers-final-ruling-on-tom-brady-suspension-in-deflate-gate-221425352.html</ref> He has earned over $100M in five years, including $44M in 2012.<ref>https://money.cnn.com/2014/09/12/news/companies/goodell-pay/index.html</ref> His salary was disclosed because the NFL was claiming non-profit status on its tax return.<ref>https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2015/04/28/nfl-tax-exempt-status-roger-goodell-drop-salary/26543647/</ref>

A disgruntled NFL owner complained to [[The Daily Caller]], "I don’t like him. I think it’s time for a new commissioner." The criticism of Goodell comes after he was loudly booed at the NFL draft by the crowd. The liberal media of [[ESPN]] is protecting Goodell from all criticism, likely because they don't want to risk any potential lost revenue from the NFL.<ref>[https://dailycaller.com/2016/04/29/exclusive-nfl-owners-furious-with-goodell-its-time-for-a-new-commissioner/#ixzz47Ktn1YOO EXCLUSIVE: NFL Owners Furious With Goodell — ‘It’s Time For A New Commissioner’ Daily Caller, April 29, 2016]</ref>

==National Anthem Protests==
The following teams have one or more players on their roster who have protested the national anthem: Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins, Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans, Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, New England Patriots, Buffalo Bills, Washington Redskins, New York Giants, Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers,<ref>http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/17520290/kansas-city-chiefs-seattle-seahawks-interlock-arms-national-anthem</ref> Denver Broncos,<ref>https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/brandon-marshall-denver-broncos-kneel-national-anthem_us_57d2b5cde4b06a74c9f41fd8</ref> Philadelphia Eagles,<ref>http://dailydolphin.blog.palmbeachpost.com/2017/08/24/philadelphia-eagles-protest-during-national-anthem-before-dolphins-game/</ref> Los Angeles Rams,<ref>https://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/nfl-kneeling-protests-grow/2016/09/18/id/748879/</ref> and the Oakland Raiders.<ref>http://therightscoop.com/at-raiders-preseason-opener-marshawn-lynch-sits-during-national-anthem/</ref> The NFL players national anthem protests are governed by individual player contracts and collective bargaining agreements between the NFL and the NFLPA (National Football League Players Association).<ref>https://www.natlawreview.com/article/can-nfl-players-be-fired-disciplined-protesting-during-national-anthem</ref>

==NFL Fan Sites==
A website known as Scout (founded in 2001) has links to many NFL fan sites. These NFL fan sites have "clever" names based on the team's name, colors, or whatnot. Many of them are chat board sites where people talk to other NFL fans, most of whom they don't know in person. They can be just as dangerous as other [[social media]] as far as cyberbullying goes, if not more. Similarly to fantasy football, these websites alienate their average participants from their friends, family, occupations, education, and the Bible.

==NFL 2017 sponsors==
*Gatorade
*EA Sports
*Visa
*Campbell's Soup
*FedEx
*Frito-Lay
*Mars Snackfood
*Pepsi
*Dairy Management Inc.
*Sirius XM
*Under Armour
*Bridgestone
*Ticketmaster
*Procter & Gamble
*Verizon
*Barclays
*Papa John's<ref>Announced in 2018 that it ended its sponsorship, and immediately saw a 4% stock price jump.</ref>
*Castrol
*Anheuser-Busch
*USAA
*Bose
*Marriott
*Xbox
*News America
*Quaker
*SAP
*McDonald's
*New Era
*Nike
*Microsoft
*Extreme Networks
*Nationwide
*TD Ameritrade
*Zebra
*Dannon
*Hyundai
*Ford <ref>https://seekingalpha.com/article/4103103-football-season-kicking-sponsors-spend-big</ref>

== See also ==
*[[Blacklisting Tim Tebow]]
*[[Lifespan of NFL players and fans]]
*[[fantasy football]]
*[[Liberal corporate tyranny]]
*[[Beating NFL addiction]]

== References ==
{{reflist|2}}

== External links ==
* [http://nflarrest.com/ NFL Arrest - Football Arrest Record Database & Statistics]
* [http://sports.cbslocal.com/2015/10/01/nfl-month-without-arrest-first-since-2009/ NFL Goes A Month Without A Player Arrest For First Time Since 2009]
* [https://www.nflpa.com/players/sponsors List of NFL sponsors to boycott]

[[Category:Politics]]
[[Category:Sports]]
[[Category:National Football League]]
[[Category:NFL]]

McDonald's

2020-12-12T18:07:39Z

King Conservative: True in the past, but not true as of present day.

[[File:McDonald's Golden Arches.png|right]]
'''McDonald's''' is a global fast-food chain specializing in [[hamburger]]s. It operates more than 30,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries on six continents.<ref>http://www.supersizeme.com/home.aspx?page=bythelb</ref> Although the first McDonald's was opened in [[California]] in 1940 by the McDonald brothers, the first [[franchise]] under the corporation as it exists today was opened by [[Ray Kroc]] in [[Illinois]] in 1955. The company is headquartered in Oak Brook, Illinois.

McDonald's is the most popular fast-food restaurant, and second to Subway in number of stores.

McDonald's has been criticized for knowingly selling unhealthy food, and having a history of advertising burgers and fries to children, who consume their Happy Meals and play in their indoor playgrounds, often with parents having no other choice since cities do not have adequate playgrounds for them.

However, McDonald's has shown it can improve its menu in recent years. The chain has added fresh salads to its menu, as well as apples, parfaits, milk, and juice to lighten up its meat, potatoes, and soda menu. McDonald's has not marketed burgers and fries directly to children in several years, and has promoted healthy lifestyles. They recently have also cut the amount of French fries in half (the portion size went from 2.4 ounces to 1.1 ounces) in their Happy Meals, replacing them with apple slices without the standard caramel sauce, reducing the caloric count to well below 600.<ref>[http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/837079/the-new-mcdonalds-happy-meal-reduces-fries-keeps-toy]</ref> However, critics claim the hamburgers and fries are still the biggest product at the restaurants.

Similarly to [[Walmart]] and [[Disney]], McDonald's is popular both all over the United States, and all over the world.

McDonald's was recently listed as one of numerous leftist-controlled companies that have gone "[[woke]]" and now support the criminal rioters of [[Antifa]] and [[Black Lives Matter]] in the wake of the [[2020 leftist riots]].<ref>[https://gab.com/a/posts/104311289660016704 Here Are The Companies That Support Antifa, Black Lives Matter, and Want You Dead] at Gab.com</ref>

==History==
Richard and Maurice McDonald opened McDonald's Bar-B-Que in San Bernardino, California. It was a typical drive-in featuring a vast menu and carhops. In 1948, the McDonald brothers shut down the restaurant for three months for alterations. They remade it into a self-service restaurant featuring only a few menu items: Hamburgers and cheeseburgers, soda, milkshakes, coffee, potato chips, and pie, with the core staple being the 15 cent hamburger.

The present corporation dates back to the opening of a franchised restaurant by Ray Kroc, in Des Plaines, Illinois, on April 15, 1955, which was overall the ninth McDonald's restaurant opened. Kroc later purchased the McDonald brothers' equity in the company. Kroc led the chain's worldwide expansion. Ronald McDonald, the company's signature mascot, was introduced in 1967. He was originally portrayed by Willard Scott, but has since been portrayed by several different people and was the focus of the chain's McDonaldland media advertising campaign between the 1970s and the 1990s. McDonald's first filed for a U.S. trademark on the name "McDonald's" on May 4, 1961. They also filed for a trademark on the original overlapping arches, but eventually went with the modern "Golden Arches" that form an "M". The company also became listed on the public stock markets in 1965. In 1967, the first McDonald's outside the United States, and the first Canadian McDonald's, opened in Richmond, British Columbia.

McDonald's restaurants are found in 119 countries, with over 31,000 restaurants, employ more than 1.5 million people, and serve over 58 million people a day.

==Criticism==
McDonald's has often been accused of knowingly selling unhealthy food.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=yNFN1OpnkBkC&dq=fast+food+nation&pg=PP1&ots=l_kkxv7x65&sig=M0lMjzxa92mnxMp4CXMS3VaYpLk&prev=http://www.google.com/search%3Fq%3Dfast%2Bfood%2Bnation%26ie%3Dutf-8%26oe%3Dutf-8%26aq%3Dt%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26client%3Dfirefox-a&sa=X&oi=print&ct=title#PPA2,M1 Fast Food Nation]</ref> McDonald's states that health is not only an issue of food but also of a balanced active lifestyle. McDonald's sponsors many events that promote active physical behavior, such as the Olympic Games;<ref>[http://www.mcdonalds.com/usa/eat.html McDonald's Corporate website]</ref> this is why many McDonald's restaurants have a jungle gym for the children to play in and be active. McDonald's also sells salads and bottled water, two healthy food items, breakfast foods such as oatmeal, and several drinks that are artificially flavored to taste like fruit. The "[[schlockumentary]]" ''[[Super Size Me]]'' aimed at proving that McDonald's had no interest in healthy customers whatsoever.<ref>[http://www.hulu.com/watch/63283/super-size-me Super Size Me]</ref>

=== McLibel Trial ===
In 1990, McDonald's sued for [[libel]] several members of Greenpeace London (an organization which at the time of the incident was no longer connected with Greenpeace), which had been writing and distributing leaflets criticizing McDonald's. Of the five defendants, three repented due to lack of money for legal costs. The remaining two, [[Helen Steel]] and [[Dave Morris]], decided to take the case to court in 1994 with [[pro bono]] legal representation and public donations. This became known as the [[McLibel]] Trial. On day 102 in court - March 13, 1995 - McLibel became the longest ever UK libel trial, beating the previous record of 101 days in the Daily Mail vs The Moonies (1982). On December 11, 1995, it became the longest civil case (as opposed to criminal) in British history. On November 1, 1996 (court day 292), McLibel became the longest trial of any kind in English history.

On June 19, 1997, Mr. Justice Bell took two hours to read his summary. He ruled that Steel and Morris had not proved the allegations against McDonald's on rainforest destruction, heart disease and cancer, food poisoning, starvation in the Third World and bad working conditions. But they had proved that McDonald's "exploit children" with their advertising, falsely advertise their food as nutritious, risk the health of their most regular, long-term customers, are "culpably responsible" for cruelty to animals, are "strongly antipathetic" to unions and pay their workers low wages.

The judge ruled that Steel and Morris had libeled McDonald's, but as they had proved many of the allegations, they would only owe half of the claimed damages: £60,000.

=== Support for [[homosexual agenda]] ===
In March 2008, Richard Ellis, McDonald's vice president of communications, joined the board of directors of a pro gay-rights organization, the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.<ref>[http://outandaboutnewspaper.com/article.php?id=2470 "National gay chamber adds McDonald’s corporation officer to board." ''Out and About'' March 13, 2008.]</ref> Ellis states:

<blockquote>
I'm thrilled to join the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce team and ready to get to work.<ref>[http://www.sbcbaptistpress.org/BPnews.asp?ID=27747 Erin Roach. "McDonald's gives support to homosexual activists' agenda." ''Baptist Press'' April 3, 2008]</ref>
</blockquote>

McDonald's thus joins other large American corporations, such as [[Wal-Mart]],<ref>[http://www.gay.com/news/article.html?2006/08/21/4 "Walmart launches gay-friendly initiative" August 21, 2006]</ref> in actively backing admitted homosexual organizations and their agendas.

A boycott by the [[AFA]] ended on October 9, 2008 when McDonald's chose to take a neutral position on gay issues. However, in 2010, McDonald's once again demonstrated active support for homosexuality as part of their "Come As You Are" campaign, airing a commercial in France which features a young customer talking on the phone to his lover. At the end of the commercial, the young man is revealed to be homosexual.<ref>http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2010/06/04/2010-06-04_gay_mcdonalds_ad_airing_in_france_evokes_strong_reactions_around_the_world_over_.html</ref>

===''Super Size Me''===
''Super Size Me'' is a schlockumentary by liberal filmmaker Morgan Spurlock. The film is meant to criticize the fast food industry, with a special focus on McDonald's. Spurlock decides to go on a diet in which he would eat and drink items that came from McDonald's for thirty days. He had doctors check him before the experiment, and they said he was in excellent health.

Spurlock did this because he had said that McDonald's claimed their food could be integrated into a healthy diet. Spurlock ate three full meals from McDonald's for a month, eating each menu item at least once. He was to super size his meal only when asked by the cashier. He also greatly decreased his exercise regimen, to be on par with the average McDonald's consumer. Toward the end of his experiment, his doctors urgently advised him to quit to save his health and possibly his life.

After a month, Spurlock had significant weight gain, an increase in cholesterol, and fatty liver, resulting from his choice to eat only from McDonald's and to not exercise. McDonald's took the Super Size option off their menu, though they claim it was not a result of the film.

== Regionalization ==
[[File:McKosher.jpg|thumb|right|200px|McDonald's varies its menu for the region. In [[Israel]], McDonald's serves [[kosher]] food]]
McDonald's outlets outside of the US often have different menu items, and the formulations of some products may vary (see Menu below). For example, McDonald's sells rice in many Asian countries, and McDonald's [[Australia]] sells a wider range of "healthy" foods, such as wraps with poached chicken, and has smaller portion sizes.

==Menu==
McDonald's original menu when the Speedy Service System was adopted was simply hamburgers, potato chips, soda, and milkshakes.

Today, McDonald's has a largely meat-and-potatoes diet, with sandwiches such as the McDouble (two hamburger patties with cheese, onions, seasonings, and pickle), the Big Mac (a larger burger with two patties, three buns, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, onions, and a special sauce), the Quarter Pounder and the Double Quarter Pounder available with cheese, the Big n' Tasty (a sandwich similar to Burger King's Whopper), the McChicken (fried chicken sandwich with mayonnaise and lettuce), the Filet o' Fish (fish sandwich with tartar sauce) and others. There are also various sizes of French fries, sodas, milkshakes (strawberry, vanilla, chocolate, various seasonal shakes such as Mint and egg nog), ice cream and sundaes. In recent years, healthier options have been added such as premium salads, parfaits, Snack Wraps, and apple slices.

Also, regional variations exist among McDonald's international franchise menu items; at its Canadian restaurants for example, the Quarter Pounder BLT, the Mighty Angus (an Angus beef and BLT burger with grilled onions and barbecue sauce served on a sesame and poppy seed bun), the Double Big Mac (which doubles the number of patties to four), the Double Filet o' Fish (which adds a second fish patty), the Country Chicken sandwich and the dessert item McFlurry (similar to [[Dairy Queen]]'s Blizzard) are part of the menu. In [[India]], McDonald's franchises there do not serve items containing beef due to religious prohibitions on eating beef; instead, the Chicken Maharaja Mac and its vegetarian version, the Veg Maharaja Mac, are sold as part of its menu. In [[Israel]], many, though not all, McDonald's restaurants are [[kosher]]-certified (although kosher beef is sold at all locations) and barbecue beef patties on charcoal grills instead of frying them, and in keeping with Jewish dietary law, no pork products (particularly bacon) are served at any locations. In Islamic countries, McDonald's menu items are [[halal]]-certified and no pork products are served. In [[Japan]], the Teriyaki McBurger (which includes ground pork patties and teriyaki sauce) and the Fillet-O-Ebi (which has a fried shrimp patty served with mustard) are included in the local McDonald's menu.

==Employment==
McDonald's employs workers, often those who are in high school and college. Wages are minimal, and only full-time workers receive benefits of any sort. McDonald's is an easy way for many people to become employed and to gain work experience for future employment elsewhere. Many people who even have college degrees who have a hard time finding a job get a job at a McDonald's. McDonald's creates opportunities for advancement, and there is even a university called "Hamburger University" for aspiring workers. On April 19, 2011, over 50,000 people are employed at local McDonald's restaurants.

McDonald's is introducing self-serve kiosks and table service to dine-in customers in numerous US locations, and are expected to introduce both to all US locations in 2017 in an effort to modernize due to declining sales; the chain recently introduced an all-day breakfast menu to address this issue.

==See also==
*[[McDonaldization]]
*[[MaDonal]]
*[[Diet]]

== External links ==
*[http://www.mcdonalds.com/ Company website]
*[http://www.sbcbaptistpress.org/BPCollectionNews.asp?ID=131 2008 McDonald's and the Homosexual Agenda], Baptist Press

== References ==
<references />

[[Category:Companies]]
[[Category:Restaurants]]
[[Category:Fast Foods]]
[[Category:Liberalism]]
[[Category:SJWs]]

American Indian Movement Grand Governing Council

2020-12-11T17:27:50Z

King Conservative:

The '''American Indian Movement Grand Governing Council''' ('''AIM-GGC''' or AIM for short) is a [[Communism|Communist]]-influenced militant activist movement whose stated goals include fostering a sense of unity and solidarity among [[American Indian]] and First Nation groups in the [[United States]] and [[Canada]], respectively, enforcing treaty rights that up until the 1970s had been ignored, and defending Native people against abuse by the white government and population.

AIM was founded in [[Minneapolis]] in 1968 by two urban Ojibwas, Dennis Banks and George Mitchell. It drew inspiration both from the [[Civil Rights movement]] of the previous decade and fishing rights protests in the Pacific Northwest earlier in the 1960s.

AIM is best known for its confrontational protest tactics including:

*The occupation of [[Alcatraz]] Island from 1969 to 1971
*The occupation of a replica of the [[Mayflower]] in 1970
*The occupation of [[Mount Rushmore]] in 1971
*The occupation of Gordon, Nebraska in 1972
*The Trail of Broken Treaties and the subsequent occupation of the Bureau of Indian Affairs building in 1972
*The occupation of [[Wounded Knee]] in 1973

These protests generally had one of two goals: to enforce treaty rights, or to raise awareness of an Indian presence or contribution to history. One landmark victory that considerably raised the stature of AIM among American Indians was the occupation of Gordon, [[Nebraska]] in 1972, which eventually forced the authorities to bring murder charges against some people suspected of killing Lakota Raymond Yellow Thunder.

Coinciding with the Wounded Knee occupation was a state of civil war on Pine Ridge Lakota Reservation that pitted the government of Tribal Chairman Dick Wilson and his Guardians of the Oglala Naion (GOONs) paramilitary force against a coalition of American Indian Movement members and traditional Lakotas. The conflict lasted from 1972 to 1976 and eventually drew in Wilson's allies in the [[Bureau of Indian Affairs]] and the [[FBI]] under both the [[COINTELPRO]] and Operation Garden Plot programs. Wilson's election was highly disputed (he used violence to prevent voting) and eventually over 50 people were killed, mostly AIM and traditionalists but also two FBI agents who died in a shootout with the FBI. FBI Special Agents Jack Coler and Ron Williams were ambushed and killed execution-style. The ensuing case resulted in the trial and conviction of [[Leonard Peltier]]. During the trial, some attention had been focused on the unsolved murder of Anna Mae Pictou Aquash for her possible knowledge of the slayings of Agents Coler and Williams. Rumors circulated that Aquash cooperated with the government and was an FBI informant. The FBI maintains these rumors were untrue.<ref>[http://minneapolis.fbi.gov/pine_ridge.htm Accounting For Native American Deaths, Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, South Dakota,] Report of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Minneapolis Division, May 2000. Retrieved from www.fbi.gov, March 20, 2010.</ref> The coroner, Dr. W.O. Brown removed Aquash's hands and had them sent to an FBI lab in Washington for identification.<ref>[http://lists.econ.utah.edu/pipermail/rad-green/2003-April/007959.html ''Arrest in the '75 murder of Anna Mae Pictou-Aquash'',] By CARSON WALKER, [[Associated Press]]. Retrieved from the Rad-Green -- Radical anti-capitalist environmental discussion mailing list, March 20, 2010.</ref> Brown died shortly after performing the autopsy on Aquash, and was not deposed.

Less dramatically, AIM is also infamously known for its opposition to the use of American Indian characters and imagery in college and professional sports. AIM has also challenged [[Ward Churchill]]'s claims and accused him of being an FBI infiltrator of AIM under COINTELPRO. Less well known are its community powwows, its sponsorship of cultural events, and its crucial aid in the rebuilding of the Houma reservation in southern Louisiana following [[Hurricane Katrina]] in 2005.

AIM is strongest among the [[Lakota]], [[Ojibwa]], [[Navajo]], and other tribes of the Plains, North Woods, and Pacific Northwest that have assimilated badly if at all and retained many aspects of traditional culture. Conversely, it is weakest among the tribes removed to Oklahoma (in particular the unfortunately named "Five Civilized Tribes"), the Pueblos, and other tribes that have either acculturated or accommodated to being surrounded by whites. The organization devolved into local autonomous groups in the late 1970s but retains international cultural exchange and solidarity across the United States and Canada. It has also reached out and created ties to indigenous people of [[Latin America]].

==References==
{{reflist}}
*American Indian Movement
*Vine Deloria's ''Behind the Trail of Broken Treaties: An Indian Declaration of Independence''
*James Wilson's ''The Earth Shall Weep''
*Leonard Peltier's ''My Life is My Sun Dance''

[[Category:Movements]]
[[Category:New Left]]
[[Category:Communism]]
[[Category:Terrorist Organizations]]
[[Category:Misnomers]]

Army of God

2020-12-11T17:16:51Z

King Conservative:

The '''Army of [[God]]''' (AOG) is a pseudo-Christian organization based in the [[United States]] that uses everything in their power to stop abortion in the [[United States of America|USA]]. The group is almost universally condemned by [[Liberal]]s and [[Socialism|Socialists]], but also by most Christians due to their terroristic actions.

The first known action of the group came in 1982. Three men associated with the organization held Hector Zevallos, an [[Abortionist|abortion doctor]], and his wife, Rosalee Jean, [[hostage]]. They were later released unharmed. The AOG also claimed responsibility when Michael Bray and two accomplices planted [[bomb]]s at seven abortion clinics in [[Maryland]], [[Virginia]], and [[Washington D.C.]] in 1985.

The AOG claimed responsibility for [[Eric Robert Rudolph|Eric Robert Rudolph's]] 1997 nail bombing of abortion clinics in [[Atlanta]] and Birmingham as well as an Atlanta lesbian bar.

Clayton Wagner, claiming to act on behalf of the AOG, mailed over 500 letters containing white powder to 280 abortion providers in 2001. The letters claimed that the powder was [[anthrax]] however the substance tested negative for anthrax.

The group is also associated with a number of [[assassination]]s of abortion providers. Some of these assassins, such as [[Shelley Shannon]], claimed association with the AOG; in other cases, while the assassin expressed no affiliation with the group, the AOG has expressed sympathy and support for their acts.

The Army of God says it does not violate the [[Ten Commandments|sixth commandment]] which is "Thou shalt not murder." Their reasoning is that the [[Bible]] states that murder is punishable by [[capital punishment|death]] (Genesis 9), and abortion is murder, so killing abortionists is the just punishment for murder.

[[Category:Terrorist Organizations]]
[[Category:Anti-Semitism]]
[[Category:Misnomers]]

Army of God

2020-12-11T17:14:34Z

King Conservative:

Saddam Hussein

2020-11-23T21:13:05Z

King Conservative: /* References */

{{Dictator bio
| image =[[File:Saddam Hussein, 1998.jpg|250px]]
| name =Saddam Hussein
| birth =April 28, 1937 Al-Awja, Iraq
| parents =Hussein 'Abid al-Majid Subha Tulfah al-Mussallat
| religion =Islam (Sunni)
| education =Cairo Law School, Egypt 1962-65 (dropped out) University of Baghdad (law degree, 1971)
| spouse =Sajida Talfah
| children =Uday Saddam Hussein al-Tikriti Qusay Saddam Hussein al-Tikriti Raghad Saddam Rana Saddam Hala Saddam
| death =December 30, 2006 Kadhimiya, Iraq
| deathmanner =Executed by hanging
| burial =Al-Awja, Iraq
| country =[[Iraq]]
| military =n/a
| rank =n/a
| polbeliefs =Ba'athist
| party =[[Ba'ath Party]]
| dictatordate =July 22, 1979
| war =[[Iran-Iraq War]] [[Invasion of Kuwait]] [[Persian Gulf War]] [[Iraq War]]
| deathnumber =1,000,000+
}}
'''Saddam Hussein Abd al-Majid al-Tikriti''' (most often referred to as simply Saddam Hussein) (April 28, 1937 – December 30, 2006) was the [[Sunni]] President of [[Iraq]] from July 16, 1979<ref>http://usgovinfo.about.com/library/weekly/aasaddambio.htm</ref> to December 14, 2003.<ref>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3317429.stm</ref> Hussein was a Socialist, following other modern [[Socialist]] movements and the [[Nasser]] model. He brought change and [[secularization]] to an otherwise faith-based and religiously guided society, and even appointed Tariq Aziz, a member of the [[Assyrians]], as Deputy prime minister from 1983-2003. To the consternation of Islamic conservatives, his government gave women freedoms and offered them high-level government and industry jobs. Hussein also created a Western-style legal system, making Iraq the only country in the Persian Gulf region not ruled according to traditional Islamic law (Sharia). Hussein abolished the Sharia law courts, except for personal injury claims.

==Iran-Iraq War==
During the 1980s, during the [[Iran-Iraq War]], the [[United States of America|United States]] considered Hussein to be a friend and assisted him with loans<ref>http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB82/</ref> up until the time of the [[Iranian initiative]] under [[President Ronald Reagan]] when U.S. policy shifted. Fearing the threat to Iraq's neighbors, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Israel, and the Gulf States if a militarized Iraq under Hussein emerged from the war intact, the U.S. through intermediaries began selling [[TOW missile]]s to Iran in what has come to be known as the [[Iran/Contra affair]], to break the deadlock and tip the balance in favor Iran.

He was one of the few modern leaders who used [[weapons of mass destruction]], specifically [[chemical weapon]]s, in war; and was the instigator of at least two wars: the [[Iran-Iraq War]] during the 1980s and Iraq's August, 1990, invasion of Kuwait.

On March the 16th 1988 Hussein used Sulfur mustard, [[Sarin]] and [[VX]] to kill his own [[Kurdistan|kurdish]] citizens, though the US Army War College said that it was greatly exaggerated. <ref>http://www.whatreallyhappened.com/WRHARTICLES/helms.html</ref><ref>https://www.jstor.org/stable/40276361?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents</ref>

On January 18, 1991 Hussein ordered to fire scud missiles at the [[Israel]]i cities [[Tel Aviv]] and [[Haifa]] at 0300 local time, when most people were asleep. Nobody was killed and a few people were injured.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/january/18/newsid_4588000/4588486.stm 1991: Iraqi Scud missiles hit Israel]. ''BBC''. Retrieved August 30, 2018.</ref> In addition, around that time, Saddam Hussein had started moving his chemical weapons stockpiles outside the country to both Jordan and Syria, in an attempt at doing a two-wave chemical weapon attack against Israel.<ref name="Leftist Myth Busted: Saddam Moved WMD from Iraq to Syria">https://theblacksphere.net/2017/04/leftist-myth-busted-saddam-moved-wmd-from-iraq-to-syria/</ref>

==War on Terror==
In 2003 a "[[coalition of the willing]]" invaded Iraq to force a change of regime from Hussein's [[Ba'athist]] party to a constitutional liberal democracy. A further aim was to break the alliance between [[al Qaeda]] and Hussein, though this link has never been proven.<ref>https://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/003/033jgqyi.asp</ref>

Egyptian President [[Hosni Mubarek]] and Libyan [[Socialist]] General Secretary [[Muammar Gaddafi]] in negotiations with Hussein relayed a message through Italian Prime Minister [[Silvio Berlusconi]] and Spanish President [[Jose Maria Aznar]] to UK Prime Minister [[Tony Blair]] and US President [[George W. Bush]] that Hussein feared assassination and would be willing to avoid removal by force and voluntarily go into exile, provided Hussein was allowed to take $1 billion and "all the information he wants about [[weapons of mass destruction]]".<ref>[https://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2007/09/saddam_risked_his_life_for_wmd_1.asp Saddam Risked His Life for WMD Secrets], ''WeeklyStandard.com. Spetember 29, 2007.</ref><ref>[http://www.mediainfo.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003646639 Scoop for Spanish Daily: Transcript of Private 2003 Bush Talk Promising Iraq Invasion], ''Editor & Publisher'', September 26, 2007.</ref><ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/26/AR2007092602414.html Report Says Hussein Was Open To Exile Before 2003 Invasion], He Is Said to Have Sought $1 Billion and Information on Arms, By Karen DeYoung and Michael Abramowitz, ''[[Washington Post]], September 27, 2007; Page A17.</ref><ref>[http://www.elpais.com/articulo/espana/Llego/momento/deshacerse/Sadam/elpepunac/20070926elpepinac_1/Tes Llegó el momento de deshacerse de Sadam], ''El Pais'', 26/09/2007. (In Spanish).</ref> However, because he had already moved the stockpiles outside Iraq since 1991 up to a year beforehand (with his using the bursting of the Orontes River in Syria during that time as an excuse to move them via modified 747 and 727 planes to quickly transport them, with some Russian aid), the coalition forces could not find any evidence of WMDs, which caused liberals to falsely claim that Bush lied about the transfer.<ref name="Leftist Myth Busted: Saddam Moved WMD from Iraq to Syria" />

==Trial and Execution==
[[Image:Saddam6.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Saddam Hussein after his capture, December 2003]]
Captured by U.S. forces on December 13, 2003, Hussein was brought to trial under the Iraqi interim government set up by U.S.-led forces. On November 5, 2006, a tribunal found him and 6 other co-defendants guilty of charges related to the executions of 148 Iraqi Shi'ites suspected of planning an assassination attempt against him. He was consequently sentenced to death by hanging. Following the sentence being affirmed on appeal, he was executed on December 30, 2006.

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hussein, Saddam}}
[[Category:Iraq]]
[[Category:War Criminals]]
[[Category:Terrorists]]
[[Category:Middle East]]
[[Category:Dictators]]

Rosa Luxemburg

2020-11-23T20:59:34Z

King Conservative:

[[File:Rosa Luxemburg.jpg|thumb|Rosa Luxemburg]]
'''Rosa Luxemburg''' was a [[Polish]]-born [[Communist]] [[terrorist]] who was one of the founders of the [[Germany|German]] Communist Party. At first Luxemburg was a supporter of the [[SPD]] but later she become more extremist roots and founded together with [[Karl Liebknecht]] the organization ''[[The Internationale]]'' and the Communist Party of Germany. Luxemburg supported the [[October Revolution]] and dissolution of parliament by [[Lenin]]. She was killed in Germany on January 15, 1919. She was also an ethnic Jew.
{{communism}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Luxemburg, Rosa}}

[[Category:Terrorists]]
[[Category:Communists]]
[[Category:German People]]
[[Category:Jewish People]]

Vladimir Lenin

2020-11-23T20:58:18Z

King Conservative: /* Primary sources */

[[Image:Khvhkgfiy.jpg|right|thumb|Vladimir Lenin]]
'''Vladimir Lenin''' (born Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov <ref>"Vladimir Ilyich Lenin" (Russian: Владимир Ильич Улянов, Ленин) was the pseudonym he used after 1900 to disguise his identity.</ref>) (April 22, 1870 – January 21, 1924) was the leader of Russian [[Communism]] and an important theoretician of [[Marxism]]. Coming to power in 1917, he became dictator of the [[Soviet Union]]. All over the Soviet Union and even to some extent some Western countries, there were statues and paintings honoring his memory; some were removed when Communism collapsed in 1991. Lenin repudiated and tried to stop his successor [[Joseph Stalin]], who was an even worse tyrant.

==Early life==
Lenin was born on April 22, 1870 (first [[Earth Day]] was established on what would have been his 100th birthday) to a middle-class Russian family; his parents Ilya Ulyanov and Maria Ulyanova were school teachers. In 1889, he became a [[Marxist]] after his older brother Aleksandr was hanged for the attempted murder of Tsar Aleksandr III. Lenin obtained a law degree shortly afterward, and hints at his more callous nature, including his intention of using starvations to foster his Marxist agenda, started showing itself by 1891 during the Volga famine. Acting as a high ranking member of the socialist intelligentsia at that time, he was the one voice who opposed supplying any relief aid to them, even going as far as to ruin the Samara charity committee in the process, citing that starving the peasantry would bring death to the old peasant economy and hasten their goal of Marxist revolution, or as he put it, "one shouldn’t improve [the peasants'] lives, but instead let them become bestial and unleash monstrous violence."<ref>https://canadafreepress.com/article/vladimir-lenin-russias-original-cold-blooded-communist-revolutionary</ref><ref>https://www.rferl.org/amp/lenin-at-150-even-without-covid-19-russia-was-set-to-snub-the-soviet-union-s-founder/30568383.html?fbclid=IwAR2s0upNQ-WaEeeXyJBcVF3mL1InW2ynJmOoqg7PkC7Y9OzPSL2X5bXaMDY</ref> By 1895, Lenin was a [[subversion (political)|subversive]] who was arrested and sent to a prison in [[Siberia]] as punishment. He was in exile 1900-1917, during which time he married Nadezhda Krupskaya. He collaborated with Georgy Plekhanov and others to set up the clandestine newspaper ''Iskra'' (The Spark), designed to "ignite" radical consciousness. In the pages of ''Iskra'', Lenin denounced any alliance with liberals or other elements of the bourgeoisie because they would keep power in the hands of the middle class. He emphasized social democracy—equality of condition, rather than political democracy, as the basis for individual freedom. His major theoretical publication was the pamphlet "What Is to Be Done?" (1902). In 1903 he organized and controlled the '''"Bolshevik"''' wing of the Russian Social Democratic Labor party, fighting the opposition "Mensheviks." Lenin, like his populist predecessors in the Russian radical movement, stressed the need for a small elite vanguard to lead the revolution

Despite the disapproval of the Mensheviks, Lenin's followers continued to raise money through a mixture of bank robberies, kidnapping, extortion, terrorism, and murder. Unlike the leaders of other Marxist organizations, Lenin did not spend the money on his own lifestyle and carefully strengthened his movement.

With German help, he returned to Russia after the [[Tsar]] abdicated in March 1917 and a short-lived liberal democracy allowed for free elections. At the time, most Bolsheviks were more interested in using the ballot box to gain political power. Lenin rejected elections, and declared, "History will not forgive us if we do not take power now." In addition, he did attempt to use the ballot box later on, although the Bolsheviks ended up losing in a landslide, causing him to take over via a coup.

==Revolution==
In 1917 Lenin opposed Russia's continued participation in World War I and advocated proceeding directly to a socialist revolution, bypassing bourgeois rule. He rejected cooperation with the Provisional Government and drove some old Bolsheviks out of the party, while co-opting many younger, more radical members. [[Joseph Stalin]], [[Grigori Zinoviev]], and others rallied to Lenin's side during the elections to the party's Central Committee during the 7th Party Conference in April 1917 and became the new leadership. The Bolsheviks were allowed free expression of disagreements until a decision by the Central Committee was reached, and then no opposition or disagreement was permitted. Lenin now ruled the Bolsheviks from his base in Petrograd (St. Petersburg).

In October 1917, Lenin masterminded a [[coup d'état]] which overthrew the [[Provisional Government]] which had replaced the [[Russian Empire]]. In what historian [[Simon Sebag Montefiore]] has described as a comedy of errors, the Winter Palace was shelled and the Provisional Cabinet was placed under arrest by a mixture of Red Guards and radical sailors from the Kronstadt Naval Base.
==Dictator==
Lenin ruled the [[Soviet Union]] under Marxism–Leninism, until 1922, when he had a debilitating stroke and retired.

{{Cquote|A wide campaign of "education" was undertaken to show the people why "workers' rule" meant, in practice, [[Nomenklatura|managers]]' rule. Where necessary, the education by the word was supplemented with education by [[firing squad]] or [[concentration camp]] or forced labour battalion.<ref>James Burnham, ''The Managerial Revolution'', (1940).</ref> }}

In 1918 Lenin ordered to kill all prostitutes.<ref>http://marxists.org/archive/lenin/works/1918/aug/09gff.htm</ref> One of his more infamous orders was the 1918 Hanging Order where he ordered the Cheka in Penza to find and publicly hang at least 100 kulaks, and derogatorily referred to them as "bloodsuckers".<ref>Translation of 'hanging order' by Robert Service, p. 365, ''Lenin a Biography'' (2000). London: Macmillan </ref>

==Mass murderer==
{{Main|Atheism and Mass Murder}}

Like Stalin and Mao, and despite his more positive reputation among Leftists, Lenin also wished to exterminate the peasant class, even orchestrating famines to do so, in order to force his will on Socialism. This also proves that Communism, despite the PR, never cared at all for the poor.<ref name="Russia's Original Cold-Blooded Communist Revolutionary">http://canadafreepress.com/article/vladimir-lenin-russias-original-cold-blooded-communist-revolutionary</ref>

The [[Russian Civil War]] was fought between the [[Bolshevik]] lead [[Red Army]] and the [[White Army]], which had many factions. As both sides committed gross atrocities, the White Army had only a small one wanted to restore the [[monarchy]].

==Death==
Lenin, a workaholic who avoided vacations and downtime, died in 1924 following a series of progressively more serious strokes. [[Joseph Stalin]] was his even more brutal successor.
==Interpretations==
===Lenin on revolution===
Before 1917, Lenin thought that revolution was more likely to break out in Russia than in any other country on the continent, and he expected the outbreak of other revolutions in Europe, or at least in Central Europe, after the Russian Revolution. During the Civil War, he considered a short period of War Communism as an extension of the revolutionary situation from which a direct path might open toward socialism. However, after the failure of War Communism he returned to his earlier viewpoint, that is, to the necessity of a transition period. This was reflected in the New Economic Policy (NEP) - which meant a transition including both private enterprise and a market economy. Stalin deemed the transition favored by Lenin to be too dangerous, because it carried with it the threat of a defeat and an eventual restoration of capitalism. In addition, Lenin advocated perpetual civil war to eliminate all "class enemies", with this being in effect with brief pauses until 1953. He also wrote that "Revolutions are the locomotive of history…Revolutions are the holiday of the oppressed and exploited."<ref name="Russia's Original Cold-Blooded Communist Revolutionary" />

===Dictatorship of the proletariat===
see also [[Dictatorship of the proletariat]]
Lenin saw the Marxist concept of the "Dictatorship of the proletariat" in terms of a dictatorship exercised not by a democratically chosen majority but by a [[Revolutionary Vanguard|vanguard minority revolutionary party]], ruthlessly controlled by a few leaders like himself. He eventually accepted the need for a state bureaucracy, and his more extreme opposition to the bourgeoisie led him to favor their exclusion and disenfranchisement to the benefit of the urban working class.

==Leninism as a religion==
Lenin's utopian design of a revolutionary community of virtuosi was a typical political religion of an intelligentsia longing for an inner-worldly salvation, a socialist paradise without exploitation and alienation, to be implanted in the backward Russian society at the outskirts of the industrialized and modernized Western Europe. The Russian Revolution of October 1917 accomplished the institutionalization of a political religion combining a political and sacral monopoly of power and belief. Consequently, the Leninist policy of social extermination of political opponents, ideological rivals, and stigmatized social classes became a sacral obligation to be fulfilled by the new ideological orthodoxy. The beginning iconography of a Leninist sacral tradition praised Lenin as a messianic and numinous leader. This process of iconographic work in progress culminated after Lenin's death in the sacral Lenin cult. The Lenin mausoleum served as the monumental centerpiece of sacral rites and practices to be enacted by the Stalinist orthodoxy. Joseph Stalin's invention of a sacral tradition of Marxism–Leninism qualified him as the only true disciple of Lenin. Therefore, Stalin claimed the monopoly of the infallible interpretation of the holy scriptures, summarized in his own dogmatic performances. In this sense, Stalin's Leninism became itself the religion of the Soviet state.<ref>Klaus-Georg Riegel, "Marxism-Leninism as a Political Religion," ''Totalitarian Movements and Political Religions'' 2005 6(1): 97-126 in [[EBSCO]]</ref>

==Identity Politics==

Lenin turned Russia into autonomous republics so not one ethnic group will have too much power; Communist theory denies the existence of race but the adherents flip flop to favor one group over another. [[Rules for Radicals]] by [[Saul Alinsky]], whose disciples include Democrats like [[Hillary Clinton]] and [[Barack Obama]], borrowed his approach to identity politics. The first Ukrainians were Carpathian Russians in [[Austria-Hungary]] who denounced [[Orthodox Christianity]] for [[Roman Catholicism]] in 1893, and then when the Ukrainian People's Republic gained independence after the first Russian Revolution in 1917, he retook the country the next year and expanded it's territory, making it an artificial state in the style of the [[EU]].<ref>https://russophile.org/is-ukraine-an-artificial-state-popular-youtuber-says-yes/</ref><ref>https://orientalreview.org/2017/08/21/ukraines-misunderstanding-lenin-helps-explain-americas-fight-re-invented-historical-statues/</ref><ref>https://russian-faith.com/persecution/struggle-russian-christian-faith-europe-carpatho-russians-n1122</ref><ref>https://www.sott.net/article/391652-The-history-of-Ukraine-as-an-artificial-state</ref> As a consequence, Ukraine became a second [[Yugoslavia]].<ref>https://orientalreview.org/2014/09/15/eight-reasons-why-ukraine-is-new-yugoslavia/</ref> In 1948, the CIA report NSC 20/1, section 4: “US objectives with respect to Russia” warned that separating Ukraine from Russia will not work.<ref>http://www.sakva.ru/Nick/NSC_20_1.html</ref> When splitting the Transcaucasian republics in 1922, he gave the [[Armenian]] territory of [[Nagorno-Karabakh]] to [[Azerbaijan]]. In addition, Lenin and his Bolshevik followers created Central Asian republics, some of which never existed before, like [[Kazakhstan]], gave them many Russian lands that did not belong to them, like Orenburg and other territories populated by Ural Cossacks and provided for building their infrastructure, hospitals, schools etc., by those in the Russian workforce, with Russians being qualified specialists.

==Image and memory==
After his death in 1924, Stalin portrayed Lenin as an infallible humanitarian; his writings were viewed as gospel. Museums were devoted to his life and work, cities were named for him, and huge statues and monuments honored his memory. Beginning in 1985, however, the Lenin cult began to crumble. Party chairman [[Mikhail Gorbachev]] was a faithful disciple of Lenin, but he now faced the reality that the economically bankrupt Communist state was rapidly decaying. As the Communist nation unraveled, so did the Lenin personality cult. Leningrad residents voted to restore the St. Petersburg name; the once-crowded museums attracted few visitors; and Lenin's philosophy and actions were found less than perfect. In 1991 as Communism fell, the statues and paintings went into cold storage. By 1995 plans were being made to bury Lenin's corpse, which was finally acknowledged to be putrefying just as the remains of any other mortal, as the cult itself fell into "the dustbin of history."<ref>Trevor J. Smith, "The Collapse of the Lenin Personality Cult in Soviet Russia, 1985-1995," ''Historian'' 1998 60(2): 325-343, in [[EBSCO]]</ref>

==Legacy==
His transformation of Russia into the Soviet Union ultimately led to Communism being exported throughout most of the world, and leading to well over tens of millions of death. In addition, there is evidence to suggest the anti-cop violence during the 2010s often encouraged by [[Barack Obama]] were derived from similar rhetoric by Lenin.<ref>http://dianawest.net/Home/tabid/36/EntryId/3365/Lenin-Crush-Smash-the-Police.aspx</ref><ref>[http://www.marx.be/sites/default/files/documents/EN/texts/sr_and_sq.PDF The State and Revolution] by Vladimir Lenin "...at a certain stage in the development of democracy, it first welds together the class that wages a revolutionary struggle against capitalism -- the proletariat -- and enables it to crush, smash to smithereens, wipe off the face of the earth the bourgeois, even the republican-bourgeois, state machine -- the standing army, the police and the bureaucracy -- and to substitute for it a more democratic state machine, but a state machine nevertheless, in the shape of the armed masses of workers who develop into a militia in which the entire population takes part."</ref><ref>[https://www.marxists.org/archive/lenin/works/1901/witbd/iii.htm What Is To Be Done?] by Vladimir Lenin "...the Social-Democrat’s [Communist's] ideal should not be the trade union secretary, but the tribune of the people, who is able to react to every manifestation of tyranny and oppression, no matter where it appears, no matter what stratum or class of the people it affects; who is able to generalise all these manifestations and produce a single picture of police violence and capitalist exploitation; who is able to take advantage of every event, however small, in order to set forth before all his socialist convictions and his democratic demands, in order to clarify for all and everyone the world-historic significance of the struggle for the emancipation of the proletariat."</ref>

== Quotes from Lenin ==
* "We must be ready to employ trickery, deceit, law-breaking, withholding and concealing truth... We can and must write in a language which sows among the masses hate, revulsion, and scorn toward those who disagree with us."

* "The press should be not only a collective propagandist and a collective agitator, but also a collective organizer of the masses."

* "The best revolutionary is youth devoid of [[moral]]s."

* "A lie told often enough becomes the truth."

* "The goal of [[socialism]] is [[communism]]."

* "There are no morals in [[politics]] there is only expedience. A scoundrel may be of use to us just because he is a scoundrel."

* "Give us the child for 8 years and it will be a [[Bolshevik]] forever." (see [[Public school values]] and [[Professor values]])

* "Our program necessarily includes the propaganda of [[atheism]]."

* "It matters not if 90% of the Russian people perish so long as 10% bring about a world revolution."<ref>http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,717663,00.html</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Karl Marx]]
* [[Joseph Stalin]]
* [[Dictatorship]]
** [[List of dictators]]
** [[Dictatorship of the proletariat]]
** [[List of Communist States]]
** [[Death toll of communism]]
* [[Cult of personality]]
* [[Single-party state]]
* [[Mobocracy]], [[Social Effects of the Theory of Evolution]], [[Anti-Semitism]], [[Communist Racism]], [[Genocide]], [[Holocaust]]
* [[Nazi Party|National Socialist German Workers' Party]] (Nazi Party)
* [[National Socialism]] - the Nazis were elitist [[Police state]] [[liberals]] not [[conservative]]s
* [[Big government]] [[Welfare state]] leads to [[Nanny state]], leads to [[Police state]]: [[Globalist]]-[[Statist]]-[[Socialist]]-[[Communist]]
* [[Liberal totalitarianism]]
** [[Leninthink]] - a specific subset of liberal totalitarianism coined by its founder Vladimir Lenin.

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=35em}}

==Further reading==
===Biography===
* Clark, Ronald W. ''Lenin'' (1988). 570 pp.
* Service, Robert. ''Lenin: A Biography'' (2002), 561pp; standard scholarly biography; a short version of his 3 vol detailed biography
* Volkogonov, Dmitri. ''Lenin: Life and Legacy'' (1994). 600 pp.
===Specialized scholarly studies===
* Anderson, Kevin. ''Lenin, Hegel, and Western Marxism: A Critical Study'' (1995) 311 pp.
* Copleston, Frederick Charles. ''Philosophy in Russia: From Herzen to Lenin and Berdyaev'' (1986). 445pp. by a conservative
* Debo, Richard K. ''Survival and Consolidation: The Foreign Policy of Soviet Russia, 1918-1921'' (1992).
* Marples, David R. ''Lenin's Revolution: Russia, 1917-1921'' (2000) 156pp. short survey
* Pipes, Richard. ''A Concise History of the Russian Revolution'' (1996) [https://www.amazon.com/Concise-History-Russian-Revolution/dp/0679745440/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1232393501&sr=8-1 excerpt and text search], by a leading conservative
* Pipes, Richard. ''Communism: A History'' (2003), by a leading conservative
* Pipes, Richard. ''Russia under the Bolshevik Regime.'' (1994). 608 pp.
* Pomper, Philip. ''Lenin, Trotsky, and Stalin: The Intelligentsia and Power.'' (1990). 446 pp.
* Schapiro, Leonard and Reddaway, Peter, eds. ''Lenin: The Man, the Theorist, the Leader - a Reappraisal'' (1987). 317 pp.
* White, James D. ''Lenin: The Practice and Theory of Revolution'' (2001) 262pp.

===Primary sources===
* Desai, Meghnad, ed. ''Lenin's Economic Writings.'' (1989). 363 pp.
* Pipes, Richard, ed. ''The Unknown Lenin: From the Secret Archive.'' (1996). 185 pp.

{{Communism}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lenin, Vladimir}}
[[Category:Russian History]]
[[Category:Soviet Union]]
[[Category:Dictators]]
[[Category:Communism]]
[[Category:Socialism]]
[[Category:Mass Murderers]]
[[Category:Communists]]
[[Category:Soviet Leaders]]
[[Category:Communist Leaders]]
[[Category:Communist Revolutionaries]]
[[Category:Atheists]]
[[Category:Globalists]]
[[Category:Anarchists]]
[[Category:Homosexual Agenda]]
[[Category:Jewish People]]
[[Category:Terrorists]]

Fidel Castro

2020-11-23T20:57:07Z

King Conservative: /* External links */

{{Dictator bio
| image =[[File:young_castro_2.jpg|200px]]
| name =Fidel Castro
| birth =August 13, 1926 Birán, Oriente Province, [[Cuba]]
| parents =Angel Castro y Argiz Lina Ruz González (out of wedlock)
| religion =Atheist
| education =University of Havana
| spouse =Mirta Diaz-Balart (1948–1955)
Dalia Soto del Valle (1980–present)
| children =
| death = Possibly July 2006 Cuba (Disclosed death date: November 25, 2016)
| deathmanner = illness
| burial =
| country =Cuba
| military =26th of July Movement (guerrilla organization)
| rank =n/a
| polbeliefs =[[Socialism]] [[Communism]]
| party =[[Communist Party of Cuba]]
| dictatordate =July, 1959
| war =[[Cuban Revolution]] [[Angola]]n Civil War War in [[Mozambique]] [[Ethiopia]]n Guerilla War Cuban Missile Crisis [[Congo]] Crisis [[El Salvador]]an Guerilla War [[Nicaragua]]n Civil War
| deathnumber =1,500,000 at home 500-100,000 in Angola
}}
'''Fidel Castro''' (August 13, 1926 – c. July 2006) was the brutal [[atheistic]] [[Communist]] [[dictator]] of [[Cuba]] from 1959 to 2006. '''''He was not seen and heard publicly since July 2006, when he underwent surgery for a "sharp intestinal crisis with sustained bleeding" in a Communist hospital.'''''<ref name="pbs.org">https://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/latin_america/july-dec06/castro_08-01.html</ref> Engaging in [[liberal denial]], [[Communism|Communists]] in Cuba release grainy images of an apparently old man along with absurd quotes of Castro like this claim, "I don’t even remember what a headache feels like."<ref>http://indonesiakatakami.wordpress.com/2012/10/22/fidel-castro-publishes-article-criticizing-health-rumors/</ref> On hot Cuban days a stand-in wearing heavy make-up and a scarf to conceal his young neck meets with foreign dignitaries, but Obama refuses to be humiliated by this Communist hoax by meeting with him. Rather than wait until [[Donald Trump]] was in power to expose the [[Communist]] lie, Cuba timed its announcement of Castro's death for the slowest news moment of the year: late Friday night after [[Thanksgiving Day]], reminiscent of the release of hostages by [[Iran]] just before [[Ronald Reagan]] became president.

With American [[globalist]]s helping bring him to and stay in power,<ref name="CastroGlobalists"/> Fidel Castro held the posts of [[Prime Minister|prime minister]] (1959–1976) and president of the Council of State and president of the Council of Ministers (1976–2006).<ref>https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/cu.html#Govt</ref> His oppressive rule lasted almost 50 years and killed scores of thousands. He had not been seen publicly since July 2006, when he underwent intestinal surgery, and was presumably no longer alive as of December 2009; the Communists running Cuba had no incentive to risk challenge to their power by announcing that he passed away.<ref>''[https://www.cbsnews.com/2100-215_162-1859015.html State Secret: Is Castro Dead?]'', Brian Goodman, ''CBS News'', September 22, 2009.</ref> After a long absence from the public eye, he was purportedly shown in photographs in June 2010, released by the Cuban State News Agency. In August 2010, the Associated Press had a story of a purported Castro speech to the Cuban parliament.<ref>https://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/08/06/cuba-state-tv-fidel-castro-attend-parliament-meeting-time-years-1415326051/?test=latestnews</ref> ''The fact remains there hadn't been a reputable, independent account of Castro being alive in nearly a year.'' Other authoritarian regimes, such as [[North Korea]] and [[Nazi Germany]] have also engaged in "body-doubles" and actor/impersonators to hide the death or incapacitation of despots in the past.<ref>[http://www.mahalo.com/kim-jong-il-body-doubles Kim Jong Il Body Doubles]</ref><ref>[http://www.blackraiser.com/nredoubt/identity.htm Hitler body-double]</ref> In April 2011, Castro allegedly stepped down as head of the Cuban Communist Party, but it has not been confirmed that this was not a ruse.<ref>http://www.catholic.org/international/international_story.php?id=41125</ref>

{{cquote|'''I think its time we ask ourselves if we still know the freedoms that were intended for us by the Founding Fathers. Not too long ago two friends of mine were talking to a Cuban refugee, a business man who had escaped from Castro. And in the midst of one of his stories, my friends turned to the other and said, ‘we don’t know how lucky ''we'' are.’ ''And the Cuban stopped and said, ‘How lucky YOU are, I had some place to escape to.’'' In that sentence he told us the entire story of Cuba, and Castro. -- [[Ronald Reagan]] <ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXBswFfh6AY "A Time for Choosing" by Ronald Reagan]</ref>}}

== Early years of Castro ==
There is much that is not known of Castro's rural youth. However, it is generally conceded that his father was [[Ángel María Bautista Castro y Argiz]] and his mother [[Lina Ruz González]]. Official biographies are essentially hagiographies and the more extreme of his many detractors portray a wild and irregular life typical of the worst elements of his class. Castro has numerous siblings of various combination of parentage; for instance, it is widely believed that Raul Castro has the same mother but is not a son of Fidel Castro's father. The most accepted biography is that of Geyer 2002 <ref>Geyer, Georgie Anne 2002 Guerrilla Prince. Andrews McMeel Publishing Kansas City ISBN 0740720643</ref> while a new series biographies by Norberto Fuentes (2004, and later),<ref>Fuentes, Norberto 2004 La Autobiografia De Fidel Castro Editorial Planeta, Mexico D.F ISBN 8423336042, ISBN 9707490012</ref> a former propagandist for the Cuban Government, are attracting attention.

During his student years Fidel Castro was deeply involved in lethal violence.<ref>Ros, Enrique 2003 Fidel Castro y El Gatillo Alegre: Sus A~nos Universitarios (Coleccion Cuba y Sus Jueces) Ediciones Universal Miami ISBN 1593880065</ref> This violence also extended overseas to his involvement in the 1948 Colombian Bogotazo.<ref>Bowden, Mark 2002 Killing Pablo: The Hunt for the World's Greatest Outlaw. Penguin ISBN-10 0142000957
ISBN-13 978-014200095 e,g Page 4: "... But the event had also attracted critics, leftist agitators, among them a young Cuban student leader named Fidel Castro. To them the fledgling OAS was a sop, a sellout, an alliance with the gringo imperialists of the north. … The young rebels like the twenty-one year old Castro anticipated a decade of revolution ..." Page 7: "... cities. Many policemen, devotees of the slain leader, joined the angry mobs in the streets, as did student revolutionaries like Castro. The leftists donned red armbands and tried to direct the crowd, ..." State Departments reports by William Wieland mention Rafael del Pino but oddly omit mention of Fidel Castro</ref>
<ref>Davis, Jack Posted May 08, 2007 (accessed 6-2-08) The Bogotazo, CIA Archives https://www.cia.gov/library/center-for-the-study-of-intelligence/kent-csi/docs/v13i4a07p_0004.htm
Central Intelligence Agency Posted May 08 2007 (accessed 6-2-08) https://www.cia.gov/library/center-for-the-study-of-intelligence/kent-csi/docs/v13i4a07p_0004.htm page 4 "There were many foreign radicals in Bogota at the time, to advertise their causes in the publicity extended to the Conference of American States. Fidel Castro, then 22 years old, happened to be one of them. Thorough investigations indicate that he played only a minor role. Castro subsequently reported that he tried to turn the mob into a revolutionary force, but was defeated by the onset of drunkenness and looting. The episode may have influenced his adoption in Cuba in the 1950s of a guerrilla strategy rather than one of revolution through urban disorders."</ref>
Castro was trained as a lawyer studying at the University of Havana. In 1953 he led the first of many assaults against the ruling military regime of general [[Fulgencio Batista]]. A 1953 attack against military barracks in Santiago de Cuba was a failure,<ref>de la Cova, Antonio Rafael. 2007 The Moncada Attack: Birth of the Cuban Revolution.. University of South Carolina Press ISBN 1570036721 ISBN 978-1570036729
</ref> and Castro, alongside his brother Raul, was captured they, unlike a number of his companions, were spared irregular execution by intervention of Roman Catholic Church members. In a courtroom speech in his defense (heavily edited in published form, and titled "La Historia me absolverá", or "History will absolve me"), Castro outlined his plans for reforms, demanding a return to the 1940 constitution, the ending of corrupt practices and a more equal distribution of land. There was no formal death penalty in Cuba at the time. After three years of incarceration on the Isle of Youth (then Isle of Pines), both Castro brothers were released during an amnesty.

Upon release, the Castro brothers relocated to [[Mexico]] to avoid imminent reprisals from paramilitary groups affiliated with the Batista regime, lead by former Communist and longtime rival of Castro [[Roland Masferrer]].<ref>Masferrer, Marc, 2006 Rolando Masferrer, the man from Holguín http://marcmasferrer.typepad.com/uncommon_sense/2006/10/rolando_masferr.html and also http://www.cuban-exile.com/menu2/2rolando.html</ref> In [[Mexico]] Castro organized a group of revolutionaries to return to Cuba and overthrow Batista. They became known as the 26th of July movement. This group included the Argentinian [[Che Guevara]]. In December 1956 Castro and 81 others boarded the Granma yacht, sailed to eastern Cuba, and began the armed struggle against the current regime.

The landing was preceded in Santiago and the rest of Oriente Province by an armed rising of the 26 of July urban Militia, a non-Communist organization, lead by [[Frank Pais]].<ref>Alvarez, Jose 2008 Principio y Fin del Mito Fidelista. Trafford Publishing, Victoria, BC Canada ISBN-10 1425154042
ISBN 978-1425154042 https://www.amazon.com/Principio-fin-del-mito-fidelista/dp/1425154042
This is the most up to date description of the crucial role that the non-Communist militia of Frank Pais played in the "War Against Batista." Without Frank Pais there would not have been a "Fidel Castro." This book describes in detail and with dispassionate analysis how Frank Pais supported the Castro effort and how he was betrayed, and killed. It is a sad and only too real description of the hijacking of the resistance against Batista by Communist activists including Castro himself.</ref> In the mountains the guidance of the bandit [[Cresencio Perez]], and a few Communist [[sleepers]] who had been placed in the Sierra for some time under the direction of stalinist agent [[Fabio Grobart]] was important. Some local [[guajiros]] in the remote Sierra Maestra region joined in to became the nucleus of the critical scouting and picketing force of [[Escopeteros]] who screened the better armed Castro main force. The support and guidance from revolutionary groups in the cities of Santiago, [[Havana]], elsewhere in Cuba and overseas was critical. The support of the U.S. State Department, mediated by [[William Weiland]] (aka Guillermo Arturo Montenegro) was significant from the time of the Bogotazo, through the [[Bay of Pigs]].<ref>Smith, Earl E.T. 1962 (last accessed 9-29-07) The Fourth Floor: An Account of the Castro Communist Revolution Random House ASIN: B000H5CT5M</ref>

By 1958, military attacks against Batista's army were having some success<ref>Bonachea, Ramon L and Marta San Martin 1974. The Cuban insurrection 1952-1959. Transaction Publishers, New Brunswick, New Jersey ISBN 0878555765</ref> with some news reports engineered by [[The New York Times]] with the help of reporter [[Herbert Matthews]], and the revolution was gaining national support. Castro maintained a position of diplomatic neutrality among various revolutionary factions, which included upper and middle-class liberals, guajiros, and agricultural workers, communists and others, and hence was able to assume the position of director of the revolution. He was also largely successful in courting international support via astute and careful use of the media. Officials within the CIA and the United States government were divided over whether to support Castro. Some believed that Batista had become a liability, and that his overthrow was inevitable. Other officials feared the influence of known Communists in Castro's camp including Guevara, though Castro himself repeatedly claimed that he himself was "not a Communist".

The revolution finally succeeded in late 1958, and on January 1, 1959, Batista left the country. Castro had chosen exiled leaders Manuel Urrutia Lleó and José Miró Cardona, both anti-Communist liberals with good relations with the U.S., to head the new government. Castro himself became head of the new armed forces. However, the increasing presence of Communists in the decision-making process created an early split in the government. Castro and Urrutia both insisted publicly that they had relations with each other, but Urrutia and Miró resigned only months later, and Castro, with support from mass organizations, assumed the position of prime minister. Osvaldo Dorticós Torrado, a former Commodore of the Cienfuegos Yacht Club became president and head of state. [[Globalist]]s in the U.S. State Department sympathetic toward Marxism and influenced by the [[Council on Foreign Relations]] contributed to Castro's rise to power.<ref name="CastroGlobalists">De Varona, Frank; Newman, Alex (June 7, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/culture/history/item/29204-us-globalists-put-castro-in-power-and-kept-him-there U.S. Globalists Put Castro in Power and Kept Him There]. ''The New American''. Retrieved June 7, 2018.</ref>

==In Power==
The process of obtaining permanent power was dramatic, traumatic and bloody. From 1959 on, mass killings of dissidents were carried out as a matter of course by the infamous "''firing squads.''" Immediately after the Communist take-over, some 2,500 army officers were rounded up and shot dead.<ref name="capitalismmagazine.com">http://www.capitalismmagazine.com/world/cuba/4455-the-real-che-guevara.html</ref> [[Che Guevara]] reportedly stayed up late into the night signing death warrants for defenseless "reactionaries." Tens of thousands were sent to concentration camps.<ref>Frank Calzon, Castro’s Gulag (Council for Inter-American Security, 1979).</ref> Desperate crowds of weeping daughters and shrieking mothers were clubbed with rifle butts as they pleaded for their family members to be spared. One of Castro's exiled opponents describes it this way:

''"The Castro regime came to power by deception and terror, resulting in what can only be described as a state of war against the Cuban people. Executions, labor camps, forced re-locations and exile, and the imposition of a repressive military police force to exercise control over civilian society."''<ref>"Ziva" 6-8-08 Human Rights Advocacy and the Role of the Media. Babalublog http://www.babalublog.com/</ref>

As prime minister, and then president from 1976, Castro ruled the country in line with Stalinist policies, seizing [[private property]] and eliminating [[free speech]] and [[free press]]. He was infamous for his overly long speeches, often rambling on for hours, which can be seen as an example of [[Liberal style]].

Castro, who had been in regular contact with the KGB since 1956 and who used Soviet arms during his guerrilla war, welcomed the presence of Soviet nuclear weapons in Cuba to deter an American attack. This decision precipitated the Cuban Missile Crisis, a major confrontation in the Cold War that nearly resulted in the cataclysmic death of millions. According to Guevara: "If the [Soviet nuclear] rockets had remained, we would have used them all and directed them against the very heart of the United States, including New York."<ref>UPI, December 10, 1962.</ref> Nikita Khrushchev wrote
that, according to Castro, "we needed to immediately deliver a nuclear missile strike against the United States… a proposal that placed the planet on the brink of extinction."<ref>James G. Blight et al., Cuba on the Brink: Castro, the Missile Crisis, and the Soviet Collapse (Rowman & Littlefield, 2002), pp29.</ref> Fidel Castro admitted: "I would have agreed to the use of nuclear weapons."<ref>Ibid, pp. 252</ref> On October 26, 1962, the USS Beale had tracked and dropped signaling depth charges (the size of hand grenades) on the B-59, a Soviet Project 641 (NATO designation Foxtrot) submarine which, unknown to the U.S., was armed with a 15 kiloton nuclear torpedo. Running out of air, the Soviet submarine was surrounded by American warships and desperately needed to surface. Captain Valentin Savitsky ordered his crew to prepare the use of a nuclear torpedo against the Americans, but crew member Vasili Arkhipov stepped in and quite literally saved the world.

In the aftermath of the crisis, the United States maintained a strict embargo on Cuba. As a result, Castro sought close ties with anti-American Communist states, and became dependent on aid from Moscow. He supplied massive amounts of military aid to [[North Korea]] and especially to [[North Vietnam]], where Cuban forces allegedly helped torture American POWs during the [[Vietnam War]].

Ever eager to make trouble, Castro dispatched Che to assist the Chinese-and Soviet-backed "Simbas" of Laurent Kabila in the [[Congo]], who were "murdering, raping and munching (many were cannibals) their way through the defenseless Europeans still left in the recently abandoned Belgian colony."<ref name="capitalismmagazine.com"/> The [[CIA]] fought a proxy war with Communist forces in the Congo, which descended into a complex maze of chaotic maneuverings and betrayals by several major world powers.

Castro, all the while hypocritically maintaining an "anti-imperialist" political posture, would intervene extensively in the internal affairs of African nations through violence and war. Cuban military intervention to save the Communist MPLA dictatorship in [[Angola]] from collapse led to decades of civil war that cost as many as 1 million lives.<ref>Médecins Sans Frontières, "Angola: An Alarming Nutritional Situation," August 1999</ref> Castro also dispatched Cuban troops to fight on behalf of the Communist dictatorship in [[Ethiopia]], which killed 1.25 million people through massacre and forced starvation.<ref>Washington Post, March 18, 1978 (Ethiopia intervention); New York Times, December 14, 1994 (Ethiopia death toll).</ref>

Soviet and Cuban support for Communist violence caused civil wars in [[Nicaragua]], [[El Salvador]], [[Honduras]] and [[Guatemala]].<ref>Alberto R. Coll, “Soviet Arms and Central American Turmoil,” World Affairs, Summer 1985.</ref> Support from the Cuban government was also given to terrorists from the [[PLO]].<ref>[http://www.cubanet.org/CNews/y02/apr02/15e6.htm Castro's Anti-Semitism and the PLO]</ref>

Castro has repeatedly ordered acts of war against the United States. Beyond the missile crisis, Castro maintains a huge electronic espionage complex directed at U.S. shores, conducts research into biological warfare and sponsors international terrorist groups.<ref>http://www.capitalismmagazine.com/world/cuba/2802-starve-the-castro-regime-help-the-cuban-people</ref> Cuban intelligence had ties with the Communist [[Lee Harvey Oswald]], who later assassinated President [[John F. Kennedy]].<ref>htmlhttp://archive.frontpagemag.com/readArticle.aspx?ARTID=28091</ref> In the seventies, Castro deliberately sent dozens of dangerous criminals to US shores;<ref>https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/castro/peopleevents/e_exiles.html</ref> he responded to overtures from President [[Bill Clinton]] by ordering a deadly attack on an American plane.<ref>http://www.democracynow.org/2004/6/22/bill_clinton_loses_his_cool_in</ref>

On February 23, 1988, the Cuban poet Armando Valladares, who was a prisoner in the Cuban gulag for 22 years, addressed the [[United Nations]] Commission on Human Rights. In his speech, he stated:

<blockquote>
I recall when they kept me in a punishment cell, naked, with several fractures on one leg which never received medical care; today, those bones remain jammed up together and displaced. One of the regular drills among the guards was to stand on the steel mesh ceiling and throw at my face buckets full of urine and excrement.

Mr. Chairman, I know the taste of the urine and the excrement of other men: That practice does not leave marks; marks are left by beatings with steel rods and by bayonet thrusts. My head is still covered with scars and you can feel the cracks.

But, what can inflict more damage to human dignity, the urine and excrements thrown all over your face or a bayonet's blow? Which is the appropriate article for the discussion of this subject? Under which technical point does it fall? Under what batch of papers, numbers, lines and bars should we include this trampling of human dignity?

The violation of human rights was not a matter of reports, of negotiated resolutions, of elegant and diplomatic rhetoric, for us it was a daily suffering.

For me it meant eight thousand days of hunger, of systematic beatings, of hard labor, of solitary confinement, of cells with steel-planked windows and doors, of solitude.

Eight thousand days of struggling to prove that I was a human being. Eight thousand days of proving that my spirit could triumph over exhaustion and pain. Eight thousand days of testing my religious convictions, my faith, of fighting the hate my atheist jailers were trying to instill in me with each bayonet thrust, fighting so that hate would not flourish in my heart. Eight thousand days of struggling so that I would not become like them, rejecting torture as a mean to fight, forcing myself to forgive, rejecting the thoughts of revenge, reprisal and cruelty.<ref>http://www.capitalismmagazine.com/world/cuba/625-torture-in-castro-s-cuba.html</ref>
</blockquote>

Castro's policies imposed poverty and slavery on millions.<ref>Nick Eberstadt, The Poverty of Communism (Transaction Publishers, 1990), pp188, 196-206, 240-6.</ref> In 1959, Cuba was the second richest country in Latin America; today, it is the second poorest.<ref>http://www.capitalismmagazine.com/world/cuba/5404-castro-s-cuba-at-fifty-no-freedom-no-fish.html</ref> Most pharmacies in Cuba do not even have aspirins.<ref>http://www.capitalismmagazine.com/world/cuba/4402-aid-from-self-serving-autocrats.html</ref> Cuba is plagued with a humanitarian catastrophe involving massive and widespread malnutrition and lack of basic goods; death, suffering, and misery is the result.<ref>http://www.capitalismmagazine.com/world/cuba/2538-bad-cuban-medicine.html</ref> The streets are now choked with scenes of starving peasants frantically pleading for food.<ref>Ibid.</ref> In September 2010, Castro admitted that "the Cuban model doesn't even work."<ref>https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2010/09/fidel</ref>

Castro has been accused of genocide by ''Genocide Watch.''<ref>http://www.genocidewatch.org/</ref> He has been sued for genocide in [[Belgium]] and [[Spain]].<ref>http://www2.fiu.edu/~fcf/castrosuedgenocide.html</ref>

The estimated number of deaths attributable to the Castro regime varies according to different sources—but not by much. The number of named, documented victims (with 2 or more sources) established by recent scholarship is 86,000, excluding an estimated minimum<ref>http://www.cubaverdad.net/genocide.htm</ref> of 16,282 deaths in war and combat, for a conservative total of 112,000.<ref>http://cubaarchive.org/home/</ref> R.J. Rummel, in his book ''Statistics of Democide'' estimates a range of 35-141,000 killed, which may underestimate the full toll by as much as 50%, since it only covers the years 1959-87.<ref>http://www.hawaii.edu/powerkills/POSTWWII.HTM</ref> The most comprehensive survey, by Armando Lago, puts the total at 116,730-119,730 killed.<ref>http://users.erols.com/mwhite28/warstat6.htm#Cuba59</ref> The majority (85,000) of these deaths were caused by drowning; the firing squads account for some 30,000. Adding combat deaths to his calculations, we arrive at a total of some 136,000 Cubans killed by the Castro regime. Little effort has been made to calculate boat people deaths in recent years. Cuban exiles claim that as many as 200,000 have been murdered altogether.<ref>http://www.therealcuba.com/</ref> The death toll from Cuban interventions abroad can be numbered in the hundreds of thousands.

==Death and purported sightings==
In August 2006, health problems led to the appointment of his younger brother, Raul, as temporarily president and head of the Communist Party in Cuba. Political analysts believe that the appointment marks the beginning of a transition designed to maintain Communist control over Cuba after Castro's death.<ref>The Washington Post, [https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/01/AR2006080100647.html For Castro, a First Step In Calculated Transition]</ref> Castro's surgery was scheduled to repair a "sharp intestinal crisis with sustained bleeding."<ref name="pbs.org"/>

Bonded by their hate for the United States and capitalism, Castro and [[Venezuela]]n dictator [[Hugo Chavez]] created a close relationship. Both socialist countries have worked together on various political ventures.<ref>https://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,166355,00.html</ref>

On May 1, 2007, Castro did not attend Cuba's annual celebration of May Day, leading many to believe that he had died. While Castro allegedly met with Brazilian President [[Lula da Silva|Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva]] on February 25, 2010,<ref>http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ghGthxqnYMWcICCnEkjH5ayqPamQD9E356IO1</ref> there is no independent confirmation that this was not, in fact, a body-double.

On February 18, 2006, Communist Cuba publicly recognized that Fidel Castro was no longer President of the State Council and Commander in Chief.<ref>http://www.granma.cubaweb.cu/2008/02/19/nacional/artic10.html</ref> He was succeeded by his brother, [[Raul Castro]].

In September 2011, it was claimed that a Venezuelan reporter had interviewed Castro,<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/americas/cubas-fidel-castro-breaks-long-silence-in-interview-with-venezuelan-television/2011/09/08/gIQA08FSCK_story.html]</ref> but independent media have not confirmed that this was not actually a doppelganger standing in for the long-deceased Castro.

In February 2012 the mainstream media claimed that Castro met with Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff. Predictably there have been no reports from the liberal media as to whether this was actually Castro or a lookalike.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/01/us-cuba-brazil-idUSTRE8100B620120201 Brazil's Rousseff meets with Fidel Castro in Cuba]</ref>

In February 2013, Castro allegedly<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3jqbsLvqXY</ref> addressed Cuba's National Assembly, giving support for younger leadership in Cuba.<ref>http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=114511:fidel-castro-backs-move-for-younger-leadership-in-cuba&catid=76:world&Itemid=560</ref> The National Assembly went on to re-elect Castro's 82-year-old brother Raul.

On November 25, 2016, Cuba finally confirmed what the rest of the world suspected for over a decade and announced the death of Castro, although the cause of death was not immediately disclosed.<ref>[https://www.wnd.com/2016/11/fidel-castro-is-dead-at-90/?cat_orig=world Fidel Castro is dead at 90] at [[WorldNetDaily.com]]</ref> Exiled Cubans and Cuban-Americans celebrated the news of the revelation of Castro's death upon hearing about it.<ref>[https://www.wnd.com/2016/11/libertad-cuban-exiles-celebrate-castro-death-in-miami/?cat_orig=us Libertad! Cuban exiles celebrate Castro death in Miami] at WorldNetDaily.com</ref> Ironically, given his long-lived fight against Capitalism, his announced death occurred on [[Black Friday]].

Numerous [[leftists]], including [[Canada|Canadian]] prime minister [[Justin Trudeau]],<ref>Wootson, Cleve R., Jr. (November 26, 2016). [https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/11/26/trudeau-called-castro-a-remarkable-leader-twitter-imagined-what-he-would-say-about-stalin/?tid=pm_world_pop Trudeau called Castro a ‘remarkable leader.’ Twitter imagined what he would say about Stalin.] ''The Washington Post''. Retrieved November 28, 2016.</ref> [[Green Party]] presidential nominee [[Jill Stein]],<ref>Lott, Jeremy (November 26, 2016). [https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/jill-stein-praises-fidel-castro-a-symbol-of-the-struggle-for-justice/article/2608223 Jill Stein praises Fidel Castro: 'A symbol of the struggle for justice']. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved November 28, 2016.</ref> [[Sierra Club]] president Aaron Mair,<ref>Richardson, Valerie (November 28, 2016). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/nov/28/aaron-mair-sierra-club-president-fidel-castro-had-/ Sierra Club president: Fidel Castro had ‘more honor’ than Donald Trump]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved November 28, 2016.</ref> and [[Jesse Jackson]],<ref name="O'ReillyNov.29.2016">[https://www.billoreilly.com/show?action=viewTVShow&showID=4323#3 The O'Reilly Factor - Monday, November 28, 2016]. ''billoreilly.com''. Retrieved November 29, 2016.</ref> issued positive or semi-positive statements in response to the death of a man who killed thousands of people and left an extremely poor third-world country.<ref name="O'ReillyNov.29.2016"/> On the other hand, [[Republican Party|Republican]] president-elect [[Donald Trump]] gave very strong statements against the dictator, calling him a "brutal dictator" and saying that "Fidel Castro's legacy is one of firing squads, theft, unimaginable suffering, poverty and the denial of fundamental human rights".<ref>Wootson, Cleve R., Jr. (November 26, 2016). [https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/11/26/here-is-donald-trumps-reaction-to-fidel-castros-death/ How Donald Trump responded to the death of Fidel Castro, ‘a brutal dictator’]. ''The Washington Post''. Retrieved November 28, 2016.</ref><ref>Jackson, David (November 26, 2016). [https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/onpolitics/2016/11/26/donald-trump-reacts-fidel-castros-death/94469240/ Trump condemns Castro as 'brutal dictator']. ''USA Today''. Retrieved November 28, 2016.</ref><ref>Scott, Eugine (November 26, 2016). [https://www.cnn.com/2016/11/26/politics/trump-reacts-to-castro-death/ Donald Trump: Fidel Castro is dead!]. ''CNN''. Retrieved November 28, 2016.</ref>

[[Ben Shapiro]] wrote:

* What were Castro's great achievements? He presided over the economic destruction of one of the most quickly developing countries in Latin America; he arrested and imprisoned hundreds of thousands of dissidents; he caused the self-imposed exile of millions of Cubans; he watched and participated in the drowning of thousands of Cubans attempting to escape his prison island; he worked with mass murderer Che Guevara to murder political opponents. Castro was, simply put, one of the worst people in a century full of awful human beings.<ref>[https://townhall.com/columnists/benshapiro/2016/11/30/why-does-the-left-go-easy-on-dictators-n2252347 Why Does the Left Go Easy on Dictators?] - Ben Shapiro</ref>

===Continued persecution===
Even after Castro's death, people still faced serious persecution if they criticized the dictator, as in the example of a Christian leader who was arrested in March 2017 and sentenced to three years in prison, a few months after his young children were arrested.<ref>Martel, Frances (March 22, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2017/03/22/cuba-christian-leader-receives-3-year-prison-sentence-for-anti-castro-comments/ Cuba: Christian Leader Receives 3-Year Prison Sentence for Anti-Castro Comments]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved March 23, 2017.</ref>

==See also==
* [[Mystery:Did a Fake Fidel Castro Meet the Pope?]]
* [[Bay of Pigs]]
* [[Dictatorship]]
** [[Dictator]]
** [[List of dictators]]
** [[Friendly dictator]]
** [[Dictatorship of the proletariat]]
** [[List of Communist States]]
** [[List of Socialist States]]
** [[Death toll of communism]]
* [[Cult of personality]]
* [[Single-party state]]
* [[Big government]]
* [[Liberal totalitarianism]]

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{{Reflist|colwidth=35em}}

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==External links==
* [http://cubawatcher.blogspot.com/ Cuba Watcher]
* [http://www.castrodeathwatch.com/ Castro Death Watch]
* [https://www.foxnews.com/topics/politics/president-fidel-castro.htm Fidel Castro - breaking news]
* [http://17503.spreadshirt.com/junior-s-cap-sleeve-t-shirt-A1429312/customize/color/1 I bought this t-shirt before Castro died]

{{Communism}}
{{liberalism}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Castro, Fidel}}
[[Category:Communism]]
[[Category:Dictators]]
[[Category:Cuba]]
[[Category:Mass Murderers]]
[[Category:Communist Revolutionaries]]
[[Category:Liberals]]
[[Category:Police State]]
[[Category:Welfare State]]
[[Category:Anti Second Amendment]]
[[Category:Terrorists]]

Mao Zedong

2020-11-23T20:56:30Z

King Conservative: /* Further reading */

{{Dictator bio
| image =[[Image:Ncvjgfu.jpg|200px]]
| name =Mao Zedong
| birth =December 26, 1893 Shaoshan, Xiangtan, Hunan, China
| parents =Mao Jen-sheng Wen Chi-mei
| religion =[[Confucianism]] (rejected) [[Buddhism]] (rejected) [[Atheism]]
| education =Hunan Normal School Peking University
| spouse =Luo Yixiu (married 1907-1910) Yang Kaihui (married 1921-1927) He Zizhen (married 1928-1939) Jiang Qing: (married 1939-1976)
| children =Mao Anying (from Yang) Mao Anqing (from Yang) Li Min (from He) Li Na (from Jiang)
| death =September 9, 1976 Beijing, China
| deathmanner =Complications after heart attack
| burial =Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, Beijing, China
| country =[[People's Republic of China]]
| military =[[People's Liberation Army]]
| rank =Grand Marshal
| polbeliefs =Communism Maoism [[Mao Zedong Thought]]
| party =[[Communist Party of China]]
| dictatordate =October 1, 1949
| war =[[Chinese Civil War]] [[Great Leap Forward]] [[Cultural Revolution]]
| deathnumber =Great Leap Forward (low estimate 8,000,000, Deng Xiaoping claimed 16,000,000; Mao: The Unknown Story claimed 38,000,000)
Cultural Revolution (low estimate is 20,000,000; Mao: The Unknown Story claimed 35,000,000)
}}
{{language box
|c=毛泽东
|p=Máo Zédōng
|w=Mao Tse-tung
}}
'''Mao Zedong''' (December 26, 1893 – September 9, 1976), also known as '''Mao Tse-tung''', was the leader of Chinese Communism and a ruthless [[Atheism|atheist]] dictator after he came to power in 1949. While not the founder, he was an early member of the [[Chinese Communist Party]] in 1921. In 1935, Mao was elected to the Executive Committee of the [[Comintern]] in Moscow and remained on this committee until it was publicly disbanded in 1943. Mao is regarded as perhaps the most prolific [[mass murder]]er in human history, not even counting the inummerable unborn female fetuses whom he [[abortion|callously slaughtered]].<ref>[http://www.hawaii.edu/powerkills/20TH.HTM "20th Century Democide"]. ''hawaii.edu''. Retrieved on 20 October 2015.</ref>

==Soviet national liberation movement==
[[Edgar Snow]], an admirer of the Chinese communists, introduced Mao and [[Zhou Enlai]] to American readers in 1937 in his book, ''Red Star Over China'', shortly after the [[Chinese Red Army]]'s rout by [[Chiang Kai-shek]] in 1934 and their year long retreat to [[Yenan]] known as the [[Long March]]. Snow wrote, "The political ideology, tactical line and theoretical leadership of the Chinese Communists have been under the close guidance, if not positive detailed direction, of the [[Communist International]], which during the last decade has become virtually a bureau of the Russian Communist Party." And he further declared that the CCP had to subordinate itself to the "strategic requirements of [[Soviet Russia]], under the leadership of [[Stalin]]."<ref>''Red Star Over China'' by Edgar Snow, New York, 1937.</ref> In 1957, in ominous foreshadowing of his true callous nature, Mao Zedong boasted in his "American Imperialism is a Paper Tiger" speech regarding the prospect of China entering [[nuclear war]] that:

{{Quotebox|"I’m not afraid of nuclear war. There are 2.7 billion people in the world; it doesn’t matter if some are killed. China has a population of 600 million; even if half of them are killed, there are still 300 million people left. I’m not afraid of anyone."<ref>https://www.theepochtimes.com/maos-nuclear-mass-extinction-speech-aired-on-chinese-tv_4758.html</ref>}}

Mao defeated [[Chiang Kai-shek]]'s Nationalists, taking control of the Chinese mainland and establishing the so-called [[People's Republic of China]].

==Three Years of Disasters==
As the leader of China, Mao initiated the [[Great Leap Forward]], an economic plan intended to rapidly industrialize China's then largely rural economy. This led to an unprecedented famine. [[Deng Xiaoping]] claimed the death toll to be 16 million, while the lowest estimate is 8 million <ref>Mao: The Real Story by Alexander P. Pantsov with Steven I. Levine, pg. 472</ref> One cause was his 'Four Pests' campaign, which listed [[rats]], [[flies]], [[mosquitoes]], and sparrows. Because killing the sparrows encouraged insects to take out more crops, ornithologist Tso-hsin Cheng asked him to stop.

==Cult of personality==
''The East Is Red'' is a song that was the de facto anthem of the People's Republic of China during the Cultural Revolution in the 1960s.
{{quotebox|The East is Red, the sun is rising.
From China, appears Mao Zedong.
He strives for the people's happiness,
Hurrah, he is the people's great saviour!

Chairman Mao loves the people,
He is our guide
to building a [[New China]]
Hurrah, lead us forward!

The Communist Party is like the sun,
Wherever it shines, it is bright
Wherever the Communist Party is
Hurrah, the people are liberated!}}

==Cultural Revolution==
From 1966 to 1976, Mao instigated the [[Cultural Revolution]], in which those disloyal to the Chairman were killed or humiliated in order to solidify Mao's control. The low estimate for the death toll is 20 million.

==Mass Murder==
Estimates vary for the death toll of Mao's regime, as the low estimate for the Great Leap Forward is 8 million though Deng Xiaoping claimed 16 million, as the low estimate for the Cultural Revolution is 20 million.

According to ''[[The Washington Post]]'' (7/14/94):
{{Quotebox|While most scholars are reluctant to estimate a total number of "unnatural deaths" in China under Mao, evidence shows he was in some way responsible for at least 40 million deaths and perhaps 80 million or more. This includes deaths he was directly responsible for and deaths resulting from disastrous policies he refused to change.}}
{{Quotebox|One government document that has been internally circulated and seen by a former Communist Party official now at Princeton University says that 80 million died unnatural deaths – most of them in the famine following the Great Leap Forward. This figure comes from the Tigaisuo, or the System Reform Institute, which was led by Zhao Ziyang, the deposed Communist Party chief, in the 1980s to study how to reform Chinese society.}}
{{quotebox|In comparison, [[Hitler]] is blamed for 12 million concentration camp deaths and at least 30 million other deaths associated with World War II, while Stalin is believed responsible for between 30 million and 40 million “unnatural deaths,” including millions from a famine he created.}}
[[File:Maoist Anita Dunn.jpg|thumbnail|200px|left|[[Obama]] [[White House]] Communications Director and [[Joe Biden 2020 presidential campaign]] manager [[Anita Dunn]] was a great admirer of Chairman Mao and was deeply inspired by [[Maoist Thought]].<ref>https://legalinsurrection.com/2019/04/back-to-the-future-biden-hires-anita-dunn-former-obama-adviser-who-praised-mao/</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qDsrfy-Zvg Video of Obama Communications Director Claiming Mao One of Her Favorite Political Philosophers'] Video, YouTube. Retrieved October 29, 2009.</ref> ]]
The article also added:
{{quotebox|Sources of new information on the famine indicate it was more widespread than long believed and could have been avoided.}}
{{quotebox|— An article appearing last year in the Shanghai University journal Society stated that at least 40 million died from 1959 to 1961. Previous estimates have ranged from 10 million to 30 million. The article noted a mistake in government population statistics for 1960 that led to an underestimation of "unnatural deaths." Authorities later banned this issue of the journal and withdrew it from circulation.}}
{{quotebox|— In another study, National Defense University professor Cong Jin estimated that 40 million died between 1959 and 1961.}}
{{quotebox|— Chen Yizi of Princeton University’s Center for Modern China did research for years in China, first as a student and then as a government official, and determined that 43 million had died in the famine, a figure recently matched by a report from a think tank in Shanghai. According to Chen, this made the total number of Chinese who died as a result of Mao’s policies 80 million.<ref>[http://www.paulbogdanor.com/left/china/deaths1.html "Uncounted Millions"]. ''paulbogdanor.com''. Retrieved on 20 October 2015.</ref>}}
Chairman Mao bluntly said,
{{quotebox|“What can Emperor [[Qin Shi Huang]] brag about? He only killed 460 [[Confucius|Confucian]] scholars, but we killed 46,000 intellectuals. There are people who accuse us of practicing dictatorship like Emperor Qin Shi Huang, and we admit to it all. It fits the reality. It is a pity that they did not give us enough credit, so we need to add to it.”<ref>http://www.ninecommentaries.com/english-3</ref>}}
This confirms the accuracy of democide analyst R.J. Rummel's research on China, who was citing the book ''Mao: The Unknown Story'' by Jung Chung and Jon Halliday. Taking every available estimate of Chinese democide by category and time period; averaging them out and adding them together; repeating the process several times; doing the same with other Communist states and comparing the results; Rummel estimated 77,000,000 Chinese were killed by Mao Tse-Tung, assuming 38 million famine-dead from 1959–61.<ref>[http://www.hawaii.edu/powerkills/20TH.HTM "20th Century Democide"]. ''hawaii.edu''. Retrieved on 20 October 2015.</ref> Mao was responsible for more deaths than [[Joseph Stalin|Stalin]], [[Adolf Hitler|Hitler]], [[Pol Pot]], [[Nicolae Ceausescu|Ceausescu]], and [[Tito]] ''combined''. Despite this massive body count, Mao remains an icon for certain segments of the far-left. For example, his likeness and books are often seen at [[Occupy Wall Street]] events.
[[Image:Little red book.jpg|right|thumb|During the so-called [[Cultural Revolution|"Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution"]], it was required for every Chinese citizen to own, read, and carry at all times ''Quotations from Chairman Mao'', also known as "the little red book".]]

==Little Red Book==
Mao is the author of ''[[Quotations from Chairman Mao]],'' published in 1966, informally known as "the little red book." During his lifetime, almost everyone in the [[People's Republic of China]] was expected to have a copy. One of his most well known statements was that "political power grows out of the barrel of a gun".

==Legacy==
In their book ''Mao: The Unknown Story'', authors Jung Chang and Jon Halliday state that in his first five years of power, 700,000 were claimed by Mao to be dead, but another 700,000 died in local excesses and 700,000 committed suicide out of fear of Mao. During the Great Leap Forward, Mao deliberately killed peasants by shipping food to the USSR and Eastern Europe in exchange for aid in building arms plants. As well, Mao's plans for peasants to make steel and build canals meant that in 1959-60 nobody grew any food. Thus, the worst famine in history occurred. Huge numbers were killed by puppets of Mao in the Cultural Revolution, which actually was launched to get rid of Mao's rivals in the Chinese Communist Party.

Despite killing far more people than Stalin and Hitler combined, Mao Zedong has often been held in high-regard by various leftists, with French Existential philosopher [[Jean-Paul Sartre]] claiming his revolution was "profoundly moral", and French feminist [[Simone de Beauvoir]] claiming that his actions were little different from [[Franklin Delano Roosevelt]]'s policies in an approving tone.<ref>https://www.christianpost.com/news/chairman-mao-s-reign-of-terror-151-finally-the-truth-comes-out-6475/</ref> Infamously, his image has even been used, similar to another leftist icon [[Che Guevara]], in various merchandising, including a restaurant in Hollywood called "Mao's Kitchen." Kai Chen, a Chinese basketball player who fled China, has stated that the promotion of Mao was tasteless, stating it's like someone deciding to open a restaurant called [[Adolf Hitler|Hitler's Kitchen]].<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPl9Go3hHDI</ref>

== Mao Zedong and Traditional Chinese medicine ==

''See also:'' [[Atheism and medicine]] and [[Atheism and health]]
The efficacy of Chinese herbal medicine is poorly researched and supported.<ref>Shang, A.; Huwiler, K.; Nartey, L.; Jüni, P.; Egger, M. (2007). "Placebo-controlled trials of Chinese herbal medicine and conventional medicine comparative study". International Journal of Epidemiology. 36 (5): 1086–92. doi:10.1093/ije/dym119. PMID 17602184.</ref>

Mao Zedong revived and heavily promoted [[Traditional Chinese medicine]] (TCM) in China. He didn't believe in it himself, but pushed it as a cheap alternative to real medicine.<ref>[https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevensalzberg/2018/10/01/who-endorses-tcm-expect-deaths-to-rise/#1f0c61f16418 WHO Endorses Traditional Chinese Medicine. Expect Deaths To Rise] by Steven Salzberg, Forbes magazine</ref>

China has been aggressively promoting TCM on the international stage both for expanding its global influence and for profit.<ref>[https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevensalzberg/2018/10/01/who-endorses-tcm-expect-deaths-to-rise/#1f0c61f16418 WHO Endorses Traditional Chinese Medicine. Expect Deaths To Rise] by Steven Salzberg, Forbes magazine</ref>

==Quotes==
*"If we were to add up all the landlords, rich peasants, counterrevolutionaries, bad elements and rightists, their number would reach thirty million... Of our total population of six hundred million people, these thirty million are only one out of twenty. So what is there to be afraid of? ... We have so many people. We can afford to lose a few. What difference does it make?"<ref>Li Zhisui, The Private Life of Chairman Mao [Random House, 1994], p. 217.</ref>
*"You’d better have less conscience. Some of our comrades have too much mercy, not enough brutality, which means that they are not so Marxist. On this matter, we indeed have no conscience! Marxism is that brutal.”<ref>Jung Chang and Jon Halliday, Mao: The Unknown Story [Jonathan Cape, 2005], p. 411.</ref>

==See also==
* [[Darwin-Stalin connection]]
* [[List of dictators]]
* [[Friendly dictator]]
* [[Dictatorship of the proletariat]]
* [[List of Communist States]]
* [[List of Socialist States]]
* [[Death toll of communism]]
* [[Far Left]]
* [[Cult of personality]]
*[[Long march through the institutions]]
* [[Mobocracy]], [[Social Effects of the Theory of Evolution]]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==Further reading==
* Chang, Jung and Jon Halliday. ''Mao: The Unknown Story,'' (2005), 814 pages, ISBN 0-679-42271-4
* Clark, Paul. ''The Chinese Cultural Revolution: A History'' (2008), a favorable look at artistic production [https://www.amazon.com/Chinese-Cultural-Revolution-History/dp/0521875153/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1214281188&sr=8-1 excerpt and text search]
* Dietrich, Craig. ''People's China: A Brief History,'' 3d ed. (1997), 398pp [https://www.amazon.com/Peoples-China-History-Craig-Dietrich/dp/0195106288/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1197238522&sr=8-2 excerpt and text search]
* Esherick, Joseph W.; Pickowicz, Paul G.; and Walder, Andrew G., eds. ''The Chinese Cultural Revolution as History.'' (2006). 382 pp. [https://www.amazon.com/Cultural-Revolution-Shorenstein-Asia-Pacific-Research/dp/0804753504/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1197221379&sr=1-1 excerpt and text search]
* Fairbank, John King and Goldman, Merle. ''China: A New History.'' (2nd ed. 2006). 640 pp. [https://www.amazon.com/China-New-History-Second-Enlarged/dp/0674018281/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1197346975&sr=8-1 excerpt and text search]
* Hsü, Immanuel Chung-yueh. ''The Rise of Modern China,'' 6th ed. (1999), highly detailed coverage of 1644–1999, in 1136pp. [https://www.amazon.com/Rise-Modern-China-Immanuel-Hsu/dp/0195125045/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1197238178&sr=8-1 excerpt and text search]
* Jian, Guo; Song, Yongyi; and Zhou, Yuan. ''Historical Dictionary of the Chinese Cultural Revolution.'' (2006). 433 pp.
* MacFarquhar, Roderick and Fairbank, John K., eds. ''The Cambridge History of China. Vol. 15: The People's Republic, Part 2: Revolutions within the Chinese Revolution, 1966-1982.'' (1992). 1108 pp.
* MacFarquhar, Roderick and Michael Schoenhals. ''Mao's Last Revolution.'' (2006).
* MacFarquhar, Roderick. ''The Origins of the Cultural Revolution. Vol. 3: The Coming of the Cataclysm, 1961-1966.'' (1998). 733 pp.
* Meisner, Maurice. ''Mao's China and After: A History of the People’s Republic,'' 3rd ed. (1999), dense book with theoretical and political science approach. [https://www.amazon.com/Maos-China-After-History-Republic/dp/0684856352/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1197238473&sr=8-1 excerpt and text search]
* Schoppa, R. Keith. ''The Columbia Guide to Modern Chinese History.'' Columbia U. Press, 2000. 356 pp. [http://www.questia.com/library/book/the-columbia-guide-to-modern-chinese-history-by-r-keith-schoppa.jsp online edition from [[Questia]]]
* Spence, Jonathan D. ''The Search for Modern China'' (1991), 876pp; well written survey from 1644 to 1980s [https://www.amazon.com/Search-Modern-China-Jonathan-Spence/dp/0393307808/ref=pd_sim_b_title_2 excerpt and text search]; [http://www.questia.com/read/98946348 complete edition online at [[Questia]]]
* Spence, Jonatham. ''Mao Zedong'' (1999) [https://www.amazon.com/Mao-Zedong-Penguin-Life-Lives/dp/0670886696/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1200477500&sr=1-1 excerpt and text search]
* Shuyun, Sun. ''The Long March: The True History of Communist China's Founding Myth'' (2007)
* Taylor, Jay. ''The Generalissimo: Chiang Kai-Shek and the Struggle for Modern China'' (2009), 722 pp. highly favorable scholarly biography of Mao's great enemy
* Wang, Ke-wen, ed. ''Modern China: An Encyclopedia of History, Culture, and Nationalism.'' (1998). 442 pp.
* Xia, Yafeng. "The Study of Cold War International History in China: A Review of the Last Twenty Years," ''Journal of Cold War Studies''10#1 Winter 2008, pp. 81–115 in [[Project Muse]]
* Yan, Jiaqi and Gao, Gao. ''Turbulent Decade: A History of the Cultural Revolution.'' (1996). 736 pp.
* [http://orpheus.ucsd.edu/chinesehistory/pgp/index.html Studies of Modern Chinese History: Reviews and Historiographical Essays]

{{Communism}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mao Zedong}}
[[Category:Atheists]]
[[Category:Chinese Politics]]
[[Category:Chinese History]]
[[Category:Communists]]
[[Category:Mass Murderers]]
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[[Category:Marxism]]
[[Category:Dictators]]
[[Category:People's Republic of China]]
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Leon Trotsky

2020-11-23T20:55:59Z

King Conservative: /* External links */

[[Image:Trockiy2.jpg|right|thumb|Leon Trotsky]]

'''Leon Trotsky''' ([[Russian language|Russian]]: Лeв Давидович Трóцкий), born '''Lev Davidovich Bronstein''' (Russian: Лeв Давидович Бронштéйн) (1879-1940), pronounced (traht'-skee) was a leader with [[Vladimir Lenin]] in the [[Bolshevik]] ([[Communist]]) [[October Revolution]] in Russia in 1917. A charismatic orator, systematic organizer and brilliant theorist, Trotsky was primarily an intellectual whose writings greatly influenced leftist movements worldwide. An energetic organizer, he was one of only seven original members at the creation of the [[Politburo]] in 1917 and the planning of the successful Petrograd uprising in November 1917. Trotsky also arranged for the [[Treaty of Brest-Litvosk]], founded the [[Red Army]], and played the central role in winning the civil war (1918–20).

Trotsky made many blunders and exaggerations, including losing his nerve when Germany invaded Russia in 1918; taking the credit due the generals for the Red victory in the civil war; claiming to be the father of the New Economic Policy of the 1920s; claiming to be on good terms with Lenin in the 1920s; displaying profound naivety in dealing with Stalin in 1924; and his [[wishful thinking]] that Stalinism was on the verge of collapse in the 1930s. But an overly sympathetic view ranks him as the second greatest scapegoat in all of world history.<ref>https://historycollection.com/18-times-in-history-that-a-scapegoat-was-blamed-and-people-fell-for-it/17/</ref>

"Death came early to him," explains his leading biographer, "because he fought for a cause that was more destructive than he ever imagined."<ref>Service (2009)</ref>

==Career==
Trotsky was the son of a prosperous and reportedly non-religious Jewish farmer in the [[Ukraine]]. Well-educated and rebellious, he became a professional revolutionary as a teenager. He was arrested in 1898 and was later exiled to Siberia, where he joined the Social Democratic party. In 1902 he escaped abroad, and met Lenin.

In 1903, while Lenin headed the Bolsheviks, Trotsky joined the rival Mensheviks. Mensheviks did not believe in trying to ignite a revolution, expecting that it would happen when the people were ready. By contrast, the Bolsheviks believed that the people needed to be led. From 1904 until 1917 Trotsky had a stormy relationship with Lenin, accusing Lenin of wanting to become a dictator. But the two of them resolved their differences in 1917, and after that point Trotsky was totally loyal to Lenin.

Trotsky was the most powerful orator in the Bolshevik party, and due to his numerous spells in jail and his active role in the failed 1905 revolution he was much more famous than Lenin was to ordinary Russians. He was the actual organizer behind the [[October Revolution]], as Lenin was still in exile and thus unable to participate.

==Civil War==
Trotsky also helped build the [[Red Army]] that defeated the White Russian Army in the subsequent Civil War in Russia, despite having no military experience of any kind. He also crushed the [[Anarchist]] movement of [[Nestor Makhno]] and brutally suppressed the [[Kronstadt Rebellion]]. Many massacres were committed under his orders, as even other leftists admit.<ref name="Slate">Clive James, [http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/clives_lives/2007/04/leon_trotsky.html "Leon Trotsky: He was a mass murderer, not the true champion of the working class."], Slate, April 2, 2007</ref>

==Power struggle==
Lenin was always primarily a politician; politics absorbed his waking hours. The conflict between Trotsky and Lenin led to the subsequent struggle between Trotsky and [[Stalin]] in Lenin's last months. Multiple rivalries within the Bolshevik Party emerged because history did not unfold as predicted by theory; the Communist revolution did not spread into a worldwide spontaneous uprising of the working people. Lenin accused Stalin of Russian chauvinism when he proposed the incorporation of different nationalities into a unitary Soviet state. But Lenin was disabled by a stroke in 1923 before he could remove Stalin, and Stalin proved the master politician.

When Lenin died in 1924, a lengthy power struggle began between Trotsky and Stalin. Trotsky took the view that socialism in the Soviet Union must await a revolution in western Europe and even worldwide. Stalin wanted power immediately and offered a rival ideology, ''Socialism in one country''. To fend off accusations of becoming the new 'Napoleon', he gave up his command of the Red Army.

The struggle for power in the Soviet Union during Lenin's last illness in 1923 was not based merely on a clash of personalities but involved fundamental issues concerning the future political and economic development of the Soviet Union. Trotsky's desire to lessen Party control over the administration while centralizing the economy and giving priority to heavy industry, as well as his doubts about reforms of government proposed by Lenin, made him isolated on the Politburo. Trotsky did not carry out Lenin's wishes toward Stalin and the "Georgians" because he agreed with Stalin's ideas on the nationality question and centralization, but he was outmaneuvered by Stalin's strengthening of the powers of the Secretariat, which contradicted Trotsky's ideas on freeing administration from direct political control.

Trotsky was a quick-witted combatant and ruthless foe; he was an articulate intellectual, but he lacked humanism or normal human qualities such as empathy, respect for the sacred, loyalty to his friends, or indeed, loyalty to anything except his theory of how should happen, but never did. His theory suffered from lack of nuance, and from Trotsky's inability to adjust it to account for the uncertainties and human dimensions of actual history.

==Exile==
Stalin expelled Trotsky from the Bolshevik party in 1927 and exiled him from Russia in 1929. Trotsky's constant goal was to gain control of world Communist leadership and implement more radical programs. To this end, he advocated youth rebellion, [[feminism]], [[Black Power]], guerrilla warfare, free abortions, "free love" and the [[homosexual agenda]] (Stalin banned sodomy in 1934). Trotsky formed a loose organization of German followers in 1930 but failed either to defeat or take control of the German Communist Party. Indeed, his supporters nearly everywhere were outmaneuvered and defeated by the Soviet Communists, and lingered in numerous countries as a far-Left party with little influence, with the exception of Sri Lanka where the Trotskyite "Lanka Sama Samaja Party" dominated the Marxist left for decades, and Vietnam where the Trotskyites were very popular in the Saigon area in the 1930s and 1940s until they were massacred by the Stalinites under [[Ho Chi Minh]]. Intellectuals who joined Trotsky's movement were put off by Trotsky's dogmatism and his intolerance of the least deviation from his ideas.

After getting kicked out of Turkey and France, Trotsky settled in Mexico in 1937, where he was welcomed by the atheistic, anti-American government of [[Lazaro Cardenas]]. While in Mexico, Trotsky continued to write angry essays about the Soviet Government, alleging that it had betrayed the revolution. The Soviets responded by organizing several assassination attempts. The first attempt, on May 24, 1940, was a home invasion by 30 Communists armed with guns and bombs, but they somehow failed to kill Trotsky and his wife. Then on August 20, 1940 Spanish Communist Ramón Mercader, acting on orders from Stalin, successfully murdered Trotsky in his Mexico City home, using an ice axe while his back was turned.

During his time in Mexico Trotsky was in a sexual relationship with [[Frida Kahlo]],<ref name="Slate" /> even though he was not married to her at the time.

==Permanent revolution==
Trotsky's most influential idea was the notion of permanent revolution. Drawing on the experiences of the 1905 Russian Revolution, Trotsky maintained that revolution would spread worldwide after the international proletariat's aid to the Russian workers, who in turn would "export" the revolution abroad. By contrast Stalin rejected Trotsky's theory and presented his own thesis on socialism in one country (Russia) in 1926. Trotsky asserted that the unification of developed and backward countries in the worldwide operations of capitalism created a combination of separate and uneven stages of development in backward countries like Russia, permitting the Russian proletariat the capability of carrying out a revolution but at the same time requiring the permanent extension of revolution in time and space until the extinction of class distinctions. A similar ideology regarding revolution would be adhered by [[Sturmabteilung]] leader [[Ernst Röhm]].<ref>Shirer, William L. ''Rise and Fall of the Third Reich''. "The Nazification of Germany: 1933-34; 'No Second Revolution'" ''"A tremendous victory has been won. But not an absolute victory! The SA and the SS will not tolerate the German revolution going to sleep and being betrayed at the half-way stage by non-combatants. Not for the sake of the SA and SS but for Germany's sake. For the SA is the last armed force of the nation, the last defense against communism. If the German revolution is wrecked by the reactionary opposition, incompetence, or laziness, the German people will fall into despair and will be an easy prey for the bloodstained frenzy coming from the depths of Asia. If these bourgeois simpletons think that the national revolution has already lasted too long, for once we agree with them. It is in fact high time the national revolution stopped and became the National Socialist one. Whether they like it or not, we will continue our struggle - if they understand at last what it is about - with them; if they are unwilling - without them; and if necessary - against them."''[http://spartacus-educational.com/GERroehm.htm]</ref>

==American influence==
American Trotskyists were political activists in the 1930s who follows the teachings of Trotsky and opposed Stalin's version. All of them broke with Trotsky, and many became conservatives, such as Max Eastman, [[James Burnham]] and [[Seymour Martin Lipset]].

[[Paleoconservatives]], who dislike [[Neoconservatism]] intensely, have argued that it emerged from Trotskyist theories, especially the notion of permanent revolution. There are four fundamental flaws in the paleoconservatives' attack: most of the neoconservatives were never Trotskyists; none of them ever subscribed to the right-wing Socialism of Max Shachtman; the assertion that neoconservatives subscribe to "inverted Trotskyism" is misleading; and neoconservatives advocate democratic globalism, not permanent revolution.<ref>William F. King, "Neoconservatives and 'Trotskyism'" ''American Communist History'' 2004 3(2): 247-266 online at [[EBSCO]]</ref>

==Historiography==
Western commentators on Trotsky generally fall into four categories, aside from orthodox Trotskyists, who have generally been concerned with preserving his ideas rather than developing them. First, the pro-Soviets oppose him and his ideas, especially on the issue of socialism in one country. The second group, described as sympathetic critics, has examined Trotsky's stands and while generally in agreement, has commonly found his views mistaken on three points in particular: His conversion to Leninism, his failure to move against Stalin in 1923, and his characterization of Stalinism as a workers' state. A third group of commentators has viewed Trotsky skeptically, an unlikely alternative to Stalin. The realist group, in contrast, faults Trotsky for failure to realize the true nature of events after 1917. After glasnost in the 1980s Trotsky was rehabilitated in Russia as an important leader and some of his writings have been published.<ref>Michael Cox, "Trotsky and his Interpreters; Or, Will the Real Leon Trotsky Please Stand Up?" ''Russian Review'' 1992 51(1): 84-102.</ref>

==Religion==
One of Trotsky's famous quotes (which also sums up the [[Atheism]] in the Communist Movement) was : "Religions are illogical primitive ignorance. There is nothing as ridiculous and tragic as a religious government." However, he was ethnically a Ukrainian-Jew.

== See also ==
*[[Trotskyism]]
*[[Great purge]]
*[[Diego Rivera]]
*[[Elizabeth Zarubina]]
*[[Floyd Miller]]
*[[Gregory Rabinovich]]
*[[Sylvia Callen]]
*[[Jack Soble]]

==Further reading==
* Alexander, Robert J. ''International Trotskyism, 1929-1985: A Documented Analysis of the Movement'' (1991), 1128pp [http://www.questia.com/read/27804413?title=International%20Trotskyism%2c%201929-1985%3a%20A%20Documented%20Analysis%20of%20the%20Movement online edition]
* Brotherstone, Terry, et al. eds. ''The Trotsky Reappraisal'' (1992) [http://www.questia.com/read/59387717?title=The%20Trotsky%20Reappraisal online edition], 19 short essays by scholars
* Daniels, Robert V. ''Trotsky, Stalin and Socialism.'' (1991). 208 pp.
* Deutscher, Isaac. ''Trotsky'' (3v, 1954–63), by a far-left admirer of Trotsky
* Garza, Hedda. ''Leon Trotsky'' (1986) short survey
* Kolakowski, Leszek. ''Main Current of Marxism'' (1978), 3:183-219, on Trotsky in 1930s
* Molyneux, John. ''Leon Trotsky's Theory of Revolution.'' (1981). 238 pp.
* Pomper, Philip. ''Lenin, Trotsky, and Stalin: The Intelligentsia and Power.'' (1990). 446 pp.
* Renton, Dave. ''Trotsky'' (2004) [https://www.amazon.com/Trotsky-Life-Times-Dave-Renton/dp/1904341624/ref=sr_1_34?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1245111487&sr=1-34 excerpt and text search]
* Service, Robert. ''Trotsky: A Biography'' (2009), 600pp; by a leading historian; the best biography
* Thatcher, Ian D. ''Trotsky'' (2002) [https://www.amazon.com/Trotsky-Routledge-Historical-Biographies-Thatcher/dp/0415232503/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1245111296&sr=1-14 excerpt and text search]; also [http://www.questia.com/read/108142763?title=Trotsky full text online]
* Volkogonov, Dmitri. ''Trotsky: The Eternal Revolutionary.'' (1996). 560 pp. [https://www.amazon.com/Trotsky-Eternal-Revolutionary-Dmitri-Volkogonov/dp/1416576649/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1245111189&sr=1-8 excerpt and text search], very hostile

===Primary sources===
* Trotsky, Leon. ''The Basic Writings of Trotsky'' ed. by Irving Howe, (1963), [http://www.questia.com/read/58369460?title=The%20Basic%20Writings%20of%20Trotsky online edition]
* Trotsky, Leon. ''The Age of Permanent Revolution: A Trotsky Anthology'' ed. by Isaac Deutscher (1970)
* [http://www.questia.com/library/leon-trotsky.jsp online books and chapters on Trotsky and by him]

==References==
{{reflist|1}}

==External links==
* [https://librivox.org/author/4200 Works by Leon Trotsky - text and free audio] - [[LibriVox]]

{{Communism}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Trotsky, Leon}}
[[Category:Russian History]]
[[Category:Soviet Union]]
[[Category:Communists]]
[[Category:Marxism]]
[[Category:Trotskyite]]
[[Category:Mass Murderers]]
[[Category:Homosexual Agenda]]
[[Category:Dictators]]
[[Category:Jewish People]]
[[Category:Terrorists]]

Joseph Stalin

2020-11-23T20:55:23Z

King Conservative: /* Sources */

{{Dictator bio
| image =[[Image:Stalin-140508 27880t.jpg|260px]]
| name =Joseph Stalin
| birth =December 18, 1878 Gori, Tiflis Governorate ([[Republic of Georgia|Georgia]]), Russian Empire
| parents =Vissarion Dzhugashvili Catherine Dzhugashvili
| religion =Georgian Orthodoxy (rejected) [[Atheism]]
| education =Tiflis Theological Seminary, Georgia
| spouse =Ekaterina Svanidze (d. 1906-1907) Nadezhda Alliluyeva (d. 1919-1932)
| children =Yakov Dzhugashvili Vasily Dzhugashvili Svetlana Alliluyeva
| death =March 5, 1953 Kuntsevo Dacha, Moscow
| deathmanner =Complications of a stroke
| burial =Near the Kremlin Wall, Moscow, Russia
| country =[[Soviet Union]]
| military =Soviet Armed Forces (1943–1953)
| rank =Marshal of the Soviet Union (1943–1945) (de jure) Generalissimus of the Soviet Union (1945–1953) (de facto)
| polbeliefs =[[Communism]]
| party =[[Communist Party of the Soviet Union]]
| dictatordate =By 1929
| war =[[Great Purge of the Soviet Union]] [[World War II]]
| deathnumber =20,000,000 is the average estimate while 66,000,000 is the high estimate
}}
'''Joseph (or Josef) Stalin''' (born '''Iosif Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili '''; Russian: Ио́сиф Виссарио́нович Джугашви́ли) (1878 - 1953) was the dictator of the Soviet Union and General Secretary of the [[Communist Party]] of the [[Soviet Union]] ([[CPSU]]) from 1922 until his death from a stroke.<ref name="BBC Stalin">https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/stalin_joseph.shtml</ref> Joseph Stalin, who was a brutal proponent of [[atheism|atheistic]] [[Communism]], was greatly influenced by the work of the [[evolution|neo-Lamarckian]] [[Trofim Denisovich Lysenko]] as were other Communist leaders.<ref>https://creation.com/the-darwinian-foundation-of-communism</ref><ref>https://creation.com/stalins-ape-man-superwarriors</ref><ref>https://creation.com/a-tale-of-four-countries</ref><ref>https://creation.com/darwin-trotsky-connection</ref> During 1942 - 1943, knowing that few people were inspired by Communism, Stalin reinstated the Russian Orthodox Church in order to boost morale while Russia was at war with Nazi Germany.<ref>http://faroutliers.blogspot.com/2008/08/stalin-reinstates-church-1942-43.html</ref><ref>http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/ecumenism/frroman1.aspx</ref> When the war ended, many Red Army soldiers and Christians who defeated [[fascism]] were shipped off to Soviet [[concentration camp]]s - the [[gulag]].

The son of a poor Georgian cobbler, Stalin was a former seminary student who joined the Communist Party when Georgia was still under the rule of the Russian Tsar. He became one of [[Lenin|Lenin's]] closest allies when the Kerensky regime was overthrown by Lenin's faction in 1917. During the [[Russian Civil War]] Stalin, who chose his name from the Russian word for steel, held the city of Tsaritsen on the Volga from counter-revolutionary forces. Stalin later renamed Tsaritsen [[Stalingrad]] in honor of his victory; Stalingrad would be the site of [[Germany]]'s massive defeat in [[World War II]].

Stalin was affectionately known as "Uncle Joe"<ref>https://www.amazon.com/Uncle-Joe-FDR-DEEP-STATE/dp/0692939784</ref> by [[Democrat]]s before [[Joseph Biden]] adopted the nickname.<ref>https://archive.is/XjGXa</ref>

==Rise to Power==
Stalin was tapped by the Okhrana, the Tsarist secret police, as a low-level informer shortly after he was expelled from the Tiflis seminary in 1899. Stalin then began to systematically inform on revolutionary comrades in party organizations in Tiflis, Baku, and Batum over the next few years. He acquired a highly unsavory reputation among the [[Social democracy|Social Democrats]] of these cities and was finally arrested for cover purposes in 1902 when suspicions about him were about to boil over. It was the Okhrana that furnished the invisible means of support for the family he acquired after 1904.

In 1917, the Commissariat of Nationalities was formed with Stalin as its Commissar (Minister). The Commissariat addressed the question of the nationalities of the Russian Empire, and helped integrate them into the [[Soviet Union]]. From 1919-1922 he was also the People's Commissar of the Workers' and Peasants' Inspection (Rabkrin, from the Russian), which was founded to be a check on the burgeoning Soviet bureaucracy.

In 1922, Lenin named Stalin General Secretary of the CPSU. In 1924 Stalin in turn created the "Secret Department," a unit of 94 of his personal functionaries that maintained special privileges as the ''[[nomenklatura]]'', or a list of trusted individuals. He also appointed regional party secretaries who all, of course, supported Stalin. Through the Secret Department Stalin gained control of the [[Red Army]] after removing [[Leon Trotsky]] in 1925 and the OGPU (later, [[KGB]]) when its leader [[Felix Dzerzhinsky]] died in 1926. Lenin had foreseen all of this and had warned in his last testament that Stalin should be removed from General Secretary because the position's power was unlimited.
[[Image:Stalin-Lenin.jpg|right|thumb|[[Lenin]] left, Stalin right]]
Stalin, however, did not allow this to happen. His most powerful rival, Leon Trotsky, who was the commander of the Red Army, was painted as a danger to the Revolution, because he continued to push the idea of international revolution; the "left opposition." Other Soviet leaders, like [[Zinoviev]], leader of the [[Comintern]], and [[Kaminev]], the head of the Communist Party in Moscow, were painted with the same brush because they supported Trotsky and did not wish to expel him from the CPSU in 1927. Later, he accused his ally [[Bukharin]] of being a member of the "right opposition," i.e. he was in favor of a more capitalistic economic system, as seen under the [[New Economic Policy]] (NEP) of the early 1920s. Trotsky was murdered in Mexico in 1940 by [[Ramón Mercader]] in an extensive conspiracy that included underground operatives from the [[Communist Party of the United States]] (CPUSA). Zinoviev, Kaminev, and Bukharin were the center of the infamous "[[Great Purge|show trials]]" of the 1930s. All were put to death.

==Objectives of the Comintern==
In 1932, [[Sergei Ivanovich Gussev]], who had served as [[Comintern]] agent and Stalin's personal representative in the United States, "commanded the [[Communist Party of the United States|Communists in the United States]] to take up four tasks. Two of them were the defence of the Soviet Union and the furtherance of Red conquest of [[China]]." In 1933 the notorious [[Gerhart Eisler]] "was secretly sent into the United States by Moscow to make sure these orders were carried out."<ref>[[Louis F. Budenz]], ''The Techniques of Communism'', (Chicago: Henry Regnery and Company, 1954), pp. 162-163.</ref> [[Edgar Snow]] wrote in his 1937 book, ''Red Star Over China,'' "The political ideology, tactical line and theoretical leadership of the [[Chinese Communists]] have been under the close guidance, if not positive direction, of the Communist International, which during the last decade has become virtually a bureau of the [[Russian Communist Party]]. In the final analysis this means that for better or worse, the policies of the Chinese Communists, like the Communists in every other country, have had to fall in line with, and usually subordinate themselves to, the broad strategic requirements of [[Soviet Russia]], under the dictatorship of Stalin."<ref>''Red Star Over China'' by Edgar Snow, New York, 1937, pg. 374.</ref>

==Catch and Overtake==
In 1928 Stalin decided that the Soviet Union was not properly industrialized to enjoy a communist future, so he initiated the First Five Year Plan and the campaign to collectivize agriculture in order to "build socialism," and to "catch and overtake" the capitalist world. Stalin fanned the fires of collectivization, claiming that peasants had been hoarding grain and that they needed to be controlled. Under this program, rich peasants (kulaks), were exiled or killed for being enemies of the people, and peasants' land was taken in order to introduce collective farming to expedite grain appropriations. Many were called kulaks by jealous neighbors, while the peasants who remained were often the laziest and most ill-suited to producing enough grain. Collectivization caused massive famine in Russia, particularly in [[Ukraine]] (see [[Holodomor]]), where Stalin ordered the Red Army to blockade certain regions and take grain by force. It is estimated that the famine of 1931-33 killed 6-7 million people, while 20 million starved.

The First Five Year Plan was a program of crash-industrialization. After [[World War I]] and the Russian Civil War Russia had an industrial capacity equal to that of its 1861 capacity. The only way for Russia to be able to break the "capitalist encirclement," Stalin declared, was to industrialize. Brigades of shock workers were formed to work faster and harder than the world had ever seen. Most of this, however, was pure propaganda, although the shock workers did set the record for concrete poured in a single shift. Compared to the capitalist world which was experiencing the Great Depression, Soviet growth was impressive. Between 1929 and 1937, 8,000 factories were constructed, average GDP growth was around 10%, and the official unemployment statistics, which included gulag detainees, was 0. In 1936, after the Second Five Year Plan, Stalin declared socialism "built." Nevertheless, the capitalist world lived better than the Soviet Union, despite the Great Depression. [[John Scott]], an American CPUSA member and Comintern operative who was living in the Soviet Union during the Five Year Plans, notes this in his memoirs of that period ''Behind the Urals.'' The legacy of the Five Year Plans (most of which Stalin declared "completed" in 4 years) injured the Soviet's production models, because the encouraged quantity and speed over quality. However, the planning of the 1930s enabled the Russians to defeat the Nazis in the 1940s.<ref>Suvorov, Viktor. ''Icebreaker: Who Started the Second World War?// (Viking Press/Hamish Hamilton; 1990) ISBN 0241126223.</ref>

==Stalin's Terror==
Between 1936 and 1938, Joseph Stalin launched his purges to rid the Soviet Union of "fifth columnists," or spies who were loyal to the [[capitalist]] world. During the Terror 3 million people were arrested on various and often made-up charges, while 750,000 were executed. Due to the interrogation techniques of the NKVD (later, KGB), which often were torturous, most of those arrested confessed and were sent to work camps, called the [[Gulag]] for 10 years and sometimes even 25. Here, prisoners were forced to labor in mines, to log forests, or to do construction. Few lived through their sentences.

In early 1937, a senior officer of the OGPU (KGB) stumbled upon a highly classified file in the old archives of the Tsarist secret police, the Okhrana. It detailed the work of one J. V. Djugashvili as an informant and agent provocateur for the Okhrana inside the Bolshevik Party before the Russian Revolution. The OGPU officer, Stein, was shocked. Djugashvili was the true name of Stalin who was now purging the Old Bolsheviks on charges of being foreign spies and counter-revolutionaries.

Stein took the file to a close friend, the head of the OGPU in the Ukraine, who went over it carefully with his trusted deputy, Zinovy Katsnelson, a cousin and close friend of Alexander Orlov. Convinced of its authenticity, they shared it with Jonah Yakir, commander of the Red Army in the Ukraine, and Stanislav Kossior, secretary of the Communist Party in the Ukraine. Alarmed by the file's revelations, Yakir flew to Moscow and revealed its contents to [[Mikhail Tukhachevsky]], Supreme Commander of the Red Army. They brought his deputy, Yan Gamarnik, into their confidence and decided to overthrow Stalin in a coup d'état, denounce him and execute him.

As the coup plan was being developed, Katsnelson traveled to Paris and informed Orlov. The plot was foiled and Orlov's fate was sealed.

The infamous show trials of former leaders of the Soviet Union occurred during this period, where they were accused of working with Trotsky or sabotaging the Soviet Union. Stalin also eviscerated the high command of the Red Army, killing 90% of the leadership. The minions of oppression were not spared either; of the NKVD's 809 officials, 43 lived through the purges. The leadership of the communist party was persecuted as well. For example, in 1934 130 members of the 139-member Central Committee were arrested. The Terror forever made Russians afraid to speak out against the government, and also made sure that no one but Stalin could ever rule the Soviet Union as effectively. This also ensured that the Red Army could not fight effectively when Nazi Germany invaded the USSR during Operation Barbarossa.

==Famine of 1933==
{{main|Holodomor}}
* "This famine was deliberately engineered by the regime of Joseph Stalin {{years since|1933}} years ago claimed millions of lives, mostly in [[Ukraine]] but also in some other parts of the [[Soviet Union]]. It is today considered one of the worst [[atrocities]] of the Soviet regime and a terrifying act of [[genocide]]. Even so, the famine of 1933 is relatively unknown. ... Estimates of how many people died in Stalin's engineered [[famine]] of 1933 vary. But they are staggering in their scale -- between seven and 11 million people."<ref>[http://www.ukemonde.com/news/rferl.html Stalin's Starvation of Ukraine – Seventy Years Later, World Still Largely Unaware Of Tragedy], By Askold Krushelnycky, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Prague, 8 April 2003.</ref>

Besides Ukraine, the Northern Caucasus, Volga Region and Kazakhstan, the South Urals, and West Siberia were also affected.<ref>[https://www.philosophy.nsc.ru/sites/default/files/journals-old/humscience/2_98/15-MAL.HTM] (Russian)</ref><ref>http://www.demoscope.ru/weekly/2003/0101/analit02.php (Russian)</ref>

==Censorship and propaganda policies==
{{Main|Atheism and historical revisionism}}

During Stalin's time in power, Stalin often altered various newspapers to push his agenda, and even edited out anyone who displeased him, which was most infamously evident with former NKVD head [[Nikolai Yezhov]] subsequent to his death in 1940 via execution, where a photograph of him walking with Stalin near the Moscow-Volga Canal had Yezhov airbrushed out. Ironically, after his death and Khrushchev's secret speech, Stalin himself would end up falling victim to the very same censorship policies he himself had used against his enemies, with footage of him in Soviet propaganda films depicting Lenin's rise to power often adding in a silhouette of a soldier conveniently placed in where Stalin was in the original footage.

==World War II==
To avoid war with [[Germany]], Stalin ordered the Foreign Minister of the Soviet Union, [[Molotov]], to sign a non-aggression pact with [[Adolf Hitler]], named the [[Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact]], on August 19, 1939. The treaty detailed the agreement to split up [[Poland]] between Germany and the Soviet Union, give Stalin the Baltic Republics of [[Latvia]], [[Lithuania]], and [[Estonia]], and to allow the Soviets to wage war on [[Finland]], a war that ended in a humiliating Soviet defeat. Part of the reason why Stalin arranged for the signing of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact was so he would use Nazi Germany and have them fight a prolonged front against France and Britain so as to weaken Europe enough to have Communism spread quickly through the continent, largely because he realized war would have benefitted Communism's spread better than peace. Both sides, however, knew that they would eventually engage in hostilities.<ref>Albert L. Weeks: Stalin`s Other War. Soviet Grand Strategy 1939-1941 Rowman & Littlefield, USA 2002 '''STALIN:''' ''"The question of war or peace has entered a critical phase for us. If we conclude a mutual assistance treaty with France and Great Britain, Germany will back off of Poland and seek a modus vivendi with the Western Powers. War would thus be prevented but future events could take a serious turn for the USSR.'' ''"If we accept Germany’s proposal to conclude with it a non-aggression pact, Germany will then attack Poland and Europe will be thrown into serious acts of unrest and disorder. Under these circumstances we will have many chances of remaining out of the conflict while being able to hope for our own timely entrance into war.'' ''"The experience of the past 20 years shows that in peacetime it is impossible to maintain a Communist movement throughout Europe that would be strong enough so that a Bolshevik party could seize power. A dictatorship by this party becomes possible only as a result of a big war. We are making our choice and it is clear. We must accept the German proposal and politely send the Anglo-French delegations back home. The first advantage we will get will be the destruction of Poland up to the very approaches to Warsaw, including Ukrainian Galicia.'' ''"Germany has given us full leeway in the Baltic countries and has no objection to returning Bessarabia to the USSR. Germany is also prepared to yield on giving us a sphere of influence in Rumania, Bulgaria, and Hungary. The question of Yugoslavia still remains open.'' ''"At the same time we must anticipate what will ensue from the destruction of Germany in war as well as from a German victory. If it is destroyed, the sovietization of Germany follows inevitably and a Communist government will be established. We must not forget that a sovietized Germany would face great danger if such sovietization occurred after the defeat of Germany in a short war. England and France would be powerful enough to seize Berlin and destroy a Soviet Germany. We would not be able to come to the aid of our Bolshevik comrades in Germany.'' ''"Therefore, our task consists in helping Germany wage war for as long as possible with the aim in view that England and France would be in no condition to defeat a sovietized Germany. While hewing to a policy of neutrality and while waiting for its hour to come, the USSR will lend aid to today’s Germany and supply it with raw materials and foodstuff. Of course, it follows that we will not allow such shipments to jeopardize our economy or weaken our armed might."'' ''"At the same time we must conduct active Communist propaganda especially as directed at the Anglo-French bloc and primarily in France. We must be prepared for the fact that in France in wartime the Communist Party there must abandon legal activities and go underground. We realize that such work will require an enormous sacrifice in lives. However, we have no doubts about our French comrades. Above all, their task will be to break up and demoralize the French army and police. If this preparatory work is completed in a satisfactory way, the security of Soviet Germany is assured. This will likewise ensure the sovietization of France.'' ''"To realize these plans it is necessary that war last as long as possible and that all efforts should be made, whether in Western Europe or the Balkans, to see that this happens.'' ''"Let us look now at the second possibility – namely, that Germany becomes the victor. Some propose that this turn of events would present us with a serious danger. There is some truth in this notion. But it would be erroneous to believe that such a danger is as near and as great as they assume. If Germany achieves victory in the war, it will emerge from it in such a depleted state that to start a conflict with the USSR will take at least 10 years.'' ''"Germany’s main task would be then to keep watch on the defeated England and France to prevent their restoration. On the other hand, a victorious Germany would have at its disposal a large territory. Over the course of many years, Germany would be preoccupied with the exploitation of these territories and establishing in them the German order. Obviously, Germany would be too preoccupied to move against us.'' ''"There is still another factor that enhances our security. In the defeated France, the French Communist Party would be very strong. A Communist revolution would follow inevitably. We would exploit this in order to come to the aid of France and to win it over as an ally. Later these peoples who fell under the “protection” of a victorious Germany likewise would become our allies. We would have a large arena in which to develop the world revolution.'' ''Comrades! It is in the interests of the USSR, the Land of the Toilers, that war breaks out between the Reich and the capitalist Anglo-French bloc. Everything must be done so that the war lasts as long as possible in order that both sides become exhausted. Namely for this reason we must agree to the pact proposed by Germany and use it so that once this war is declared, it will last for a maximum amount of time. We must step up our propaganda within the combatant countries so that they are prepared for that time when the war ends."''</ref>

It seems that Stalin anticipated this less than Hitler, who, in June 1941 invaded the Soviet Union with the largest land army ever assembled. It consisted of 170 divisions, or 3.5 million troops. Stalin was caught off guard, and the [[Nazis]] blazed a path through the Ukraine and European Russia. Reaching [[Moscow]] in October 1941, the Nazis threatened Stalin and the entire Soviet Union with defeat. In only 6 months, the Nazis controlled one third of the Soviet economy, a total of 5% of the Earth's surface. Hitler's troops were defeated at Moscow during the winter of 1941-42 after Stalin appointed [[Yorky Zhukov]] as commander of the Red Army. A spy in the German embassy in Tokyo, [[Richard Sorge]], informed Stalin that Japan was not going to attack [[Siberia]], freeing thousands of winter ski-troops to move to Moscow to defeat the Nazis. It was during this time that Stalin famously invoked the name of [[God]] and allowed religious services to be conducted after 20 plus years of repression. Also, 1500 factories were evacuated and restored in Siberia and 12-15 million workers were moved east of the [[Urals]], where Soviet production was higher than Germany's in 1942, despite Germany holding some 50% of Soviet industry.

The Red Army went on the offensive after the defense of Moscow, but soon the Nazis gained the advantage and pushed to Stalingrad. More than one million troops fought on each side in urban combat. Hitler refused to allow surrender, and eventually the Nazis were encircled and routed. After turning the tide of war in Stalingrad, the 1943 [[Kursk]] tank battle was decisive in pushing the Nazis from European Russia. In two years, the Red Army pushed the Nazis all the way back to [[Berlin]]. Stalin used his control of Eastern Europe to extract concessions from [[President Roosevelt]] at Allied conferences, including control over the region. [[Winston Churchill]] warned against this very control, for he greatly feared Soviet hegemony in Europe. Victorious, Stalin named himself Generalissimo and became more popular than ever in the Soviet Union and more dangerous than ever to the capitalist world.

Over the course of World War II, around 25 million Russians died. Twenty million were in the armed services. The total number of 25 million reflects half of the worldwide losses of human life during World War II. The population did not recover until 1956. Many Soviet POWs, like famous writer [[Alexander Solzhenitsyn]], were sent to the Gulag after the war because they had fallen into German hands, and were accused of being spies. This swelled the prison camps by the thousands.

==Post-War Period and Death==
Similar to the 1930s, Stalin undertook a harsh campaign of industrialization, which hurt the Soviets as much as it helped them rebuild. Money was devalued to one-tenth of its previous value, 2 million German and Japanese POWs were forced to stay in the Soviet Union and rebuild the country, and 10% of investment from 1945-46 was from looted machinery. The crops produced by household plots were collected by the government to sell, and a famine in 1947 caused by drought and Soviet single-crop farming killed 2 million. The recovery was built on the Soviet subjects.
[[Image:Stalinfuneral.jpg|250px|right|thumb|''Right to left:'' Lavrenti Beria, Georgi Malenkov, Vassily Stalin, V.M. Molotov, Nikolai Bulganin]]
After World War II, Stalin's [[cult of personality]] emerged as the dominant force of Soviet life. He was credited as the savior of the Soviet Union and the architect of victory, though it was really General Zhukov who was responsible for most of this. The communist youth group, the [[Komsomol]], devoted songs to "the Father of All Nations" or "the Driver of the Locomotive of History." Party membership increased by one million people between 1945 and 1953. Books quoted Stalin as an expert in communism, while he was often photographed surrounded by children to make him seem friendlier. This all served to form a deep, personal connection with Stalin for many Soviets. Indeed, he was loved by the Soviets. Between 1949 and 1952 Stalin increasingly took vacations and met with the [[Politburo]] less and less.

The atheistic Stalin became increasingly paranoid as he grew older.<ref name="BBC Stalin"/> He eventually suffered from a stroke on March 1, 1953. Ironically, his own megalomaniacal nature beforehand ensured no one dared try to check up on him, as his own guards feared checking up on him lest they be executed due to his leaving explicit orders to not disturb him in his room. Following a stroke on March 1, 1953, Stalin died on March 5 after a period of declining performance. On his deathbed, he also glared at the attendees with disgust and wordlessly pointed at each of them before eventually pointing at a wall, with Svetlina, his daughter, recalling this event, indicating this was the most haunting event she ever experienced. When he died in 1953 an anxious mob at his viewing crushed and trampled some mourners to death. Dissidents like Sakharov, the man forced in a prison to build the Soviet atom bomb, cried upon hearing that Stalin had died, despite their intense hatred of him. Despite his terror, he had convinced millions that he was their father. When he died a short power struggle ensued, one which led to the execution of KGB head [[Beria]] as a spy. Eventually [[Khrushchev]] became the General Secretary of the CPSU and denounced Stalin's repressive tactics, his purges, gulags, and his cult of personality in the [[Secret Speech]] at the 20th Party Congress of 1956. Gulags were dismantled and the political climate was slightly less tense, but Soviet oppression still continued. The period following Stalin's rule is called the "thaw," the start of life again after a long winter.

==Quotes==
* "The death of one man is a tragedy, the death of millions is a statistic." ~ to Churchill, 1945.

* "Death is the solution to all problems. No man - no problem"

* "Ideas are more powerful than guns. We would not let our enemies have guns, why should we let them have ideas?"

* "It is enough that the people know there was an election. The people who cast the votes decide nothing. The people who count the votes decide everything"

* "The only real power comes out of a long rifle."

* "When we hang the capitalists they will sell us the rope we use."

* [[C.S. Lewis]] wrote:
:Of all tyrannies, a [[tyranny]] sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most [[oppression|oppressive]]. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral [[busybody|busybodies]]. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own [[conscience]]. [http://www.tsowell.com/quotes.html]

* "The one aim of these [[banker|financiers]] is [[New World Order|world control]] by the creation of inextinguishable [[debt]]." - [[Henry Ford]]

* "Educate and inform the whole mass of [[citizen|the people]]... They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our [[liberty]]." -- [[Thomas Jefferson]]

==See also==
* [[Similarities between Communism, Nazism and liberalism]]
* [[Stalinism]]
* [[Darwin-Stalin connection]]
* [[List of dictators]]
* [[Dictatorship of the proletariat]]
* [[List of Communist States]]
* [[List of Socialist States]]
* [[Death toll of communism]]
* [[Liberal totalitarianism]]
*[[The Gulag Archipelago]]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==Sources==

*Hosking, Geoffrey. ''The First Socialist Society: A History of the Soviet Union from Within''. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1992.

*Kotkin, Stephen. ''Magnetic Mountain: Stalinism as Civilization.'' Berkley, CA: University of California Press, 1995.

*Scott, John. ''Behind the Urals: An American Worker in Russia’s City of Steel''. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press, 1989.

*Solzhenitsyn, Aleksandr Isaevich, ''[[The Gulag Archipelago]], 1918-1956''; an experiment in literary investigation'', Translated from the Russian by Thomas P. Whitney, Publisher New York, Harper & Row (1974–78), 1st Edition, pg. 67n.

{{Communism}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Stalin, Joseph}}
[[Category:Communists]]
[[Category:Mass Murderers]]
[[Category:Dictators]]
[[Category:Totalitarianism]]
[[Category:Cold War]]
[[Category:New Deal]]
[[Category:Soviet Union]]
[[Category:Russian History]]
[[Category:Marxism]]
[[Category:Soviet Leaders]]
[[Category:Atheists]]
[[Category:Police State]]
[[Category:Anti Second Amendment]]
[[Category:Terrorists]]

Ku Klux Klan

2020-11-18T13:48:29Z

King Conservative: /* Critical external links */

[[File:Ku-Klux-Klan-By-Democrats-For-Democrats-600x600.jpg|right|200px|thumb|The Klan was founded as the militant terrorist arm of the [[Democratic Party|Democrat Party]].]]
The '''Ku Klux Klan''' ('''KKK''') is the traditional militant terrorist wing of the [[Democratic party|Democrat Party]]. In 2014 it was announced the Klan opened its doors to [[Jew]]s, [[homosexual]]s, [[black]]s and people of [[Hispanic]] origin.<ref>https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2828425/The-Ku-Klux-Klan-opens-door-Jews-black-people-homosexuals-new-recruits-wear-white-robes-hats.html</ref> The rise of the Ku Klux Klan was the beginning of a long history of [[Democrat election fraud]] that continues to this very day.

It had three incarnations in the USA. Several prominent Democrats were members of the KKK including Democrat [[Robert Byrd]], who was a U.S. Senator from [[West Virginia]] for more than 50 years and who had led his local KKK chapter, and Democrat [[Hugo Black]], who was appointed to the [[U.S. Supreme Court]] by [[FDR]] and became the Justice most hostile to [[classroom prayer]] and [[Christianity]] in public life. Despite the Democrat-KKK connection, however, liberals (who falsely claim that the pre-1964 Democrats were a "conservative" party) similarly falsely claim the KKK to be a "right-wing" organization.

The Klan beginning in the 1860s was a violent effort by white Southern Democrats to fight [[Republican]] [[Reconstruction]] efforts and recognizing full citizenship rights of Blacks after the [[Civil War]]. Reconstruction was ended as a political compromise to resolve the exceedingly close presidential election of 1876. Owing to this, the Klan Democrats often targeted those belonging to the Republican Party with death.

The second Klan flourished nationwide for a few years in the 1920s as state and district organizers profited handsomely by signing up millions of members, selling them distinctive white-robe costumes. The Klan voiced strong support for prohibition, opposed sexual immorality and promoted [[racism]], anti-Semitism, anti-Catholicism and immigration restriction. Dramatic scandals inside the organization and lack of organizational structure caused the Klan to collapse quickly in the late 1920s. By 1928 it was practically defunct.

The third Klan comprised unrelated hate groups that sprang up in the South in the 1960s to fight integration, but it largely fell apart with the defeat of [[President Jimmy Carter]] in 1980.<ref>http://www.fumento.com/arson/wsjfire.html</ref>

Violent [[leftist]]s, who founded the Klan and have been loyal [[Democrat]]s since its original inception, are now appealing to groups they had previously persecuted.<ref>https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2828425/The-Ku-Klux-Klan-opens-door-Jews-black-people-homosexuals-new-recruits-wear-white-robes-hats.html</ref>

==First KKK==
[[File:Lynch.jpg|thumb|450px|right|The first victims (yellow line) were Republican [[carpetbagger]]s; once they were driven out the Democrats turned on Blacks (blue line). Source: Historical Statistics of the U.S., and is based on the 1952 Negro year Book.]]
:{{See also|Insurrection_Act#Posse_Comitatus_Act}}
The first KKK was an movement of white Southerners who opposed [[Reconstruction]]. It was founded in 1866 by members of the [[Democrat Party]] to inflicting violence against black leaders and white Republicans.<ref>http://www.history.com/topics/ku-klux-klan</ref> Its purpose was to take control and return Democrats to power. One of the founders, and the first "Grand Wizard," was former Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest. Attempts were made to break up the Klan by President [[Ulysses S. Grant]] and the U.S. Army using the Civil Rights Act of 1871 (also known as the Ku Klux Klan Act).

Republicans stripped [[white]] [[male]]s who engaged in rebellion against the [[United States]] of the [[vote]], and gave it to Blacks. Newly freed Blacks held local, state and federal elected and non-elected positions as Republicans. The white males who were deprived of the vote were also barred from holding any civil service position and were universally Democrats. This disenfranchisement created enormous resentment among Democrats, so they formed the Ku Klux Klan to engage in voter intimidation and suppression.
[[Image:Artoon.jpg|left|200px|thumb|A political cartoon depicting the KKK and the Democrat Party as continuations of the Confederacy]]
The Ku Klux Klan started attacking Black Republican conventions. At the Republican convention in Louisiana, the Klan joined with [[New Orleans]] police and New Orleans' Democrat mayor. The New Orleans Republican convention was attacked. 40 Blacks and 20 whites were killed. Another 150 were wounded. In 1868 the Democrats put out push cards in South Carolina listing what they called the 'radical' members of the South Carolina legislature. A push card is about the size of a baseball card. The cards had the pictures of 63 legislators they wanted to kill. 50 of the legislators were Black and 13 were white. All 63 were Republicans. On the back of the was the name of the legislator.

In 1872 Congress held hearings on the Klan. Democrat leaders from Democrat States admitted under oath unequivocally that the Klan belonged to the Democrat party and their propose was to restore control in Southern states to the Democratic party. The Congressional Hearings make up 13 volumes. Black congressmen John Roy Lynch and Richard Cain went to Congress armed for fear of Klan attacks. Blacks testified that they instructed by the Klan and Democrats that, if they would stop voting the Republican ticket and would agree to vote the straight Democrat ticket, all the violence against Blacks would stop.

By 1876, the situation had become ungovernable for Republicans.<ref>"the Compromise of 1877, which resolved the disputed presidential election of 1876 by awarding the presidency to Republican Rutherford B. Hayes (who had lost the popular vote) in exchange for the removal of federal troops from the South after the Civil War (which benefited Democrats, who wished to end Reconstruction and return white supremacy to southern state governments)." [https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/us-history/the-gilded-age/gilded-age/a/gilded-age-politics-patronage Gilded Age politics: patronage]. khanacademy.org</ref> The Republicans had been able to pass the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments which guaranteed Blacks basic equality and civil rights, but eventually had to declare an amnesty for whites who engaged in rebellion. Reconstruction ended, and Republicans withdrew from [[social engineering]] which had divided the country so deeply and stirred up such bitterness and hatred among Democrats toward both Blacks and Republicans. Reconstruction earned Republicans the undying [[hatred]] of Democrats.<ref>See for example [https://youtu.be/-yY7g2jOquM James O'Keefe debate with Hairy Hillbilly Hippie] for an example of a partisan Democrat who votes against his own economic interests.</ref><ref>See excerpt from [[Dinesh D'Souza]]'s, ''[https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/dinesh-dsouza-the-secret-history-of-the-democratic-party Hillary's America: The Secret History of the Democratic Party]'', Regnery Publishing, July 18, 2016.</ref>

[[African American]]s in the South were left to the mercy of increasingly hostile state governments dominated by white Democratic legislatures; neither the legislatures, law enforcement or the courts worked to protect freedmen.<ref>{{cite book|title=Encyclopedia of American Civil Liberties|author=Finkelman, Paul|year=2006}}</ref> As [[Democrats]] regained power in the late 1870s, they struggled to suppress black voting through intimidation and fraud at the polls. [[Paramilitary]] groups such as the [[Red Shirts]] acted on behalf of the Democrats to suppress black voting. From 1890 to 1908, 10 of the 11 former Confederate states passed disfranchising constitutions or amendments,<ref>{{cite book|title=Democracy's Privileged Few|author=Chafetz, Joshua Aaron|year=2007}}</ref> with provisions for [[poll tax]]es,<ref name="Klarman, Michael J. 2004">{{cite book|title=From Jim Crow to Civil Rights|author=Klarman, Michael J.|year=2004}}</ref> residency requirements, [[literacy test]]s,<ref name="Klarman, Michael J. 2004"/> and [[grandfather clause]]s that effectively disfranchised most black voters and many poor white people. The disfranchisement also meant that black people could not serve on juries or hold any political office, which were restricted to voters; those who could not vote were excluded from the political system.
[[File:FDR Truman and KKK.jpeg|right|200px|thumb|Despite historical revisionism, FDR and Truman were in bed with the Klan.]]
According to the BrainPOP movie about Reconstruction, the first iteration of the KKK began to decline during the presidency of [[Rutherford Birchard Hayes]].

==Second KKK: The 1920s==
The second KKK was a nonviolent membership organization in the 1920s that reached hundreds of thousands—possibly millions—of men in every state. It was mostly a [[Ponzi scheme]], whereby the organizers took all the money (for initiation fees and costumes). When they had organized an area they moved on, leaving local chapters without money or leadership. No prominent American admitted he was a member at the time, but state organizers claimed vast powers. There is a possibility that some local Klans in the deep South engaged in violence against blacks, but historians are unsure; allegations of systematic violence were common but have not been verified. In recent years historians have found enough records to show that local chapters were primarily discussion groups, often with speakers who denounced Catholics, Jews, crime and violation of the prohibition laws.

A series of scandals rocked the KKK's reputation and the group somewhat faded after the 1924 Democratic National Convention.

In 1937 President [[Franklin Delano Roosevelt]] appointed Alabama Senator [[Hugo Black]] to the Supreme Court. Black was a member of the Ku Klux Klan and built his career campaigning at Klan meetings. In ''Korematsu v. the United States'', Black voted to uphold [[President Roosevelt]]'s mass arrests and incarceration of [[Japanese]] men, women, and children based on [[race]].

==Third Klan==
The third Klan currently exists and comprises a few thousand members in local chapters. There is no real organization, and the group sponsors vehement hate talk as well as occasional violent threats and actions. It is racist and aims at the suppression of African-American, Jewish, homosexual, and Catholic interests. The current Klan presents itself as a "Christian" organization, but all denominations have rejected it as inherently non-Christian. Some Klansmen today practice [[Christian Identity]], which has also been condemned by every other [[Christian]] denomination.
[[File:KKKrally1946.JPG|left|300px|thumb|Ku Klux Klan rally, unknown location, August, 1951]]
Democrat Sen. [[Robert Byrd]] joined the Klan in the 1940s and was unanimously elected to the rank of [[Exalted Cyclops]] for his inborn leadership skills.<ref name="washingtonpost.com">Pianin, Eric. [https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/18/AR2005061801105_pf.html A Senator's Shame: Byrd, in His New Book, Again Confronts Early Ties to KKK]. Washington Post, 2005-06-19, pp. A01</ref><ref>https://allthatsinteresting.com/famous-kkk-members</ref> He repeatedly expressed his desire for the Klan to expand to its previous size and power, once remarking in a letter that "The Klan is needed today as never before and I am anxious to see its rebirth here in West Virginia" and "in every state in the nation." <ref>King, Colbert I. [http://www.pulitzer.org/year/2003/commentary/works/king2.html Sen. Byrd: The view from Darrell's barbershop], Washington Post, March 2, 2002</ref>
[[File:RR-KKK.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Ronald Reagan]] starred as the crusading district attorney battling the Klan in this 1951 film.<ref>See [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0044075/usercomments analysis of film]</ref>]]
Byrd commented on the 1945 controversy raging over the idea of racially integrating the military. In his book When ''Jim Crow Met John Bull'', Graham Smith referred to a letter written that year by Byrd, when he was 28 years old, to fellow Klansman Sen. [[Theodore Bilbo]] of [[Mississippi]], in which Byrd vowed never to fight: {{Cquote|Rather I should die a thousand times, and see Old Glory trampled in the dirt never to rise again, than to see this beloved land of ours become degraded by race mongrels, a throwback to the blackest specimen from the wilds.}} Bilbo told ''[[Meet the Press]]'' in a 1949 interview: {{cquote|No man can leave the Klan. He takes an oath not to do that. Once a Ku Klux, always a Ku Klux.<ref>[http://mdah.state.ms.us/new/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/bilbo.pdf Robert L. Fleegler, "Theodore G. Bilbo and the Decline of Public Racism, 1938–1947"],''The Journal of Mississippi History'', Spring 2006. [https://web.archive.org/web/20160103063503/http://mdah.state.ms.us/new/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/bilbo.pdf]</ref>}}
Democrats tried to block passage of the [[bi-partisan]] [[1964 Civil Rights Act]] by filibustering for 75 hours, led by a 14-hour and 13-minute speech by the Exalted Cyclops Sen. Byrd.<ref>{{cite news|title=Byrd Says He Regrets Voting For Patriot Act |agency=Associated Press |work=[[Common Dreams NewsCenter|Common Dreams]] |date=February 28, 2006 |url=http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/0228-07.htm |accessdate=|deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060919043913/http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/0228-07.htm |archivedate=September 19, 2006 }}</ref> The law was intended to block Republican gains in the South followed by buying off Blacks with [[Great Society]] [[welfare]] and [[affirmative action]] programs. By the 1960s the Klan was so thoroughly infiltrated by [[FBI]] informers, the joke existed that a Klan cell of 6 members often consisted of 5 FBI informants and one klansman. In 1981 when the Republicans took control of the Senate for the first time in 28 years, the Exalted Cyclops Robert Byrd was again elected Democrat Senate Leader to oppose [[Ronald Reagan]].

[[David Duke]] was a [[Democrat]] at the time of his official membership with the Klan and founded the National Association for the Advancement of White People (NAAWP). Duke quit the Klan and the Democrat party and was elected to the Louisiana state legislature. When Duke registered to run for higher office in a Republican primary, the [[Republican National Committee]] disavowed Duke and repudiated his racist views.<ref>[http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1P2-1176548.html RNC Condemns Ex-Klansman Duke], ''[[Washington Post]]'', February 25, 1989. {{dead link}}</ref>

==21st Century==
By the 1990s there were fewer than 10,000 members of the Klan. Many so-called "chapters" or "hate groups," as measured by the [[Southern Poverty Law Center]]'s newsletter ''Klanwatch'', consisted of a single individual. The threat emanating from the Klan was often exaggerated to serve as a fundraising tool for anti-racist watchdog organizations. Chat rooms and discussion boards were set up by anti-racist watchdog groups in the hopes of baiting in a young person to identify who may be susceptible to extremist recruiting. These chat rooms and discussion groups also served the dual purpose of making the Klan threat appear larger than it actually was for fundraising purposes.
[[File:Blmhillary (1).jpg|left|350px|thumb|The teaching of [[Black history]] has led to a new appreciation of the [[Democratic party]]'s role in relationship to Blacks.]]
During the [[2016 U.S. presidential election]], the KKK (along with former Klansman [[David Duke]]), in possible [[collusion]] with the Democrat Party, pretended to "support" [[Donald Trump]] for President as part of a strategy to discredit Trump and make sure he would lose the election by making a false connection between the KKK and the Republicans (as the Democrats have done since 1964<ref>[http://www.blackandblondemedia.com/2009/01/14/democrat-race-lie/ The Democrat Race Lie] at Black & Right</ref>). However, because the Republicans have always opposed the KKK and despise what it stands for,<ref>[https://www.wnd.com/2016/07/the-ugly-history-of-democratic-suppression-of-blacks/ The Ugly History of Democratic Suppression of Blacks] at WND</ref> and because the Democrat-KKK connection is public knowledge despite the efforts of Democrats and liberals (particularly in the [[mainstream media]]) to bury and deny this historic fact,<ref>[http://blackrepublican.blogspot.ca/2015/10/the-ku-klux-klan-was-terrorist-arm-of_56.html The Ku Klux Klan was the Terrorist Arm of the Democrat Party]</ref> the KKK scheme to try to discredit Trump by publicly pretending to endorse him backfired as he rejected the "endorsement" and the public saw through the KKK's ruse, leading KKK Grand Dragon Will Quigg, who formerly pretended to support Trump, to show his and his organization's true colors, and those of the Democrats, by now publicly supporting Democrat nominee [[Hillary Clinton]].<ref>[https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2016-03-14/ku-klux-klan-grand-dragon-will-quigg-endorses-hillary-clinton-for-president Ku Klux Klan Grand Dragon Will Quigg Endorses Hillary Clinton for President] at U.S. News & World Report</ref> Hillary, who has [[Hillary Rodham Clinton#Racism|her own history of racism]] and whose mentor, late Democrat senator Robert Byrd, was himself a longtime KKK member,<ref name="washingtonpost.com"/> did not reject the KKK's campaign endorsement of her, which was one of the contributing factors toward her downfall in the election as Trump won the presidency, ultimately making the Democrat-KKK scheme against him fruitless. In multiple [[George Soros]] funded protests against Trump, many liberals dressed themselves in KKK robes and pretended to "support" Trump, holding signs that said "KKK wants Trump" and "Make America White Again" while the DNC created an attack ad claiming that the KKK is "actively supporting" Trump.<ref>https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bQOYADCDSyY</ref>

==Bibliography==
* Newton, Michael, and Judy Ann Newton. ''The Ku Klux Klan: An Encyclopedia''. (1991).
* Alexander, Charles. “Kleagles and Cash.” . ''The Business History Review.'' (1965) Vol. 39, No. 3, pp. 348–367
* Chalmers, David. ''Hooded Americanism.'' (1987), an older survey
* Dray, Philip. ''At the Hands of Persons Unknown: The Lynching of Black America'', (2002).
* Feldman, Glenn. ''Politics, Society, and the Klan in Alabama, 1915-1949''. (1999).
* Fryer, Jr. Roland G. and Steven D. Levitt. "Hatred and Profits: Getting under the Hood of the Ku Klux Klan," ''National Bureau of Economic Research,'' September 2007, [http://ideas.repec.org/p/nbr/nberwo/13417.html abstract]; [http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:cyuQ-5WfsXAJ:www.economics.harvard.edu/faculty/fryer/papers/Hatred%2520and%2520Profits,%2520Getting%2520Under%2520the%2520Hood%2520of%2520the%2520Ku%2520Klux%2520Klan.pdf+%22Hatred+and+Profits%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us full text online]
* George, John, and Laird Wilcox. ''American Extremists: Militias, Supremacists, Klansmen, Communists & Others'' (1996) 443 pgs. [http://www.questia.com/library/book/american-extremists-militias-supremacists-klansmen-communists-and-others-by-john-george-laird-wilcox.jsp online edition]
* Glaeser, Edward L. “The Political Economy of Hatred.” ''Quarterly Journal of Economics.'' 2005. Vol. 120, No. 1, pp. 45–86. [http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/abs/10.1162/qjec.2005.120.1.45 abstract], goes well beyond the KKK
* Goldberg, Robert Alan. ''Hooded Empire: The Ku Klux Klan in Colorado.'' (1981).
* Horn, Stanley F. ''Invisible Empire: The Story of the Ku Klux Klan, 1866-1871'', (1939)
::Horn, born in 1889, was a Southern historian who was sympathetic to the first Klan, which, in a 1976 oral interview,<ref>http://www.lib.duke.edu/forest/Research/ohisrch.html</ref> he was careful to distinguish from the later "spurious Ku Klux organization which was in ill-repute—and, of course, had no connection whatsoever with the Klan of Reconstruction days."
* Jackson, Kenneth T. ''The Ku Klux Klan in the City, 1915-1930.'' (1992)
* MacLean, Nancy. ''Behind the Mask of Chivalry: The Making of the Second Ku Klux Klan.'' (1994)
* McVeigh, Rory. “Power Devaluation, the Ku Klux Klan, and the Democratic National Convention of 1924.” ''Sociological Forum'' 2001. 16(1):1-30.
* Moore, Leonard J. ''Citizen Klansmen: The Ku Klux Klan in Indiana, 1921-1928'' (1991). [http://www.questia.com/library/book/citizen-klansmen-the-ku-klux-klan-in-indiana-1921-1928-by-leonard-j-moore.jsp online edition]
* Parsons, Elaine Frantz, "Midnight Rangers: Costume and Performance in the Reconstruction-Era Ku Klux Klan." ''The Journal of American History'' 92.3 (2005): 811–36. [http://www.historycooperative.org/journals/jah/92.3/parsons.html in History Cooperative]
* Pegram, Thomas R. "Hoodwinked: The Anti-Saloon League and the Ku Klux Klan in 1920s Prohibition Enforcement." ''Journal of Gilded Age and Progressive era'' 7.1 (2008): [http://www.historycooperative.org/journals/jga/7.1/pegram.html online].
* Rhodes, James Ford. ''History of the United States from the Compromise of 1850 to the McKinley-Bryan Campaign of 1896. Volume: 7.'' (1920)
* Trelease, Allen W. ''White Terror: The Ku Klux Klan Conspiracy and Southern Reconstruction'' (1995).
* Wade, Wyn Craig. ''The Fiery Cross: The Ku Klux Klan in America''. (1987); a highly negative account of all three Klans, based on extensive research but not familiar with recent scholarship.

==References==
<references/>

==Critical external links==
* [http://reactor-core.org/original-kkk.html The History of the Original Ku Klux Klan] - by an anonymous author sympathetic to the original Klan {{dead link}}
* W. S. Simkins, "Why the Ku Klux," 4 ''The Alcalde'' (June 1916): 735–748. [http://www.law.du.edu/russell/lh/alh/docs/simkins.html online]; Simkins (1842-1929) was an organizer of the KKK in Florida in 1868, and a law professor when he wrote this memoir.
* [http://education.harpweek.com/KKKHearings/AppendixA.htm Full text of the Klan Act of 1871]
**[http://education.harpweek.com/KKKHearings/AppendixB.htm simplified version]
* [http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-694 Ku Klux Klan in the Reconstruction Era] (New Georgia Encyclopedia)
* [http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-2730 Ku Klux Klan in the Twentieth Century] (New Georgia Encyclopedia)

[[Category:United States History]]
[[Category:Hate Groups]]
[[Category:Democratic Party]]
[[Category:Liberalism]]
[[Category:United States Political Scandals]]
[[Category:Reconstruction]]
[[Category:1920s]]
[[Category:Terrorism]]
[[Category:Racist Organizations]]
[[Category:Gangs]]
[[Category:Anti Second Amendment]]
[[Category:Gun Control]]
[[Category:Racism]]
[[Category:Anti-Semitism]]
[[Category:Biden Supporters]]
[[Category:Terrorist Organizations]]

Rosa Luxemburg

2020-11-10T02:07:43Z

King Conservative:

[[File:Rosa Luxemburg.jpg|thumb|Rosa Luxemburg]]
'''Rosa Luxemburg''' was a [[Polish]]-born [[Communist]] [[terrorist]] who was one of the founders of the [[Germany|German]] Communist Party. At first Luxemburg was a supporter of the [[SPD]] but later she become more extremist roots and founded together with [[Karl Liebknecht]] the organization ''[[The Internationale]]'' and the Communist Party of Germany. Luxemburg supported the [[October Revolution]] and dissolution of parliament by [[Lenin]]. She was killed in Germany on January 15, 1919.
{{communism}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Luxemburg, Rosa}}

[[Category:Terrorists]]
[[Category:Communists]]
[[Category:German People]]
[[Category:Jewish People]]

Unplug the NFL

2020-09-13T01:27:41Z

King Conservative:

[[File:Pontiac Stadium misery.jpg|right|thumb|Pontiac Silverdome (Detroit), host to a Super Bowl, in miserable disrepair prior to its demolition.]]
'''Unplug the NFL''' is advocated by ''Conservapedia'' in response to the NFL's [[paganism]], its lack of true athletic competitiveness, its promotion of [[gambling]] rather than sportsmanship, its bilking of taxpayers for billions for stadiums, its predictable outcomes in playoffs due to obsessive coaching, and its [[Blacklisting Tim Tebow|exclusion of Tim Tebow]] apparently for quoting the [[Bible]] too much.<ref>The slogan "unplug the NFL" was created by ''Conservapedia'', with this entry. Others are welcome to use this slogan with attribution.</ref> Collusion among owners and coaches makes the NFL more like rigged professional wrestling than genuine athletic competitions like the [[Olympics]].

'''''Addiction as a spectator to football may cause dementia'''''. Studies show that watching 3.5 hours of television a day increases dementia, and the mind-numbing habits of addicted football fans are even worse.<ref>https://nypost.com/2019/02/28/watching-3-5-hours-of-tv-a-day-increases-risk-of-dementia-study/</ref> '''''Anecdotal evidence of addicted football fans developing dementia is commonplace'''''.

Players are cut from NFL squads based on what they say on [[social media]], and the [[Super Bowl]] no longer showcases the top talent. Additional reasons for unplugging the NFL include how it bilks taxpayers for an estimated $1 billion annually and even got the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]] to waste money on searching for a player's jersey in [[Mexico]] in 2017.

Grown men deserve mockery when they pretend that there is anything meaningful about the NFL. Compulsive coaching dictates who wins, and watching an NFL game today is as pointless as watching people (coaches) play a [[video game]]. Owners and coaches increasingly seem to prefer players who cheat rather than the best athletes. Herschel Walker, one of the greatest athletes ever, is excluded from the NFL Hall of Fame despite having had a tremendous career. The top recruits out of college rarely realize their potential by playing in the NFL anymore, and almost none of the top athletes in the league get to play on [[Super Bowl Sunday]].

The NFL panders to the [[liberal media]] and encourages "[[fantasy football]]," a form of [[gambling]] and false worship.<ref>"From very early times gambling was forbidden by canon law. Two of the oldest among the so-called canons of the [[Apostles]] forbade games of chance under pain of [[excommunication]] to clergy and laity alike." See [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06375b.htm Catholic Encyclopedia], which continues to observe: "The 79th canon of the Council of Elvira (306) decreed that one of the faithful who had been guilty of gambling might be, on amendment, restored to communion after the lapse of a year. A homily (the famous "De Aleatoribus") long ascribed by St. Cyprian, but by modern scholars variously attributed to Popes Victor I, Callistus I, and Melchiades, and which undoubtedly is a very early and interesting monument of Christian antiquity, is a vigorous denunciation of gambling. The Fourth Lateran Council (1215), by a decree subsequently inserted in the "Corpus Juris", forbade clerics to play or to be present at games of chance. Some authorities, such as Aubespine, have attempted to explain the severity of the ancient canons against gambling by supposing that idolatry was often connected with it in practice. The pieces that were played with were small-sized idols, or images of the gods, which were invoked by the players for good luck."</ref> Genuine fans—as opposed to gamblers—are mostly irrelevant to the NFL profit model.<ref>[https://ftw.usatoday.com/2016/01/rams-chargers-raiders-move-to-los-angeles-london-nfl-owners-proposal When will fans realize that NFL owners don't care about them?]</ref> Beginning in 2016, the NFL has allowed displays of defiance against the [[National Anthem]]. '''''Search on "demonic" and "NFL" on the internet and see a half million websites discussing it'''''.

The Washington Redskins cut one of the finest safeties in the [[NFL]] because he publicly criticized its awful coaching, and he pointed out that he probably watches more game films than the coaches do.<ref>https://ftw.usatoday.com/2018/12/fans-are-outraged-redskins-cut-d-j-swearinger-after-he-criticized-team</ref> Fans were furious how coaches cut this star, but genuine fans are irrelevant to NFL profits. This and other moves by the NFL shows that is more like professional wrestling, where participants are expected to puff up the product, than a meritocracy.

There is an average of only 11 minutes of football action in a typical 3-hour NFL broadcast.<ref name="WSJ">https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704281204575002852055561406</ref> Commercials, usually for beer or fantasy football, consume a third of the broadcast. Cheerleaders are rarely, if ever, shown in most NFL broadcasts anymore, while injured players are shown more than celebrating players.<ref name="WSJ"/>

Much of what the NFL does is fraudulent. While star NFL player Aaron Hernandez committed murder and later reportedly hung himself in prison when serving a life sentence for it, his team the New England Patriots gave outspokenly [[Christian]] [[Tim Tebow]] a phony tryout, apparently to deflect from the scandal. The public is further misled in how NFL players are promoted as superstar athletes, but many are actually in poor aerobic shape from a medical perspective and have reduced life expectancies. Often the better athlete—such as a quarterback with a stronger arm—is benched in favor of a weaker athlete who can "read" defenses and throw sissy short passes, as [[Tom Brady]] does.

NFL-promoted "[[fantasy football]]" has grown from only 12 million participants a decade ago to an estimated 56 million, mostly men, today. In addition, the NFL advances the [[homosexual agenda]], such as with its halftime shows at the [[Super Bowl]]. Gambling on the Super Bowl topped $4.7 billion (not million) in 2018.<ref>https://www.foxbusiness.com/features/2018/01/30/super-bowl-betting-total-to-top-4-7b-with-97-bet-illegally.html</ref> [[Timothy McVeigh]] lost his life savings by [[gambling]] on his hometown Buffalo team in the 1993 [[Super Bowl]], and in his despair turned his obsession to the [[Branch Davidians|Branch Davidian]] standoff, according to ''Politico.com''.<ref>https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2018/09/02/how-football-fed-timothy-mcveighs-despair-219625</ref>

'''''If the NFL does not want [[Christians]] who quote the [[Bible]], then Christians should not want the NFL'''''. There are many alternatives for sports fans, including the [[Olympics]], mixed martial arts, wrestling, boxing, baseball, basketball, golf, [[NASCAR]] and, outside the [[U.S.]], [[soccer]], [[tennis]], [[rugby]], [[ice hockey]] and cricket. There is also the option of spending less time watching televised sports, and spending that time more productively instead such as reading or studying mathematics, science, literature, religion, foreign languages, and/or history.

Much of the appeal of the NFL is the illusion that it is merit-based, like the Olympics, and has the best players. But the exclusion of Tim Tebow proves that the NFL is not really based on merit, but on [[political correctness]].

There is also a growing concern that watching or supporting the NFL may be immoral, in light of a study revealing that 96% of deceased NFL players test positive for [[chronic traumatic encephalopathy]], or CTE.<ref>https://www.forbes.com/sites/dandiamond/2015/09/18/96-of-surveyed-nfl-players-test-positive-for-brain-disease/</ref> Other studies suggest that the "average life expectancy of a retired NFL player is 55 years," and that "retired NFL players suffer from Alzheimer's at a 37 per cent higher rate than average."<ref>http://www.cbc.ca/strombo/news/the-average-life-expectancy-of-an-nfl-player-is-55-years.html</ref> Some have compared watching NFL games to what the Romans did in watching the brutal gladiator fights, which is widely recognized to have been immoral and harmful to the society.<ref>The NFL exaggerates its audience sometimes. For example, the NFL exaggerated ratings for its internet streaming, initially claiming that "33.6 million" watched a worldwide live stream of a Bills-Jaguars game in late October 2015, and then downgrading that estimate to less than half, or 15.2 million, which is still probably an exaggeration. [http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/10/27/nfl-exaggerated-sundays-bills-jags-internet-numbers/]</ref>

==Health concerns==
=== Harmful to players ===
"Sports Illustrated estimated in 2009 that 78 percent of NFL players are bankrupt or facing serious financial stress within two years of ending their playing careers and that 60 percent of NBA players are broke within five years of retiring from the game."<ref>http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/story/2012-04-22/Pro-athletes-and-financial-trouble/54465664/1</ref>

Chris Borland, one of the top rookies in the NFL in 2014, abruptly retired before the 2015 season due to safety concerns. "I just honestly want to do what's best for my health," Borland said. "From what I've researched and what I've experienced, I don't think it's worth the risk."<ref>http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/12496480/san-francisco-49ers-linebacker-chris-borland-retires-head-injury-concerns</ref>

The late NFL star quarterback Ken Stabler "had Stage 3 [[chronic traumatic encephalopathy]] ... widespread throughout his brain, with 'quite severe' damage to the regions involving learning, memory and regulation of emotion."<ref name="CTE">http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2016/2/3/former-nfl-quarterback-ken-stabler-had-cte-brain-disease.html</ref> A professor of neurology at Boston University, Dr. Ann McKee, observed that "we've now found CTE in former NFL players who played every position except kicker."<ref name="CTE"/> Of the 34 NFL player brains that McKee examined, 33 had CTE.<ref>https://www.npr.org/books/titles/228921701/league-of-denial-the-nfl-concussions-and-the-battle-for-truth#excerpt</ref>

=== Premature Death ===
The NFL players' union has pressed for health insurance and greater safety measures to address the well-documented health problems experienced by NFL players and alumni.

Quincy Monk, a former linebacker for the New York Giants, had a stroke at the age of only 35<ref>http://www.wral.com/former-athlete-survives-stroke-with-help-of-medical-device/14789103/</ref> and then died a year later from cancer.<ref>http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2015/11/former_giants_linebacker_quincy_monk_dead_at_36.html</ref>

Numerous people who played in the NFL have committed suicide (in some instances, Junior Seau most notably, upon examination of their brains CTE was noted).<ref>https://www.cnn.com/2013/09/25/us/former-nfl-player-suicide/</ref>

Mike Webster, a four-time Super Bowl winner as center for the Pittsburgh Steelers, died of a heart attack at the age of only 50, and the autopsy of his brain revealed that it was one of "boxers, very old people with Alzheimer's disease or someone who had suffered a severe head wound," quoting pathologist Bennet Omalu of the Allegheny Medical coroner's office.<ref>http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/2013/10/8/4814434/concussion-suit-mike-webster-thing</ref>

=== Criticism by a former NFL player ===
Lem Barney, one of the greatest defensive backs ever in the NFL, predicted in 2013 that the sport would not exist within the next two decades, because of how harmful it has become. Despite being one of the best players ever, he wishes he had driven a truck or a cab instead.<ref>https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2013/06/14/lem-barney-football-will-be-gone-in-20-years/2424499/</ref>

=== Substance abuse ===
Performance-enhancing substance abuse has widespread for a long time in the NFL, as owners and the players' union engage in [[liberal denial]] about it while profiting from the more violent play. Lyle Alzado, a much-promoted star in the 1970s and 1980s, died at the age of only 43 from a rare form of cancer that he attributed to his steroid use,<ref>http://espn.go.com/classic/biography/s/Alzado_Lyle.html</ref> Alzado said he began taking anabolic steroids in 1969 (at the age of 20) and took them throughout his football career.<ref>http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1992-05-15/sports/1992136109_1_lyle-alzado-steroids-brain-cancer</ref>

At least one expert has opined that problem is never going away.<ref>http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/nfl-performance-enhancing-drug-testing-will-get-tougher-ped-testing-tougher-alex-marvez-062515</ref>

The NFL banned substances policy has drawn criticism,<ref name="CBS">{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/04/27/national/main691147_page3.shtml |work=CBS News |title=NFL Steroid Policy 'Not Perfect' |date=2005-04-27}}</ref> but the policy is one of the longest running in professional sports, beginning in 1987.<ref name="Apr28">{{cite news| url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A21734-2005Apr28.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |title=NFL's Steroid Policy Gets Kudos on Capitol Hill |first1=Mark |last1=Maske |first2=Leonard |last2=Shapiro |date=2005-04-28 |accessdate=2017-01-05}}</ref> Since the NFL started random, year-round tests and suspending players for banned substances, many more players have been found to be in violation of the policy. By April 2005, 111 NFL players had tested positive for banned substances, and of those 111, the NFL suspended 54.<ref name="CBS" /> The NFL testing for substance abuse is notoriously inadequate, as illustrated by the case of the convicted first-degree murderer, then-NFL star Aaron Hernandez.<ref>http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/04/05/aaron-hernandez-knew-that-beating-nfl-drug-tests-is-easy/</ref>

Unlike Olympic sports and the [[Ultimate Fighting Championship]], the NFL administers its substance abuse program independently of the [[United States Anti-Doping Agency]] (USADA). So, the quality and rigor of the NFL's drug testing is not independently controlled. However, since December 2009, USADA has a "Supplement Safety Now" program, in partnership with the NFL, [[Major League Baseball]], the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA), the [[National Hockey League]], the U.S. Olympic Committee and other national sports and health organizations. The program seeks to end dangerous and unscrupulous practices of "rogue" manufacturers within the nutritional supplement industry. The effort works to eliminate the practice of selling supplement products containing [[steroid]]s and other drugs which are labeled as "safe and legal" dietary supplements.

== Harmful effects on cities and taxpayers ==
There are "Five Reasons Losing an NFL Football Team is Good for a City,"<ref>http://sandiegofreepress.org/2015/02/five-reasons-losing-an-nfl-football-team-is-good-for-a-city/</ref> and the first reason is that the NFL bilks taxpayers of billions of dollars. Even though NFL owners are making billions of dollars for themselves, they get taxpayers to foot much of the costs for their stadiums.

There are additional reasons why a city is better off it if loses its NFL team, including:

*More support for college programs, which actually help people<ref>It should be noted, though, that only a handful of NFL cities also have a university with a football team which is a member of a FBS "Power 5" conference, and only one -- Los Angeles -- has two such universities. Even so, many of those programs have never benefitted from increased attendance at collegiate games when the team has done well while the professional team has done poorly.</ref>
*Less blighting of the land<ref>Though many new stadiums have been built in areas which were already blighted.</ref>
*Greater local church attendance
*Fewer traffic jams

On December 17, 2015, the [[NFL]] demanded that the State of Missouri reduce the obligation by the NFL for a new $1.1 billion stadium in [[St. Louis]] to less than 20% of the cost, with taxpayers of the struggling city then bearing the bulk of the enormous cost.

== Poor economic impact of Super Bowl ==
An economist concluded that the NFL's estimate of economic benefit to a city hosting a [[Super Bowl]] is "is inflated by a factor of about five."<ref name="Overhype">https://www.cbsnews.com/news/is-the-super-bowls-ecoomic-impact-super-hyped/</ref> The mayor of Glendale, Arizona (home of University of Phoenix Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals and host of the 2015 Super Bowl), did not even attend the game and "was worried that his cash-strapped city of 230,000 won't be able to afford the added costs that come with the Super Bowl, including $2.1 million in additional security. To make matters worse, approximately 40 percent of Glendale's debt is earmarked to paying off sports complexes."<ref name="Overhype"/><ref>A portion of that debt does not pertain to the NFL, but to the city's inexplicable decision to build a '''''separate''''' arena for the area's NHL Arizona Coyotes franchise instead of the team sharing an arena with the NBA's Phoenix Suns franchise; in every other case where a metropolitan area has both an NBA and an NHL franchise, the teams -- even if owned by different owners -- share the same arena. The problem was made worse by the team's poor performance and repeated threats to relocate -- even though the team itself relocated to the Phoenix area from Winnipeg, Canada.</ref>

In 2014, multiple articles explained that the NFL was grossly exaggerating any local economic benefit of hosting the Super Bowl, and one economist estimates that the economic benefit is zero. See, e.g., "Super Bowl 2014: Economist says NFL is full of it about local benefits of hosting game."<ref>http://www.nj.com/super-bowl/index.ssf/2014/01/economist_on_local_impact_of_hosting_super_bowl_the_nfl_is_full_of_it.html</ref> Meanwhile, government workers at taxpayer expense spent two years preparing for the event. After the Super Bowl in New Jersey in 2014,<ref>Played in an outdoor stadium in February, generally a bitterly cold time of the year.</ref> local businesses complained about the lack of boost in customers.

The overall economic return from hosting a Super Bowl may actually be a loss. As observed by the ''Daily Beast'':<ref>https://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/01/30/the-nfl-s-super-bowl-con-hosting-the-big-game-isn-t-an-economic-score-for-cities.html</ref>
{{cquote|Typically, according to Baade’s research (PDF) and supported by related studies, Super Bowl host cities see a negative rate of return. 'If you do a pure economic evaluation, we may be able to cover the explicit costs…but we can’t make the argument that accommodating the Super Bowl is actually better than anything else.'}}

At best, only a handful of warm-weather cities which are tourist destinations in and of themselves possibly benefit from hosting a Super Bowl. An example of a city that has done so successfully is [[New Orleans]], which has a large indoor stadium (the Mercedes-Benz Superdome) that has hosted numerous large-scale events, including six of the seven prior Super Bowls held in the city. Yet the NFL decided '''''not''''' to award Super Bowl LII in 2018 to New Orleans—which was celebrating its tri-centennial that year, and was clearly able to host both it and the Super Bowl—and instead awarded it to cold-weather Minneapolis-St. Paul as they were able to connive taxpayers into building a new stadium for the Minnesota Vikings franchise.

The 2018 Super Bowl showed an attendance anomaly—attendance was reported at 70,081, nearly 3,000 '''''fewer''''' fans than attended the MLS Cup (Major League Soccer final) in the same stadium two months prior, notwithstanding that 1) the Super Bowl was played in Atlanta, home to the world's busiest airport (thus, travel to and from the game would not have been an issue), 2) the Super Bowl featured two large-market teams—the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots, and 3) the general lack of interest in soccer among American fans, especially in the American South where football is widely popular.<ref>https://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/super-bowl-fails-to-draw-more-fans-than-mls-cup-final-at-same-stadium?fbclid=IwAR3D0_K6N4RiP649kmiqpQhcmZKu9ajxlf7URdDNQxkoxobW9fuIvGjBjOY</ref><ref>It should be noted that the MLS Cup featured a local franchise, Atlanta United FC, in the final.</ref> The 2019 Super Bowl was even worse: the reported attendance was the '''''second-lowest''''' ever, behind only the first Super Bowl (which at that time was called the "NFL-AFL Championship Game") and notwithstanding its playing in South Florida, a popular tourist destination due to warm climate.<ref>However, it was a sellout as the venue -- Hard Rock Stadium -- was recently renovated to '''''lower''''' overall seating capacity.</ref>

== Super Bowl politics ==
[[Liberals]] attempted to force relocation of the [[Super Bowl]] from [[Houston]], the 2017 edition's host city, to pressure that city to cave in to the [[homosexual agenda]]<ref>[https://www.wnd.com/2015/11/lesbian-mayor-vows-to-keep-pressing-for-transgender-law/ Lesbian mayor vows to keep pressing for transgender law] at WND.com</ref> as revenge for losing to conservatives 61% to 39% in Houston's recent referendum involving Houston's [[leftism|leftist]], [[feminism|feminist]] and openly lesbian then-mayor [[Annice Parker|Annise Parker]]'s attempt to force the city to cater to the [[gender confusion|gender-confused]] by allowing them to use restrooms of the opposite gender (i.e., "transgender" men insisting on using women's restrooms).<ref>[https://www.wnd.com/2015/11/houston-voters-reject-lesbian-mayors-transgender-agenda/ Houston voters reject lesbian mayor's LGBT agenda] at WND.com</ref>

== Objectionable Super Bowl shows ==
In 2017, [[Lady Gaga]] sang for the Super Bowl halftime show. Lady Gaga is also known for her political activism, particularly with Hilliary Clinton, [[immigration]], HIV/AIDS, and homosexual "rights".

In 2015, the Super Bowl halftime show featured in nearly every performance the pro-[[homosexual]] activist Katy Perry. She became popular among liberals for her pro-lesbian song in 2008, and is an outspoken supporter of homosexual "rights".

On February 1, 2004, the Super Bowl halftime show featured Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson and was broadcast live on [[CBS]]. Timberlake tore away the portion of Jackson's costume exposing her breast. They later tried to explain it away as a "wardrobe malfunction".<ref name="apologeticjackson">{{cite news|title=Janet Jackson Apologizes for Bared Breast|url=http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/S/SUPER_BOWL_JACKSON?SITE=MAHYC&SECTION=BUSINESS&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT|author=Nekesa Mumbi Moody|agency=[[Associated Press]]|date=February 3, 2004|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040203025228/http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/S/SUPER_BOWL_JACKSON?SITE=MAHYC&SECTION=BUSINESS&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT|archivedate=February 3, 2004}} Also published by CNN.com as "[https://www.cnn.com/2004/US/02/02/superbowl.jackson/ Apologetic Jackson says 'costume reveal' went awry]".</ref> The [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) fined CBS a record $550,000 which was fought in the [[Supreme Court of the United States|Supreme Court]],<ref name="CBS FCC Fines">{{cite news|title=CBS Fined $550,000 for Jackson Stunt |url=http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/F/FCC_CBS?SITE=FLSTU&SECTION=ENTERTAINMENT |author=Jennifer C. Kerr |agency=Associated Press |date=July 1, 2004 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040928060305/http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/F/FCC_CBS?SITE=FLSTU&SECTION=ENTERTAINMENT |archivedate=September 28, 2004 }} Also published by CBSNews.com as "[https://web.archive.org/web/20040925012741/https://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/07/01/entertainment/main626925.shtml CBS Dealt Record Fine Over Janet]".</ref> The fine was ultimately overturned in 2011.

The 2019 Super Bowl halftime show featured what can be labeled as "soft-core pornography", with one of the entertainers -- Latin superstar Jennifer Lopez -- dancing on a stripper pole and bringing her pre-teen daughter into the show.

== Gambling ==
The Super Bowl halftime show features bizarre symbolism that has been associated with the occult and/or [[gambling]]. Beginning in 2012, the NFL began allowing casino advertisements at stadiums during games.<ref>http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/04/12/nfl-lifts-ban-on-casino-ads-for-two-years/</ref>

The NFL allows ESPN to publicize point-spreads that encourage gambling, while the NFL publicly pretends to oppose betting on its games. The Super Bowl is the basis of more gambling than any other event, and the NFL profits from that through increased viewership.

The gambling drives television viewership up, while actual attendance by fans at football stadiums has generally not grown. With the NFL's exclusion of Tebow—who is very popular with fans at stadiums—the NFL may be saying that genuine fans (as opposed to gamblers and television viewers) don't really matter to the NFL's business model.

=== Christian position ===
The Catechism of the Catholic Church does not address whether gambling violates the First Commandment against idolatry (gamblers worship uncertainty and fall prey to superstition).<ref>http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p3s2c1a1.htm</ref> The Catholic Church has stated that gambling becomes morally unacceptable when they deprive someone of what is necessary to provide for his needs and those of others. The passion for gambling then risks becoming an enslavement.<ref>[http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p3s2c2a7.htm Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 2413]</ref> The early church excommunicated people for gambling, and theologians today generally consider gambling to be morally licit under certain conditions.<ref>http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06375b.htm</ref>

Among Protestants, fundamentalists are the most stringent opponents of gambling, believing it to be wrong in all cases. Evangelicals and Pentecostals/charismatics have generally opposed it as well, though not as stringently as fundamentalists. Mainline Protestants—consistent with their generally liberal theology—generally have only provided token opposition.

== Exclusion of Tim Tebow ==
Numerous experts have proven that [[Tim Tebow]] is fully qualified to play in the NFL. The widely followed ''Bleacher Report'' declared, after reviewing Tebow's record and strong preseason in 2015, that he "belongs in the NFL."<ref>https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2560964-after-solid-preseason-tim-tebow-finally-looks-like-he-belongs-in-the-nfl</ref> CBS in Philadelphia reported on September 4, 2015, that there was an open spot on the roster for Tebow, after a weaker player was traded to another team.<ref>http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2015/09/04/report-cardinals-working-on-trade-for-matt-barkley/</ref> Bleacher Report wrote that "it seemed as though Tebow would make the team. He certainly made a strong case for himself in the Eagles' preseason finale ...."<ref name="Bleacher Rpt">https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2436196-tim-tebow-released-by-eagles-latest-details-comments-and-reaction</ref> Yet Tebow was inexplicably cut by the Eagles, despite how the Eagles left themselves with only two quarterbacks on the roster, one of which is injury-prone.

'''''The Eagles then replaced the more-qualified Tebow on the roster with an undrafted QB named Stephen Morris, who had never played a single regular season NFL game, and who threw 30 interceptions in college'''''. One sports analyst wrote about the Eagles' coach in making this decision: "what he sees in Morris -- that nobody else does -- is perplexing. An executive in personnel for another NFC team was texted, 'Tell me what you know about Stephen Morris.' His response was two words: 'He's bad.'"<ref>http://www.nj.com/eagles/index.ssf/2015/09/what_you_need_to_know_about_eagles_qb_stephen_morr.html</ref>

Further proof that Tebow should be in the NFL is the fact that the Eagles traded a quarterback who did not play as well as Tebow in exchange for a seventh-round draft pick. Thus Tebow is more valuable than that.<ref name="Bleacher Rpt"/> But the Eagles cut Tebow outright without receiving anything. Apparently no other team in the NFL will play Tebow, and the only plausible explanation is that the NFL is appeasing the pro-[[homosexual]] media by refusing to allow the [[Bible]]-quoting Tebow to play. Despite not having Tebow on the team in 2018, the Eagles won their first Super Bowl with Nick Foles, another [[Christian]] and a [[Liberty University]] online student majoring in theology, as quarterback.

Tebow was immensely popular with fans, who chanted "Tebow! Tebow!" when he entered the first pre-season game in 2015 in the 3rd quarter. He proceeded to score a touchdown as the Eagles beat the Colts 36-10,<ref>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/F/FBN_COLTS_EAGLES?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2015-08-16-17-41-27</ref> and played well in his other games.

Every Tim Tebow jersey enters in the NFLshop's list of best-selling jerseys. Tebow's time with the Eagles put his number 11 jersey in 16th place, ahead of first string quarterback Tony Romo.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2015/07/08/tim-tebows-eagles-jersey-ranked-no-16-in-sales-for-june/ Tim Tebow’s Eagles jersey ranked No. 16 in sales for June, WaPo, July 8, 2015]</ref>

== Military Appreciation Fraud ==
The NFL looked like a true patriotic organization when they decided to honor the troops during halftime performances. Later it was revealed that 14 teams were paid by taxpayer-funded tributes, that is, $5.4 million from the Department of Defense went to NFL teams so they could hold military ceremonies. This despite the fact the NFL earned revenues of $9.5 billion. Appreciation for our military only if they pay, nothing patriotic about it.<ref>[http://www.ijreview.com/2015/06/338958-john-mccain-delivers-fiery-speech-nfls-military-fraud/ Senator John McCain Delivers Fiery Speech Against the NFL’s Military Appreciation Fraud, Independent Journal]</ref>

== Honor Liberalism Only ==
After the murder of five police officers in Dallas, the Cowboys requested to honor their sacrifice with a ribbon on their uniforms. Request denied by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, who thought this move would upset the liberal terrorists of the [[Black lives matter]] movement. Liberal causes such as the Planned Parenthood-aligned [[Komen]] breast cancer awareness campaign get special treatment; pink ribbons on the field, pink official penalty flags, pink socks worn by players.

The season generally begins the second week of September. Some players choose to wear cleats themed with patriotic images of [[9/11]]. League management insists that if you choose this honor you will face stiff fines for violating uniform code. The police union offered to pay the players fines.<ref>[https://www.policeone.com/police/community/articles/220218006-NFL-player-wears-9-11-cleats-police-union-offers-to-pay-fines/ NFL player wears 9/11 cleats, police union offers to pay fines, PoliceOne.com, September 12, 2016]</ref> At the very last minute, due to negative publicity, the NFL relented its decision. However, when DeSean Jackson had anti-police, black supremacy themed cleats, the NFL allowed it free of charge.<ref>http://dailysnark.com/desean-jackson-cleats/</ref>

Many liberals hold open contempt for their country. Colin Kaepernick blames the USA for abuse of black people by police (while ignoring that most police and law enforcement forces also employ black officers) and decides to sit during the [[National Anthem]], to wear socks at practice mocking police as "pigs", and to wear a [[Che Guevara]] shirt, creating a national firestorm. Instead of publicly admonishing his actions, the liberal NFL management decided it was acceptable free speech. That image of disrespect now becomes a negative influence on other players. Boycott the NFL would be a top trending hashtag on [[Twitter]]. Sponsors abandoned players that supported this act of disloyalty to the nation. Videos of people burning Kaepernick's jersey went viral. The police union considered boycotting their presence at stadiums. Instead of wielding their undue influence, like they do on a regular basis, and protect the image of the NFL by fining or suspending those players making the sport look bad, NFL management would issue a weak press release stating they don't agree with Kaepernick's position. Like a good liberal, Goodell praises the protest against the National Anthem and encourages activism for social change.<ref>[https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2016/09/18/roger-goodell-commissioner-national-anthem-protests/90633952/ Roger Goodell praises player demonstrations for going from 'protests to progress' USAToday, September 19, 2016]</ref> NFL ratings are at seven-year lows after two weeks into the 2016 season.<ref>[https://www.forbes.com/sites/brandonkatz/2016/09/19/nfls-sunday-night-football-tumbles-hard-in-ratings-yet-again/#60d776c41ad5 ] NFL's 'Sunday Night Football' Tumbles Hard In Ratings Yet Again, Forbes, September 19, 2016</ref>

While overseas, NFL players stood and honored "''[[God Save the Queen]]''",<ref>[https://insider.foxnews.com/2017/09/24/nfl-players-kneel-anthem-stand-british-god-save-queen NFL in London: Ravens, Jaguars Stand for 'God Save the Queen', Kneel for 'Star-Spangled Banner'], [[Fox News]]</ref><ref>[https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2017/09/unreal-nfl-players-stand-god-save-queen-kneel-us-national-anthem-london/ https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2017/09/unreal-nfl-players-stand-god-save-queen-kneel-us-national-anthem-london/], [[Gateway Pundit]]</ref> even though it is Britain's fault that [[slaves]] were brought to America in the first place. NFL players and their supporters like to proclaim that the entire episode is specifically about race.<ref>[https://www.cnn.com/2017/09/27/us/nfl-anthem-protest-race-trump-trnd/index.html The #TakeAKnee protests have always been about race. Period.], [[CNN]]</ref>

== Exploitation of cheerleaders ==
In a demonstration of [[liberal hypocrisy]], the NFL has exploited cheerleaders with below-minimum-wage compensation, despite how fat cat owners are making billions at taxpayer expense. For example, the New York Jets are valued at $2.6 billion but the "Jets cheerleaders were given only $150 per game, and weren’t paid for any practice time," and had to sue just to obtain minimum wage for practice and travel.<ref name="Cheerleaders">https://www.forbes.com/sites/thecut/2016/01/29/new-york-jets-cheerleaders-win-324000-settlement-over-unpaid-work/#3b7c58663436</ref> In addition, onerous conditions are imposed on NFL cheerleaders as to hairstyle. If a conservative-owned business engaged in such unequal pay, liberals would be enraged and would call the owners "misogynistic."

== NFL Hall of Fame bias? ==
The NFL writers—who decide who does and does not get into the NFL Hall of Fame—have not been consistent (and some might even say, biased) -- in their voting patterns. Some claim that players who were open about their Christian faith were excluded (and still are).

One example of potential bias involves wide receiver Tim Brown. At the time of his retirement he ranked number five all-time in total yardage gained, despite playing for weak teams. But Brown also openly preached the [[Gospel]], and even played Gospel music in the weight room. He was kept out of the NFL Hall of Fame for his first five years of eligibility, and was not inducted until 2015.<ref>http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/159445/is-this-the-year-tim-brown-hears-from-the-hof</ref>

Another example involves outspoken Christian, Herschel Walker, who said, "We have the DNA of our Lord [[Jesus Christ]]."<ref>http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/h/herschel_walker.html#udJFdQwHUCqBX1Ls.99</ref> The NFL refused to allow him to play in the NFL when he had one year of eligibility left in college, despite that he was clearly able to play. Walker became the leading star of a rival league (the USFL) until it folded, and was the centerpiece of a trade that allowed the NFL's marquee franchise—the Dallas Cowboys—to rebuild and win three Super Bowls in the early 1990s. Yet despite his accomplishments, and his single-handedly causing the NFL to change its draft eligibility rules,<ref>The NFL now allows players to declare for the NFL draft after being out of high school for three years.</ref> Walker was never inducted during his eligibility period.

== Cover-up ==
ESPN reported that the "Spygate" scandal was bigger than the NFL admitted, and that "tapes and notes were found, and then destroyed on commissioner Roger Goodell's orders: league executives 'stomped the tapes into pieces and shredded the papers inside a Gillette Stadium conference room.'"<ref>http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/report--patriots--spygate-scandal-was-bigger-in-scope-than-first-realized-140513497.html</ref>

== Opposes [[Right to Work]] ==
NFL players belong to a union that sides with [[liberals]] in opposing [[right to work]] laws, and the NFL players union even spoke out against a proposal in 2015 to make [[Wisconsin]] the 25th right-to-work state.<ref>https://www.politico.com/story/2015/02/nfl-union-right-to-work-wisconsin-115454</ref>

== Contrast with NBA ==
While the NFL excludes Tebow for frequently quoting the [[Bible]], the NBA did not punish [[Steph Curry]] for beginning his MVP acceptance speech by expressly thanking [[Jesus Christ]], "first and foremost."

== Keeping Commissioner Roger Goodell ==
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has repeatedly abused his authority, and invented unjust punishments by making up his own rules after the facts. He has been publicly reversed in several high-profile cases, including Tom Brady, Adrian Peterson, Ray Rice and the New Orleans Saints’ bounty scandal.<ref>http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/judge-offers-final-ruling-on-tom-brady-suspension-in-deflate-gate-221425352.html</ref> He has earned over $100M in five years, including $44M in 2012.<ref>https://money.cnn.com/2014/09/12/news/companies/goodell-pay/index.html</ref> His salary was disclosed because the NFL was claiming non-profit status on its tax return.<ref>https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2015/04/28/nfl-tax-exempt-status-roger-goodell-drop-salary/26543647/</ref>

A disgruntled NFL owner complained to [[The Daily Caller]], "I don’t like him. I think it’s time for a new commissioner." The criticism of Goodell comes after he was loudly booed at the NFL draft by the crowd. The liberal media of [[ESPN]] is protecting Goodell from all criticism, likely because they don't want to risk any potential lost revenue from the NFL.<ref>[https://dailycaller.com/2016/04/29/exclusive-nfl-owners-furious-with-goodell-its-time-for-a-new-commissioner/#ixzz47Ktn1YOO EXCLUSIVE: NFL Owners Furious With Goodell — ‘It’s Time For A New Commissioner’ Daily Caller, April 29, 2016]</ref>

==National Anthem Protests==
The following teams have one or more players on their roster who have protested the national anthem: Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins, Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans, Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, New England Patriots, Buffalo Bills, Washington Redskins, New York Giants, Houston Texans, San Francisco 49ers,<ref>http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/17520290/kansas-city-chiefs-seattle-seahawks-interlock-arms-national-anthem</ref> Denver Broncos,<ref>https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/brandon-marshall-denver-broncos-kneel-national-anthem_us_57d2b5cde4b06a74c9f41fd8</ref> Philadelphia Eagles,<ref>http://dailydolphin.blog.palmbeachpost.com/2017/08/24/philadelphia-eagles-protest-during-national-anthem-before-dolphins-game/</ref> Los Angeles Rams,<ref>https://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/nfl-kneeling-protests-grow/2016/09/18/id/748879/</ref> and the Oakland Raiders.<ref>http://therightscoop.com/at-raiders-preseason-opener-marshawn-lynch-sits-during-national-anthem/</ref> The NFL players national anthem protests are governed by individual player contracts and collective bargaining agreements between the NFL and the NFLPA (National Football League Players Association).<ref>https://www.natlawreview.com/article/can-nfl-players-be-fired-disciplined-protesting-during-national-anthem</ref>

==NFL Fan Sites==
A website known as Scout (founded in 2001) has links to many NFL fan sites. These NFL fan sites have "clever" names based on the team's name, colors, or whatnot. Many of them are chat board sites where people talk to other NFL fans, most of whom they don't know in person. They can be just as dangerous as other [[social media]] as far as cyberbullying goes, if not more. Similarly to fantasy football, these websites alienate their average participants from their friends, family, occupations, education, and the Bible.

==NFL 2017 sponsors==
*Gatorade
*EA Sports
*Visa
*Campbell's Soup
*FedEx
*Frito-Lay
*Mars Snackfood
*Pepsi
*Dairy Management Inc.
*Sirius XM
*Under Armour
*Bridgestone
*Ticketmaster
*Procter & Gamble
*Verizon
*Barclays
*Papa John's<ref>Announced in 2018 that it ended its sponsorship, and immediately saw a 4% stock price jump.</ref>
*Castrol
*Anheuser-Busch
*USAA
*Bose
*Marriott
*Xbox
*News America
*Quaker
*SAP
*McDonald's
*New Era
*Nike
*Microsoft
*Extreme Networks
*Nationwide
*TD Ameritrade
*Zebra
*Dannon
*Hyundai
*Ford <ref>https://seekingalpha.com/article/4103103-football-season-kicking-sponsors-spend-big</ref>

== See also ==
*[[Blacklisting Tim Tebow]]
*[[Lifespan of NFL players and fans]]
*[[fantasy football]]
*[[Liberal corporate tyranny]]
*[[Beating NFL addiction]]

== References ==
{{reflist|2}}

== External links ==
* [http://nflarrest.com/ NFL Arrest - Football Arrest Record Database & Statistics]
* [http://sports.cbslocal.com/2015/10/01/nfl-month-without-arrest-first-since-2009/ NFL Goes A Month Without A Player Arrest For First Time Since 2009]
* [https://www.nflpa.com/players/sponsors List of NFL sponsors to boycott]

[[Category:Politics]]
[[Category:Sports]]
[[Category:National Football League]]
[[Category:NFL]]

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals

2020-09-10T16:03:58Z

King Conservative: /* External links */

'''People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals''' ('''PETA''') is a [[far-Left]] "[[animal rights]]" organization focusing on what it calls the four main areas of [[animal]] suffering ([[factory farms]], [[animal testing]], [[clothing]] trade, and the [[entertainment]] industry), as well as other individual issues.<ref name="petafaq">[http://www.peta.org/about/ ''PeTA's Mission Statement'']</ref> It was founded in 1981 by [[Ingrid Newkirk]].

PETA essentially claims that human beings are animals, and that (non-human) animals should have most of the same rights as [[human beings]].<ref>
PETA founder Ingrid Newkirk has said, “When it comes to pain, love, joy, loneliness, and fear, a rat is a pig is a dog is a boy. Each one values his or her life and fights the knife.” [http://www.peta.org/about/WhyAnimalRights.asp PETA: Why Animal Rights?]</ref>
While not proposing a ban on keeping pets, PETA believes:
:that it would have been in the animals' best interests if the institution of "pet keeping"—i.e., breeding animals to be kept and regarded as "pets"—never existed.<ref>[http://www.peta.org/campaigns/ar-petaonpets.asp Animal Rights Uncompromised: PETA on 'Pets']</ref>
PETA opposes the human ownership of animals as [[work animal]]s.<ref>On Newkirk's view of Seeing Eye dogs
"She regards the use of Seeing Eye dogs as an abdication of human responsibility and, because they live as 'servants' and are denied the companionship of other dogs, she is wholly opposed to their use."</ref> It proposes that people stop eating [[meat]]; see [[vegetarianism]].

==Activism==
PETA achieves its goals through "public education, cruelty investigations, research, animal rescue, legislation, special events, celebrity involvement, and protest campaigns,"<ref name="petafaq" /> but they are best known for their provocative advertising and protests. For example, they often use nude women to protest the wearing of fur.<ref>''PETA: Dominique Swain is a Class Act for Animals'', [http://www.peta.org/feat/swain/] (contains risque image)</ref> They have also had controversial public education campaigns, including comparing [[Jewish]] ritual slaughter to the [[Holocaust]].<ref>[http://www.peta.org/mc/NewsItem.asp?id=3021 PETA'S "HOLOCAUST ON YOUR PLATE" NATIONAL TOUR COMES TO NEW YORK], PETA Media Center, October 9, 2003</ref><ref>[http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=43035 PETA's dirty war against Jewish ritual slaughter], Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, [[WorldNetDaily]], February 25, 2005</ref> "On May 5, 2005, however, PETA issued an apology for its "Holocaust on Your Plate" exhibit, which traveled to more than 100 American and foreign cities. The exhibit compared the treatment of farm animals to the victims of the Nazi concentration camps. PETA President Ingrid Newkirk said she realized that the campaign had caused pain: 'This was never our intention, and we are deeply sorry.'" <ref>[http://www.adl.org/Anti_semitism/holocaust_imagery.asp Holocaust Imagery and Animal Rights], [[Anti-Defamation League]], August 2, 2005</ref> In addition, PETA members have camped out in front of public schools and handed out [[propaganda]] "comic books" entitled "Your Mommy Kills Animals" to children as young as '''six years old''' in their attempt to manipulate children into blindly believing their lies.<ref>[http://www.consumerfreedom.com/news_detail.cfm/h/2537-peta-denies-traumatizing-kids ConsumerFreedom.com]</ref>

Many prominent celebrities support PETA, such as [[Bill Maher]], [[Richard Gere]], [[Alec Baldwin]] and [[Paul McCartney]].

==Controversy and odd statements==
PETA receives criticism from many different groups, including researchers, consumer advocates and others who claim that PETA's goals are not animal rights, but total animal liberation,<ref name="acmain">[http://www.activistcash.com/organization_overview.cfm/oid/21 ActivistCash.com]</ref> which would mean no meat, dairy, hunting, fishing, circus animals, aquariums, or even pets.

Critics also chastise PETA for some of its methods of action, including stalking, attacking and harassing those in the food or medical research industries<ref name="acmain" /> and supporting violent far-Left animal rights and environmental terrorist groups such as the [[Earth Liberation Front]] and the [[Animal Liberation Front]].<ref>[http://www.activistcash.com/organization_blackeye.cfm/oid/21 ActivistCash.com]</ref> Many of PETA's advertisements also contain [[nudity]] or other shock tactics.

There have also been several accounts of PETA killing animals when they could not find homes for them. From July 1998 through December 2005, PETA killed over 14,400 dogs, cats, and other "companion animals." That's more than five creatures every day. PETA has a walk-in freezer to store the dead bodies.<ref>[http://www.petakillsanimals.com/petaKillsAnimals.cfm PetaKillsAnimals.com, ''PETA's Dirty Secret'']</ref> The stated rationale is that a swift death is better than long suffering, but critics point out that PETA commands significant funds and presumably could have cared for the animals if they so chose.

PETA only adopted a mere 24 animals in 2011, as opposed to 1,911 that were euthanized. This is a euthanization rate of over 95%.<ref>http://bloggingfoodforthought.blogspot.com/2012/03/peta-posts-shameful-euthanasia-rate.html</ref> It could be deemed illogical that a group calling for "ethical treatment" would be so quick to euthanize animals rather than giving them adoptive owners.

PETA promotes the welfare of animals and insects yet is silent on the question of protecting [[abortion|children in the womb]].<ref>[http://cnsnews.com/public/content/article.aspx?RsrcID=51096 PETA Wants Obama to Stop Killing Flies, But Won’t Take a Stand on Abortion CNSNews.com July 16,2009]</ref> It has stated that humans are equivalent to animals as obscure as flies:<ref>Ham, Ken; Foley, Avery (June 7, 2016). [https://answersingenesis.org/are-humans-animals/should-animals-have-equal-rights-humans/ Should Animals Have Equal Rights as Humans?] ''Answers in Genesis''. Retrieved March 19, 2017.</ref> {{cquote|When it comes to pain, love, joy, loneliness, and fear, a rat is a pig is a dog is a boy. Each one values his or her life and fights the knife.}} Under the theory of evolution, this appears certainly the case, as humans supposedly evolved from lower life forms and are thus related to them. It is interesting that atheistic "animal rights" activists strongly oppose any violence against animals but have no problem with the murder of millions of [[unborn]] human beings through the type of murder called "[[abortion]]."<ref>Ertelt, Steve (July 8, 2009). [https://www.lifenews.com/2009/07/08/nat-5204/ PETA: Upset President Obama Would Hurt a Fly, But Abortion Another Story]. ''LifeNews.com''. Retrieved March 19, 2017.</ref>

PETA has demanded that the [[Boy Scouts of America]] retire the "Fishing" and "Fish and Wildlife Management" merit badges. ''"Promoting fishing teaches young people that hooking, maiming, suffocating, and killing is acceptable.”''.<ref>[http://www.peta.org/feat/merit/index.html Ask The Boy Scouts To De-Merit Fishing, PETA.org]</ref> This is highly ironic due to their belief that humans are nothing but animals. Essentially, they are saying that one "animal" should not hunt another even though meat is a natural part of a human's diet (given that humans are omnivores). As such, this message is hypocritical.

PETA have seemingly done everything they could possibly do to alienate the online community such as condemning ''[[The Dark Knight]]'' for having Batman kick vicious guard dogs in an act of self-defence, making idiotic viral campaigns which equate the lives of animals to human beings, as well as making tasteless flash parodies of family friendly video games, such as: ''Super Mario 3D Land'', which became "Mario Kills Tanooki", ''Cooking Mama'', which became "Mama Kills Animals" and ''Super Meat Boy'', which became "Super Tofu Boy". These games contain excessive amounts of blood and grotesque imagery. The reactions to these games were almost universally negative. The ''Tofu Boy'' parody inspired the developers of the actual ''Super Meat Boy'' to add Tofu boy as a playable character who isn't very strong or fast. PETA also compared Pokémon to actual animal abuse.

PETA often shows that for them, animals have more worth than humans. After "[[Palestinian]]" terrorists have detonated a bomb-laden donkey next to a bus with Israelis, PETA's chairman Ingrid Newkirk wrote a letter to [[Yassir Arafat]], in which they ask him to leave the animals out of this conflict. Newkirk does not criticize the murdering of people. She said: "It’s not my business to inject myself into human wars."<ref>http://archive.frontpagemag.com/readArticle.aspx?ARTID=9997</ref>

PETA has also descended into [[racism]] by provocatively claiming that milk is a "symbol of white supremacy,"<ref>Cheong, Ian Miles (March 31, 2017). [https://heatst.com/culture-wars/peta-says-milk-is-a-symbol-of-white-supremacy/ PETA Says Milk is a ‘Symbol of White Supremacy’]. ''heatst.com''. Retrieved April 1, 2017.</ref> ignoring the irony that the majority of its members are themselves white.

== See also ==

*[[Animal cruelty]]
*[[Religion and vegetarianism]]
*[[Atheism and veganism]]

==Further reading==
*[http://blog.peta.org/archives/2008/11/does_president-.php Does President-Elect Obama Bring Hope for Animals?], PETA
{{Liberalism}}

==References==
<references/>

==See also==
*[[Previous Breaking News/PETA|Articles about '''PETA''' from previous "Breaking News"]]
*[[Alex Pacheco]]
*[[Humane Society of the United States]]

==External links==
*PETA Website [http://www.peta.org]
*[[Center for Consumer Freedom]] [http://www.consumerfreedom.com/issuepage.cfm/topic/8], a consumer advocate group
*[http://www.activistcash.com/ ActivistCash.com]
*[http://www.petakillsanimals.com PetaKillsAnimals.com], a website critical of PETA and its hypocritical approach toward animals
*[http://animalscam.com/ AnimalScam.com]

[[Category:Vegetarianism]]
[[Category:Liberal Organizations]]
[[Category:Organizations]]
[[Category:Racism]]
[[Category:Hate Groups]]
[[Category:Misnomers]]

Kyle Rittenhouse

2020-09-06T16:01:54Z

King Conservative: /* External links */

'''Kyle Rittenhouse''' is an Antioch, Illinois, teenage [[patriot]] and supporter of [[law enforcement]] who worked as a lifeguard in [[Kenosha, Wisconsin]]. Rittenhouse, who was trained in lifesaving and basic first aid procedures, was present during he 2020 Leftist uprising in Kenosha and had rendered first aid to injured protesters.<ref>https://twitter.com/MarkDice/status/1299250471069085696</ref>

==Humanize the Badge==
[[File:BLM.png|thumb|right|310px|Left-wing church-burners set fire to a church with a [[Black Lives Matter]] sign out front in Kenosha, Wisconsin.]]
Rittenhouse urged friends on [[Facebook]] in December 2018 to donate to the charity Humanizing the Badge for his 16th birthday, the ''[[Washington Post]]'' reported.<ref>https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/08/27/kyle-rittenhouse-kenosha-shooting-protests/</ref> Using Facebook’s fundraiser feature, the teen wrote that the group seeks to “forge stronger relationships between law enforcement officers and the communities they serve.”

==Kenosha riot==
:{{See also|2020 Marxist insurrection|Kenosha riots}}
During the 2020 Marxist uprising Rittenhouse was employed as a community lifeguard in Kenosha, Wisconsin. After finishing his work on August 25, 2020, he wanted to help clean up some of the damage caused by [[leftwing]] [[riot]]ers the previous evening. Rittenhouse and a friend went to the local public high school to remove [[graffiti]] by rioters. Later in the day, they received information about a call for help from a local business owner, whose downtown Kenosha auto dealership was largely destroyed by mob [[violence]]. The business owner needed help to protect what he had left of his life’s work, including two nearby mechanic’s shops. Kyle and a friend were given rifles due to the deadly violence gripping Kenosha (and many other American cities) and headed to the business premises. The weapons were in Wisconsin and never crossed state lines.<ref>https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/08/kyle-rittenhouse-working-lifeguard-kenosha-day-shooting-went-clean-vandalism-school-work/</ref> Wisconsin's [[open carry]] law has an exemption for 16 and 17 year olds.<ref>https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/crime/2020/08/26/wisconsin-open-carry-law-kyle-rittenhouse-legally-have-gun-kenosha-protest-shooting-17-year-old/3444231001/</ref>

When Rittenhouse arrived at the mechanics shop, he and others stood guard to prevent further destruction. Journalist Mark Dice presented a short video on his Twitter account of Rittenhouse that night offering services as an EMT and beginning to aid a woman with a minor wound. Later that night, long after the 8 p.m. curfew had passed, the police began to disperse a group of rioters. While dispersing the mob, police maneuvered a mass of individuals down the street towards the auto shops. Rittenhouse and the others were threatened and taunted, but he did not react. Rittenhouse's lawyer John M. Pierce explains “His intent was not to incite violence, but simply to deter property damage and use his training to provide first aid to injured community members.” At 11:44 p.m., police reported three or four people trying to light vehicles on fire at a car lot on 63rd Street and Sheridan Road.<ref>''USA Today''</ref>
[[File:Anthony Huber assaults Rittenhouse.png|left|190px|thumb|Rittenhouse assaulted by "peaceful" BLM terrorists.]]
As Kyle proceeded towards the second mechanic’s shop, he had obtained a fire extinguisher and ran along a driving area of a property bordering the nearby police-patrolled thoroughfare to pass it to someone else who was putting out auto fires started by the rioters. This conspicuous effort to quell the effects of the violence attracted the notice of rioters among the mass jealous of being upstaged by his participation in the (though largely-unwatched) prestigious type of act.<ref>Mark Dice, August 29, 2020</ref>

Soon he was accosted by multiple rioters who recognized that he had been attempting to protect a business the mob wanted to destroy. This outraged the rioters and created a mob now determined to hurt Kyle. They began chasing him down. Kyle attempted to get away, but he could not do so quickly enough. Upon hearing the sound of a gunshot behind him,<ref>https://twitter.com/trbrtc/status/1298840777251008512</ref> Kyle turned and was immediately faced with attacker Joseph Rosenbaum lunging towards him and reaching for his rifle. He reacted instantaneously and justifiably with his weapon to protect himself, firing and striking him.<ref>https://archive.is/FF0tc</ref> Rittenhouse stopped to render aid for his attacker.

Faced with a growing mob, Kyle fled for his safety and his survival. Another attacker struck Kyle from behind as he fled. Kyle turned as the mob pressed in on him, and he fell to the ground with people shouting "get him!"<ref>https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/2020/08/28/wisconsin-police-shooting-jacob-blake-live-updates-kenosha/5654147002/</ref> One attacker kicked Kyle in the head while he was on the ground. Another bashed him over the head with a skateboard. In fear for his life and concerned the crowd would either continue to shoot at him or use his own weapon against him, Kyle fired at his immediate attackers, striking two, including one armed with a [[Glock]].
[[File:People's Revolutionary Movement.png|right|250px|thumb|People's Revolutionary Movement member Gaige Grosskreutz still holding a Glock after sustaining a serious injury. The [[communist]] is also a felon illegally in possession of a firearm.<ref>https://scallywagandvagabond.com/2020/08/gaige-paul-grosskreutz-kenosha-shooting-victim-shot-activist/</ref>]]
Rittenhouse got up and continued down the street in the direction of police with his hands in the air. He attempted to contact multiple police officers, but they told him to keep moving. He fully cooperated and turned himself in to the police in his hometown, Antioch, Illinois later that evening.

===The mob===

The common thread among the three [[BLM]] terrorists shot by Rittenhouse, all with extensive criminal backgrounds,<ref>https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/08/update-evidence-shows-young-kenosha-shooter-kyle-rittenhouse-may-acted-self-defense-three-blm-criminals-prior-arrest-records-video/</ref> is their anti-police sentiment for participating in leftist riots rather than any anti-racist motivations.

Joseph ‘JoJo’ Rosenbaum was id’d as the first fatality. Rosenbaum was a [[racist]] registered sex offender for a sex crime involving a minor under the age of twelve.<ref>https://scallywagandvagabond.com/2020/08/joseph-don-rosenbaum-kenosha-wi-shooting-victim-id-as-registered-sex-offender-who-chased-teen-shooter/</ref><ref>[https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/08/shoot-nga-kenosha-man-shot-head-seen-video-confronting-armed-men-also-registered-sex-offender-crime-involving-minor/ “Shoot Me, N**ga!” – Kenosha Man Shot in the Head Seen on Video Confronting Armed Men – Was Also a Registered Sex Offender For Crime Involving a Minor] at the Gateway Pundit</ref><ref>https://youtu.be/jV7sAXL1d60</ref> Rosenbaum spent 12.5 years in the [[Arizona]] penal system,<ref>https://www.snipershide.com/shooting/threads/breaking-antifa-rioter-headshot-and-killed-at-kenosha-was-a-convicted-child-rapist-served-12-5-years-in-az-penal-system.7025168/</ref> compiling an extensive record while in prison. According to the terms of his probation, even approaching a minor like Rittenhouse without a designated legal supervisor was grounds for its revocation.<ref>https://www.bailbondshq.com/arizona/azdoc-inmate-JOSEPH/172556</ref>

The second punk, Anthony Huber (who ineffectually wielded a skateboard as a weapon against Rittenhouse), also had a lengthy criminal record.<ref>[https://twitter.com/MrAndyNgo/status/1298848184228143104 Andy Ngo: "Anthony Huber, 26, was shot & killed in Kenosha, Wisc. at the BLM riot. He was filmed chasing down the armed teen and hitting him when he was on the ground with a skateboard. He has a criminal history that includes charges of battery & repeat domestic abuse"] at Twitter</ref> In 2012, Huber pleaded guilty to two felony domestic abuse charges: strangulation and suffocation, and false imprisonment, use of a dangerous weapon.<ref>https://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/crime/item/36857-video-evidence-kenosha-shooter-rittenhouse-was-defending-himself-court-records-victims-dangerous-criminals</ref>

People's Revolution Movement member and career criminal Gaige Paul Grosskreutz,<ref>[https://twitter.com/MrAndyNgo/status/1298851037982334976 Andy Ngo: "The third who was shot (& survived) is Gaige Grosskreutz, 26. He's a member of the People’s Revolution Movement. He was filmed chasing after the teen w/a pistol. He was shot at close-range in the upper arm. He has a criminal record that includes being intoxicated & armed w/a gun"] at Twitter ('''Warning:''' contains some graphic images)</ref> had part of his arm blown off. He has a criminal record that includes being intoxicated & armed with a firearm.<ref>https://twitter.com/MrAndyNgo/status/1298851037982334976</ref> At the time of the shooting Grosskreutz was a felon in possession of a handgun. His mask had a [[pentagram]] from the [[church of Satan]].<ref>https://binginews.com/criminal-record-gaige-grosskreutz/6568/</ref> [[Social media]] posts by a friend of Grosskreutz named Jacob Marshall<ref>https://binginews.com/criminal-record-gaige-grosskreutz/6568/</ref> said that Grosskreutz’s “only regret was not killing the kid and hesitating to pull the gun before emptying the entire mag into him,” contradicting mainstream [[fake news]] media reports of "peaceful protests."<ref>https://twitchy.com/brettt-3136/2020/08/27/friend-of-man-shot-in-arm-in-kenosha-says-his-only-regret-was-not-killing-the-kid-and-emptying-the-entire-mag-into-him/</ref>

==Rush to judgement==
Rittenhouse is represented by some of the best legal minds in the country at Pierce Bainbridge, with help from [[Covington kids|Nicholas Sandmann]]’s lawyer Lin Wood.

The legal team says that “in a reactionary rush to appease the divisive, destructive forces currently roiling this country, prosecutors in Kenosha did not engage in any meaningful analysis of the facts, or any in-depth review of available video footage (some of which shows that a critical state’s witness was not even at the area where the shots were fired); this was not a serious investigation. Rather, after learning Kyle may have had [[conservative]] political viewpoints, they immediately saw him as a convenient target who they could use as a scapegoat to distract from the Jacob Blake shooting and the government’s abject failure to ensure basic law and order to citizens. Within 24-36 hours, he was charged with multiple homicide counts.”

The legal fees and other costs of Kyle’s defense will be provided through donations to #FightBack Foundation Inc., a Texas 501(c)(4) foundation created by John Pierce and Lin Wood to protect law-abiding American citizens whose rights are being trampled on by state and local governments that are more concerned with appeasing mobs than protecting those rights.<ref>https://fightback.law/</ref> Pierce said,
{{quotebox|“A 17-year old child should not have to take up arms in America to protect life and property. That is the job of state and local governments. However, those governments have failed, and law-abiding citizens have no choice but to protect their own communities as their forefathers did at Lexington and Concord in 1775. Kyle is not a racist or a white supremacist. He is a brave, patriotic, compassionate law-abiding American who loves his country and his community. He did nothing wrong. He defended himself, which is a fundamental right of all Americans given by God and protected by law. He is now in the crosshairs of institutional forces that are much more powerful than him. But he will stand up to them and fight not only for himself, but for all Americans and their beloved Constitution. We will never leave his side until he is victorious in that fight.”}}

===Twitter===
[[Gateway Pundit]] reporter Cassandra Fairbanks’ Twitter account was suspended for tweeting “Kyle Rittenhouse did nothing wrong.” Twitter claims that this statement is “glorifying violence.” Fairbanks told ''[[Breitbart News]]:''
{{Quotebox|“The fact that you can no longer defend someone on social media who has not been convicted of any crime should shock and terrify everyone. They want to control all narratives… and we are letting them get away with it. KYLE RITTENHOUSE DID NOTHING WRONG.”}}
John Pierce, attorney for Rittenhouse, condemned [[Twitter]]:
{{quotebox|“A journalist just got banned from Twitter for simply posting ‘Kyle Rittenhouse did nothing wrong. Twitter and other [[Big Tech]] companies are now engaged in brazen and outright [[censorship]] of political speech.

“They can no longer pretend to be neutral ‘internet computer service’ providers protected from [[defamation]] claims by Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. They have now stepped in the arena and are publishers. Myself and Lin Wood intend to hold Twitter fully liable to Nicholas Sandmann, Kyle Rittenhouse, and every other person whose life it has tried to destroy simply because it disagrees with their political viewpoints.”<ref>https://www.breitbart.com/tech/2020/08/30/journalist-cassandra-fairbanks-suspended-from-twitter-over-kyle-rittenhouse-support/</ref>}}
On the same day that Twitter suspended Fairbanks, Twitter was flooded with users glorifying the [[murder]] of a [[Patriot Prayer]] peaceful protester in [[Portland, Oregon]].<ref>https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/08/29/nyt-portland-homicide-victim-had-patriot-prayer-hat/</ref>

===Polls===
:{{See also|2020 presidential election|Defund the Police}}
Marquette Law School in Wisconsin conducted a poll just days prior to the Kenosha riots. In June 2020 the same poll saw strong support for the [[BLM]] protests, with a 61%-34% approval over disapproval rate. By August just before the Kenosha riots that support fell to parity at 48%-48%.<ref>https://rpubs.com/PollsAndVotes/652966</ref> Those results turned heads at [[DNC]] and Biden headquarters. Just as Democrats and the mainstream [[fake news]] media they learned of this loss of support as a result of leftist riots, the Kenosha riot broke out at nearly the same moment. At the [[RNC convention]] the [[Marxist]] [[elitism|elite]] witnessed [[Republican]] messaging that called for support of police and the call to bring law and order back to the cities. Biden, Democrats, the [[liberal media]] went into panic mode.

All of a sudden the permissiveness and encouragement to rioters was taken down. [[CNN]] and [[Don Lemon]] called for a change in [[tactic]]s. The cheerleaders suddenly began waving for the crowds to disperse, and pleading with [[Kamala Harris]] and [[Joe Biden]] to adopt the very opposite language that has been labeled as "[[racist]]" all summer long. For months anyone calling to curtail violence, destruction, attacks on police, and the threats to communities were deemed [[intolerant]]. Only now, when it looked like a bad prospect for the [[Democrat]]s, did the sophisticates in the [[mainstream media]] consider rioting to be condemnable. When it was politically expedient the burning of cities and violence visited on [[citizen]]s was an acceptable result.<ref>https://www.redstate.com/bradslager/2020/08/29/908598/</ref>

==See also==
*[[Fake news in the 2020 presidential election]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://youtu.be/y3PF1OWG30A Kyle Rittenhouse], Elijah Schaffer, BlazeTV, Aug. 28, 2020
*[https://youtu.be/0oQlnihfxhU The Truth About Kyle Rittenhouse], [[Mark Dice]], Sep 1, 2020

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rittenhouse, Kyle}}
[[Category:Heroes]]
[[Category:Patriots]]
[[Category:Second Amendment]]
[[Category:The 100 Americans The Left Hates Most]]
[[Category:Pro Second Amendment]]
[[Category:Conservatives]]

Charles de Gaulle

2020-09-06T16:00:04Z

King Conservative: /* See also */

[[File:De Gaulle-OWI.jpg|thumb|Charles de Gaulle]]
'''Charles de Gaulle''' (1890-1970) was the dominant military and political leader of [[France]], 1940-1969. He was a conservative in the traditionalist sense, and helped restore the leadership of conservatives and Catholics while weakening the Communists and socialists.

He was an outspoken critic of President Lyndon Johnson's [[Vietnam war]] policy,<ref>https://academic.oup.com/dh/article-abstract/31/5/909/368115/Reexamining-de-Gaulle-s-Peace-Initiative-on-the?redirectedFrom=fulltext </ref> America's [[Two China policy]],<ref>[[Richard Nixon]] credits De Gaulle as the first urging him to seek ''raprochament'' with the [[People's Republic of China]]
https://www.nixonfoundation.org/2014/03/nixon-de-gaulle/ </ref> and America's failure to recognize the [[Sino-Soviet split]], a division within the communist bloc.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=oFUEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA24&lpg=PA24&dq=sino+soviet+split+de+gaulle+nato&source=bl&ots=a5-sV45Brl&sig=gn58uyEOfbMJ9hFiun9dbTej_yg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi4sr6V7-_SAhVoslQKHbk-BhAQ6AEIGjAA#v=onepage&q=sino%20soviet%20split%20de%20gaulle%20nato&f=false] </ref> For these reasons he pulled France out of the NATO military command, while maintaining political ties with the alliance.

Fleeing the victorious German invaders in 1940, he rejected the new [[Vichy regime]] that allied itself to Germany. Général de Gaulle set up his base in London, proclaimed himself the incarnation of France, created the Free French movement with British funding, rallied some of the oversees colonies (especially in Africa), organized a French non-Communist anti-fascist Resistance movement, and tried, but failed, to gain full recognition from the British and Americans. A firm proponent of democracy, he destroyed the vestiges of the collaborationist [[Vichy regime]]. He retired from office in 1946, but returned in 1958 as France verged on civil war over the Algeria crisis. As president (1958–69) during the Fifth Republic, he revised the constitution to provide for presidential control of foreign and military policy, granted independence to Algeria and the African colonies, and restored the nation's economic health. Forging a close bond with Germany, he sought to dominate the European Common Market by vetoing British entry and holding the U.S. at arms length. Exhausted politically and emotionally, he finally left office in 1969. His reputation as the strongest and greatest of French leaders since [[Napoleon]] continues into the 21st century.
==Career==
De Gaulle was born in Lille on November 22, 1890. His family moved to Paris in 1895, where his father became professor of philosophy in the Jesuit College of Paris. The father inculcated the son with a profound belief in the glory of traditional Catholic France. Charles received a rigorous classical education that included a year 1907-08 at a Jesuit college in Belgium. He matriculated at the Saint Cyr military academy in 1908; in 1911 he was commissioned in the French army.

At the battle of Douaumont in the Verdun campaign in February–March 1916 Captain de Gaulle led the 10th Battalion of the 33d Infantry Regiment; he was then assigned to relieve the 110th Regiment from its position at the Verdun front. On 2 March 1916 his company came under attack from the Germans and despite his much praised bravery, he was badly injured and was captured, spending 32 months in a prisoner of war camp.

After the war France set up a military mission to support [[Poland history|newly independent Poland]] by advising and training its army. In 1919, Captain de Gaulle volunteered for service in Poland and spent a year teaching at the Infantry School of the Polish army; he became strategic adviser to Polish general Edward Rydz-Smigly when France decided to actively aid the Polish counterattack against Russia. Back in France he taught military history at Saint Cyr, served as aide to Marshal [[Henri Philippe Pétain]], and wrote several books on military strategy. His book ''The Army of the Future'' (1934), daringly proposed mechanization of the infantry, with stress on the wholesale use of tanks. Ironically the German panzer units, so effectively employed in the invasion of France in 1940, utilized similar theories, while the French dispersed and wasted their armor. As the French armies collapsed in spring 1940 de Gaulle was made brigadier general<ref>He wore his uniform with the one-star insignia of a brigadier general for the remainder of his life.</ref> and then undersecretary of war in [[Paul Reynaud]]'s cabinet. The elderly Marshal Pétain now came to power in a regime headquartered in the resort town of Vichy. Pétain, venerated as the great hero of World War I, not only admitted defeat but accepted the idea of permanent subordination to Germany. Pétain wanted France to be welcomed by Berlin as the most useful and collaborationist of the nations of Europe, which he thought Germany would long control.

==French National Committee==
:{{See also|French National Committee}}
De Gaulle refused to accept defeat and subservience to Germany. Resistance was possible because the air force and navy were intact (some of the French Navy 'surrendered' to Britain, the remainder the British bombed), as was the entire overseas empire; Churchill offered assistance and increasingly so too did Franklin Roosevelt. As Pétain's new Vichy government prepared to sign a humiliating armistice on 22 June 1940, de Gaulle deserted his post as Defense Minister and flew to London and on 18 June in disobedience of orders. As a rebel he issued his famous "Apple," proclaiming "France has lost a battle, but France has not lost the war!" and calling French patriots to resistance.<ref>Jean-Louis Cremieux-Brilhac, ''La France Libre de l'appel du 18 juin a la Liberation'' (Paris: Gallimard, 1996)</ref> De Gaulle's forces by November 1940, numbered 35,000 troops and twenty warships; several overseas colonies including [[Syria]] had rallied to his banner, although his forces were defeated in September in an attempt, with British aid, to seize Dakar, Senegal.

In London in Sept. 1941 de Gaulle formed the free French National Council, with himself as president. It was an all-encompassing coalition of exhilees, ranging from conservative Catholics like himself to Communists.<ref>The Communists were controlled by Moscow, which was allied with Germany in 1940. They came into opposition only when Germany invaded Russia in June 1941. De Gaulle's policy became one of friendship directly with Moscow.</ref> By early 1942, the "Fighting French" movement, as it was now called, gained rapidly in power and influence; it overcame Vichy in Syria and Lebanon, adding to its base. In November 1942 the Americans invaded French North Africa. They favored General Henri Giraud, the High Commissioner of North Africa. But de Gaulle seized power from Giraud, who resigned in late 1942. De Gaulle took supreme command of all French forces in April 1944. Meanwhile, all the French colonies except Japanese-occupied [[Indochina]] came under Gaullist control, as did Corsica. Although Churchill was vacillating, his top aide [[Anthony Eden]] was a strong supporter of de Gaulle. De Gaulle's repeated protests against all violations of French [[sovereignty]], real or imagined, irked the Americans and were largely ignored by the British. His imperial personality and humorless demands especially annoyed President [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]].

De Gaulle in turn was exasperated at the Americans, who were more willing to work with Vichy or Giraud than with him:
:The United States, delighting in her resources, feeling that she no longer had within herself sufficient scope for her energies, wishing to help those who were in misery or bondage the world over, yielded in her turn to that taste for intervention in which the instinct for domination cloaked itself.<ref>''The War Memoirs of Charles de Gaulle,''(1959) vol. 2, p. 88</ref>

It turn [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]] distrusted him. De Gaulle removed French forces from the planned invasion of Normandy in June 1944. He was not at [[D-Day]] and was excluded from all the top-level conferences. The British and American, gave his regime ''de jure'' recognition and allowed his armies to enter France and to be the first to enter Paris after the Germans fled in August 1944. French armies, 1.3 million strong, under de Gaulle as provisional president, thereupon fought alongside the British and Americans. To [[Stalin]]'s intense anger, France was given an occupation zone in Germany, and a permanent seat on the [[United Nations]] Security Council, with a [[veto]]. The origins of the [[Cold War]] dates from these events.<ref>https://archive.org/details/rooseveltandhopk006306mbp </ref>

==Fourth Republic: 1945-1958==
As the war ended the Resistance coalition fell apart. De Gaulle's advocacy of a strong executive power was rejected by the voters, who in late 1945 adopted a constitution for the Fourth Republic that resembled that of the discredited Third Republic. De Gaulle resigned the provisional presidency in January 1946, saying that he did not wish "to preside, powerless, over the powerlessness of the state." In 1947 he resigned all his offices, refusing to be a candidate in the presidential election. "How can anyone govern a nation that has two hundred and forty-six different kinds of cheese?", he quipped.<ref>Quoted in ''Newsweek'' (Oct. 1, 1962)</ref> In retirement at the village of Colombey-les-Deux-Églises, he created a new conservative party, RPF, Rassemblement du Peuple Français (Rally of the French People), which only lasted until 1953. He then focused on his great war memoirs, ''L'Appel'' (1954) (translated into English as "The Call to Honor," 1955); ''L'Unité,'' (1956) (translated as ''Unity'', 1959); and ''Le Salut'', (1959) (translated as "Salvation", 1960).

==Fifth Republic: 1958-1969==
===1958 crisis===
For four years France had fought a civil war in Algeria against the FLN, which demanded independence. The Frenchmen who lived in Algeria, their allies among the Arabs, and powerful elements of the military inside France, rejected the FLN and demanded that Algeria remain integrated into France. They insisted so vehemently they were prepared to overthrow the government in Paris if it wavered.

In May, 1958, Frenchmen in Algeria revolted, throwing France into turmoil that verged on civil war. Rebels comprised young nationalists, supported by the large planters, army officers, and other proponents of integration of the Muslim population with France, feared a new government in Paris would make concessions to the Algerian National Liberation Front (FLN). The rebels proclaimed a committee of public safety; the revolt spread to Corsica. In Paris the National Assembly voted emergency powers to newly elected Premier Pierre Pflimlin. However, only de Gaulle could solve the crisis, for he had the support of the navy, the police, and such prominent politicians as Socialist Guy Mollet and Moderate Republican chief Georges Bidault. Pflimlin resigned and President René Coty summoned de Gaulle as prime minister. The National Assembly, under threat that parachutists would seize Paris if it refused, voted 329-224 to invest de Gaulle with extraordinary powers for six months beginning June 1, 1958; the National Assembly then went home and de Gaulle took charge. When a new constitution took effect, he became the president of the Fifth Republic.
====Interpretations====
These uprisings provided the long-awaited chance to supporters of Général de Gaulle, who sought a new regime in which the executive power would be strengthened. Underlying the views of Gaullists such as Jacques Soustelle, Michel Debré, and Jacques Chaban-Delmas was a faith in French grandeur, a new nationalism which transformed itself into a desire for order and maintenance of the French Empire. These interests momentarily coincided with those of the Algerian rebels who feared Anglo-American mediation of the Algerian rebellion.

Gaullists have seen this critical episode as the result of the preplanned statesmanship of de Gaulle. Their "grand design" thesis includes three key arguments. First is the claim that de Gaulle decided to give up Algeria because he concluded that keeping in the face of a widespread popular anti-French revolt was too costly economically and against France's ideal policy of a focus on Europe. Second, Gaullists argue his general objective ending the Algerian burden was planned well before his return to power in 1958. Third they claim that what seemed an erratic, slow, and indecisive progress toward Algerian independence was in reality de Gaulle's well-orchestrated, consistent, and deceptive policy calculated to overcome the sentiments of the French people toward Algeria.<ref>Gil Meriam, "A 'Grand Design'? Charles de Gaulle and the End of the Algerian War," ''Armed Forces & Society''(1999); De Gaulle, ''Memoirs of Hope'' (1971) p. 84; Philip G. Cerny, ''The Politics of Grandeur'' (1980), pp 61, 145; Bernard Ledwidge, ''De Gaulle'' (1982), pp 244-45, 257; Philip M. Williams, ''Politics and Society in de Gaulle's Republic'' (1971), p. 28.</ref>

Other historians argue that the Général had no long-term plan, and probably did not want independence for Algeria. Thus French scholars Raoul Girardet and Jacques Julliard argue de Gaulle's Algerian policy was a set of unanticipated concessions imposed by events. They have an alternative "juggler" thesis that does not attribute harmony or continuity to de Gaulle's policy, nor does it try to explain the lack of discernible consistency in the policy by attributing cunning Machiavelism to de Gaulle. Instead it considers the policy as the result of an erratic improvisation.<ref>Gil Merom, "A 'Grand Design'? Charles de Gaulle and the End of the Algerian War," ''Armed Forces & Society''(1999)</ref> Merom says Algeria was not doomed by the economic realities because the cost was tolerable—between 50% to 60% of the defense budget, or 10% to 15% percent of the total budget in Paris. White the French indeed hads a severe budget crisis verging on bankruptcy, Algeria was only a small part of it. More important was spending on infrastructure renovation, industrial and agricultural modernization, nuclear energy, and expansion of education, and welfare entitlements. On the other hand, military spending was helping the economy. Two years into de Gaulle's new regime, the financial crisis was over and the economy was in fine shape, notes Merom.

Merom says the second argument, that de Gaulle's policy was slow, gradual, and deceptive because he had to overcome a strong public sentiment in favor of keeping Algeria, is likewise invalid according to public opinion polls. They show opinion was evenly split; indeed, over 40% of the French people were alienated from core ideas of the old policy of no-recognition, no-negotiations, and no-compromise with the Arab rebels of the FLN. De Gaulle's policy of negotiation had a firm grounding in public opinion, though not a clear majority.

Merom agrees that de Gaulle's domineering manner and decisive style, the constitutional power he skillfully amassed as President of the Fifth Republic, his reputation as France's wartime savior, and the confidence vested in him by the people and the military, were indispensable qualities for a leader who wished to lead France out of Algeria. Merom concludes that his basic objective in Algeria was moderately conservative. He disliked the harsh military tactics in use and wanted more collaborative relations between France and the Arabs, but he did not want Algeria to become independent. Only when he realized his goals were impossible, Merom argues, did he start to compromise. Even then he tried to preserve as many French interests in Algeria as possible. By 1960, after suppressing another revolt, restoring the health of the national economy, and seeing his army drive the FLN almost to extinction, he realized the only long-term solution was a genuine Algerian independence, and he negotiated it.<ref>Gil Merom, "A 'Grand Design'? Charles de Gaulle and the End of the Algerian War," ''Armed Forces & Society''(1999)</ref>

===Domestic politics===
In 1958-59 de Gaulle concentrated on political reform, a new the constitution for the Fifth Republic, financial reform, economic recovery, and search for a solution to the Algerian question. A new constitution that gave the president control of foreign and military policy was adopted in a referendum on Sept. 28, 1958. At last executive power stood above legislative authority. President de Gaulle, inaugurated on Jan. 8, 1959, could rule by decree in emergency, appoint ministers without responsibility to the legislature, and dissolve the legislature whose regular sessions were reduced to five months per year.
====Economy====
De Gaulle's financial and economic program reflected his desire for stability, industrial expansion, and the need to prepare France for membership in the European Common Market. He devalued the franc to 492 to the dollar, raised taxes on high incomes, wines, liquors, and tobacco, and reduced pensions and subsidies. A new franc, at 5 per U.S. dollar, facilitated commercial transactions and international trade; it remained strong. He undertook a 25% increase in state investment in modernizing industry. By mid-1960 the French economy was in better shape than at any time since 1914.
====Algeria====
Against the unyielding Algerian Arab revolution De Gaulle made only slow progress. His middle course between independence and continued colonial status cost him support among those groups that helped to bring him to power, the European settler community and the army. In September 1959, the Général offered Algeria a three-way choice between integration with France, autonomy, and independence. The settlers counterattacked with another uprising in January 1960, which failed to overthrow De Gaulle. In response, de Gaulle assumed extraordinary powers, restored order, and replaced ranking officers in Algeria with Gaullist or apolitical officers. This purge proved insufficient, for in April 1961 some military officers engineered an abortive coup. He once again assumed extraordinary powers and systematically removed disloyal elements from the army command.

Finally the president decided to grant Algerian independence and end the cancer once and for all. Mutual concessions were made and the Evian Accords on Mar. 18, 1962 began a cease-fire with the FLN forces. There emerged an independent Algeria, closely associated with France; in return for certain guarantees for settlers and economic privileges, continued French aid was promised. Large numbers of Algerian Arabs, who had supported Paris, fled to France, and many settlers did so also.

At the same time France gave independence to most of its overseas colonies, although tying them closely to France with economic and military pacts.

===Foreign policy===
====Objectives====
Restoring French greatness was his highest priority. That required a strong army, rockets and a space program, and especially nuclear weapons, explaining, "No country without an atom bomb could properly consider itself independent."<ref>Quoted in ''New York Times Magazine'' (May 12, 1968)</ref>

After a landslide victoiry in parliamentary election in 1962, De Gaulle turned to foreign policy. He held that Western Europe as a whole, with France in the lead, should follow an independent military and economic path, separate specifically from that of the United States and Britain, both of which he distrusted. De Gaulle held that American nuclear weapons in Europe made the area more susceptible to Soviet attack, and he doubted any guarantees that the U.S. would defend Europe. Economically, de Gaulle pressed for the return to the gold standard in international trade and the rejection of sterling and the dollar as reserve currencies, especially because both the U.S. and the British economies suffered severe balance of payments deficits.

====Common Market====
De Gaulle vetoed Britain's application to join the Common Market ([[European Economic Community]] or EEC, a forerunner of the [[European Union]]) in 1963, saying he wanted to avoid a loss of cohesion in the organization and to keep it from becoming a dominion of the United States. He said Britain was not sufficiently European and its entry into the EEC would make the EEC too dependent on the United States. De Gaulle blocked a second petition by Britain in 1967. Britain was finally admitted after de Gaulle's death. Analysts emphasized that de Gaulle saw Britain as insular and maritime rather than continental. De Gaulle was suspicious of British intentions in Europe, yet he admired Britain's political stability and past accomplishments. One military factor in de Gaulle's opposition was Britain's deal with the U.S. through NATO involving Polaris nuclear missile technology. De Gaulle wanted a strong Europe free of any dependence on the United States, while British Prime Minister [[Harold Macmillan]] felt Britain's "special relationship" with the United States more important to its future.<ref>Richard Davis, "'Why Did the General Do It?' De Gaulle, Polaris and the French Veto of Britain's Application to Join the Common Market." ''European History Quarterly'' 1998 28(3): 373-397. Issn: 0265-6914 Fulltext: [[Ebsco]]</ref>

====Military policy====
During the Berlin crisis from 1958 to 1962. De Gaulle took advantage to create an independent force de frappe—that is, nuclear weapons and bombers—in order to reassert France's role as a powerful world leader. De Gaulle enthusiastically supported American General Lauris Norstad's proposal in 1959 to establish a top secret quadripartite Allied military planning group (LIVE OAK), hoping that it would strengthen France's position and weaken US domination of NATO. De Gaulle created a bilateral alliance with West German chancellor [[Konrad Adenauer]], which tended to upset the delicate diplomatic balance of NATO. His supporters rationalized France's cavalier position by arguing that independent French nuclear capability would provide a second center of deterrence against the Soviet Union.

De Gaulle forced a serious clash with Britain regarding the NATO alliance. By opposing British attempts to incorporate Europe in a broader transatlantic economic, political, and military alliance, de Gaulle hoped to create a chance for France to become what she ceased to be since Waterloo; the first in the world through driving a wedge between Europe, on one hand, and Britain and the United States on the other. Initially successful in isolating Britain, particularly through France's veto power over the European Economic Community (EEC), de Gaulle sought to further his country's status through a critique of, and withdrawal from, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The move backfired, however, allowing British foreign policy to isolate France and de Gaulle, hold NATO together, and eventually led to British inclusion in the EEC by other European members to counter France's disruptive behavior. In 1967, as in 1961-63, the French were determined to preserve their position of leadership within the EEC, and this was the reason for de Gaulle's second veto of Britain's application for membership. French diplomacy was based on the need to preserve the Community of Six while barring Britain. Although France succeeded in excluding Britain in the short term, in the longer term the French had to adjust their stance on enlargement in order to retain influence. Leadership within the community was the foundation of France's international status.<ref>James Ellison, "Separated by the Atlantic: the British and De Gaulle, 1958-1967." ''Diplomacy & Statecraft'' 2006 17(4): 853-870. Issn: 0959-2296 Fulltext: [[Ebsco]]; Helen Parr, "Saving the Community: the French Response to Britain's Second EEC Application in 1967." ''Cold War History'' 2006 6(4): 425-454. Issn: 1468-2745 Fulltext: [[Ebsco]]</ref>

In 1966 de Gaulle's decision to withdraw French forces from NATO (but to remain nominally a member) paradoxically reinforced the cohesion of NATO, leaving the U.S. wholly dominant in the organization. Meanwhile, he rebuilt the French army, restoring morale giving it a new and modern role in the economy and foreign affairs.

His continued deprecations of American involvement in Vietnam and his outspoken support of French-Canadian separatists in Quebec alienated opinion in the U.S. and Canada.
===Departure===
De Gaulle was reelected president for seven years by a small margin in 1965, and in 1967 elections his allies won a slimmest majority in the National Assembly. Then, in May 1968, opposition to De Gaulle suddenly [[May 1968 riots|crystallized]]. It was an age of wortldwide student demonstrations, nowhere more serious than in France.<ref>Jeremi Suri, ''Power and Protest: Global Revolution and the Rise of Detente'' (2003); Stanley Hoffmann, "Confrontation in May 1968," '' Decline or Renewal? France since the 1930s'' (1974) pp 145-86.</ref> Student demonstrations against the government and labor union strikes coalesced to produce a nationwide strike and unrest that very nearly brought the government down. At a critical point the Général disappeared for 24 hours. He was not hiding; rather he was negotiating for army support to retake Paris in case the rebels seized the city. With the army's backing, de Gaulle confidently returned, rallied the conservative middle class, and called immediate elections. Taking a vigorous part in the campaign, De Gaulle defined the issue as a choice between himself and the Communists. Repelled by the violence and disorder, the French electorate returned the Gaullists to power with a large majority in the assembly.

De Gaulle's unexpected loss of power in 1969 was psychological for his temperament was marked by the awareness of national and personal greatness as well as the realization of his old age and failing health. Secondly it was personal regarding [[Georges Pompidou]] because de Gaulle could brook no rival and his initially self-effacing prime minister had grown so powerful that the Général replaced him in 1968 with Maurice Couve de Murville. It was constitutional, for de Gaulle's reliance on a referendum of 27 April 1969 regarding relatively minor issues of regionalization and senate reform was defeated at the polls by 53%-47%. The Général seized the opportunity and resigned for good the next day. He was succeeded by Pompidou, who won 58% of the vote by proclaiming himself de Gaulle's heir.<ref>Charles G. Cogan, "The Break-up: General de Gaulle's Separation from Power" ''Journal of Contemporary History,'' Vol. 27, No. 1. (Jan., 1992), pp. 167-199</ref>

==Ideas and and memory==
The image of de Gaulle in France today is a great national hero—indeed a savior—honored by all parties. His vision of the grandeur of France is the national vision.<ref>Daniel J. Mahoney, "A 'Man of Character': The Statesmanship of Charles de Gaulle," ''Polity'' Vol. 27, No. 1 (1994), pp. 157-173</ref>

De Gaulle's political philosophy, with its use of concepts such as élan, will, instinct, heroism, and participation, reflected the influences of Charles Péguy (1873-1914), Maurice Barrès (1862-1923), and Henri Bergson (1859-1941). Portier (1997) finds that de Gaulle's central principles derived from his religious devotion to Catholicism. Some scholars have suggested that De Gaulle modeled his authoritarian approach on the political theories of [[Machiavelli]], [[Maurras]], and [[Napoleon]], yet the French president's regard for the sovereignty of the state undermines all such theories. A close comparison of the papal encyclicals of Paul VI, [[Pius XI]], John XXIII, and [[Pius XII]] with De Gaulle's own writings reveals the statesman's close alliance with the political position of the Vatican. Portier concludes that Gaullism is not a rigid authoritarianism; rather it is a profound concern for social justice, a belief in the primacy of central authority in conjunction with intermediary legislative bodies, and respect for popular consensus.<ref>Philippe Portier, "Le General De Gaulle et Le Catholicisme: Pour Une Autre Interpretation De La Pensee Gaullienne," [General De Gaulle and Catholicism: Regarding Another Interpretation of Gaullist Thought]. ''Revue Historique'' 1997 297(2): 533-562. Issn: 0035-3264</ref>

Kuisel (1992) asks whether de Gaulle was "Anti-American," and answers yes, for the Général consistently and mightily struggled to upend an international order built by and for America. He attacked America's arrogance of power and led his nation toward a less cooperative posture toward Washington. Indeed, he incited expressions of anti-Americanism among the French and deep down he shared a stereotype common among French intellectuals of American society as soulless, materialist, and ahistorical.<ref>Richard F. Kuisel, "Was De Gaulle Anti-American?" ''Tocqueville Review'' 1992 13(1): 21-32. Issn: 0730-479x</ref>
==Notable Quotes==
:''Faced with crisis, the man of character falls back on himself. He imposes his own stamp of action, takes responsibility for it, makes it his own.'' <ref>[http://www.quotatio.com/g/gaulle-charles-de-faced-with-crisis-the-man-of-character-070486.html] Quotatio - Charles De Gaulle</ref>

:''How can you govern a country with 365 varieties of cheese?''<ref>[http://www.quotatio.com/g/gaulle-charles-de-how-can-anyone-govern-a-nation-070490.html] Quotatio - Charles De Gaulle</ref>

:''France has lost a battle. But France has not lost the war!''<ref>http://www.bartleby.com/66/61/15961.html</ref>

:''You start out giving your hat, then you give your coat, then your shirt, then your skin and finally your soul.'' (On dealing with the Soviet Union)<ref>http://www.bartleby.com/63/59/59.html</ref>

:''You may be sure that the [[Americans]] will commit all the stupidities they can think of, plus some that are beyond imagination.'' (On U.S. entry into the [[Vietnam War]])<ref>http://www.bartleby.com/63/68/68.html</ref>

===Quotes about de Gaulle===
:''The hardest cross I have to bear is the [[Cross of Lorraine]].'' —attributed, falsely, to [[Winston Churchill]] (it was really uttered by Churchill's envoy to France)<ref>http://www.winstonchurchill.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=112</ref>

==Further reading==
* Berstein, Serge, and Peter Morris. ''The Republic of de Gaulle 1958-1969'' (The Cambridge History of Modern France) (2006) [https://www.amazon.com/Republic-Gaulle-1958-1969-Cambridge-History/dp/0521272394/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1205076945&sr=1-7 excerpt and text search]
* Cogan, Charles. ''Charles de Gaulle: A Brief Biography with Documents.'' (1995). 243 pp.
* De Gaulle, Charles. '' The Complete War Memoirs of Charles De Gaulle'' (1998) 1048pp; [https://www.amazon.com/Complete-War-Memoirs-Charles-Gaulle/dp/0786705469/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1205076110&sr=8-2 excerpt and text search]
* Lacouture, Jean. ''De Gaulle: The Rebel 1890-1944'' (1984; English ed. 1991), 640pp; [https://www.amazon.com/Gaulle-Rebel-1890-1944-Norton-Paperback/dp/0393309991/ref=pd_sim_b_title_1 excerpt and text search]; vol 2. ''De Gaulle: The Ruler 1945-1970'' (1993), 700pp, The standard scholarly biography,
* Kolodziej, Edward A. ''French International Policy under de Gaulle and Pompidou: The Politics of Grandeur'' (1974) [http://www.questia.com/read/9120986 online edition]
* Ledwidge, Bernard. ''De Gaulle'' (1982),
* Shennan, Andrew. ''De Gaulle'' (1993) 200pp
* Williams, Charles. ''The Last Great Frenchman: A Life of General De Gaulle'' (1997), 560pp [https://www.amazon.com/Last-Great-Frenchman-General-Gaulle/dp/0471180718/ref=pd_sim_b_img_3 excerpt and text search]
* Williams, Philip M. and Martin Harrison. ''De Gaulle's Republic'' (1965) [http://www.questia.com/read/54328775 online edition]

==Detailed bibliography==
===Biographies===
* Cogan, Charles. ''Charles de Gaulle: A Brief Biography with Documents.'' (1995). 243 pp.
* Lacouture, Jean. ''De Gaulle: The Rebel 1890-1944'' (1984; English ed. 1991), 640pp; [https://www.amazon.com/Gaulle-Rebel-1890-1944-Norton-Paperback/dp/0393309991/ref=pd_sim_b_title_1 excerpt and text search]; vol 2. ''De Gaulle: The Ruler 1945-1970'' (1993), 700pp, The standard scholarly biography, based on hundreds of interviews.
* Ledwidge, Bernard. ''De Gaulle'' (1982),
* Shennan, Andrew. ''De Gaulle'' (1993) 200pp
* Williams, Charles. ''The Last Great Frenchman: A Life of General De Gaulle'' (1997), 560pp [https://www.amazon.com/Last-Great-Frenchman-General-Gaulle/dp/0471180718/ref=pd_sim_b_img_3 excerpt and text search]
===Politics===
* Berstein, Serge, and Peter Morris. ''The Republic of de Gaulle 1958-1969'' (The Cambridge History of Modern France) (2006) [https://www.amazon.com/Republic-Gaulle-1958-1969-Cambridge-History/dp/0521272394/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1205076945&sr=1-7 excerpt and text search]
* Cameron, David R. and Hofferbert, Richard I. "Continuity and Change in Gaullism: the General's Legacy." ''American Journal of Political Science'' 1973 17(1): 77-98. Issn: 0092-5853, a statistcial analysis of the Gaullist voting coalition in elections 1958-73 Fulltext: [http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0092-5853%28197302%2917%3A1%3C77%3ACACIGT%3E2.0.CO%3B2-N Abstract in Jstor]
* Cogan, Charles G. "The Break-up: General de Gaulle's Separation from Power," ''Journal of Contemporary History'' Vol. 27, No. 1 (Jan., 1992), pp. 167–199, re: 1969 [http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0022-0094%28199201%2927%3A1%3C167%3ATBGDGS%3E2.0.CO%3B2-K in JSTOR]
* Furniss,Edgar J., Jr. ''De Gaulle and the French Army.'' (1964)
* Gough, Hugh and Horne, John, eds. ''De Gaulle and Twentieth-Century France.'' (1994). 158 pp. essays by experts
* Hauss, Charles. ''Politics in Gaullist France: Coping with Chaos'' (1991) [http://www.questia.com/read/23380015 online edition]
* Hoffmann, Stanley. ''Decline or Renewal? France since the 1930s'' (1974) [http://www.questia.com/read/14783192 online edition]
* Jackson, Julian. "General de Gaulle and His Enemies: Anti-Gaullism in France Since 1940," ''Transactions of the Royal Historical Society'' 6th Ser., Vol. 9 (1999), pp. 43–65 [http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0080-4401%281999%296%3A9%3C43%3AGDGAHE%3E2.0.CO%3B2-C in JSTOR]
* Merom, Gil. "A 'Grand Design'? Charles de Gaulle and the End of the Algerian War," ''Armed Forces & Society''(1999), Vol. 25, Issue 2; in [[EBSCO]]
* Northcutt, Wayne. ''Historical Dictionary of the French Fourth and Fifth Republics, 1946-1991'' (1992)
* Pierce, Roy, "De Gaulle and the RPF--A Post-Mortem," ''The Journal of Politics'' Vol. 16, No. 1 (Feb., 1954), pp. 96–119 [http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0022-3816%28195402%2916%3A1%3C96%3ADGATRP%3E2.0.CO%3B2-W in JSTOR]
* Rioux, Jean-Pierre, and Godfrey Rogers. ''The Fourth Republic, 1944-1958'' (The Cambridge History of Modern France) (1989)
* Shepard, Todd. ''The Invention of Decolonization: The Algerian War and the Remaking of France.'' (2006). 288 pp.
* Williams, Philip M. and Martin Harrison. ''De Gaulle's Republic'' (1965) [http://www.questia.com/read/54328775 online edition]
===Foreign policy===
* Bozo, Frédéric. ''Two Strategies for Europe: De Gaulle, the United States and the Atlantic Alliance'' (2000)
* Kolodziej, Edward A. ''French International Policy under de Gaulle and Pompidou: The Politics of Grandeur'' (1974) [http://www.questia.com/read/9120986 online edition]
* Logevall, Fredrik. "De Gaulle, Neutralization, and American Involvement in Vietnam, 1963-1964," ''The Pacific Historical Review'' Vol. 61, No. 1 (Feb., 1992), pp. 69–102 [http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0030-8684%28199202%2961%3A1%3C69%3ADGNAAI%3E2.0.CO%3B2-8 in JSTOR]
* Mahan, E. ''Kennedy, De Gaulle and Western Europe.'' (2002). 229 pp.
* Mangold, Peter. ''The Almost Impossible Ally: Harold Macmillan and Charles de Gaulle.'' (2006). 275 pp.
* Paxton, Robert O. and Wahl, Nicholas, eds. ''De Gaulle and the United States: A Centennial Reassessment.'' (1994). 433 pp.
* Pratt, Julius W. "De Gaulle and the United States: How the Rift Began," ''The History Teacher'' Vol. 1, No. 4 (May, 1968), pp. 5–15 [http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0018-2745%28196805%291%3A4%3C5%3ADGATUS%3E2.0.CO%3B2-N in JSTOR]
* Vaïsse, Maurice. ''La Grandeur: Politique Etrangère du Général de Gaulle, 1958-1969'' (1997)
* Varat, Benjamin E. "A Clash of Kings: De Gaulle, Kennedy, and the Battle for Western Europe, 1958-1963." PhD dissertation Boston U. 2006. 356 pp. DAI 2006 67(1): 295-A. DA3202578 Fulltext: [[ProQuest Dissertations & Theses]]
* White, Dorothy Shipley. ''Black Africa and de Gaulle: From the French Empire to Independence.'' (1979). 314 pp.

===Ideas and memory===
* Cerny, Philip G. ''The Politics of Grandeur: Ideological Aspects of de Gaulle's Foreign Policy.'' (1980). 319 pp.
* Clague, Monique. "Conceptions of Leadership: Charles de Gaulle and Max Weber," ''Political Theory'' Vol. 3, No. 4 (Nov., 1975), pp. 423–440 [http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0090-5917%28197511%293%3A4%3C423%3ACOLCDG%3E2.0.CO%3B2-J in JSTOR]
* Gordon, Philip H. ''A Certain Idea of France: French Security Policy and the Gaullist Legacy'' (1993) [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=107405557 online edition]
* Hoffmann, Stanley. "The Hero as History: De Gaulle's War Memoirs" in Hoffman ''Decline or Renewal? France since the 1930s'' (1974) pp 187–201 [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=14783192# online edition]
* Johnson, Douglas. "The Political Principles of General de Gaulle," ''International Affairs'' Vol. 41, No. 4 (Oct., 1965), pp. 650–662 [http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0020-5850%28196510%2941%3A4%3C650%3ATPPOGD%3E2.0.CO%3B2-F in JSTOR]
* Mahoney, Daniel J. ''De Gaulle: Statesmanship, Grandeur, and Modern Democracy.'' (1996). 188 pp. intellectual history
* Mahoney, Daniel J. "A 'Man of Character': The Statesmanship of Charles de Gaulle," ''Polity'' Vol. 27, No. 1 (Autumn, 1994), pp. 157–173 [http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0032-3497%28199423%2927%3A1%3C157%3AA%22OCTS%3E2.0.CO%3B2-T in JSTOR]
* Pedley, Alan. '' As Mighty as the Sword: A Study of the Writings of Charles de Gaulle'' (1996) 226pp
===World War II===
* Berthon, Simon. ''Allies at War: The Bitter Rivalry among Churchill, Roosevelt, and de Gaulle.'' (2001). 356 pp.
* Funk, Arthur Layton. ''Charles de Gaulle: The Crucial Years, 1943-1944'' (1959) [http://www.questia.com/read/58600747 online edition]
* Kersaudy, Francois. ''Churchill and De Gaulle'' (2nd ed 1990) 482pp
* Rossi, Mario. "United States Military Authorities and Free France, 1942-1944," ''The Journal of Military History'' Vol. 61, No. 1 (Jan., 1997), pp. 49–64 [http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0899-3718%28199701%2961%3A1%3C49%3AUSMAAF%3E2.0.CO%3B2-3 in JSTOR]
* Weinberg, Gerhard L. ''Visions of Victory: The Hopes of Eight World War II Leaders.'' (2005). 292 pp. chapter on de Gaulle

===Primary sources===
* De Gaulle, Charles. '' The Complete War Memoirs of Charles De Gaulle'' (1998) 1048pp; [https://www.amazon.com/Complete-War-Memoirs-Charles-Gaulle/dp/0786705469/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1205076110&sr=8-2 excerpt and text search]
* De Gaulle, Charles. ''Memoirs of Hope: Renewal and Endeavor'' (1971)
* De Gaulle, Charles. ''The Enemy's House Divided'' (2002), translation of ''La Discorde chez l'ennemi'' (1924), analysis of Germany's mistakes in World War I

====notes====
<references/>

==See also==

[[Gaullism]]

{{FrancePresidents}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gaulle, Charles de}}

[[Category:Heads of State]]
[[Category:World War II Commanders]]
[[Category:French History]]
[[Category:Cold War]]
[[Category:Catholic Politicians]]
[[Category:France]]
[[Category:French People]]
[[Category:Conservatives]]
[[Category:Patriots]]
[[Category:Pro Second Amendment]]

Winston Churchill

2020-09-06T15:58:51Z

King Conservative: /* External links */

{{Prime Minister
|image=Solidgold.jpg
|seq=
|party=Conservative Party
|term_start=May 10, 1940
|term_end=1945
|previous=Neville Chamberlain
|next=Clement Attlee
|term_start2=1950
|term_end2=1955
|previous2=Clement Attlee
|next2=Anthony Eden
|birth_date=1874
|birth_place=
|death_date=1965
|death_place=
|spouse=
|spouse2=
|religion=[[Anglican]]
}}
'''Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill''', KG, OM, CH (1874-1965), was an British politician who served as the Conservative [[Prime Minister]] of the [[United Kingdom]] for most of the [[Second World War]] and again from 1951-55. He was one of the few leaders to achieve high office in both World Wars and to write profusely about his experiences. Winston Churchill was highly [[racist]] against Indians and Hindus. This was shown when Leopold Amery the British secretary of state, told him that rotting corpses lined the streets of Calcutta. Winston Churchill responded by saying, "I hate Indians." "They are a beastly people with a beastly religion."<ref>https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/3005838/churchills-real-darkest-hour-new-evidence-confirms-british</ref> Winston Churchill was also an alcoholic. In 1936, Churchill had accumulated a tab with his wine merchant that amounts to an equivalent of $75,000 today. After becoming Prime Minister in 1940, Churchill refused to cut down on his alcohol consumption. Lunch and Dinner were always accompanied by brandy and champagne and he at all times throughout the day, had a glass of whiskey by his side. According to Churchill's private secretary, Jock Colville, he'd kick off his day with a "daily whiskey mouthwash." <ref>https://allthatsinteresting.com/winston-churchill-drinking</ref>

He was a leader of the Liberal party before it collapsed in the 1920s; then he rejoined the Conservative party. Although he supported the beginning of the welfare state around 1910, he was temperamentally and culturally a conservative, and though in his youth a liberal socially, soon became a conservative as the liberals ramped up criticism of the empire. He became a leading opponent of socialism after 1945, as well as an opponent of Gandhi's movement for the independence of India after 1930. Throughout his career he was pro-business and hostile to labour unions.
{{cquote|'''Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery.'''}}
Churchill was also an amateur landscape painter and pilot, soldier, farmer, and even bricklayer. When he retired from the House of Commons in 1964, he had spent over six decades in public life, a career that ran from the 1890's Boer War to the nuclear age.

==Career==
===Early life===
Churchill was a younger son of the top aristocracy. He was born in 1874 to Lord [[Randolph Churchill]] and an American mother.
Winston's father, Lord Randolph Churchill (1849–1895) was a third son of a poor English duke with a very famous family name; Randolph became a prominent Conservative politician. He married Jennie Jerome (1854–1921), the daughter of American millionaire Leonard Jerome. She was of colonial American stock of English ancestry and brought a dowry of £50,000. Churchill was born in [[Blenheim Palace]], the palace of the dukes of Marlborough. He had one brother, John Strange Churchill (1880–1947). The parents' marriage faltered, in part because of Lord Randolph's debilitating disease (which resembled syphilis); Lady Randolph became notorious for her romantic attachments, becoming known as "Lady Jane Snatcher." She liked Winston, but largely ignored him.<ref>. H. L. Le May, "Churchill, Jeanette (Lady Randolph Churchill) (1854–1921)", ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography,'' 2004; [http://www.oxforddnb.com.proxy.cc.uic.edu/view/article/37282, online]</ref> His mother later became his ardent ally, helping him achieve key assignments as a war reporter and smoothing his career in politics. The son idealized his always-absent mother. "She shone for me like the Evening Star," Churchill later wrote. "I loved her dearly—but at a distance." <ref>Jenkins, ''Churchill,'' p. 8</ref>

Winston spent a typical upper-class childhood in the hands of nurses and headmasters at a succession of private schools from the age of eight. While he was no more neglected than most boys of his age and class, his sensitive nature suffered as a result of his parents' aloofness and he always regretted his failure to achieve a close relationship with his father, who died in 1895 at the age of only 45 and Winston was 21. Churchill rarely spoke with his father, who served as Secretary of state for India, Leader of the House and chancellor of the exchequer. However the son systematically adopted his father's ideas and political positions, and thereby became well known in political circles.

He entered Harrow School in 1888 with a track for the Army. Churchill had an independent and rebellious nature; he lacked self-discipline and displayed slovenly or unruly behaviour. His grades were poor apart from English and history; he avoided team sports but was a fencing champion. His father did not think he was smart enough for Oxford, so he went to the military academy at Sandhurst in 1893. He excelled at tactics, fortifications and horsemanship, graduating twentieth out of a class of 130 in 1894; he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant cavalry officer in the 4th Queen's Own Hussars, where he excelled at polo.

===Military experience===
Posted to Bangalore, India, in 1896, he ignored local conditions. His duties were done well before noon; apart from polo he did not socialize with his peers, who considered the slender, short, highly ambitious young man to be pushy, bumptious and not a proper gentleman.In 1902 the intellectual Beatrice Webb found him "egotistical, bumptious, shallow-minded and reactionary, but with a certain personal magnetism, great pluck and some originality, not of intellect but of character. More of the American speculator than the English aristocrat." <ref>Jenkins, ''Churchill,'' p. 148</ref> Churchill became an intellectual, as he immersed himself in the classics, devouring the works of Adam Smith, Gibbon, Macaulay, Hallam, Lecky, and Darwin. He carefully studied the parliamentary debates of the 1870s to 1890s, adding to them his own imaginary speeches. He never learned Latin or Greek so he fashioned a prose style modeled on the two finest writers among English historians, Gibbon and Macaulay. A book on the evolution of civilization that ridiculed Christianity<ref>Winwood Reade ''Martyrdom of Man'' (1872)</ref> led to his loss of religious faith; he believed in evolution and the inevitability of progress.

Between 1897 and 1900, with the aid of his mother's lobbying in London, Churchill fought in three imperial wars while doubling as a war correspondent and writing three books. In 1897 he joined three brigades in fighting a Pathan tribe. His lively account of the skirmishes proved he could write for the popular press; he received £5 per column from the ''Daily Telegraph'' and soon became the highest paid war correspondent in the world.

[[File:Churchill The River War.jpg|thumb|''The River War,'' one of Churchill's first books]]

In late 1899 Churchill went to South Africa as a war correspondent to cover the [[Second Boer War]]; his salary was a remarkable £250 per month plus expenses. Caught in an ambush Churchill was captured and held in a POW camp in Pretoria; he escaped—an adventure that made him a minor national hero. He rejoined General Redvers Buller's army on its march to relieve [[Ladysmith]] and take Pretoria. Churchill was one of the first British troops into Ladysmith and Pretoria. In 1900, he published two books on the Boer war, ''London to Ladysmith via Pretoria''<ref>[https://www.gutenberg.org/etext/14426 online at]</ref> and ''Ian Hamilton's March''<ref>online at [https://books.google.com/books?id=27yKxqljk4gC&dq=inauthor:winston+inauthor:churchill&num=30].</ref>

Churchill's mother used her connections with the prince of Wales to get the her son assigned to the force commanded by Lord Kitchener for the reconquest of the [[Sudan]]. Churchill arrived just in time to join the cavalry charge at the battle of Omdurman (2 September 1898), in which his regiment galloped by accident into a ravine crammed with armed men. Churchill, who shot and killed at least three of the enemy, was cool, courageous and lucky.<ref>Over 30,000 Sudanese were killed, compared with 28 British soldiers.</ref> The ''Morning Post'' ran his stories, and the public snatched up his two-volume ''The River War: An Account of the Reconquest of the Sudan'' (1899).<ref>[https://www.gutenberg.org/etext/4943 online at]</ref> It displayed a remarkably sympathetic history of the Sudanese revolt against Egyptian rule. A speaking tour of Britain, the U.S. and Canada in 1900 netted £10,000, proving the funding he needed for a political-literary career.<ref>Churchill met [[Theodore Roosevelt]]; they resembled each other in many ways but never became friends.</ref>

===Early politics===
In late 1900, Churchill was elected to Parliament as a Conservative. His independent nature soon saw him at odds with his party, and in 1904 he "crossed the floor" to the Liberals, who won a landslide election in early 1906. He served the Liberal government as President of the Board of Trade and Home Secretary, where he helped pass social reform legislation that laid the foundations of the British welfare state.

When [[Herbert Henry Asquith]] became Prime Minister in 1908, Churchill was promoted to the Cabinet as President of the Board of Trade. Working closely with [[David Lloyd George]] he helped pass major social welfare legislation, called the "New Liberalism.". Churchill focused on the "Trade Boards Bill," a scheme to end the sweatshops in the garment industry; on labour exchanges, designed to reduce unemployment by making job searches easier; and unemployment insurance for 3 million workers in cyclical industries. He supported Lloyd George's highly controversial "People's Budget" of 1909-10 (with spending increase of 11% and multiple tax increases that especially targeted rich landowners), even as it caused a [[constitutional crisis]] with the House of Lords.<ref>Jenkins, ''Churchill'' 157-66; Bruce K. Murray, "The Politics of the 'People's Budget'" ''The Historical Journal'', Vol. 16, No. 3 (Sep., 1973), pp. 555-570 [http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0018-246X(197309)16%3A3%3C555%3ATPOT'B%3E2.0.CO%3B2-W in JSTOR]</ref>

Churchill in 1910 denied that war with Germany was a threat and opposed the tripling of the warship budget proposed by the Admiralty.<ref>Jenkins, ''Churchill,'' 154-56</ref> Churchill generally was on the winning side, though he was beaten on the warships.<ref>Jenkins, ''Churchill, ch 8</ref>

In 1910, Churchill was promoted to [[Home Secretary]]. Regarding a dispute at the Cambrian Colliery coal mine in Tonypandy, initially Churchill blocked the use of troops fearing a repeat of the 1887 "bloody Sunday" in Trafalgar Square. Nevertheless, he deployed soldiers to protect the mines and to avoid riots when thirteen strikers were tried for minor offences, an action that broke the tradition of not involving the military in civil affairs and led to lingering dislike for Churchill in Wales.

In 1911, he became First Lord of the Admiralty (civilian head of the Royal Navy), working especially to complete the conversion of ships from coal to oil. Together with his two First Sea Lords, Prince Louis of Battenberg and Admiral Lord Fisher, Churchill promoted fast, powerful battleships and outproduced the Germans to maintain British naval supremacy. He founded the Naval Air Service, and made numerous visits to ships and navy bases, where he was admired for his efforts to improve conditions for officers and crews.

===First World War===
At Churchill's direction, the fleet was at its war station before war broke out in 1914, but it was never able to engage the Germans in a decisive early sea battle. Churchill designed and supervised the Gallipoli campaign to force a route to [[Constantinople]] (now [[Istanbul]]). It was an unmitigated failure, and led to his removal from the Admiralty in May 1915. Reporting to his regiment in the trenches of Belgium, he was under fire for three months before returning to Parliament. In 1917, he was appointed Minister of Munitions and in 1919, Secretary for War and Air. He wrote a major 4-volume history of the war that added to his literary reputation.

===1920s===
As Colonial Secretary in 1921-22, he advocated the dropping of poison gas on rebellious tribes of Iraqi Arabs [http://www.globalresearch.ca/articles/CHU407A.html] and during this period Churchill enjoyed two notable diplomatic achievements. At the 1921 Cairo conference, he helped establish the borders of the modern [[Middle East]], though he failed in his attempt to set up a Kurdish homeland "to protect the Kurds against some future bully in [[Iraq]]." Closer to home, he helped to forge the Irish Treaty, which kept the peace in Ireland for 50 years. Michael Collins, the IRA revolutionary with whom Churchill negotiated, said from his deathbed: "Tell Winston we could have done nothing without him."

In 1924, Churchill rejoined the Conservatives, serving as Chancellor of the Exchequer through spring 1929. He returned Britain to the gold standard and ran a government newspaper, ''The British Gazette'', during the general strike of 1926, and is still remembered in South Wales as the politician who sent tanks onto the streets to force striking miners back to work.
===Political exile in 1930s===
[[File:Churchill Sunset over Atlas Mountains, Marrakech 1935.jpg|thumb|Sunset over Atlas Mountains, Marrakesh, 1935.]]
He became increasingly separated from the Conservatives in the 1930s, first over the plan to grant India dominion status; later over Britain's slow rearmament in the face of Hitler's aggression; and finally when he championed King Edward VIII, who abdicated in 1936.

{{Clear}}

===Second World War===
Not until war had broken out again in 1939 was he asked to rejoin the Government, again becoming First Lord of the Admiralty, which according to legend, signaled to its ships: "Winston is Back." He renewed his energetic naval policies but was repulsed in an attempt to wrest Norway from the invading Germans in April 1940, having first had to drop ambitious plans to invade neutral Sweden.

With the Nazi blitzkrieg pouring into the [[Low Countries]] in May, 1940, The British Prime Minister [[Neville Chamberlain]] resigned and Churchill was appointed Prime Minister as head of in an all-party coalition government with Labour and the Liberals. Although Britain continued to be defeated elsewhere, in the [[Battle of Britain]] the German Air Force was unable to gain the air superiority required for an invasion of Britain. In those months, as Edward R. Murrow said, "he mobilized the English language and sent it into battle." Some of Churchill's most famous speeches were given at this time. The Germans turned their attention east, to their ally the Soviet Union.

After Hitler invaded the Soviet Union in June 1941, Churchill saw the chance to defeat Hitler using Soviet manpower. He vowed to help the Soviets, declaring, "If Hitler invaded hell I would at least make a favorable reference to the Devil in the House of Commons."

By 1940 Churchill had developed close ties with U.S. President [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]], he secured American military aid and financial support, but his ultimate goal was to have America fighting at Britain's side. Together they proclaimed the "[[Atlantic Charter]]" in 1941. The U.S. became the "Arsenal of Democracy," using [[Lend Lease]] to send $50 billion in military supplies to the Allies; most went to Britain, which in turn sent munitions to Russia.<ref>Lend Lease was free and did not have to be repaid, although transport ships were to be returned after the war, and some were.</ref> When the United States declared war after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor in December, 1941, Churchill admitted that he "slept the sleep of the saved and the thankful."

Europe was the centre of his attention; the Australians complained about his neglect of their interests (and turned to the U.S. for protection). Recalling the horrible death tolls of 1914-1918, he was reluctant to invade France, proposing instead invasions of North Africa and Italy (which took place in 1942-43) and the Balkans (which did not happen). Churchill strongly supported the strategic air campaign that bombed enemy cities, railyards and oil refineries. He worked very well with [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]], the American general in overall command of the invasion of France that was launched successfully in June 1944. Despite complaints by senior generals and admirals that Churchill interfered too much in military matters, he was successful in balancing the economic, manpower, diplomatic, psychological and military dimensions of the war.

===Defeat in 1945===
Churchill was disappointed by the failure to control an expansionist Soviet Union toward the end of the war, and watched with mounting concern another totalitarian state rise dominant in Europe. To the amazement of many outside Britain, his party was routed in the 1945 general election and he became Leader of the Opposition. His famous "Iron Curtain" speech at Fulton, Missouri, in 1946 was the opening salvo and warning of the Cold War, unpopular at the time but later considered prophetic. In 1949, he predicted the demise of Communism, "ignited by a spark coming from God knows where, and in a moment the whole system of lies and oppression is on trial for its life."
===Return in 1951===
In 1951 the Conservatives regained an electoral majority and Churchill became prime minister again, but he was disappointed in his effort to achieve a peaceful settlement of cold war antagonisms, and his domestic record was indifferent. He became a Knight of the Garter, acquiring the title "Sir Winston" in 1953.

Suffering from age and poor health, he retired in April 1955, but remained a Member of Parliament for another nine years. He declined a peerage in order to remain in Commons. In 1963 he was declared an Honorary Citizen of the United States by President [[John F. Kennedy]]. He died at age 90 on January 24, 1965. [http://www.churchill.navy.mil/site%20pages/history.aspx]
==Churchill as historian==
Churchill was a prolific historian with a lively style and a very wide audience who authored his books under the pen name "Winston S. Churchill". won the 1953 [[Nobel Prize]] for [[Literature]], bestowed for his numerous books on history, biography and politics. His greatest biography was ''Marlborough'' (4 volumes, 1933–38); his best-known historical work was ''A History of the English-Speaking Peoples'' (4 volumes, 1956-1958). His personal memoirs, ''My Early Life'' (1930), ''The World Crisis'' (5 volumes, 1923–31) and ''The Second World War'' (6 volumes, 1948–53) are readable personal accounts of his Victorian youth and the two world wars. In all, Churchill wrote over 40 titles in over 60 volumes, nearly 1,000 articles and uncounted speeches.

Churchill wrote ''Lord Randolph Churchill'', a two-volume biography of his father which was published in 1906 and received much critical acclaim. Some historians suggest Churchill used the book in part to vindicate his own career and in particular to justify crossing the floor.<ref>James, ''Churchill a study in failure'' p34-35</ref> His ''The World Crisis'' (six volumes, 1923–31) was a broad-scale history of the First World War, with Churchill never far offstage. His greatest work was, ''The Second World War'' (six volumes, 1948–53), using secret papers not available to other for many years; he did not reveal the prime secret of breaking the German codes (which was revealed in the early 1970s). Churchill's highly detailed narrative structured much of the historiography for the first decade or two after the war, especially in his analysis and denunciation of the appeasement policy of the late 1930s.<ref>See Reynolds (2001) and Reynolds (2005)</ref>

===Evaluation===
Asked to summarize Churchill in one sentence, his biographer Martin Gilbert said: "He was a great humanitarian who was himself distressed that the accidents of history gave him his greatest power at a time when everything had to be focused on defending the country from destruction, rather than achieving his goals of a fairer society."

To Martin Gilbert also we owe these last lines from Sir Winston's biography: "When at last his life's great impulses were fading, Churchill's daughter Mary paid him perhaps the most eloquent tribute of all: 'In addition to all the feelings a daughter has for a loving, generous father, I owe you what every Englishman, woman & child does--Liberty itself.'"

Margot Asquith said it was not his mind or uneven judgment Britons respected but rather "his courage and colour — his amazing mixture of industry and enterprise." "He never shirks, hedges or protects himself; he takes huge risks."<ref>quoted in David Fromkin, ''A Peace to End All Peace'' (2001) p. 54</ref>

[[Image:Sir Winston Churchill.jpg|right]]

== Famous Quotes ==

*Churchill wrote, "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery."

*"There are two places where socialism will work, in heaven where it is not needed, and in hell where they already have it."

*"The truth is incontrovertible, malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end; there it is."

*"Individual Muslims may show splendid qualities, but the influence of the religion paralyses the social development of those who follow it. No stronger retrograde force exists in the world." (1899)

*Winston Churchill, election broadcast (May, 1945) '''"I must tell you that a socialist policy is abhorrent to British ideas on freedom. There is to be one State, to which all are to be obedient in every act of their lives. This State, once in power, will prescribe for everyone: where they are to work, what they are to work at, where they may go and what they may say, what views they are to hold, where their wives are to queue up for the State ration, and what education their children are to receive. A socialist state could not afford to suffer opposition - ''no socialist system can be established without a political police''. They (the Labour government) would have to fall back on some form of Gestapo."'''

*"Never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy."

*"Delight in smooth-sounding platitudes, refusal to face unpleasant facts, desire for popularity and electoral success irrespective of the vital interests of the State, genuine love of peace and pathetic belief that love can be its sole foundation, obvious lack of intellectual vigor in both leaders of the British coalition government,… the strong and violent pacifism which at this time dominated the Labour-Socialist Party, the utter devotion of the Liberals to sentiment apart from reality … constituted a picture of British fatuity and fecklessness which, though devoid of guile, was not devoid of guilt, and, though free from wickedness or evil design, played a definite part in unleashing upon the world of horrors and miseries which even so far as they have unfolded, are already beyond comparison in human experience." (Referring to Britain's culpability in the rise of Hitler's Germany and its results.) <ref>Winston S. Churchill, ''The Second World War: The gathering storm'', p. 80</ref>

*"Winston, if I were married to you I'd put poison in your coffee"...."Nancy, if I were married to you I'd drink it." ''(Nancy Witcher Langhorne Astor, Viscountess Astor, b.1879, speaking to Sir Winston, and his reply, this occurred during a weekend house party at Blenheim Palace in the early 1930's)''

*''"If you will not fight for right when you can easily win without blood shed; if you will not fight when your victory is sure and not too costly; you may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all the odds against you and only a precarious chance of survival. There may even be a worse case. You may have to fight when there is no hope of victory, because it is better to perish than to live as slaves."''<ref>{{cite book |title=Slaughter of the Dissidents |author=Jerry Bergman |publisher=Leafcutter Press |year=2011 |pages=xi |isbn=9780981873404 |url=https://books.google.sk/books?id=PRd8PgAACAAJ}}</ref>

*"'''I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat. We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind. We have before us many, many long months of struggle and of suffering. You ask, what is our policy? I can say: It is to wage war, by sea, land and air, with all our might and with all the strength that God can give us; to wage war against a monstrous tyranny, never surpassed in the dark, lamentable catalogue of human crime. That is our policy. You ask, what is our aim? I can answer in one word: It is victory, victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory, however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival. Let that be realized; no survival for the British Empire, no survival for all that the British Empire has stood for, no survival for the urge and impulse of the ages, that mankind will move forward towards its goal. But I take up my task with buoyancy and hope. I feel sure that our cause will not be suffered to fail among men. At this time I feel entitled to claim the aid of all, and I say, "come then, let us go forward together with our united strength."'''[http://www.winstonchurchill.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=435]

*The power of the Executive to cast a man into prison without formulating any charge known to the law, and particularly to deny him the judgment of his peers, is in the highest degree odious and is the foundation of all totalitarian government whether Nazi or Communist" -- Winston Churchill, November 21, 1943.

*We shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air. We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing-grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills. We shall never surrender! ''Speech in the House of Commons, 4 June 1940, following the evacuation of British and French armies from Dunkirk, as the German tide swept through France.[http://www.winstonchurchill.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=388#Never_give_in]

*What General Weygand called the Battle of France is over. I expect that the battle of Britain is about to begin. Upon this battle depends the survival of Christian civilization. Upon it depends our own British life, and the long continuity of our institutions and our Empire. The whole fury and might of the enemy must very soon be turned on us. Hitler knows that he will have to break us in this island or lose the war. If we can stand up to him, all Europe may be free and the life of the world may more forward into broad, sunlit uplands. But if we fail, then the whole world, including the United States, including all that we have known and cared for, will sink into the abyss of a new Dark Age made more sinister, and perhaps more protracted, by the lights of perverted science. Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties, and so bear ourselves that if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will still say, "This was their Finest Hour." ''Speech in the House of Commons, 18 June 1940, following the collapse of France. Many thought Britain would follow. [http://www.winstonchurchill.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=388#Finest]

*The gratitude of every home in our island, in our Empire, and indeed throughout the world, except in the abodes of the guilty, goes out to the British airmen who, undaunted by odds, unwearied in their constant challenge and mortal danger, are turning the tide of the world war by their prowess and by their devotion. Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few. ''Tribute to the Royal Air Force, House of Commons, 20 August 1940. He had worked out the phrase about "The Few" in his mind as he visited the Fighter Command airfields in Southern England.'' [http://www.winstonchurchill.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=388#so_much_owed]

*"To build may have to be the slow and laborious task of years. To destroy can be the thoughtless act of a single day."

*"How dreadful are the curses which Mohammedanism lays on its votaries! Besides the fanatical frenzy, which is as dangerous in a man as hydrophobia in a dog, there is this fearful fatalistic apathy. The effects are apparent in many countries, improvident habits, slovenly systems of agriculture, sluggish methods of commerce, and insecurity of property exist wherever the followers of the Prophet rule or live.

:A degraded sensualism deprives this life of its grace and refinement, the next of its dignity and sanctity. The fact that in Mohammedan law every woman must belong to some man as his absolute property, either as a child, a wife, or a concubine, must delay the final extinction of slavery until the faith of Islam has ceased to be a great power among men.

:Individual Muslims may show splendid qualities, but the influence of the religion paralyses the social development of those who follow it. No stronger retrograde force exists in the world. Far from being moribund, Mohammedanism is a militant and proselytizing faith. It has already spread throughout Central Africa, raising fearless warriors at every step; and were it not that Christianity is sheltered in the strong arms of science, the science against which it had vainly struggled, the civilization of modern Europe might fall, as fell the civilization of ancient Rome." - ''The River War: An Historical Account of the Reconquest of the Soudan''<ref>[http://www.snopes.com/politics/quotes/churchillislam.asp Winston Churchill on Islam], [[Snopes.com]]</ref>

==See also==
* [[Yalta conference]]
* [[Charles de Gaulle]]
* [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]]

==Bibliography==
===Biographies===
* Addison, Paul. "Churchill, Sir Winston Leonard Spencer (1874–1965)", ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography,'' [http://www.oxforddnb.com.proxy.cc.uic.edu/view/article/32413, online]
* Addison, Paul. ''Churchill: The Unexpected Hero.'' (2005). 320 pp. [https://www.amazon.com/Churchill-Unexpected-Hero-Paul-Addison/dp/0199297436/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1226209264&sr=8-1 excerpt and text search]
* Best, Geoffrey. ''Churchill: A Study in Greatness'' (2003), 400pp; very well received biography
* Blake, Robert. ''Winston Churchill. Pocket Biographies'' (1997), 110 pages
* Charmley, John. ''Churchill, The End of Glory: A Political Biography'' (1993). revisionist; favors Chamberlain; says Churchill weakened Britain
* D'Este, Carlo. ''Warlord: A Life of Winston Churchill at War, 1874-1945'' (2008), stresses his many military roles.
* Gilbert, Martin. ''Churchill: A Life'' (1992); one volume version of 8-volume life (8900 pp); amazing detail but as Rasor complains, "no background, no context, no comment, no analysis, no judgments, no evaluation, and no insights." [https://www.amazon.com/Churchill-Life-Martin-Gilbert/dp/0805023968/ref=pd_bbs_11?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1226208898&sr=8-11 excerpt and text search]
* Heywood, Samantha. ''Churchill'' (2003) 162 pp, [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=104529861 online edition]
* James, Robert Rhodes. ''Churchill: A Study in Failure, 1900-1939'' (1970), 400 pp.
* Jenkins, Roy. ''Churchill: A Biography'' (2001), 1000 pp; strong on Parliamentary roles [https://www.amazon.com/Churchill-Roy-Jenkins/dp/0452283523/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1226209134&sr=8-3 excerpt and text search]
* Keegan, John. ''Winston Churchill'' (2002) 208 pp [https://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0670030791/ref=sib_dp_pop_ex/103-4827826-5463040?ie=UTF8&p=S00F#reader-link online excerpt]
* Manchester, William. ''The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill, Visions of Glory 1874-1932'', 1983; vol 2 is ''The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill, Alone 1932-1940'', 1988,; no more published [https://www.amazon.com/Last-Lion-Winston-Spencer-Churchill/dp/0316545031/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1226208898&sr=8-1 excerpt and text search]
* Pelling, Henry. ''Winston Churchill'' (1974), 736pp; comprehensive biography
* Rose, Norman. ''Churchill: An Unruly Life'' (1994), full-length biography [https://www.amazon.com/Churchill-Unruly-Giant-Norman-Rose/dp/0028740092/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1226209166&sr=8-1 excerpt and text search]
* Wrigley, Chris. ''Winston Churchill: A Biographical Companion.'' ABC-CLIO, 2002. 367 pp.; online at some libraries

===Specialized studies===
* Addison, Paul. ''Churchill on the Home Front 1900-1955'' (1992)
* Ball, Stuart. "Churchill and the Conservative Party," ''Transactions of the Royal Historical Society'' 6th Ser., Vol. 11 (2001), pp. 307–330 [http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0080-4401%282001%296%3A11%3C307%3ACATCP%3E2.0.CO%3B2-D in JSTOR]
* Bell, Christopher M. "Winston Churchill, Pacific Security, and the Limits of British Power, 1921-41," in John H. Maurer, ed. ''Churchill and Strategic Dilemmas before the World Wars'' (2003) pp 51–120 [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=108530166# online edition]
* Ben-Moshe, Tuvia. ''Churchill, Strategy and History.'' 1992, covers world wars [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=98438222 online edition]
* Beschloss, Michael R. ''The Conquerors: Roosevelt, Truman and the Destruction of Hitler's Germany, 1941-1945'' (2002) [https://www.amazon.com/Conquerors-Roosevelt-Destruction-Hitlers-1941-1945/dp/0743244540/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1226208863&sr=8-1 excerpt and text search]
* Best, Geoffrey. ''Churchill and War.'' 2005. 353 pp.
* Blake, Robert and Louis William Roger, eds. ''Churchill: A Major New Reassessment of His Life in Peace and War'' Oxford UP, 1992, 581 pp; 29 essays by scholars on specialized topics [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=26340770 online edition]
* Callahan, Raymond. ''Churchill and His Generals,'' (2007) 310pp
* Cannadine, David. "Churchill and the British Monarchy," ''Transactions of the Royal Historical Society'' 6th Ser., Vol. 11 (2001), pp. 249–272 [http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0080-4401%282001%296%3A11%3C249%3ACATBM%3E2.0.CO%3B2-G in JSTOR]
* Charmley, John. ''Churchill's Grand Alliance: The Anglo-American Special Relationship 1940-57'' (1996)
* Charmley, John. "Churchill and the American Alliance," ''Transactions of the Royal Historical Society'' 6th Ser., Vol. 11 (2001), pp. 353–371 [http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0080-4401%282001%296%3A11%3C353%3ACATAA%3E2.0.CO%3B2-U in JSTOR]
* Danchev, Alex. "'Dilly-Dally', or Having the Last Word: Field Marshal Sir John Dill and Prime Minister Winston Churchill," ''Journal of Contemporary History'' Vol. 22, No. 1 (Jan., 1987), pp. 21–44 [http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0022-0094%28198701%2922%3A1%3C21%3A%27OHTLW%3E2.0.CO%3B2-E in JSTOR]
* Delaney, Douglas E. "Churchill and the Mediterranean Strategy: December 1941 to January 1943." ''Defence Studies'' 2002 2(3): 1-26. Issn: 1470-2436 Fulltext: in Ebsco
* Gilbert, Martin. ''Churchill and America'' 2005. 352 pp.
* Gorodetsky, Gabriel. "The Origins of the Cold War: Stalin, Churchill and the Formation of the Grand Alliance," ''Russian Review'' Vol. 47, No. 2 (Apr., 1988), pp. 145–170 [http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0036-0341%28198804%2947%3A2%3C145%3ATOOTCW%3E2.0.CO%3B2-5 in JSTOR] 7
* Jablonsky, David. "Churchill and Technology," in John H. Maurer, ed. ''Churchill and Strategic Dilemmas before the World Wars'' (2003) pp 121–158 [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=108530166# online edition]
* Keegan, John, ed. ''Churchill's Generals'' (1991) 17 essays by experts
* Kersaudy, François. ''Churchill and De Gaulle'' 1981
* Kimball, Warren. ''Forged in war: Churchill, Roosevelt and the Second World War'' (1997)
* Lambakis, Steven James. ''Winston Churchill, Architect of Peace: A Study of Statesmanship and the Cold War'' (1994) 194 pp. [http://www.questia.com/library/book/winston-churchill-architect-of-peace-a-study-of-statesmanship-and-the-cold-war-by-steven-james-lambakis.jsp online edition]
* Larres, Klaus. ''Churchill's Cold War: The Politics of Personal Diplomacy.'' Yale U. Press, 2002. 569 pp.
* Lawlor, Sheila. ''Churchill and the politics of war, 1940–1941'' (1993)
* Lewin, Ronald. ''Churchill as warlord'' (1973)
* Lukacs, John. ''Churchill: Visionary, Statesman, Historian'' 2002. 202pp, interpretive essays
* Marder, Arthur. ''Winston is back: Churchill at the admiralty, 1939–1940'' (1973)
* Massie, Robert ''Dreadnought: Britain, Germany and the Coming of the Great War''; ch 40-41 on Churchill at Admiralty
* Maurer, John H. "The 'Ever-Present Danger': Winston Churchill's Assessment of the German Naval Challenge before the First World War" in John H. Maurer, ed. ''Churchill and Strategic Dilemmas before the World Wars'' (2003) pp 7–50 [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=108530166# online edition]
* Miner, Steven Merritt. ''Between Churchill and Stalin: The Soviet Union, Great Britain, and the Origins of the Grand Alliance'' (1988) [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=3063617 online edition]
* Parker, R. A. C. ed. ''Winston Churchill: studies in statesmanship'' (1995), scholarly studies
* Parker, R. A. C. ''Churchill and appeasement'' (2000)
* Wrigley, Chris. "Churchill and the Trade Unions," ''Transactions of the Royal Historical Society'' 6th Ser., Vol. 11 (2001), pp. 273–293 [http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0080-4401%282001%296%3A11%3C273%3ACATTU%3E2.0.CO%3B2-Q in JSTOR]
* Young, John W. ''Winston Churchill's Last Campaign: Britain and the Cold War, 1951-5'' 1996 [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=9663209 online edition]
* Young, John W. "Churchill and East-West Detente," ''Transactions of the Royal Historical Society'' 6th Ser., Vol. 11 (2001), pp. 373–392 [http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0080-4401%282001%296%3A11%3C373%3ACAED%3E2.0.CO%3B2-1 in JSTOR]

===Historiography===
* Ashley, Maurice. "Churchill and History," ''International Affairs'' Vol. 42, No. 1. (Jan., 1966), pp. 87–94. [http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0020-5850%28196601%2942%3A1%3C87%3ACAH%3E2.0.CO%3B2-D in JSTOR], Churchill as author
* Ramsden, John. ''Man of the Century: Winston Churchill and His Legend since 1945.'' Columbia U. Press, 2003. 672 pp.
* Rasor, Eugene L. ''Winston S. Churchill, 1874-1965: A Comprehensive Historiography and Annotated Bibliography.'' Greenwood Press. 2000. 710 pp. describes several thousand books and scholarly articles. [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=71893658 online edition]
* Reynolds, David. ''In Command of History: Churchill Fighting and Writing the Second World War.'' 2005. 631 pp.
* Reynolds, David. "Churchill's writing of history: appeasement, autobiography and ''The Gathering Storm''", ''Transactions of the Royal Historical Society'', 6th ser., 11 (2001), 221–48 [http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0080-4401(2001)6%3A11%3C221%3ACWOHAA%3E2.0.CO%3B2-2 online edition]
* Stansky, Peter, ed. ''Churchill: A Profile'' 1973, 270 pp. essays for and against Churchill by leading scholars
* Wood, Ian S. ''Churchill'' 2000. 209pp evaluates numerous studies

===Primary sources===
* Churchill, Winston. ''Lord Randolph Churchill'' (1906) [https://books.google.com/books?id=u_PW93hcmBAC&pg=PA1&dq=inauthor:winston+inauthor:churchill&num=30#PPR13,M1 online edition]
* Churchill, Winston. ''The World Crisis'' (six volumes, 1923–31), 1-vol edition (2005); on World War I. Vol. I, 1911-1914; Vol. II, 1915; Vol. III, 1916-1918 Part I; Vol. IV, 1916-1918 Part II; and Vol. V: The Aftermath.
* Churchill, Winston. ''The Second World War'' (six volumes, 1948–53); ''Vol. I, The Gathering Storm; Vol. II, Their Finest Hour; Vol. III, The Grand Alliance; Vol. IV, The Hinge of Fate; Vol. V, Closing the Ring; and Vol. VI, Triumph and Tragedy;'' [https://www.amazon.com/Memoirs-Second-World-Abridgement-Volumes/dp/0395599687/ref=pd_bbs_sr_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1226208898&sr=8-3 excerpt and text search from 1-vol. abridged edition (1991)]; [https://www.amazon.com/Second-World-War-Six-Boxed/dp/039541685X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1226208898&sr=8-4 excerpt and text search complete edition]
* Churchill, Winston. ''Lord Randolph Churchill'' (1907) [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5477600 online edition], biography of his father
* Gilbert, Martin, ed. ''Winston S. Churchill: Companion'' 15 vol (14,000 pages) of Churchill and other official and unofficial documents. Part 1: I. Youth, 1874-1900, 1966, 654 pp. (2 vol); II. Young Statesman, 1901-1914, 1967, 796 pp. (3 vol); III. The Challenge of War, 1914-1916, 1971, 1024 pp. (3 vol); IV. The Stricken World, 1916-1922, 1975, 984 pp. (2 vol); Part 2: The Prophet of Truth, 1923-1939, 1977, 1195 pp. (3 vol); II. Finest Hour, 1939-1941, 1983, 1328 pp. (2 vol entitled The Churchill War Papers); III. Road to Victory, 1941-1945, 1986, 1437 pp. (not published, 4 volumes are anticipated); IV. Never Despair, 1945-1965, 1988, 1438 pp. (not published, 3 volumes anticipated, See the editor's memoir) Martin Gilbert, ''In Search of Churchill: A Historian's Journey,'' (1994).
* James, Robert Rhodes, ed. ''Winston S. Churchill: His Complete Speeches, 1897-1963.'' 8 vols. London: Chelsea, 1974, 8917 pp.
*David Coombs, ''Sir Winston Churchill, His life through his paintings,'' Pegasus, 2003
* Winston Churchill. ''Victory: War Speeches by the Right Hon. Winston S. Churchill,'' (1946) [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=13536012 online edition]
* Winston Churchill and Franklin Delano Roosevelt. ''Roosevelt and Churchill: Their Secret Wartime Correspondence'' ed by Francis L. Loewenheim, Harold D. Langley and Manfred Jonas (1975) 807 pgs [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=7896020 online edition]
* Winston Churchill and Dwight D. Eisenhower. ''The Churchill-Eisenhower Correspondence, 1953-1955'' ed by Peter G. Boyle; University of North Carolina Press, 1990 [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=35246690 online edition]
* Winston Churchill and Harry S. Truman. ''Defending the West: The Truman-Churchill Correspondence, 1945-1960'' ed by G. W. Sand; (2004) [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=106807897 online edition]

==External links==
*[http://www.chu.cam.ac.uk/archives/churchill_papers/biography/churchill_chronology.php Churchill College Biography of Winston Churchill]
*[http://www.winstonchurchill.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=452 Books written by Churchill]
* [http://www.winstonchurchill.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=110 online Winston S. Churchill, "Churchill's American Heritage'' ], essay by his grandson
*[http://www.iwm.org.uk Imperial War Museum]: [[Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms]]. Comprising the original underground War Rooms perfectly preserved since 1945, from which Churchill ran the War, including the Cabinet Room, the Map Room and Churchill's bedroom, and the new Museum dedicated to Churchill's life.
*[http://www.badley.info/history/Churchill-Winston-Leonard-Spencer-Great-Britain.biog.html Winston Churchill Chronology World History Database]
*[http://www.chu.cam.ac.uk/archives/home.shtml Churchill Archives Centre, based at Churchill College, Cambridge]
* [http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/churchill/interactive Churchill and the Great Republic]. WC'a lifelong relationship with the United States.
* [http://www.churchill.nls.ac.uk documents edited by the National Library of Scotland]
*[http://speakingofhistory.blogspot.com/2006_03_01_speakingofhistory_archive.html Audio about the Winston Churchill Memorial and Library at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri from the Speaking of History podcast #17 - site also includes video slideshow of the museum]
*'''War Cabinet Minutes''' [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documents/cab_195_1_transcript.pdf (1942 - 42)], [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documents/cab_195_2_transcript.pdf (1942 - 43)], [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documents/cab_195_3_transcript.pdf (1945 - 46)], [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documents/cab_195_4_transcript.pdf (1946 - 46)]
*[http://www.ena.lu MCE European Navigator] European Union History tool, contains a number of Churchill recordings etc.
*[https://librivox.org/author/678 Works by Winston S. Churchill - text and free audio] - [[LibriVox]]

===Speeches===
*[http://www.churchill-speeches.com/ http://www.churchill-speeches.com/]
*[http://www.historychannel.com/broadband/clipview/index.jsp?id=v3t4 Audio of Churchill's "finest hour" speech]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20050206200958/http://www.blenheimpalace.com/Time_line_the_family.htm Timeline of the Spencer-Churchill family]
*[http://www.soundboard.com/sb/winston.aspx Winston Churchill Audio Soundboard]

====Notes====
<references/>
{{UKPrimeMinisters}}

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Benjamin Netanyahu

2020-09-06T15:57:10Z

King Conservative: /* References */

{{Prime Minister
|image=Netanyahu.jpg
|seq=
|term_start=March 31, 2009
|term_end=
|previous=Ehud Olmert
|next=
|party=Likud
|birth_date=October 21, 1949
|birth_place=Tel Aviv
|died_place=
|spouse=
|religion=
}}
'''Benjamin Netanyahu''' (born October 21, 1949) is the [[conservative]] Prime Minister of [[Israel]], who in 1997 negotiated a partial withdrawal by Israeli settlers from [[Hebron]], which is on the [[West Bank]]. He is the first Prime Minister to be born after the official re-establishment of Israel as a sovereign nation.

His brother, Yonatan, was killed in 1976. Yonatan was the field commander of the raid on [[Entebbe]], an operation to free hostages of an Air France flight highjacked by Islamists. He was the only Israeli commando casualty of the operation.

In July 2019, Netanyahu became Israel's longest-serving prime minister ever.<ref>Multiple references:
*Heller, Aron (July 17, 2019). [https://www.apnews.com/a8a9d3c598954ca6803710e375117156 Netanyahu makes history as Israel’s longest-serving leader]. ''Associated Press''. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
*Williams, Dan (July 18, 2019). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-netanyahu/bruised-but-driven-netanyahu-becomes-israels-longest-serving-pm-idUSKCN1UD1GV Bruised but driven, Netanyahu becomes Israel's longest-serving PM]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved July 18, 2019.
*Schwartz, Felicia (July 20, 2019). [https://www.wsj.com/articles/benjamin-netanyahu-becomes-israels-longest-serving-premier-amid-political-storm-11563618600 Benjamin Netanyahu Becomes Israel’s Longest-Serving Premier Amid Political Storm]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
See also:
*[https://www.wsj.com/articles/israels-benjamin-netanyahu-the-life-of-the-magician-11563618301 Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu: The Life of ‘The Magician’]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. July 20, 2019. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
*Danan, Deborah (July 22, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/middle-east/2019/07/22/trump-congratulates-netanyahu-for-becoming-longest-serving-prime-minister/ Trump Congratulates Netanyahu for Becoming Israel’s Longest-Serving Prime Minister]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 22, 2019.</ref>

==Early Life and Education==

Raised in [[Jerusalem]], Benjamin Netanyahu received his high school education in the United States when he moved with his parents to Cheltenham, [[Pennsylvania]], a suburb of [[Philadelphia]]. To this day Prime Minister Netanyahu speaks fluent English with a Philadelphia American accent. Even as an adult, he is often referred to as his boyhood nickname "Bibi".<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/2009/02/20/idUSL8592809 FACTBOX-Five facts about Benjamin Netanyahu] Reuters, February 20, 2009</ref> Additionally, Netanyahu's father was a professor of Jewish history at [[Cornell University]]. He returned to Israel in 1967 and enlisted in the [[Israeli Defense Forces]] and participated in the [[Yom Kippur War]], where he reached the rank of captain. Netanyahu would go on to continue to live in the United States when he received a bachelor's degree in architecture from the [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]] in 1975, a master's degree in business management from MIT, and would go on to study political science at MIT and [[Harvard University]]. Netanyahu joined Boston Consulting Group, an international business consulting firm and later senior management of Rim Industries in Jerusalem.

==Political career==

In 1979 and 1984 Mr. Netanyahu initiated two international conferences that emphasized the need to fight against terrorist organizations and regimes that provide them support. Members included Vice President [[George H.W. Bush]] and Secretary of State [[George Shultz]].<ref>http://www.zionism-israel.com/bio/Benjamin_Nethanyahu.htm</ref> After serving as deputy chief of mission at the Israeli Embassy in Washington, DC., he was appointed Israel's ambassador to the [[United Nations]]. During his tenure he fought for the declassification of the United Nations archives on crimes committed by [[Nazi]] [[Germany]].

==Prime Minister of Israel==

In 1988, Netanyahu returned to Israel and was elected as a member of the [[Knesset]], the legislature of Israel. During the 1991 [[Persian Gulf War]] Netanyahu was a member of the Israeli delegation to the Madrid Peace Conference, which was the first direct negotiations between Israel and [[Syria]], [[Lebanon]], and a joint [[Jordanian]]-[[Palestinian]] delegation. In 1993, Netanyahu became chairman of the right-of-center [[Likud]] party. He was elected Israel's 9th Prime Minister in 1996 and sworn in after the approval of the Knesset. During his three-year term, the number of terror attacks in Israel drastically decreased. On economics, he governed as a free-market conservative, accelerated privatization of government-owned companies and reduced the budget deficit. By the time of Netanyahu's reelection he had alienated the political left, while also the political right for his negotiations with [[Yasser Arafat]] and the Palestinians. He was defeated in May 1999 by [[Ehud Barak]].
[[Image:BenjaminNetanyahu452.jpg|right|Benjamin Netanyahu press conference, 02/20/09.|thumb]]
From 2003 through 2005 Netanyahu served as Finance Minister in the [[Ariel Sharon]] administration. He advocated policies that reduced government, strengthened the private sector, cut taxes, and privatized pensions. During his tenure [[unemployment]] dropped and the Israeli economy went from shrinking 1% to growing 4.2% in 2004.<ref>http://www.netanyahu.org/biography.html</ref> On February 10, 2009, legislative elections, the right-wing parties won a majority of seats in the Knesset, and they selected Netanyahu to serve a second term as Prime Minister. He was sworn in on March 13, 2009.

Among other important pieces of legislation passed by Netanyahu's [[conservative]] coalition, in July 2018, the Knesset passed an amendment to the country's de facto constitution strengthening Israel's status as a Jewish state, proclaiming Jerusalem as the "united " capital of the country, and made [[Hebrew]] the country's official language, among other changes.<ref>Multiple references:
*Danan, Deborah (July 19, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2018/07/19/netanyahu-hails-jewish-state-bill-as-pivotal-moment-in-zionist-history/ Netanyahu Hails Jewish State Bill as ‘Pivotal Moment’ in Zionist History]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 21, 2018.
*Lubell, Maayan (July 18, 2018). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-politics-law/israel-adopts-divisive-jewish-nation-state-law-idUSKBN1K901V Israel adopts divisive Jewish nation-state law]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved July 21, 2018.
*Zion, Ilan Ben (July 19, 2018). [https://apnews.com/a9804a4476fb4123859aa7e3dd1ab871 Israeli parliament passes contentious Jewish nation bill]. ''Associated Press''. Retrieved July 21, 2018.
*Hoffman, Gil (July 19, 2018). [https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Controversial-Jewish-nation-state-bill-passes-into-law-562898 Controversial Jewish Nation-State Bill Passes into Law]. ''The Jerusalem Post''. Retrieved July 21, 2018.
*Lis, Jonathan; Landau, Noa (July 19, 2018). [https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/israel-passes-controversial-nation-state-bill-1.6291048 Israel Passes Controversial Jewish Nation-state Bill After Stormy Debate]. ''Haaretz''. Retrieved July 21, 2018.
See also:
*Byas, Steve (July 20, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/item/29591-israeli-communist-offers-south-africa-as-model-for-israel-after-passage-of-controversial-nation-state-bill Israeli Communist Offers South Africa as Model for Israel After Passage of Controversial Nation-State Bill]. ''The New American''. Retrieved July 21, 2018.
*Danan, Deborah (August 12, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2018/08/12/netanyahu-palestinian-flags-at-tel-aviv-protest-prove-need-for-nation-state-law/ Netanyahu: Palestinian Flags at Tel Aviv Protest Prove Need for Nation-State Law]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 12, 2018.</ref> His government has taken a strong stance against [[illegal immigration]]<ref>Klein, Aaron (January 9, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2018/01/09/successfully-stop-illegal-immigration-follow-israels-model/ How to Successfully Stop Illegal Immigration: Follow Israel’s Model]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 9, 2018.</ref><ref>Danan, Deborah (August 21, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2018/08/21/hundreds-of-thousands-of-israelis-now-eligible-to-carry-firearms/ Hundreds of Thousands of Israelis Now Eligible to Carry Firearms]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 21, 2018.</ref> (see also: [[Border wall#Israel]]), and it moved to relax gun regulations.<ref>Deborah, Danan (July 9, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2018/07/09/israel-to-ease-gun-law-regulations/ Israel to Ease Gun Regulations]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 21, 2018.</ref> Netanyahu has taken [[Euroskeptic]] stances and has strengthened Israel's relationships with the conservative countries of Central Europe.<ref>[https://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2017/07/19/listen-netanyahu-caught-hot-mic-blasting-europes-crazy-policies-israel/ LISTEN: Netanyahu Caught on Hot Mic Blasting Europe’s ‘Crazy’ Policies on Israel]. ''Breitbart News''. July 19, 2017. Retrieved July 21, 2018.</ref><ref>Kent, Simon (November 2, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/middle-east/2018/11/02/netanyahu-rebukes-hostile-e-u-ahead-of-bulgaria-trip/ Netanyahu Rebukes ‘Hostile’ E.U. Ahead of Bulgaria Trip]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved November 2, 2018.</ref>

Netanyahu faced a tough re-election campaign in 2019,<ref>Taylor, Guy (April 7, 2019). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/apr/7/benjamin-netanyahu-benny-gantz-election-israels-de/ Gantz has chance of blocking Netanyahu's historic streak in election, pulling Israel toward center]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved April 7, 2019.</ref> and by that time, he had helped "transform" Israel, shifting it to the political Right.<ref>Schwartz, Felicia (April 7, 2019). [https://www.wsj.com/articles/israels-election-is-seen-as-a-referendum-on-netanyahu-in-a-country-he-helped-transform-11554638418 Israel’s Election Is Seen as a Referendum on Netanyahu in a Country He Helped Transform]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved April 7, 2019.</ref> He became the apparent winner of the election, though coalition-building is the most important part of Israel's elections.<ref>Multiple references:
*Murphy, James (April 10, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/asia/item/31987-netanyahu-wins-israeli-snap-election Netanyahu Wins Israeli Snap Election]. ''The New American''. Retrieved April 10, 2019.
*[https://www.foxnews.com/world/benjamin-netanyahu-likely-to-win-israeli-prime-minister-election-after-opposition-party-concedes Benjamin Netanyahu likely to win Israeli prime minister election after opposition party concedes]. ''Fox News''. April 10, 2019. Retrieved April 11, 2019.</ref>

Israel's attorney general indicted Netanyahu of corruption in November 2019, something the prime minister strongly pushed back against.<ref>Murphy, James (November 22, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/asia/item/34115-attempted-coup-netanyahu-indicted-on-charges-of-bribery-fraud-and-breach-of-trust Attempted Coup? Netanyahu Indicted on Charges of Bribery, Fraud, and Breach of Trust]. ''The New American''. Retrieved November 22, 2019.</ref>

===Relations with the Obama Administration===
Netanyahu has had very poor relations with the leftist U.S. president [[Barack Obama]]. During the very tight and closely-watched 2015 elections, the [[Obama Administration]] attempted to influence the election—in order to elect a leftist government in the nation and defeat Netanyahu—by financing a liberal Israeli political organization.<ref>Klein, Aaron (July 13, 2016). [https://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2016/07/13/israeli-lawmakers-fume-obama-administration-intervention-defeat-netanyahu/ Israeli Lawmakers Fume Over Obama Administration ‘Intervention’ to Defeat Netanyahu]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved December 28, 2016.</ref> Netanyahu decisively won the election, despite opposition from left-wing world leaders.<ref>[https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-claims-victory-as-vote-count-shows-likud-further-ahead/ Netanyahu scores crushing victory in Israeli elections]. ''The Times of Israel''. March 18, 2015. Retrieved December 28, 2016.</ref>

On December 23, 2016, Obama broke over 35 years of American policy by abstaining from a UN vote and allowing a blatantly anti-Israel resolution to pass, showing his true stance concerning Israel.<ref>[https://worldisraelnews.com/israel-fears-obama-will-strike/ Israel fears Obama will strike again]. ''World Israel News''. December 26, 2016. Retrieved December 26, 2016.</ref><ref>Berkowitz, Adam Eliyahu (December 26, 2016). [https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/80855/fed-up-with-obamas-trickery-netanyahu-takes-drastic-actions/#VbVlRMtkx4zLRc3f.97 Fed Up With United States Trickery, Netanyahu Takes Drastic Actions]. ''Breaking Israel News''. Retrieved December 26, 2016.</ref>

On December 28, 2016, just a few weeks before the [[Trump Administration]] was to take office and a few days after the leftist Obama Administration allowed an anti-[[Israel]] resolution to pass the [[United Nations|UN]] and break decades of policy, Kerry gave a major 72-minute<ref>Hanchett, Ian (December 28, 2016). [https://www.breitbart.com/video/2016/12/28/nbcs-neely-kerry-speech-firing-a-flare-across-israel-he-wanted-to-give-it-for-some-time-but-wh-blocked-it/ NBC’s Neely: Kerry Speech ‘Firing a Flare’ ‘Across Israel’ He Wanted To Give It ‘For Some Time’ But WH Blocked It]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved December 28, 2016.</ref> speech viciously attacking Israel and paying worthless lip-service to American "support" for the nation.<ref>Pollak, Joel B. (December 28, 2016). [https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2016/12/28/kerry-on-israel-peace-un-resolution/ Kerry Attacks Israeli Government, Defends UN Resolution]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved December 28, 2016.</ref> Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded harshly but appropriately to the Administration's blatant betrayal.<ref>Key, Pam (December 28, 2016). [https://www.breitbart.com/video/2016/12/28/netanyahu-i-must-express-my-deep-disappointment-with-john-kerry-israelis-do-not-need-to-be-lectured/ Netanyahu: ‘I Must Express My Deep Disappointment’ With Kerry — ‘Israelis Do Not Need To Be Lectured’]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved December 28, 2016.</ref>

In response to the anti-Israel UN vote, Israel cut $6 million in its annual dues to the leftist organization on January 6, 2017.<ref>[https://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/01/06/israel-halts-6-million-to-un-to-protest-un-settlements-vote.html Israel halts $6 million to UN to protest UN settlements vote]. ''Fox News'' (from the Associated Press). January 6, 2017. Retrieved January 7, 2017.</ref>

Despite the Obama Administration's actions, the U.S. House passed a motion on January 5, 2017 condemning Obama's allowing of the UN resolution.<ref>[https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/01/05/house-overwhelmingly-votes-to-condemn-un-resolution-on-israel-settlements.html House overwhelmingly votes to condemn UN resolution on Israel settlements]. ''Fox News''. January 5, 2017. Retrieved January 6, 2017.</ref><ref>Cortellessa, Eric (January 6, 2017). [https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-house-passes-repudiation-of-un-security-council-resolution-on-israel/ US House passes motion repudiating UN resolution on Israel]. ''The Times of Israel''. Retrieved January 6, 2017.</ref> Additionally, Republican President-elect [[Donald Trump]] voiced strong support for Israel during this time.<ref>Pollak, Joel B. (December 23, 2016). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2016/12/23/trump-hints-defunding-un-anti-israel-vote/ Trump on UN Anti-Israel Vote: ‘Things Will Be Different After Jan. 20’]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved January 6, 2017.</ref><ref>Swoyer, Alex (December 29, 2016). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2016/12/29/trump-im-very-very-strong-on-israel/ Trump: ‘I’m Very, Very Strong on Israel’]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved January 6, 2017.</ref>

===Relations with the Trump Administration===
Netanyahu, who himself built a very successful wall along Israel's southern border with [[Egypt]] in 2013, endorsed U.S. President [[Donald Trump]]'s plan to build a wall along the U.S. border with [[Mexico]].<ref>Weber, Joseph (January 28, 2017). [https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/01/28/netanyahu-backs-trumps-mexico-wall-touts-similar-one-on-egypt-border-as-great-idea.html Netanyahu backs Trump's Mexico wall, touts similar one on Egypt border as 'great idea']. ''Fox News''. Retrieved January 30, 2017.</ref> Netanyahu thought highly of President Trump's foreign policy, as seen in statements he made that he thought were private but were being transmitted to reporters.<ref>[https://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2017/07/19/listen-netanyahu-caught-hot-mic-blasting-europes-crazy-policies-israel/ LISTEN: Netanyahu Caught on Hot Mic Blasting Europe’s ‘Crazy’ Policies on Israel]. ''Breitbart News''. July 19, 2017. Retrieved July 19, 2017.</ref>

On December 6, 2017, President Trump officially recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital and ordered the U.S. State Department to begin the process of moving the U.S. Embassy from [[Tel Aviv]] to Jerusalem.<ref>Multiple references:
*Boyer, Dave (December 6, 2017). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/dec/6/trump-recognizes-jerusalem-israeli-capital/ Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israeli capital fulfills campaign promise broken by predecessors]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
*Holland, Steve; Lubell, Maayan (December 6, 2017). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-israel/trump-recognizes-jerusalem-as-israels-capital-reversing-longtime-u-s-policy-idUSKBN1E01PS Trump recognizes Jerusalem as Israel's capital, reversing longtime U.S. policy]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
*Pappas, Alex (December 6, 2017). [https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/12/06/trump-officially-recognizes-jerusalem-as-israels-capital-orders-us-embassy-move.html Trump officially recognizes Jerusalem as Israel's capital, orders embassy move for US]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
*Pollak, Joel B. (December 6, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2017/12/06/jerusalem-israel-capital-embassy-trump-white-house/ Trump: ‘I Have Determined That It Is Time to Officially Recognize Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved December 6, 2017.
*Byas, Steve (December 6, 2017). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/foreign-policy/item/27533-trump-respects-israel-s-sovereignty-in-embassy-move-to-jerusalem Trump Respects Israel’s Sovereignty in Embassy Move to Jerusalem]. ''The New American''. Retrieved December 16, 2017.</ref> On May 14, 2018, the U.S. officially moved its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.<ref>Multiple references:
*Singman, Brooke; Berger, Judson (May 14, 2018). [https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/05/14/us-opens-embassy-in-jerusalem-recognizing-city-as-true-capital-israel.html US opens embassy in Jerusalem, recognizing city as ‘true capital’ of Israel]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
*Spiering, Charlie (May 14, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/05/14/donald-trump-officially-opens-us-embassy-historic-sacred-land-jerusalem/ Donald Trump Officially Opens U.S. Embassy in ‘Historic and Sacred Land of Jerusalem’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
*Pollak, Joel B. (May 15, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2018/05/15/jerusalem-embassy-opening-a-ray-of-light/ Jerusalem Embassy Opening: A Ray of Light]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 15, 2018.</ref> Netanyahu praised President Trump for this decision and even compared him to Emperor [[Cyrus]].<ref>Silow-Carroll, Andrew (March 8, 2018). [https://www.timesofisrael.com/who-is-king-cyrus-and-why-is-netanyahu-comparing-him-to-trump/ Who is King Cyrus, and why did Netanyahu compare him to Trump?]. ''Times of Israel''. Retrieved August 30, 2018.</ref> In May 2018 Netanyahu thanked President Trump for his withdrawal from the [[Iran nuclear deal]].<ref>(Keinon, Herb). [https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Iran-News/Netanyahu-applauds-Trumps-brave-decision-to-pull-out-of-Iran-deal-554843 NETANYAHU APPLAUDS TRUMP’S ‘BRAVE DECISION’ TO PULL OUT OF IRAN DEAL]. ''[[Jerusalem Post]]''. Retrieved September 2, 2018.</ref>

==2009 Speech at the United Nations==

On September 24, 2009 Prime Minister Netanyahu blasted [[Iran]]ian President [[Mahmoud Ahmadinejad]], a supporter of [[Islamic]] fundamentalism and is developing [[nuclear]] technology, possibly for nuclear weapons. The following is an excerpt from his speech.

"Nearly 62 years ago, the [[United Nation]]s recognized the right of the Jews, an ancient people 3,500 years-old, to a state of their own in their ancestral homeland.

I stand here today as the Prime Minister of Israel, the Jewish state, and I speak to you on behalf of my country and my people.

The United Nations was founded after the carnage of World War II and the horrors of the [[Holocaust]]. It was charged with preventing the recurrence of such horrendous events.
[[File:Netanyahu and wife with Obamas.jpg|thumb|left|Netanyahu and wife with Obama and Michelle at the Metropolitan Museum in New York, 2009.]]
Nothing has undermined that central mission more than the systematic assault on the truth. Yesterday the President of Iran stood at this very podium, spewing his latest anti-Semitic rants. Just a few days earlier, he again claimed that the Holocaust is a lie.

Yesterday, the man who calls the Holocaust a lie spoke from this podium. To those who refused to come here and to those who left this room in protest, I commend you. You stood up for moral clarity and you brought honor to your countries.

But to those who gave this Holocaust-denier a hearing, I say on behalf of my people, the Jewish people, and decent people everywhere: Have you no shame? Have you no decency?

A mere six decades after the Holocaust, you give legitimacy to a man who denies that the murder of six million Jews took place and pledges to wipe out the Jewish state.

What a disgrace! What a mockery of the charter of the United Nations! Perhaps some of you think that this man and his odious regime threaten only the Jews. You're wrong.

History has shown us time and again that what starts with attacks on the Jews eventually ends up engulfing many others.

This Iranian regime is fueled by an extreme fundamentalism that burst onto the world scene three decades ago after lying dormant for centuries. In the past thirty years, this fanaticism has swept the globe with a murderous violence and cold-blooded impartiality in its choice of victims. It has callously slaughtered Moslems and Christians, Jews and Hindus, and many others. Though it is comprised of different offshoots, the adherents of this unforgiving creed seek to return humanity to medieval times.

The most urgent challenge facing this body is to prevent the tyrants of Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Are the member states of the United Nations up to that challenge? Will the international community confront a despotism that terrorizes its own people as they bravely stand up for freedom?

Will it take action against the dictators who stole an election in broad daylight and gunned down Iranian protesters who died in the streets choking in their own blood? Will the international community thwart the world's most pernicious sponsors and practitioners of terrorism?

Above all, will the international community stop the terrorist regime of Iran from developing atomic weapons, thereby endangering the peace of the entire world?

The people of Iran are courageously standing up to this regime. People of goodwill around the world stand with them, as do the thousands who have been protesting outside this hall. Will the United Nations stand by their side?" <ref>http://ironicsurrealism.blogivists.com/2009/09/24/transcript-israel-pm-benjamin-netanyahu-un-general-assembly-speech-9-24-09/</ref>

==Books by Netanyahu==
*''Fighting Terrorism: How Democracies Can Defeat Domestic And International Terrorism'' (Diane Pub Co, 1995). ISBN 0-7881-5514-8

*''A Durable Peace: Israel and Its Place Among the Nations'' (Warner Books, 1993 and 2000). ISBN 0-446-52306-2

== Quotes ==

*‎"If the Arabs put down their weapons today, there would be no more violence. If the Jews put down their weapons today, there would be no more Israel." <ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=Px8YAQAAIAAJ&q=%E2%80%8E%22+If+the+Arabs+put+down+their+weapons+today,+there+would+be+no+more+violence.+If+the+Jews+put+down+their+weapons+today,+there+would+be+no+more+Israel+.%22&dq=%E2%80%8E%22+If+the+Arabs+put+down+their+weapons+today,+there+would+be+no+more+violence.+If+the+Jews+put+down+their+weapons+today,+there+would+be+no+more+Israel+.%22&hl=en&ei=O-4gTYeXI4a0lQew0tzXDA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCMQ6AEwAA The Bulletin, J. Haynes and J.F. Archibald, 2006]</ref>

==External links==
*[http://www.netanyahu.org.il/ Benjamin Netanyahu's blog]
*[https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/op-eds/israeli-settler-leader-how-benjamin-netanyahu-shaped-todays-israel Israeli settler leader: How Benjamin Netanyahu shaped today's Israel], by Oded Revivi, April 1, 2018.

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=35em}}
{{IsraelPrimeMinisters}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Netanyahu, Benjamin}}
[[Category:Prime Ministers of Israel]]
[[Category:Current Heads of Government]]
[[Category:Conservatives]]
[[Category:Nationalists]]
[[Category:Jewish People]]
[[Category:Patriots]]
[[Category:Pro Second Amendment]]

Matteo Salvini

2020-09-06T15:51:04Z

King Conservative:

[[File:Matteo Salvini.jpg|thumb|250px|Matteo Salvini]]
'''Matteo Salvini''' (born March 9, 1973<ref name="EuroParl"/>) is a [[Italy|Italian]] politician is the leader of [[Lega Nord]] and who served as his country's Interior Minister and Deputy Prime Minister. Salvini holds strong [[National conservatism|national conservative]] views.

==Biography==
Salvini was born on March 9, 1973, in Milan.<ref name="EuroParl">[http://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/28404/MATTEO_SALVINI_cv.html Matteo Salvini]. ''European Parliament''. March 4, 2018. Retrieved March 4, 2018.</ref> While originally having communist leanings, Salvini moved politically to the Right as time went on.<ref>Binnie, Isla; Scherer, Steve (March 7, 2018). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-politics-salvini-newsmaker/matteo-salvini-the-everyman-leader-of-italys-populist-revolt-idUSKCN1GJ2MD Matteo Salvini, the everyman leader of Italy's populist revolt]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved March 7, 2018.</ref> Prior to becoming the federal secretary of Lega Nord, Salvini served in several positions, including in the Milan City Council, the Italian parliament, and the [[European Parliament]].<ref name="EuroParl"/> As Lega Nord's leader, he expanded the party's appeal outside Northern Italy, even renaming the party to "The League".<ref>Kirchgaessner, Stephanie; Tondo, Lorenzo (February 28, 2018). [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/mar/01/matteo-salvini-extends-his-far-right-appeal-as-far-as-sicily Matteo Salvini extends Northern League's appeal as far south as Sicily]. ''The Guardian''. Retrieved March 4, 2018.</ref><ref>Balmer, Crispian (February 9, 2018). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-election-league/italys-league-leaves-northern-bastions-bangs-anti-migrant-drum-idUSKBN1FT1Q9 Italy's League leaves northern bastions, bangs anti-migrant drum]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved February 9, 2018.</ref> While Lega Nord was in serious trouble when he became party leader in 2013, Salvini significantly grew the party to become the country's dominant political force by 2018 through focusing on a nationalist and populist agenda similar to that of U.S. President [[Donald Trump]].<ref>Lyman, Eric J. (June 4, 2018). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/jun/4/matteo-salvini-league-looks-be-italys-dominant-pol/ Matteo Salvini expands clout of Italy's League by stealing page from Trump's immigration playbook]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved June 4, 2018.</ref>

Salvini is known for his effective use of social media.<ref>Multiple references:
*Scherer, Steve (October 18, 2018). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-politics-salvini-socialmedia/chestnuts-swagger-and-good-grammar-how-italys-captain-builds-his-brand-idUSKCN1MS1S6 Chestnuts, swagger and good grammar: how Italy's 'Captain' builds his brand]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
*Horowitz, Jason (January 4, 2019). [https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/04/world/europe/matteo-salvini-italy-social-media-nutella-barilla.html Matteo Salvini Likes Nutella and Kittens. It’s All Part of a Social Media Strategy.] ''The New York Times''. Retrieved January 5, 2019.
See also:
*Jones, Gavin; Amante, Angelo (August 9, 2019). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-politics-salvini-beach/no-beach-bum-salvinis-populist-seaside-gambit-stymies-critics-idUSKCN1UZ1ZJ No beach bum: Salvini's populist seaside gambit stymies critics]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved August 9, 2019.</ref>

===Interior Minister===
In the 2018 general election, The League made massive gains, quadrupling its vote share. It performed so well that it became the dominant party in its coalition,<ref name="Success"/> and Salvini had a very real chance of becoming Italy's prime minister.<ref>Birnbaum, Michael; Pitrelli, Stefano (March 6, 2018). [https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/matteo-salvini-could-be-western-europes-first-far-right-leader-since-1945/2018/03/06/2d3dea36-2097-11e8-946c-9420060cb7bd_story.html Matteo Salvini could be Western Europe's first far-right leader since 1945]. ''The Washington Post''. Retrieved March 23, 2018.</ref> Ultimately, Salvini became Italy's interior minister – giving him control over the country's immigration policy – as well as its deputy prime minister under a coalition government with the anti-establishment [[Five Star Movement]].<ref>Multiple references:
*Squires, Nick (June 1, 2018). [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/06/01/italys-new-populist-coalition-sworn-deputy-pm-says-expelling/ Italy's new populist coalition sworn in as deputy PM says expelling migrants is a priority]. ''The Telegraph''. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
*[https://www.thelocal.it/20180601/italy-new-cabinet-in-full Here is Italy's new cabinet in full]. ''The Local''. June 1, 2018. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
See also:
*Montgomery, Jack (June 1, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/06/01/brussels-defeated-populist-coalition-takes-office-in-italy-eurosceptic-savona-returns-as-eu-affairs-minister/ BRUSSELS BEATEN: Populist Coalition Takes Office in Italy, Eurosceptic Savona Returns as EU Affairs Minister]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
*D'Emilio, Frances (June 1, 2018). [https://apnews.com/15605caac2ac4963bc4d36d388067b14/Italian-populists-sworn-into-power-as-euroskeptics-cheer Populists take power in Italy, with euro-skeptic agenda]. ''Associated Press''. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
*[https://www.thelocal.it/20180601/italy-prepares-to-swear-in-first-fully-populist-government Italy swears in first fully populist government]. ''The Local''. June 1, 2018. Retrieved June 1, 2018.</ref>

Salvini immediately went to work advancing his conservative immigration agenda as Italy's interior minister, visiting an immigration camp in Sicily soon after being sworn in.<ref>Multiple references:
*[https://www.thelocal.it/20180603/salvini-in-sicily-to-push-new-tough-migration-line Salvini in Sicily to push new tough migration line]. ''The Local''. Retrieved June 3, 2018.
*Magnay, Jacquelin (June 4, 2018). [https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/italy-immigration-new-interior-minister-matteo-salvini-promises-to-stop-the-death-boats/news-story/dacd049ce061720a00560319f54045bc Italy immigration: New interior minister Matteo Salvini promises to ‘stop the death boats’]. ''The Australian''. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
*Vogt, Andrea; Huggler, Justin (June 3, 2018). [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/06/03/italy-can-no-longer-serve-europes-refugee-camp-says-matteo-salvini/ Italy can no longer serve as 'Europe's refugee camp' says Matteo Salvini, as he pledges to push EU for stricter controls]. ''The Telegraph''. Retrieved June 3, 2018.
*Mass, Warren (June 4, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/europe/item/29206-italys-new-populist-government-pledges-to-deport-500-000-migrants Italy’s New Populist Government Pledges to Deport 500,000 Migrants]. ''The New American''. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
*Harlan, Chico (June 4, 2018). [https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/the-torchbearer-of-italys-far-right-is-now-in-power-and-wants-to-make-good-on-anti-migrant-promises/2018/06/04/3c4bf12e-65d6-11e8-81ca-bb14593acaa6_story.html The torchbearer of Italy's far right is now in power and wants to make good on anti-migrant promises]. ''The Washington Post''. Retrieved June 4, 2018.
See also:
*Deacon, Liam (June 8, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/06/08/migrant-attack-police-italian-deputy-leader-promises-deportations/ Italian Populist Interior Minister Vows Deportations After Viral Police Migrant Attack Video]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 8, 2018.</ref> Shortly afterward, he released his three-point immigration plan, which involved building more repatriation centers, reducing illegal immigration, and increasing deportations.<ref>Williams, Thomas D. (June 7, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/06/07/italy-minister-salvini-announces-3-point-immigration-program/ Italy Minister Salvini Announces 3-Point Immigration Program]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 8, 2018.</ref> Salvini showed he was serious about securing Italy's borders by refusing to let a boat carrying over 600 migrants land in the country due to it sharing an undue immigration burden,<ref>Multiple references:
*Harlan, Chico (June 11, 2018). [https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/italys-new-government-sends-immigration-message-by-rejecting-rescue-ship/2018/06/11/f213dafe-699a-11e8-a335-c4503d041eaf_story.html Italy’s new government sends immigration message by rejecting rescue ship]. ''The Washington Post''. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
*Henley, Jon (June 11, 2018). [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/11/italy-coalition-collision-course-eu-migration-standoff-matteo-salvini Italy's coalition on collision course with EU after migration standoff]. ''The Guardian''. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
*D'Emilo, Frances (June 11, 2018). [https://www.apnews.com/a87a748b204f45b898e4022372c008b1/Italy's-new-leaders-get-tough-on-migrants;-Spain-steps-up Italy’s new leaders get tough on migrants; Spain steps up]. ''Associated Press''. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
See also:
*Tomlinson, Chris (June 15, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/06/15/80-percent-italians-agree-populist-salvini-block-migrant-transport-ship/ 80 Percent of Italians Support Populist Govt. Blocking Migrant Transport Vessel from Ports]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 15, 2018.</ref> and he said he would continue such actions.<ref>Multiple references:
*Shaw, Adam (June 16, 2018). [https://www.foxnews.com/world/2018/06/16/italys-populist-government-wont-permit-boats-carrying-migrants-to-dock-despite-eu-pressure.html Italy's populist government won't permit boats carrying migrants to dock, despite EU pressure]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
*Hale, Virginia (June 17, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/06/17/italy-migrant-boats-leave-mocks/ Italy Demands Migrant NGO Boats Leave Mediterranean, Mocks Leftist Crew Members]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 17, 2018.
*Pullella, Philip (June 16, 2018). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants-italy/italy-demands-netherlands-recall-ngo-migrant-rescue-ships-idUSKBN1JC0GW Italy demands Netherlands recall NGO migrant rescue ships]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
*Borrelli, Silvia Sciorilli (June 16, 2018). [https://www.politico.eu/article/matteo-salvini-migration-italy-ports-closed-to-migrant-vessels/ Matteo Salvini: Italy’s ports are closed to migrant vessels]. ''Politico''. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
*Hale, Virginia (January 23, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/01/23/salvini-refuse-reopen-ports-ngo-boats/ Salvini Refuses to Reopen Italy’s Ports: Stopping Migrant Boats Saving Lives]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
See also:
*Deacon, Liam (June 17, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/06/17/nearly-70-per-cent-of-italians-back-salvinis-stand-again-eu-on-migrant-ship/ Nearly 70 Per Cent of Italians Back Salvini’s Stand Against EU on Migrant Ferries]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 17, 2018.
*Tomlinson, Chris (June 23, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/06/23/italy-impound-ngo-migrant-ferries/ Italy to Impound NGO Migrant Ferries]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 23, 2018.</ref> In July 2018, Salvini blocked a private Italian ship carrying migrants from docking.<ref>[https://www.thelocal.it/20180710/italy-turns-away-private-italian-ship-vos-thalassa-rescued-migrants-libya For the first time, Italy prevents a private Italian ship from docking with rescued migrants]. ''The Local''. July 10, 2018. Retrieved July 11, 2018.</ref> By the end of 2018, migrant ships stopped their activities because of Italian pressure.<ref>Legorano, Giovanni (December 7, 2018). [https://www.wsj.com/articles/cowed-by-italys-crackdown-aid-agencies-cease-migrant-rescues-in-the-mediterranean-1544194964 Cowed Aid Agencies Cease Migrant Rescues in the Mediterranean]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved December 7, 2018.</ref> Overall, Salvini was able to advance his conservative agenda.<ref>Legorano, Giovanni (June 29, 2018). [https://www.wsj.com/articles/italys-salvini-puts-roadblocks-in-migrants-way-while-reaching-out-to-fellow-european-populists-1530091800 Italy’s Salvini Puts Roadblocks in Migrants’ Way While Reaching Out to Fellow European Populists]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved June 29, 2018.</ref> By July 2018, he was Italy's most trusted politician, based on polling data.<ref>Williams, Thomas D. (July 4, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/07/04/poll-populist-salvini-the-most-trusted-politician-in-italy/ Poll: Populist Salvini the Most Trusted Politician in Italy]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 4, 2018.</ref> Through his conservative policies, Salvini promoted traditional Christian values.<ref>Hoffman, Matthew Cullinan (May 30, 2019). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/italys-matteo-salvini-returning-to-european-unions-christian-roots-cdl-mueller Italy’s Matteo Salvini returning to European Union’s ‘Christian roots’: Cdl Mueller]. ''LifeSiteNews''. Retrieved May 31, 2019.</ref>

Among other actions, Salvini pushed to strengthen Italy's self-defense laws to allow citizens to defend their homes from intruders.<ref>Tomlinson, Chris (June 28, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/06/28/italian-gun-ownership-rise-populist-salvini-proposes-self-defence-policy/ Italian Gun Ownership on the Rise as Populist Salvini Offers Stronger Self-Defence Laws]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 28, 2018.</ref> He ordered that benefits for asylum seekers be massively reduced.<ref>Tomlinson, Chris (July 27, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/07/27/salvini-orders-asylum-seeker-benefits-greatly-reduced/ Italy Slashes Asylum Seeker Benefit Payments]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 27, 2018.</ref> In August 2018, he would change identification forms to list one's "mother" and "father", rather than "parent one" and "parent two."<ref>Multiple references:
*Tomlinson, Chris (August 11, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/08/11/salvini-restore-mother-father-id-forms-scrapping-parent-one-parent-two/ Salvini to Restore ‘Mother’ and ‘Father’ on ID Forms Scrapping ‘Parent One’ and ‘Parent Two’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
*Cummings McLean, Dorothy (August 14, 2018). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/italy-to-restore-mother...father-on-website-forms-replacing-parent-1parent Italy to restore ‘mother…father’ on website forms, replacing ‘parent 1…parent 2’]. ''LifeSiteNews''. Retrieved August 18, 2018.
*Jones, Gavin (August 10, 2018). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-politics-family/italys-salvini-asserts-natural-family-in-move-against-same-sex-parents-idUSKBN1KV1S6 Italy's Salvini asserts 'natural family' in move against same-sex parents]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved August 15, 2018.</ref> In September 2018, Salvini signed a decree which, among other actions, would ban residency permits for humanitarian reasons, increase funding for deportation centers, and removed citizenship from terrorists.<ref>Multiple references:
*Tomlinson, Chris (September 25, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/09/25/salvini-migration-decree-bans-humanitarian-residency-strips-terrorists-citizenship/ Salvini Migration Decree Bans Humanitarian Residency Permits, Strips Terrorists of Citizenship]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
*[https://www.voanews.com/a/italy-to-narrow-asylum-rights-in-clampdown-on-immigration/4585204.html Italy to Narrow Asylum Rights in Clampdown on Immigration]. ''Voice f America'' (from ''Reuters''). September 24, 2018. Retrieved October 6, 2018.</ref> Salvini also took steps to expand the deportation of illegal migrants.<ref>Tomlinson, Chris (November 1, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2018/11/01/salvini-announces-new-plan-deport-2700-illegal-migrants-italy/ Salvini Announces New Plan to Deport at Least 2,700 Illegal Migrants from Italy]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved November 3, 2018.</ref> He announced in November 2018 that the coalition government would not sign the [[UN Global Compact on Migration]].<ref>Tomlinson, Chris (November 29, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2018/11/29/populist-italian-government-latest-to-back-out-of-un-migration-pact/ Populist Italian Government Latest to Back Out of UN Migration Pact]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved November 29, 2018.</ref> In 2018, illegal sea landings fell 80%, with Salvini's policies likely affecting that figure,<ref>Friedman, Victoria (December 6, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2018/12/06/italy-cuts-illegal-migration-sea-landings-80-per-cent/ Italy Cuts Illegal Migration Sea Landings by 80 Per Cent]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved December 6, 2018. See also:
*Williams, Thomas D. (January 22, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/immigration/2019/01/22/matteo-salvini-i-am-proud-to-have-halted-illegal-immigration/ Matteo Salvini: ‘I Am Proud’ to Have Halted Illegal Immigration]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 22, 2019.</ref> and migrant deportations increased 28% in Salvini's first six months in power.<ref>Hale, Virginia (December 18, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2018/12/18/italy-migrant-expulsions-camps-cleared/ Italy’s Migrant Crackdown: Expulsions up, Squatter Camps Cleared]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved December 19, 2018.</ref> As illegal immigration to Italy significantly fell, it doubled for Spain.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants-stats/spain-replaces-italy-as-europes-main-destination-for-migrant-crossings-idUSKCN1OY14U Spain replaces Italy as Europe's main destination for migrant crossings]. ''Reuters''. January 4, 2019. Retrieved January 4, 2019. See also:
*Williams, Thomas D. (January 7, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/immigration/2019/01/07/report-migrant-sea-deaths-dropped-in-2018-salvini-method-works/ Report: Migrant Sea Deaths Dropped in 2018, ‘The Salvini Method Works’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 8, 2019.</ref> Migration levels continued to dramatically fall,<ref>Multiple references:
*Shaw, Adam (January 30, 2019). [https://www.foxnews.com/world/italy-sees-migrant-numbers-plummet-after-nationalist-policies-take-hold Italy sees migrant numbers plummet after nationalist policies take hold]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
*Tomlinson, Chris (December 26, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/12/26/italy-migrant-landings-halved-2019-due-salvini-policies/ Italy: Migrant Landings Halved in 2019 Due to Salvini Policies]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved December 26, 2019.</ref> something confirmed by [[Frontex]] data.<ref>Tomlinson, Chris (February 21, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/02/21/eu-border-agency-confirms-salvinis-populist-migrant-policies-working/ EU Border Agency Confirms Salvini’s Populist Migrant Policies Working]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved February 21, 2019.</ref> In May 2019, Salvini planned a decree to fine migrant boats €5,500 for each migrant they transport to Italy,<ref>Multiple references:
*Tondo, Lorenzo (May 13, 2019). [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/13/italy-fine-ngo-boats-migrants-salvini Italy plans to fine NGO boats up to €5,500 per rescued migrant]. ''The Guardian''. Retrieved May 14, 2019.
*Albanese, Chiara (May 11, 2019). [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-05-11/italy-s-salvini-seeks-stronger-powers-over-control-of-the-sea Italy's Salvini Seeks Stronger Powers Over Control of the Sea]. ''Bloomberg''. Retrieved May 14, 2019.
*Kington, Tom (May 20, 2019). [https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/matteo-salvini-fine-charities-5-500-for-every-migrant-rescued-from-med-fz7vs6h5g Matteo Salvini: fine charities €5,500 for every migrant rescued from Med]. ''The Times''. Retrieved May 21, 2019.</ref> and the following month, he formally issued the decree which also included measures protecting the police.<ref>Multiple references:
*Amante, Angelo (June 11, 2019). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants-italy/italy-targets-migrant-rescue-ships-in-emergency-decree-idUSKCN1TC2BB Italy targets migrant rescue ships in emergency decree]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved June 11, 2019.
*[https://www.dw.com/en/italy-to-fine-ngos-who-rescue-migrants-at-sea/a-49143481 Italy to fine NGOs who rescue migrants at sea]. ''Deutsche Welle''. June 11, 2019. Retrieved June 11, 2019.
*[https://www.france24.com/en/20190611-italys-salvini-tightening-laws-against-migrant-ships Italy's Salvini tightening laws against migrant ships]. ''France 24'' (from the ''AFP''). June 11, 2019. Retrieved June 11, 2019.
*[https://www.voanews.com/europe/italy-targets-migrant-rescue-ships-emergency-decree Italy Targets Migrant Rescue Ships in Emergency Decree]. ''Voice of America'' (from ''Reuters''). Retrieved June 11, 2019.
*Borrelli, Silvia Sciorilli (June 12, 2019). [https://www.politico.eu/article/matteo-salvini-italy-takes-further-steps-to-clamp-down-on-immigration/ Italy takes further steps to clamp down on immigration]. ''Politico''. Retrieved June 12, 2019.
*[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-48608523 Italy shuts Mineo migrant camp and tightens sea rules]. ''BBC News''. June 12, 2019. Retrieved June 12, 2019.
*[https://www.thelocal.it/20190612/italy-to-fine-migrant-boats-up-to-50000-for-approaching-without-permission Italy to fine migrant boats up to €50,000 for approaching without permission]. ''The Local''. June 12, 2019. Retrieved June 12, 2019.
*Squires, Nick (June 12, 2019). [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/06/12/captain-rescue-boat-faces-20-years-jail-convicted-illegally/ Captain of rescue boat faces 20 years in jail if convicted of illegally aiding migration in the Mediterranean]. ''The Telegraph''. Retrieved June 12, 2019.
*Osborne, Samuel (June 12, 2019). [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/italy-refugee-rescue-fine-emergency-decree-fine-boats-matteo-salvini-a8954986.html Italy passes law to fine people who rescue refugees at sea]. ''The Independent''. Retrieved June 12, 2019.
*Tomlinson, Chris (June 13, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/06/13/salvini-gets-green-light-new-security-decree/ Salvini Gets Green Light for New Security Decree]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
See also:
*Tomlinson, Chris (June 15, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/06/15/italian-police-praise-new-salvini-security-decree/ Italian Police Praise New Salvini Security Decree]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 15, 2019.
*Balmer, Crispian (June 12, 2019). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants-italy/italys-salvini-threatens-to-use-strict-new-law-on-german-ngo-boat-idUSKCN1TD2GQ Italy's Salvini threatens to use strict new law on German NGO boat]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved June 12, 2019.
*[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-politics-migrants/italys-government-wins-confidence-vote-on-decree-targeting-migrant-rescue-ships-idUSKCN1UJ2E4 Italy's government wins confidence vote on decree targeting migrant rescue ships]. ''Reuters''. July 24, 2019. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
*[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-politics-migrants/italy-government-wins-confidence-vote-on-decree-targeting-migrant-rescue-ships-idUSKCN1UV21Y Italy government wins confidence vote on decree targeting migrant rescue ships]. ''Reuters''. August 5, 2019. Retrieved August 5, 2019.</ref> Notably, Salvini began enforcing the law immediately after coming into force, countering a left-wing German migrant captain's attempts to abet illegal immigration to Italy.<ref>Multiple references:
*Tomlinson, Chris (June 27, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/06/27/migrant-ngo-vessel-storms-salvini-blockade/ Migrant NGO Vessel Storms Salvini Blockade]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
*Tomlinson, Chris (June 29, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/06/29/salvini-launches-ships-block-incoming-migrant-boats/ Salvini Launches Ships to Block Incoming Migrant Boats]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
*Williams, Thomas D. (June 29, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/06/29/italy-arrests-migrant-transporter-impounds-ngo-vessel/ Italy Arrests Migrant Transporter, Impounds NGO Vessel]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
*Denti, Antonio; Mangiapane, Guglielmo (June 29, 2019). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants-italy/italian-police-arrest-migrant-rescue-ship-captain-after-docking-idUSKCN1TU02X Italian police arrest migrant-rescue ship captain after docking]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
*Camilli, Annalisa; D'Emilio, Frances (June 29, 2019). [https://www.apnews.com/a68a99dd9f4c49d995a21f12f75cc3ac Migrant aid ship captain arrested; Italy police boat rammed]. ''Associated Press''. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
See also:
*Williams, Thomas D. (June 28, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/immigration/2019/06/28/salvinis-popularity-soars-amidst-sea-watch-migrant-controversy/ Salvini’s Popularity Soars Amidst Sea-Watch Migrant Controversy]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 28, 2019.
*[https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/07/06/another-stand-off-two-migrant-transports-arrive-closed-italian-port/ Another Stand-off as Two Migrant Transports Arrive at Closed Italian Port]. ''Breitbart News'' (from ''AFP''). July 6, 2019. Retrieved July 6, 2019.
*Tomlinson, Chris (July 10, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/07/10/italy-confiscates-migrant-transport-ship-launched-week-before/ Italy Confiscates Migrant Transport Ship Launched Only a Week Before]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 10, 2019.
*Balmer, Crispian (July 9, 2019). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants-italy/italy-seeks-fresh-migrant-clampdown-as-more-boats-arrive-idUSKCN1U416L Italy seeks fresh migrant clampdown as more boats arrive]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved July 10, 2019.
*Tomlinson, Chris (July 20, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/07/20/italian-prosecutors-charge-another-migrant-transport-ngo/ Italy: Prosecutors to Charge Another Migrant Transport NGO]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 20, 2019.
*[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants-italy/italys-salvini-blocks-own-coastguard-ship-with-migrants-on-board-idUSKCN1UL27I Italy's Salvini blocks own coastguard ship with migrants on board]. ''Reuters''. July 26, 2019. Retrieved July 26, 2019.
*Somerville, Ewan (July 23, 2019). [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/italy-migrant-rescue-boats-turn-away-salvini-boycott-europe-meeting-a9016111.html Italy’s populist government to continue turning refugee rescue boats away as they boycott European crisis meeting]. ''The Independent''. Retrieved July 28, 2019.
*Jenkins, Marina (August 1, 2019). [https://www.euronews.com/2019/08/01/salvini-bans-new-migrant-rescue-boat-from-entering-italian-waters Salvini bans new migrant rescue boat from entering Italian waters]. ''Euronews''. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
*Tomlinson, Chris (August 4, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/08/04/salvini-victory-ngo-ship-gives-up-on-landing-migrants-in-italy-heads-to-malta/ Salvini Victory: NGO Ship Gives Up on Landing Migrants in Italy, Heads to Malta]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 4, 2019.
*Balmer, Crispian (August 14, 2019). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants-italy/in-new-migrant-standoff-italys-salvini-blocks-two-ngo-boats-idUSKCN1V315R In new migrant standoff, Italy's Salvini blocks two NGO boats]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved August 13, 2019.
*Mangiapane, Guglielmo (August 16, 2019). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants/italys-salvini-dismisses-fears-for-health-of-stranded-migrants-idUSKCN1V60K2 Italy's Salvini dismisses fears for health of stranded migrants]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved August 16, 2019.
*[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants-eleonore/italy-bans-german-flagged-rescue-ship-to-enter-its-waters-sources-idUSKCN1VH1J5 Italy bans German-flagged rescue ship to enter its waters: sources]. ''Reuters''. August 27, 2019. Retrieved August 27, 2019.
*[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants-mare-jonio/italys-salvini-bans-latest-migrant-ship-entering-waters-idUSKCN1VI280 Italy's Salvini bans latest migrant ship entering waters]. ''Reuters''. August 28, 2019. Retrieved August 28, 2019.
*[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants/italys-salvini-issues-new-migrant-ban-as-seeks-to-derail-new-coalition-idUSKCN1VM19K Italy's Salvini issues new migrant ban as seeks to derail new coalition]. ''Reuters''. September 1, 2019. Retrieved September 1, 2019.</ref> Because of funding cuts on pro-migrant organizations that Salvini enacted, those organizations laid off thousands of workers.<ref>Tomlinson, Chris (June 11, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/06/11/italian-pro-migrant-groups-facing-15000-job-losses-after-salvini-cuts/ Italian Pro-Migrant Groups Facing 15,000 Job Losses After Salvini Cuts]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 11, 2019.</ref> In July 2019, Salvini closed what had been the largest migrant center in Europe.<ref>Multiple references:
*[https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/07/09/promise-kept-salvini-makes-personal-appearance-as-migrant-centre-once-europes-largest-closes/ ‘Promise Kept’: Salvini Makes Personal Appearance as Migrant Centre, Once Europe’s Largest, Closes]. ''Breitbart News'' (from ''AFP''). July 9, 2019. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
*[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-48920235 Italy's Salvini shuts Europe's one-time largest migrant centre]. ''BBC News''. July 9, 2019. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
*Barry, Colleen (July 9, 2019). [https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/italian-minister-salvini-closes-migrant-center-in-sicily/ Italian minister Salvini closes migrant center in Sicily]. ''The Seattle Times'' (from the ''Associated Press''). Retrieved July 9, 2019.</ref>

Even the M5S's founder and former League opponent, Beppe Grillo, praised Salvini for his tough stance on migrants.<ref>Tomlinson, Chris (June 28, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/06/28/italian-five-star-movement-founder-grillo-backs-populist-salvini/ Italian Five Star Movement Founder Grillo Backs Populist Salvini as a Man Who Gets Things Done]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 28, 2018.</ref>

Salvini and the League promoted [[gun rights]] as interior minister,<ref>Johanningsmeier, Emma (November 7, 2018). [https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/07/world/europe/italy-gun-laws-matteo-salvini.html Italy Loosens Gun Laws as Matteo Salvini Polishes His Tough Guy Image]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved January 5, 2019.</ref><ref>Hawkins, Awr (March 17, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/03/17/italy-eyes-stand-your-ground-style-law-lethal-firearm-use/ Italy Eyes Stand Your Ground-Style Law for Lethal Firearm Use]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved March 17, 2019.</ref> and in March 2019, the Italian legislature passed a self-defense law he supported.<ref>Multiple references:
*Tomlinson, Chris (March 31, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/03/31/italy-passes-salvini-backed-self-defence-law-to-protect-homeowners/ Italy Passes Salvini-Backed Self-Defence Law to Protect Homeowners]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
*Jones, Gavin (March 28, 2019). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-politics-salvini/italy-relaxes-law-on-shooting-robbers-in-win-for-salvini-idUSKCN1R924F Italy relaxes law on shooting robbers in win for Salvini]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved March 28, 2019.
*[https://www.thelocal.it/20190328/italy-self-defence-law Italy just made it easier to claim self-defence if you kill or injure an intruder]. ''AFP''. March 28, 2019. Retrieved March 28, 2019.</ref> He took a confrontational stance toward the European Union.<ref>Amaro, Silvia (March 22, 2019). [https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/04/italy-and-the-eu-a-tense-relationship-helping-matteo-salvini.html Italy is side-lining itself from the EU. And its populist deputy leader stands to benefit]. ''CNBC''. Retrieved March 22, 2019.</ref> In April 2019, Salvini announced he would increase police oversight of Islamic cultural centers.<ref>Tomlinson, Chris (April 26, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/04/26/salvini-demands-security-services-increase-observation-islamic-cultural-centres/ Salvini Demands Security Services Increase Observation of Islamic Cultural Centres]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved April 27, 2019.</ref> Helped by Italy's Supreme Court, Salvini worked to strengthen regulations against cannabis in Italy.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-cannabis-salvini/italy-court-cracks-down-on-cannabis-shops-in-win-for-salvini-idUSKCN1T028P Italy court cracks down on cannabis shops in win for Salvini]. ''Reuters''. May 30, 2019. Retrieved May 30, 2019.</ref>

Under Salvini's leadership, crime levels fell an average of 15% from 2018 to 2019.<ref>Tomlinson, Chris (May 7, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/05/07/crime-down-15-percent-under-salvini-interior-ministry/ Crime Down 15 Percent Under Salvini Interior Ministry]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 8, 2019.</ref> In July 2019, Italy began increased border security patrols along its border with [[Slovenia]] because of increased illegal immigration levels.<ref>Multiple references:
*[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants-slovenia-italy/italy-and-slovenia-start-border-patrols-to-stem-migrant-flows-idUSKCN1TW2JA Italy and Slovenia start border patrols to stem migrant flows]. ''Reuters''. July 1, 2019. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
*Williams, Thomas D. (July 2, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/immigration/2019/07/02/italy-and-slovenia-initiate-joint-border-patrols-to-curb-illegal-immigration/ Italy and Slovenia Initiate Joint Border Patrols to Curb Illegal Immigration]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 2, 2019.</ref> Salvini worked to evict migrant illegally living in abandoned buildings.<ref>Multiple references:
*Winfield, Noah; Gatopoulos, Derek (July 15, 2019). [https://www.apnews.com/1cc4ce6ccfca42ed94729a47dc377029 Italian police clear migrant squatters amid burning debris]. ''Associated Press''. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
*[https://www.france24.com/en/20190716-italys-far-right-salvini-moves-clear-illegal-roma-camps Italy's far-right Salvini moves to clear 'illegal' Roma camps]. ''France 24'' (from ''AFP''). July 16, 2019. Retrieved July 21, 2019.</ref>

In the May 2019 [[European Parliament]] elections, which Salvini put much effort into, the League performed very strongly, becoming the largest party in Italy with over 34% of the vote and one of the largest parties in the parliament.<ref>Multiple references:
*Tomlinson, Chris (May 27, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/05/27/salvini-leads-lega-historic-first-national-election-victory/ Salvini Leads Lega to Historic First National Election Victory]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
*Squires, Nick (May 27, 2019). [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/05/27/matteo-salvini-triumphs-european-elections-taking-nearly-35/ Matteo Salvini triumphs in European elections, taking nearly 35 per cent of Italian vote]. ''The Telegraph''. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
*Balmer, Crispian; Amante, Angelo (May 26, 2019). [https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-eu-election-italy/italys-ruling-league-triumphs-in-eu-vote-as-5-star-slumps-idUKKCN1SW0WZ Italy's ruling League triumphs in EU vote as 5-Star slumps]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
*Follain, John (May 26, 2019). [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-05-26/salvini-s-league-set-to-surge-but-premiership-may-elude-him Italy’s League Surges Into Top Spot as Ally Five Star Plummets]. ''Bloomberg''. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
*Willan, Peter (May 27, 2019). [https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/matteo-salvini-far-right-charge-after-social-media-blitz-italy-facebook-s5gmxnhhp Salvini surge could see him leading hard-right bloc]. ''The Times''. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
*Borrelli, Silvia Sciorilli; Barigazzi, Jacopo (May 27, 2019). [https://www.politico.eu/article/european-parliament-election-2019-matteo-salvinis-wins-big-but-only-in-italy/ Salvini wins big — but only in Italy]. ''Politico''. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
* https://www.ft.com/content/2ce8e842-804a-11e9-9935-ad75bb96c849
*Ritter, Karl; Barry, Colleen (May 27, 2019). [https://apnews.com/dfd4f5206e5b4152b7dcb337e5fa0356 European victory gives Salvini more leverage in Italy]. ''Associated Press''. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
*Amaro, Silvia (May 27, 2019). [https://www.cnbc.com/2019/05/27/italy-european-election-results.html Italy’s anti-immigration Lega party enjoys EU election triumph]. ''CNBC''. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
*Castelfranco, Sabina (May 27, 2019). [https://www.voanews.com/a/in-italy-anti-migrant-populist-wins-big/4933943.html In Italy, Anti-Migrant Populist Wins Big]. ''Voice of America''. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
See also:
*Rossi, Sara; Jones, Gavin (May 27, 2019). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-politics/italys-salvini-says-vote-win-is-mandate-to-change-eu-budget-rules-idUSKCN1SX0R3 Italy's Salvini says vote win is mandate to change EU budget rules]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
*Hinnant, Lori (May 27, 2019). [https://www.apnews.com/6152801851684d879999dbcdc62c1e0f Macron vs. Salvini: Two leaders face off over EU’s future]. ''Associated Press''. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
*Shaw, Adam (May 28, 2019). [https://www.foxnews.com/world/italy-matteo-salvini-league-european-parliament-nationalist-populist-bloc Italy’s Salvini eyes international right-wing alliance after European Parliament victory]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved May 29, 2019.
*Tomlinson, Chris (May 29, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/05/29/salvini-pushes-domestic-agenda-eu-election-landslide/ Salvini Pushes Domestic Agenda of Tax Reform After EU Election Landslide]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 29, 2019.</ref> The League performed particularly well in small towns and areas most affected by the migrant crisis.<ref>Multiple references:
*[https://www.thelocal.it/20190527/matteo-salvini-league-italy-eu-election-migrants-lampedusa-riace-ventimiglia Italy's migrant 'hot spots' vote for anti-immigration League]. ''The Local'' (from ''AFP''). May 27, 2019. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
*[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-eu-election-salvini-vote/italys-dominant-salvini-is-small-town-phenomenon-polling-data-shows-idUSKCN1SX1HT Italy's dominant Salvini is small town phenomenon, polling data shows]. ''Reuters''. May 27, 2019. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
*[https://www.thelocal.it/20190608/how-italys-migrant-model-town-riace-veered-far-right How Italy's migrant model town Riace veered far-right]. ''The Local'' (from ''AFP''). June 8, 2019. Retrieved June 10, 2019.</ref> Salvini launched a European Parliament group Identity and Democracy.<ref>Tomlinson, Chris (June 14, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/06/14/salvini-eu-parliament-group-revealed-identity-democracy/ Salvini Launches New ‘Identity and Democracy’ Populist EU Group]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 14, 2019.</ref>

On August 8, 2018, Salvini called for new elections due to significant policy disagreements with the more liberal M5S.<ref>Multiple references:
*Lane, Oliver JJ (August 9, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/08/09/italy-heading-to-elections-as-populist-border-control-salvini-prepares-to-go-it-alone-without-coalition/ Italy Heading to Elections as Populist, Border Control Salvini Prepares to go it Alone Without Coalition]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
*Walker, Marcus (August 8, 2019). [https://www.wsj.com/articles/italian-populist-hot-off-the-beach-brandishes-new-clout-11565280100 Italian Populist Moves to Bring Down Government]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
*Fonte, Giuseppe; Jones, Gavin (August 8, 2019). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-politics/italys-salvini-pulls-plug-on-government-calls-for-elections-idUSKCN1UY1U8 Italy's Salvini pulls plug on government, calls for elections]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
*Barry, Colleen (August 8, 2019). [https://www.apnews.com/8f691cfdf4ce4104893aca9ff27ad051 Italy’s Salvini pushes for a new election over deadlocks]. ''Associated Press''. Retrieved August 8, 2019.
*Lyman, Eric J. (August 12, 2019). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/aug/12/matteo-salvini-northern-league-head-has-eyes-prime/ Italy's anti-immigrant leader demands vote that threatens to propel him to prime minister]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
See also:
*Fonte, Giuseppe; Rossi, Sara (August 9, 2019). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-politics-confidence/italys-league-seeks-to-trigger-elections-files-censure-motion-idUSKCN1UZ0Z7 Italy's League seeks to trigger elections, files censure motion]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved August 9, 2019.</ref> His pulling out of the coalition backfired, with the M5S agreeing to pursue an alliance with the far-left Italian Democratic Party.<ref>Multiple references:
*Shaw, Adam (August 28, 2019). [https://www.foxnews.com/world/italy-5-star-deal-elections-salvini-ousted Italy’s 5-Star makes deal with left-wingers to avoid elections; nationalist Salvini ousted]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
*Sylvers, Eric (August 28, 2019). [https://www.wsj.com/articles/italy-parties-reach-deal-to-form-new-government-11567014240 Italian Party Rivals Join Up to Form New Government]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved August 28, 2019.
*Bernal, Rafael (August 28, 2019). [https://thehill.com/policy/international/459163-italy-forms-new-coalition-government Italy forms new coalition government]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved August 28, 2019.
*D'Emilio, Frances; Zampano, Giada (August 28, 2019). [https://www.apnews.com/af44d9cc445d4ffb858cd692aae37cd2 Italy’s Conte might be back at helm with Salvini shut out]. ''Associated Press''. Retrieved August 28, 2019.
*Barry, Colleen; Zampano, Giada (August 29, 2019). [https://www.apnews.com/376d97bb5f4d4a31bc4a64a2fa4af2a3 Italy’s bitter political foes unite in bid to foil Salvini]. ''Associated Press''. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
See also:
*Tomlinson, Chris (August 30, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/08/30/salvini-blasts-new-italian-government-as-least-democratic-ever/ Salvini Blasts New Italian Government As Least Democratic Ever]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
*Montgomery, Jack (August 30, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/08/30/orban-to-brother-in-arms-salvini-hungarians-will-never-forget-your-fight-for-strong-borders-european-heritage/ Orban to ‘Brother in Arms’ Salvini: Hungarians ‘Will Never Forget’ Your Fight for Strong Borders, European Heritage]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
*[https://www.wsj.com/articles/italys-progressive-surprise-11567121442 Italy’s Progressive Surprise]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. August 29, 2019. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
*Tomlinson, Chris (September 2, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/09/02/italy-proposed-leftist-coalition-faces-widespread-opposition/ Italy: Proposed Leftist Coalition Faces Widespread Opposition]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 2, 2019.</ref> Conte announced the leftist cabinet on September 4, 2019, and they were sworn in the following day, ending Salvini's tenure in the government.<ref>Multiple references:
*Fonte, Giuseppe; Amante, Angelo (September 4, 2019). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-politics/italian-pm-sets-seal-on-new-government-unveils-cabinet-idUSKCN1VP0W1 Italian PM sets seal on new government, unveils cabinet]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved September 4, 2019.
*Balmer, Crispian; Fonte, Giuseppe (September 5, 2019). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-politics/new-italian-coalition-sworn-in-seeks-better-ties-with-europe-idUSKCN1VQ165 New Italian coalition sworn in, seeks better ties with Europe]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
*Tomlinson, Chris (September 12, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/09/12/italians-prefer-salvini-coalition-new-leftist-govt/ Italians Prefer Salvini Coalition To New Leftist Govt]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 12, 2019.</ref>

===In opposition===
The new Democrat–M5S coalition began reinstating status-quo, open borders immigration policies,<ref>Multiple references:
*[https://www.breitbart.com/immigration/2019/09/14/with-salvini-gone-new-m5s-democrat-govt-invites-migrants-land-in-italy/ With Salvini Gone, New M5S-Democrat Govt Invites Migrants to Land in Italy]. ''Breitbart News'' (from the ''Associated Press''). September 14, 2019. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
*Balmer, Crispian (September 14, 2019). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants-italy/in-break-with-past-rome-lets-charity-ship-head-to-italian-port-idUSKCN1VZ05S In break with past, Rome lets charity ship head to Italian port]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
*Brito, Renata; D'Emilio, Frances (September 14, 2019). [https://www.apnews.com/2d8aa7447e18432884392a1fea5500a1 Italy: Rescue boat with 82 migrants can dock at Italian isle]. ''Associated Press''. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
*Neslen, Arthur (September 14, 2019). [https://www.politico.eu/article/italian-welcome-for-82-migrants-marks-end-of-salvinis-propaganda-says-minister/ Italian welcome for 82 migrants marks ‘end of Salvini’s propaganda,’ says minister]. ''Politico''. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
*Legorano, Giovanni (September 14, 2019). [https://www.wsj.com/articles/italys-new-government-allows-in-migrants-testing-voters-tolerance-11568484151 Italy’s New Government Allows In Migrants, Testing Voters’ Tolerance]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
*Tondo, Lorenzo (September 14, 2019). [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/14/italys-new-government-says-migrants-can-disembark-from-rescue-boat Italy's new government says migrants can disembark from rescue boat]. ''The Guardian''. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
*[https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/09/22/business-as-usual-ngo-ship-allowed-to-land-another-182-migrants-in-post-salvini-italy/ Business as Usual: NGO Ship Allowed to Land Another 182 Migrants in Post-Salvini Italy]. ''Breitbart News'' (from the ''Associated Press''). September 22, 2019. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
*Duke, Selwyn (October 23, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/europe/item/33829-mamma-mia-under-new-gov-t-italy-again-attracting-migrants-and-becoming-refugee-camp Mamma Mia: Under New Gov’t, Italy Again Attracting Migrants and Becoming “Refugee Camp”]. ''The New American''. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
*[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants-ship/italy-to-let-french-ngo-migrant-ship-dock-after-11-days-at-sea-idUSKBN1X81XD Italy to let French NGO migrant ship dock after 11 days at sea]. ''Reuters''. October 29, 2019. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
*[https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/11/02/left-wing-italian-govt-ship-ngo-88-migrants-aboard-dock/ Left-Wing Italian Govt Allows NGO Ship with 88 Migrants Aboard to Dock]. ''Breitbart News'' (from the ''Associated Press''). November 2, 2019. Retrieved November 2, 2019.
*Tomlinson, Chris (January 14, 2020). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2020/01/14/italy-post-salvini-left-govt-ups-migrant-allowance-1500-sail-from-libya-in-four-days/ Italy: Post-Salvini Left Govt Ups Migrant Allowance, 1,500 Sail from Libya in Four Days]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
See also:
*Tomlinson, Chris (September 28, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/09/28/migrants-set-favela-like-camp-steps-away-roman-colosseum/ Migrants Set up Favela-Like Camp Steps Away from Roman Colosseum]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 28, 2019.
*Tomlinson, Chris (October 14, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/10/14/illegal-migrant-formerly-deported-salvini-mocks-populist-leader/ Illegal Migrant Formerly Deported by Salvini Mocks Populist Leader]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
*Williams, Thomas D. (October 15, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/immigration/2019/10/15/matteo-salvini-laments-immigrant-resurgence-under-new-leftist-government/ Matteo Salvini Laments Immigrant Resurgence Under New Leftist Government]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
*Ciociola, Andrea (October 15, 2019). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants-italy/italy-lets-french-migrant-ship-dock-to-anger-of-far-right-idUSKBN1WU2JL Italy lets French migrant ship dock to anger of far right]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved October 15, 2019.</ref> and Salvini and the League strongly criticized the new coalition and its globalist policies.<ref>Multiple references:
*Tomlinson, Chris (September 10, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/09/10/salvini-party-mps-heckle-italian-pm-speech-demanding-election/ Salvini Party MPs Heckle Italian PM Speech, Demanding Fresh Election]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 10, 2019.
*Tomlinson, Chris (September 11, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/09/11/salvini-attacks-italian-pm-i-leave-chair-him-keep-my-dignity/ Salvini Attacks Italian PM: ‘I Leave the Chair To Him But I Keep My Dignity’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 11, 2019.
*Williams, Thomas D. (September 15, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/09/15/salvini-italy-once-again-europes-refugee-camp-as-leftist-government-reopens-ports/ Salvini: Italy Once Again ‘Europe’s Refugee Camp’ as Leftist Government Reopens Ports]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
*Camilli, Carmelo (September 15, 2019). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-politics-league/league-leader-salvini-promises-referendums-to-counter-new-italy-government-idUSKBN1W00HE League leader Salvini promises referendums to counter new Italy government]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
*Tomlinson, Chris (September 17, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/09/17/salvini-promises-trigger-referendums-crowd-80000/ Addressing Crowd of 80,000 Supporters, Populist Salvini Calls for Immigration Referendum]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
*Jones, Gavin (October 19, 2019). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-politics-league/salvinis-right-rallies-in-rome-to-protest-against-italy-government-idUSKBN1WY0J4 Salvini's right rallies in Rome to protest against Italy government]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
*Zindulka, Kurt (October 20, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/10/20/italy-7-bodies-recovered-migrant-shipwreck-mediterranean/ Salvini: Migrant Drownings Caused by ‘Do-Gooders’ Re-opening Ports, Encouraging Smugglers]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved October 20, 2019.
*Tomlinson, Chris (October 20, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/10/20/salvini-being-called-populist-is-compliment/ Salvini: Being Called a Populist ‘Is a Compliment’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved October 20, 2019.
*Tomlinson, Chris (December 1, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/12/01/salvini-accuses-leftist-govt-of-giving-away-italian-sovereignty-to-eu/ Salvini Accuses Leftist Govt of Giving Away Italian Sovereignty to EU]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
See also:
*Tomlinson, Chris (September 15, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/09/15/italy-salvini-forms-alliance-with-berlusconi-against-leftist-coalition/ Italy: Salvini Forms Alliance with Berlusconi Against New Leftist Coalition]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 15, 2019.</ref> Salvini also became Italy's most trusted political leader.<ref>Multiple references:
*Tomlinson, Chris (September 20, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/09/20/salvini-now-most-trusted-political-leader-italy/ Poll: Salvini Now Most Trusted Political Leader in Italy]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
*Zindulka, Kurt (October 22, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/10/22/poll-matteo-salvini-is-most-trusted-politician-italy/ Poll: Matteo Salvini is the Most Trusted Politician in Italy]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved October 22, 2019.</ref> On October 27, 2019, the League secured a historic election victory in the Italian region of Umbria, taking control of the state which had previously been only controlled by center-left, left-wing, and far-left parties.<ref>Multiple references:
*Tomlinson, Chris (October 28, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/10/28/populist-salvini-alliance-routs-entrenched-leftist-governor-in-historic-election-result/ Populist Salvini Alliance Routs Entrenched Leftist Governor in Historic Election Result]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
*Balmer, Crispian (October 27, 2019). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-politics-umbria/italys-salvini-triumphs-in-umbria-as-government-alliance-slumps-idUSKBN1X60SZ Italy's Salvini triumphs in Umbria as government alliance slumps]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
*Sciorilli Borrelli, Silvia (October 28, 2019). [https://www.politico.eu/article/league-wins-landslide-victory-in-italian-regional-election/ League wins landslide victory in Italian regional election]. ''Politico''. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
*Albanese, Chiara; Ebhardt, Tommaso (October 27, 2019). [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-10-27/italy-s-league-to-win-umbria-vote-in-blow-for-democrats-5-star Italy’s League Dominates Umbria Vote as Salvini Flexes Muscles]. ''Bloomberg''. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
*[https://www.thelocal.it/20191028/italian-right-celebrates-rise-in-historically-left-wing-umbria Italian right celebrates rise in historically left-wing Umbria]. ''The Local''. October 28, 2019. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
*Johnson, Miles (October 28, 2019). [https://www.ft.com/content/2a6c8db4-f95b-11e9-a354-36acbbb0d9b6 Matteo Salvini’s anti-migration party seizes Umbria in Italian poll]. ''Financial Times''. Retrieved October 31, 2019.
See also:
*Johnson, Miles (October 25, 2019). [https://www.ft.com/content/0425eaee-f710-11e9-a79c-bc9acae3b654 Heart of Italy captured by Salvini’s League]. ''Financial Times''. Retrieved October 31, 2019.</ref>

==Political positions==
[[File:Mike Pompeo and Matteo Salvini.jpg|thumb|250px|Salvini with U.S. Secretary of State [[Mike Pompeo]], June 2019]]
Salvini is a [[Euroskeptic]]<ref>Deacon, Liam (January 20, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/01/20/right-wing-italian-election-favourite-blasts-the-eu-can-fck-itself/ Italian Election Favourite Blasts Brussels: ‘The EU Can Go F*ck Itself’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 20, 2018.</ref> who also supported leaving the [[Euro]]<ref name="MontgomeryJan2018">Montgomery, Jack (January 6, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/01/06/italys-lega-nord-euro-tripling-deportations-securing-border/ Italy’s Lega Nord Commits to Leaving the Euro, Tripling Deportations, and Securing the Border]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved March 4, 2018. However, Salvini later stated he would not leave the Euro:
*Aloisi, Silvia (August 10, 2019). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-politics/italy-not-thinking-about-leaving-euro-salvini-idUSKCN1V00I6 Italy not thinking about leaving euro: Salvini]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
*Amante, Angelo (October 14, 2019). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-politics-salvini/italys-euroskeptic-leader-salvini-says-euro-is-irreversible-idUSKBN1WT1R2 Italy's euroskeptic leader Salvini says euro is 'irreversible']. ''Reuters''. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
*Fonte, Giuseppe; Jones, Gavin (November 25, 2019). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-politics-league-europe-analysis/from-euro-to-esm-italys-salvini-re-trains-his-eurosceptic-fire-idUSKBN1XZ1BQ From euro to ESM, Italy's Salvini re-trains his eurosceptic fire]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved November 25, 2019.</ref> and who opposes [[Turkey|Turkish]] membership in the EU.<ref>Hale, Virginia (April 8, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/04/08/salvini-axe-turkey-eu-process/ Salvini: Turkey ‘Has Nothing to Do with Europe’, Will ‘Never Enter EU on Our Watch’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved April 8, 2019.</ref> He supports putting the Italian people first when making policy, as opposed to advancing [[globalist]] ideals.<ref>Binnie, Isla (February 24, 2018). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-election-league/league-leader-pledges-to-put-italians-first-as-election-campaign-intensifies-idUSKCN1G80O2 League leader pledges to put Italians first as election campaign intensifies]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved March 4, 2018.</ref> As Deputy Prime Minister, he has called for remaining in the EU and changing it from the inside.<ref>Multiple references:
*Walt, Vivienne (September 13, 2018). [http://time.com/5394448/matteo-salvini/ Why Italy's Matteo Salvini Is the Most Feared Man in Europe]. ''Time''. Retrieved September 16, 2018.
*Walt, Vivienne (September 13, 2018). [http://time.com/5394207/matteo-salvini-time-interview-transcript-full/ 'We Want to Change Things from Within.' Italy's Matteo Salvini on His Goal to Reshape Europe]. ''Time''. Retrieved September 16, 2018.</ref> He is also a critic of [[compulsory vaccination]],<ref>Politi, James (June 22, 2018). [https://www.ft.com/content/e513740e-761a-11e8-b326-75a27d27ea5f Salvini ramps up rhetoric with attack on mandatory vaccines]. ''Financial Times''. Retrieved June 25, 2018.</ref> and he has criticized the concept of surrogate motherhood as a threat to the traditional family.<ref>Williams, Thomas D. (March 18, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/03/18/matteo-salvini-blasts-surrogacy-womb-rent-makes-me-sick/ Matteo Salvini Blasts Surrogacy: Womb for Rent ‘Makes Me Sick’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved March 18, 2019.</ref> Salvini takes relatively conservative positions on social issues and supports the pro-family World Congress of Families.<ref>Tomlinson, Chris (March 19, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/03/19/salvini-pro-family-congress-attendance-sparks-italy-coalition-conflict/ Salvini Pro-Family Congress Attendance Sparks Italy Coalition Conflict]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved March 30, 2019. See also:
*Phelan, Jessica (March 29, 2019). [https://www.thelocal.it/20190329/world-congress-of-families-verona-anti-lgbt-anti-abortion-congress-italy International anti-LGBT, anti-abortion congress opens in Verona]. ''The Local''. Retrieved March 30, 2019.
*Giuffrida, Angela (March 29, 2019). [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/29/city-of-love-christian-right-congress-in-verona-divides-italy-league-extremism City of love? Christian right congress in Verona divides Italy]. ''The Guardian''. Retrieved March 30, 2019.
*Williams, Thomas D. (March 28, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/faith/2019/03/28/pro-family-congress-celebrates-shift-the-tide-is-turning/ Pro-Family Congress Celebrates Shift: ‘The Tide Is Turning’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved March 30, 2019.
*Barry, Colleen (March 30, 2019). [https://www.apnews.com/d157b890d19d40caba71f91a08fc2ed5 Conservative congress on family sharply divides Italy]. ''Associated Press''. Retrieved March 30, 2019.</ref> Salvini takes tough-on-crime positions and, along with other members of the League, supports the chemical [[castration]] of rapists.<ref>Multiple references:
*Tomlinson, Chris (March 30, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/03/30/salvini-calls-chemical-castration-violent-rapists/ Salvini Calls for ‘Chemical Castration’ of Violent Rapists]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved March 30, 2019.
*Squires, Nick (March 27, 2019). [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/03/27/italys-matteo-salvini-calls-three-alleged-rapists-chemically/ Italy's Matteo Salvini calls for three alleged rapists to be chemically castrated if found guilty]. ''The Telegraph''. Retrieved March 30, 2019.</ref>

Salvini also takes a strong position against mass migration and Islam,<ref>Multiple references:
*Williams, Thomas D. (January 31, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/01/31/italys-salvini-promises-sealed-borders-todays-islam-is-a-danger/ Italy’s Salvini Promises Sealed Borders, ‘Today’s Islam Is a Danger’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 31, 2018.
*Tomlinson, Chris (February 28, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/02/28/italian-populist-leader-slams-pro-migrant-bishop-swear-oath-bible/ Italian Populist Leader Slams Pro-Migrant Bishop: ‘The Gospel Doesn’t Say to Welcome Everyone’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
*Williams, Thomas D. (July 23, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/07/23/italys-matteo-salvini-decries-dirty-business-illegal-immigration/ Italy’s Matteo Salvini Decries ‘Dirty Business of Illegal Immigration’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
*Williams, Thomas D. (August 10, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/08/10/matteo-salvini-controlling-immigration-the-only-antidote-to-racism/ Matteo Salvini: Controlling Immigration ‘The Only Antidote to Racism’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 10, 2018.
*Williams, Thomas D. (April 17, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/immigration/2019/04/17/salvini-risk-of-islamic-terrorist-infiltration-from-libya-a-certainty/ Salvini: Risk of Islamic Terrorist Infiltration from Libya ‘a Certainty’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
*Tomlinson, Chris (May 27, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/05/27/salvini-says-no-to-eurabia-in-italy-after-report-on-swedish-migrant-areas/ Salvini Says No to ‘Eurabia’ in Italy After Report on Swedish Migrant Areas]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
*Montgomery, Jack (August 12, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/08/12/salvini-rebukes-richard-gere-migrants-tells-him-fly-them-hollywood-villas/ Salvini Rebukes Richard Gere on Migrants, Tells Him to Fly Them to His ‘Hollywood Villas’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 12, 2019.</ref> and he supports strong border security actions.<ref name="MontgomeryJan2018"/><ref>Multiple references:
*Scherer, Steve (June 26, 2018). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants-italy-salvini/echoes-of-trump-as-italys-salvini-gets-tough-on-migrants-idUSKBN1JM24H Echoes of Trump as Italy's Salvini gets tough on migrants]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved June 26, 2018.
*Montgomery, Jack (June 29, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/06/29/italys-trump-salvini-wants-build-wall-stop-illegal-migration-balkans/ Italy’s Trump: Salvini Wants to Build a Wall to Stop Illegal Migration from Balkans]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 29, 2019.</ref> He has called for supporting Italian families and increasing the native birthrate rather than supporting migrants.<ref>Multiple references:
*Montgomery, Jack (July 29, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/07/29/italys-salvini-wants-more-babies-fewer-migrants-a-country-which-does-not-create-children-is-destined-to-die/ Italy’s Salvini Wants More Babies, Fewer Migrants: ‘A Country Which Does Not Create Children is Destined to Die’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
*Montgomery, Jack (September 15, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/09/15/salvini-help-italians-have-more-children-not-bring-africans-replace/ Salvini: ‘We Need to Help Italians Have More Children, Not Bring Africans to Replace the Children We’re Not Having’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
See also:
*Williams, Thomas D. (August 26, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/immigration/2019/08/26/maltese-politician-praises-salvini-for-halting-organized-crime-of-mass-migration/ Maltese Politician Praises Salvini for Halting ‘Organized Crime’ of Mass Migration]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 26, 2019.</ref> He also supports enacting [[tariffs]] on foreign products.<ref>Koukakis, Nasos (March 2, 2018). [https://www.cnbc.com/2018/03/02/italys-far-right-populist-pm-candidate-loves-trumps-tariff-policy.html Not all Europeans hate Trump's tariff policy — Italy's far-right PM candidate loves it]. ''CNBC''. Retrieved March 4, 2018.</ref> A strong supporter of [[Donald Trump]],<ref>Williams, Thomas D. (November 7, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2018/11/07/go-donald-go-italys-salvini-congratulates-trump-on-midterms/ ‘Go, Donald, Go!’: Italy’s Salvini Congratulates Trump on Midterms]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved November 7, 2018. See also:
*Follain, John; Krause-Jackson, Flavia (January 31, 2019). [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-02-01/italy-s-salvini-to-trump-i-can-be-your-closest-ally-in-europe Italy’s Salvini to Trump: I Can Be Your Closest Ally in Europe]. ''Bloomberg''. Retrieved March 21, 2019.</ref> Salvini met him in 2016 while Trump was still a presidential candidate.<ref>Multiple references:
*Bojesson, Jacob (April 26, 2016). [https://dailycaller.com/2016/04/26/trump-does-meet-and-greet-with-italian-nationalist-party-leader-mussolini-defender/ Trump Does Meet And Greet With Italian Nationalist Party Leader, Mussolini Defender]. ''The Daily Caller''. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
*Williams, Thomas D. (April 26, 2016). [https://www.breitbart.com/2016-presidential-race/2016/04/26/trump-meets-italys-salvini-total-agreement-immigration/ Trump Meets with Italy’s Northern League Leader Salvini, ‘Total Agreement’ on Immigration]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved March 10, 2018.</ref> When President Trump decided to move the US embassy from [[Tel Aviv]] to [[Jerusalem]], Salvini stated that he is in favor of recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel,<ref>Momigliano, Anna (July 23, 2018). [https://www.haaretz.com/world-news/europe/.premium-italian-jews-finally-take-stand-against-far-right-pro-israel-parties-1.6302183 For Many Italian Jews, Far-right Parties No Longer Getting a Pass for Being pro-Israel]. ''Haaretz''. Retrieved September 1, 2018.</ref> and he is a supporter of Israel in general.<ref>Kent, Simon (December 12, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/middle-east/2018/12/12/italys-salvini-slams-e-u-for-unbalanced-approach-to-israel/ Italy’s Salvini Slams E.U. for ‘Unbalanced’ Approach to Israel]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved December 12, 2018.</ref> Salvini also has formed alliances with [[Marine Le Pen]] in [[France]] and [[Geert Wilders]] in the [[Netherlands]],<ref name="Success">Multiple references:
*Schumacher, Elizabeth (March 5, 2018). [http://p.dw.com/p/2ti8M Matteo Salvini: Italy's far-right success story]. ''Deutsche Welle''. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
*Kirchgaessner, Stephanie (March 5, 2018). [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/mar/05/matteo-salvini-the-italian-far-right-leader-stepping-out-of-berlusconis-shadow Matteo Salvini: far-right leader steps out of Berlusconi's shadow]. ''The Guardian''. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
*Lyman, Eric J. (March 8, 2018). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/mar/8/matteo-salvini-pulls-italys-right-wing-fringe-part/ Unlikely leader pulls right-wing fringe party to Italy’s political power center]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved March 23, 2018.</ref><ref>Mcintosh, Jane (March 6, 2018). [http://p.dw.com/p/2tkBK Who are Italy's two leading populist parties: Five Star Movement and the League?] ''Deutsche Welle''. Retrieved March 23, 2018.</ref> and he has expressed a desire for creating a Europe-wide coalition of patriotic parties.<ref>Multiple references:
*Tomlinson, Chris (July 3, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/07/03/salvini-take-league-international-free-europe/ Salvini Announces Intention to Take League Party International to ‘Free Europe’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 3, 2018.
*Polleschi, Ilaria (July 1, 2018). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-politics-salvini-europe/italys-league-chief-salvini-vows-to-take-success-europe-wide-idUSKBN1JR1SI Italy's League chief Salvini vows to take success Europe-wide]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved July 1, 2018.
*[https://www.thelocal.it/20180702/italys-far-right-league-holds-annual-rally-in-buoyant-mood 'League of Leagues': Italy's Matteo Salvini calls for anti-immigration alliance across Europe]. ''The Local''. July 2, 2018. Retrieved July 2, 2018.
*Badcock, James (July 1, 2018). [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/07/01/salvini-says-wants-european-association-nationalist-parties/ Salvini says he wants European association of nationalist parties as Italy leaves migrants stranded at sea]. ''The Telegraph''. Retrieved July 2, 2018.
*Politi, James (July 1, 2018). [https://www.ft.com/content/b65fed5e-7d2c-11e8-bc55-50daf11b720d Italy’s Matteo Salvini calls for European populist alliance]. ''Financial Times''. Retrieved July 2, 2018.
*Tomlinson, Chris (July 21, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/07/21/salvini-to-form-populist-grand-alliance-ahead-2019-european-parliament-election/ Salvini to Form Populist Grand Alliance Ahead of 2019 European Parliament Elections]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 21, 2018.</ref> Salvini also has a strong relationship with [[Viktor Orbán]] of [[Hungary]],<ref>Multiple references:
*Williams, Thomas D. (August 28, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/08/28/viktor-orban-matteo-salvini-is-my-hero/ Viktor Orban: Matteo Salvini Is ‘My Hero’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
*Williams, Thomas D. (August 28, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/08/28/salvini-hungary-model-successful-economic-immigration-reform/ Salvini Holds Up Hungary as Model of Successful Economic and Immigration Reform]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
*Friedman, Victoria (August 29, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/08/29/orban-salvini-attack-globalist-macron-leader-pro-migration-parties-eu/ Orban, Salvini Attack Globalist Macron as ‘Leader of Pro-Migration Parties’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 29, 2018.
*Tomlinson, Chris (January 11, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/01/11/orban-gives-support-salvini-alliance-poland/ Orban Gives Support to Salvini’s Italy Allying with Poland]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
*Tomlinson, Chris (March 26, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/03/26/orban-looks-to-salvini-alliance-after-epp-suspension/ Orban Looks To Salvini Alliance After EPP Suspension]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved March 30, 2019.
*Tomlinson, Chris (May 2, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/05/02/orban-labels-salvini-most-important-person-europe-ahead-visit/ Orban Labels Salvini ‘Most Important Person in Europe’ Ahead of Visit]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 2, 2019.
*[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-eu-election-right-hungary/hungary-pm-makes-overtures-to-italy-far-right-in-hint-of-eu-conservative-split-idUSKCN1S81K8 Hungary PM makes overtures to Italy far right in hint of EU conservative split]. ''Reuters''. May 2, 2019. Retrieved May 2, 2019.
*Gorondi, Pablo (May 2, 2019). [https://www.apnews.com/cba92046268e4b1d8781a2af05f79a43 Anti-migrant politicians bond at razor wire fence in Hungary]. ''Associated Press''. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
*Friedman, Victoria (May 5, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/05/05/orban-hungary-italy-have-proved-illegal-migration-stopped-land-sea/ Orban: Hungary and Italy Have Proved Illegal Mass Migration Can Be Stopped]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
The two formed an alliance with each other:
*Hale, Virginia (August 29, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/08/29/orban-salvini-elections-anti-migration-front/ Orbán, Salvini Set to Take On Globalism at EU Elections with Anti-Migration Front]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 29, 2018.
*Tondo, Lorenzo (August 28, 2018). [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/aug/28/matteo-salvini-viktor-orban-anti-migrant-plan-brussels Matteo Salvini and Viktor Orbán to form anti-migration front]. ''The Guardian''. Retrieved August 29, 2018.
*Foster, Peter (August 28, 2018). [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/08/28/populist-duo-viktor-orban-matteo-salvini-call-deportation-migrants/ Populist duo Viktor Orban and Matteo Salvini call for deportation of migrants from Europe]. ''The Telegraph''. Retrieved August 29, 2018.
See also:
*Tomlinson, Chris (June 2, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/06/02/orban-not-joining-salvini-led-eu-parliament-group/ Orban Not Joining Salvini-led EU Parliament Group]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 3, 2019.</ref> who complimented his policies' effects,<ref>Multiple references:
*Montgomery, Jack (August 30, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/08/30/orban-to-brother-in-arms-salvini-hungarians-will-never-forget-your-fight-for-strong-borders-european-heritage/ Orban to ‘Brother in Arms’ Salvini: Hungarians ‘Will Never Forget’ Your Fight for Strong Borders, European Heritage]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
*Tomlinson, Chris (September 20, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/09/20/hungarian-minister-with-salvini-europe-was-safe/ Hungarian Minister: With Salvini Europe Was Safe]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 20, 2019.</ref> and he has similar views as Poland's [[Jarosław Kaczyński]].<ref>Multiple references:
*Tomlinson, Chris (January 4, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/01/04/italys-salvini-to-meet-polish-conservative-leader-to-discuss-potential-alliance/ Italy’s Salvini to Meet Polish Conservative Leader to Discuss Potential Alliance]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 5, 2019.
*Friedman, Victoria (January 10, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/01/10/european-spring-italys-salvini-building-alliance-with-poland-to-save-europe/ ‘European Spring’: Italy’s Salvini Building Alliance with Poland to ‘Save Europe’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 10, 2019.</ref> Salvini takes a relatively positive stance toward Brexit and has criticized the EU for its stance against the UK.<ref>Montgomery, Jack (September 14, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2018/09/14/salvini-italy-britain-side-brexit-negotiations-criticises-eu-anti-democratic-punish/ Salvini: Italy on Britain’s Side in Brexit Negotiations, EU has Anti-Democratic Habits, Desire to Punish]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 4, 2019.</ref> He has criticized [[liberal]] globalists, including [[Angela Merkel]], [[Emmanuel Macron]], and the EU's leadership for their policies.<ref>Multiple references:
*Tomlinson, Chris (September 5, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/09/05/salvini-blasts-merkel-underestimating-social-conflict-open-doors-migrant-policy/ Salvini Blasts Merkel for ‘Underestimating Social Conflict’ of Open Doors Migrant Policy]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 5, 2018.
*Hale, Virginia (October 7, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/10/07/salvini-globalist-ruining-italy-europe/ Salvini Slaps Down Globalist EU Chiefs for ‘Ruining’ Italy, Europe]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved October 7, 2018.
*Balmer, Crispian (December 9, 2018). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-budget-france/macron-to-blame-for-french-protests-italys-salvini-says-idUSKBN1O80LL Macron to blame for French protests, Italy's Salvini says]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved December 9, 2018.
*Balmer, Crispian (January 22, 2019). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-italy-salvini/italys-salvini-bashes-france-over-libya-role-in-new-diplomatic-spat-idUSKCN1PG0QI Italy's Salvini bashes France over Libya role in new diplomatic spat]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
*Shaw, Adam (January 22, 2019). [https://www.foxnews.com/world/italys-salvini-slams-france-for-migrant-crisis-i-dont-take-lessons-on-humanity-and-generosity-from-macron Italy’s Salvini slams France for migrant crisis: ‘I don’t take lessons on humanity and generosity from Macron’]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
*Shaw, Adam (May 16, 2019). [https://www.foxnews.com/world/italys-salvini-merkel-macron Italy’s Salvini says Merkel, Macron have ‘ruined’ the European Union]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
*Tomlinson, Chris (May 17, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/05/17/salvini-to-macron-and-merkel-i-want-nothing-to-do-with-you/ Italy’s Salvini: Merkel and Macron ‘Ruined’ Europe – ‘We Want Nothing to Do with You’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 18, 2019.
*Tomlinson, Chris (July 26, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/07/26/salvini-macron-we-are-not-your-colony/ Salvini to Macron: We Are Not Your Colony!] ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 28, 2019.
See also:
*Friedman, Victoria (December 10, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2018/12/10/populist-italy-holds-italians-first-rally-while-anti-macron-protesters-riot-france/ Spot the Difference: Populist Salvini Celebrated, Anti-Macron Riots]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved December 10, 2018.</ref> Because of Salvini's criticisms, along with those from other Italian leaders, France recalled its ambassador to Italy in February 2019.<ref>Multiple references:
*Tomlinson, Chris (February 8, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/02/08/france-recalls-italian-ambassador-row-between-two-countries-escalates/ France Recalls Italian Ambassador as Row Between Two Countries Escalates]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved February 8, 2019.
*Irish, John; Rose, Michael (February 7, 2019). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-italy/france-recalls-italy-ambassador-after-worst-verbal-onslaught-since-the-war-idUSKCN1PW1GJ France recalls Italy ambassador after worst verbal onslaught 'since the war']. ''Reuters''. Retrieved February 7, 2019.</ref>

Salvini takes a skeptical stance on China's Belt and Road Initiative, warning against foreign companies "colonizing Italy."<ref>Follain, John (March 11, 2019). [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-03-11/salvini-warns-against-colonizing-italy-ahead-of-china-accord Salvini Warns Against ‘Colonizing Italy’ Before China Accord]. ''Bloomberg''. Retrieved March 23, 2019. See also:
*Sciorilli Borrelli, Silvia (March 19, 2019). [https://www.politico.eu/article/italy-plans-scaled-back-silk-road-agreement/ Italy plans scaled-back Silk Road agreement]. ''Politico''. Retrieved March 23, 2019.</ref> He has also called for protecting "sensitive" Italian data from China.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-italy-china-salvini/italys-salvini-says-china-cannot-be-in-control-of-sensitive-data-idUSKCN1SQ0RU Italy's Salvini says China cannot be in control of sensitive data]. ''Reuters''. May 20, 2019. Retrieved May 20, 2019.</ref>

Unlike other Italian politicians, Salvini is not afraid of mixing his Christian profession with his politics.<ref>Winfield, Nicole (August 22, 2019). [https://www.apnews.com/ef2b2fb43ed645c3a95107ad0646e1c5 Italian populist mixes religious symbols with his politics]. ''Associated Press''. Retrieved August 22, 2019.</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=35em}}

{{Nationalism}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Salvini, Matteo}}
[[Category:Italian People]]
[[Category:Nationalists]]
[[Category:Conservatives]]
[[Category:Pro Second Amendment]]
[[Category:Patriots]]

Viktor Orbán

2020-09-06T15:50:03Z

King Conservative: /* External links */

[[File:Viktor Orbán 2016-02-17.jpg|thumb|200px|Viktor Orbán]]
'''Viktor Mihály Orbán''' (born May 31, 1963, in [[Székesfehérvár]]) is a [[conservative]] Hungarian politician and served as Prime Minister of [[Hungary]] between 1998 and 2002 and again since May 29, 2010. He is a member and leader of the [[Fidesz]] party, which is [[Social conservatism|socially conservative]] and moderately-[[Euroskeptic]]. In his earlier years, Orbán ensured that Hungary joined [[NATO]] in 1999 despite [[Russia]]'s opposition.

Since starting his second term as prime minister in 2010, Orbán has served as a strong voice for maintaining traditional [[conservative values]] in Europe, supporting [[national sovereignty]] and identity, and opposing the [[globalist]], one-world agenda of the EU and other entities.<ref>Caldwell, Christopher (May 13, 2019). [https://humanevents.com/2019/05/13/orban-not-far-right-just-right/ Orban: Not Far Right, Just Right.] ''Human Events'' (from ''Claremont Review of Books''). Retrieved May 16, 2019.</ref> He united with [[Poland]]'s conservative government to that end,<ref name="HungaryPoland"/> and his approval ratings are higher than those of his globalist opponents.<ref>Girdusky, Ryan (May 16, 2019). [https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/europes-liberals-hate-viktor-orban-for-one-reason-hes-more-popular-than-them Europe's liberals hate Viktor Orbán for one reason: He's more popular than them]. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved May 16, 2019.</ref>

==Second tenure as Prime Minister==
[[Fidesz]], led by Orbán, saw a landslide victory in the elections on April 11, 2010, winning over 50% of the vote.<ref>Multiple references:
*[https://www.foxnews.com/world/2010/04/11/far-right-party-poised-make-gains-hungary.html Hungary's ruling Socialists suffer stinging defeat]. ''Fox News''. April 11, 2010. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
*Than, Krisztina; Szakacs, Gergely (April 11, 2010). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hungary-election/fidesz-wins-hungary-election-with-strong-mandate-idUSTRE63A1GE20100412 Fidesz wins Hungary election with strong mandate]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved March 18, 2018.</ref> In the runoff elections held later that month, Fidesz secured a two-thirds majority in parliament, enough to change the constitution.<ref>Multiple references:
*[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/hungary/7632990/Hungarys-conservative-opposition-wins-landslide-election.html Hungary's conservative opposition wins landslide election]. ''The Telegraph''. April 26, 2010. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
*Dunai, Marton; Than, Krisztina (April 25, 2010). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hungary-election/hungarys-fidesz-wins-historic-two-thirds-mandate-idUSTRE63O1KB20100425 Hungary's Fidesz wins historic two-thirds mandate]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
*[https://www.economist.com/node/16009177 Orban's triumph]. ''The Economist''. April 29, 2010. Retrieved March 18, 2018.</ref> According to ''[[The New York Times]]'', Orbán decided to use his party's super-majority to enact major changes rather than have a minimalist agenda.<ref>Kingsley, Patrick (February 10, 2018). [https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/10/world/europe/hungary-orban-democracy-far-right.html As West Fears the Rise of Autocrats, Hungary Shows What’s Possible]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved March 18, 2018.</ref>

Orbán again won a two-thirds majority in parliament in the April 2014 elections.<ref>Multiple references:
*[https://www.foxnews.com/world/2014/04/06/hungarian-prime-minister-wins-3rd-term.html Hungarian prime minister wins 3rd term]. ''Fox News'' (from the ''Associated Press''). April 6, 2014. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
*Than, Krisztina; Szakacs, Gergely (April 6, 2014). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hungary-election/hungary-re-elects-maverick-pm-far-right-opposition-gains-idUSBREA3502V20140406 Hungary re-elects maverick PM, far-right opposition gains]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
*Karasz, Palko (April 7, 2014). [https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/08/world/europe/viktor-orban-wins-a-second-term-in-hungary.html Viktor Orban Wins a Second Term in Hungary]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved March 18, 2018.</ref> However, Fidesz lost its two-thirds majority after a by-election defeat in February 2015.<ref>Multiple references:
*[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-31576491 Hungarian PM Orban loses two-thirds 'super-majority']. ''BBC News''. February 22, 2015. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
*Byrne, Andrew (February 22, 2015). [https://www.ft.com/content/36811202-baf2-11e4-945d-00144feab7de Hungary’s Fidesz party loses supermajority]. ''Financial Times''. Retrieved March 18, 2018.</ref>

Orbán faced a difficult re-election in 2018,<ref>Roser, Thomas; Davis, Austin (April 5, 2018). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/apr/5/viktor-orban-faces-tough-test-in-bid-for-third-ter/ Viktor Orban faces tough test in bid for third term as Hungarian president]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved April 5, 2018.</ref> in which he emphasized the issues of immigration and [[sovereignty]].<ref>Shaw, Adam (April 6, 2018). [https://www.foxnews.com/world/2018/04/06/hungarys-viktor-orban-running-on-anti-mass-migration-platform-eyes-fourth-term.html Hungary's Viktor Orban, running on anti-mass migration platform, eyes fourth term]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved April 6, 2018.</ref> Despite this, Orbán did significantly better than expected and won a supermajority a third time in a row.<ref>Multiple references:
*Montgomery, Jack (April 8, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/04/08/bloody-nose-brussels-poll-suggests-anti-globalist-anti-soros-eurosceptic-viktor-orban-wins-big-hungary-election/ Bloody Nose for Brussels: Landslide Triumph as Anti-Globalist, Anti-Soros Orban Wins Third Term in Hungary]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
*Mass, Warren (April 9, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/europe/item/28714-viktor-orban-strong-defender-of-his-nation-s-sovereign-borders-reelected-in-hungary Viktor Orban, Strong Defender of His Nation’s Sovereign Borders, Reelected in Hungary]. ''The New American''. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
*Murphy, Peter; Khera, Jastinder (April 9, 2018). [https://www.timesofisrael.com/hungarys-orban-claims-victory-as-nationalist-party-takes-sweeping-poll-lead/ Hungary’s Orban claims victory as nationalist party takes sweeping poll lead]. ''The Times of Israel''. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
*Than, Krisztina; Szakacs, Gergely (April 7, 2018). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hungary-election/hungarys-strongman-viktor-orban-wins-third-term-in-power-idUSKBN1HE0UC Hungary's strongman Viktor Orban wins third term in power]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
*Hinshaw, Drew; Komuves, Anita (April 8, 2018). [https://www.wsj.com/articles/hungary-votes-in-election-with-orban-set-to-secure-a-fourth-term-1523162923 Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban Wins Fourth Term]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
*[https://www.foxnews.com/world/2018/04/08/hungary-leader-viktor-orban-sweeps-to-re-election-win-with-super-majority.html Hungary leader Viktor Orban sweeps to re-election win with super majority]. ''Fox News'' (from the ''Associated Press''). Retrieved April 9, 2018.
*Lane, Oliver JJ (April 9, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/04/09/orban-responds-electoral-victory-created-opportunity-protect-hungary/ Orban Responds to Electoral Victory: ‘We’ve Created the Opportunity to Protect Hungary’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved April 9, 2018.</ref> After the election results became known, Orbán stated his intention of pushing forward with his conservative and nationalist agenda,<ref>Than, Krisztina; Szakacs, Gergely (April 10, 2018). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hungary-election-orban/hungarys-orban-to-seek-eu-of-strong-nations-after-landslide-re-election-idUSKBN1HH12A Hungary's Orban to seek EU of strong nations after landslide re-election]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved April 10, 2018.</ref> as well as to preserve Hungary's Christian culture,<ref>Multiple references:
*Tomlinson, Chris (May 6, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/05/06/hungarian-pm-orban-building-christian-democracy-announces-tougher-immigration-rules/ Hungarian PM Orban Getting Tougher on Immigration: ‘We Are Building a Christian Democracy’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
*[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hungary-orban/pm-orban-vows-to-preserve-hungarys-christian-culture-idUSKBN1I80NC PM Orban vows to preserve Hungary's Christian culture]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved May 7, 2018.</ref> and he gave a strongly conservative speech outlining his fourth-term agenda.<ref>Multiple references:
*Dunai, Marton; Than, Krisztina (May 10, 2018). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hungary-orban/eu-must-give-up-nightmares-of-united-states-of-europe-hungarian-pm-idUSKBN1IB1TG EU must give up 'nightmares' of United States of Europe: Hungarian PM]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved May 10, 2018.
*Gorondi, Pablo (May 10, 2018). [https://www.apnews.com/b764d6684a2d402e8f0dff9e2fe0d876/Hungary's-parliament-elects-premier-Viktor-Orban-to-4th-term Hungary’s parliament elects premier Viktor Orban to 4th term]. ''Associated Press''. Retrieved May 10, 2018.
*[https://www.rt.com/news/426412-orban-christian-values-eu-hungary/ Orban declares end of ‘liberal democracy’ in Hungary, vows to fight for Christian values]. ''RT''. May 10, 2018. Retrieved May 10, 2018.
*Tomlinson, Chris (May 12, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/05/12/orban-era-liberal-democracy-replaced-21st-century-christian-democracy/ Orban: ‘We Will Build a 21st Century Christian Democracy, Not Rebuild a Shipwrecked Liberal Democracy’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
See also:
*[https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/05/10/pics-hungarys-parliament-elects-premier-viktor-orban-fourth-term/ PICS: Hungary’s Parliament Elects Premier Viktor Orban to Fourth Term]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 11, 2018.</ref>

===Adopting a new constitution===
While [[Communism]] nominally ended in Hungary in 1989, the country's old constitution – adopted in 1949 and based on the 1936 [[Soviet Union]] constitution – remained in effect despite some constitutional amendments.<ref name="FundamentalLaw">[http://www.kormany.hu/en/doc/the-hungarian-state/the-fundamental-law The Fundamental Law]. ''Hungarian Government''. Retrieved June 16, 2018.</ref> Among other necessary reasons for changing this constitution was the fact that Hungarians would now be able to write their own constitution and mark a clear break from the Soviet era.<ref name="FundamentalLaw"/>

The new constitution,<ref name="Constitution">[http://www.kormany.hu/download/a/68/11000/The_Fundamental_Law_of_Hungary_01072016.pdf The Fundamental Law of Hungary] (in English). ''Hungarian Government''. Retrieved June 16, 2018.</ref> which was passed in 2011 and went into effect in January 2012, promoted conservative and Christian values on numerous topics. For example, the preamble recognized Christianity's major role in Hungary's history, promoted [[family values]], and condemned Hungary's occupation under the [[Third Reich]] and the USSR as well as the 1949 constitution.<ref name="Constitution"/> In addition, the constitution instituted the forint as Hungary's official currency (Article K), called for protecting Hungary's culture and language (preamble, Article H),<ref>[https://www.breitbart.com/london/2016/04/26/hungarys-orban-islamisation-banned-constitution/ Hungary’s Orban: ‘Islamisation’ Banned By Constitution]. ''Breitbart News''. April 26, 2016. Retrieved June 16, 2018.</ref> recognized [[marriage]] as between one man and one woman (Article L), and recognized that human life begins at conception (Article II).<ref>Clabough, Raven (June 14, 2011). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/europe/item/8767-hungarys-pro-life-constitution-draws-ire-of-european-institutions Hungary's Pro-Life Constitution Draws Ire of European Institutions]. ''The New American''. Retrieved June 16, 2018.</ref><ref>Singson, Samantha (May 5, 2011). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/new-hungarian-constitution-recognizing-life-from-conception-signed-into-law New Hungarian Constitution recognizing life ‘from conception’ signed into law]. ''LifeSiteNews''. Retrieved June 16, 2018.</ref> Liberals and the European [[establishment]] criticized Orbán for these constitutional changes.<ref>[http://p.dw.com/p/10vlY Hungary's parliament passes controversial new constitution]. ''Deutsche Welle''. April 18, 2011. Retrieved June 16, 2018.</ref>

===Strong economic growth===
Orbán was recognized for turning Hungary around after taking power, getting it out of the negative effects of the [[Recession of 2008]] and improving its finances.<ref name="Dunai2018">Dunai, Marton (February 18, 2018). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hungary-election-orban/hungarys-orban-calls-for-global-anti-migrant-alliance-with-eye-on-2018-elections-idUSKCN1G20PV Hungary's Orban calls for global anti-migrant alliance with eye on 2018 elections]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved February 18, 2018.</ref><ref>Dunai, Marton (May 23, 2018). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hungary-orban/booming-economy-anti-migrant-stance-help-orban-tighten-grip-in-hungary-idUSKCN1IO2I3 Booming economy, anti-migrant stance help Orban tighten grip in Hungary]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved May 23, 2018.</ref> In the last quarter of 2018, the Hungarian GDP grew 5% – an outlier compared to other Eastern European countries<ref>Tomek, Radoslav (February 13, 2019). [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-02-14/east-eu-to-show-slowing-gdp-growth-as-export-demand-deteriorates East EU's Economic Growth Slows as Export Demand Deteriorates]. ''Bloomberg''. Retrieved May 13, 2019.</ref><ref name="Booming"/><ref>Rabouin, Dion (July 3, 2019). [https://www.axios.com/romania-poland-hungary-economic-growth-europe-8686bbaf-080a-4f7c-8da2-e6dea43072d2.html Central and Eastern Europe buck continent's economic stagnation]. ''Axios''. Retrieved July 3, 2019.</ref> – and wages saw strong growth.<ref name="Booming">Than, Krisztina; Szakacs, Gergely (June 26, 2019). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hungary-cenbank-idUSKCN1TR26X Risk of Hungary's booming economy overheating is very low: central banker]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved June 30, 2019.</ref><ref>Eddy, Kester (March 2, 2019). [https://bbj.hu/business/sun-still-shines-on-hungarian-economy-but-clouds-gather_161468 Sun Still Shines on Hungarian Economy, but Clouds Gather]. ''Budapest Business Journal''. Retrieved May 13, 2019.</ref><ref>Virovacz, Peter (July 30, 2019). [https://think.ing.com/snaps/hungary-wage-growth-re-accelerates/ Hungary: Wage growth re-accelerates]. ''ING''. Retrieved October 25, 2019.</ref> Unemployment fell to a record low.<ref>Virovacz, Peter (July 29, 2019). [https://think.ing.com/snaps/hungary-unemployment-at-record-low/ Hungary: Unemployment at record low]. ''ING''. Retrieved October 25, 2019.</ref>

In 2019, Orbán stated that Hungary's economy no longer relied on EU funding.<ref>[https://hungarytoday.hu/orban-hungary-eu-funds-leyen-soros/ Orbán: ‘Hungary No Longer Dependent on EU Funding’]. ''Hungary Today''. July 12, 2019. Retrieved July 21, 2019.</ref>

===Response to the European migrant crisis===
[[File:Viktor Orbán, 2016 speech.jpg|thumb|300px|Orbán gives a victory speech after a 2016 referendum on immigration. The card in front of him reads "Let us defend Hungary!"]]
[[File:Hungarian-Serbian border barrier.jpg|thumb|300px|Hungary's [[border fence]] with Serbia]]
{{See also|European migrant crisis}}
In 2015, Hungary was overrun by refugees passing through the country, and it has the largest ''per capita'' number of asylum applications of any European country in 2015.<ref>Connor, Phillip (August 2, 2016). [http://www.pewglobal.org/2016/08/02/number-of-refugees-to-europe-surges-to-record-1-3-million-in-2015/ Number of Refugees to Europe Surges to Record 1.3 Million in 2015]. ''Pew Research Center''. Retrieved April 7, 2018.</ref> In response, Orbán took several actions,<ref>Multiple references:
*Savitsky, Shane (February 1, 2017). [https://www.axios.com/border-fences-and-refugee-bans-been-there-done-that-for-hungary-2226465858.html Border fences and refugee bans: Hungary did it — fast]. ''Axios''. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
*Bensman, Todd (April 3, 2019). [https://cis.org/Bensman/Progress-Report-Hungarys-Fenced-Borderlands Progress Report from Hungary's Fenced Borderlands]. ''Center for Immigration Studies''. Retrieved April 6, 2019.
See also:
*[https://voiceofeurope.com/2018/09/viktor-orban-was-the-only-one-doing-the-right-thing-during-the-migrant-crisis/ “Viktor Orban was the only one doing the right thing during the migrant crisis”]. ''Voice of Europe'' (from the ''Hungary Journal''). September 16, 2018. Retrieved September 16, 2018.</ref> including building a [[border barrier]] along the border with [[Serbia]]<ref>Multiple references:
*Kent, Simon (September 15, 2015). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2015/09/07/end-of-the-line-hungary-seals-borders-as-migrant-flow-surges-on/ End Of The Line: Hungary Seals Borders As Migrant Flow Surges On]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
*[https://www.breitbart.com/london/2015/09/15/hungary-launches-border-crackdown-says-migrants-risk-expulsion/ Hungary Seals Border, Detains Thousands, Threatens To Imprison Illegals]. ''Breitbart News'' (from ''AFP''). September 15, 2015. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
*[https://www.breitbart.com/london/2016/09/19/successful-hungarian-border-fence-boosts-support-right-wing-government/ Successful Hungarian Border Fence Boosts Support Of Right Wing Government]. ''Breitbart'' (from ''Reuters''). September 19, 2016. Retrieved January 29, 2017.</ref> and [[Croatia]].<ref>[https://www.voanews.com/a/reu-migrant-shot-dead-trying-to-enter-bulgaria-says-ministry/3009905.html Hungary Closes Border With Croatia]. ''Voice of America''. October 16, 2015. Retrieved August 13, 2017.</ref> The fence was so effective that [[illegal immigration]] levels dropped to levels seen before the crisis began,<ref>Lane, Oliver JJ (October 29, 2015). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2015/10/29/hold-hungarian-border-fence-so-effective-illegal-immigrants-are-now-at-pre-migrant-crisis-levels/ Hungarian Border Fence So Effective Illegal Immigrants Are Now At Pre Migrant-Crisis Levels]. ''Breitbart''. Retrieved January 29, 2017.</ref> and by September 2017, illegal immigration levels had dropped by 99% since 2015.<ref>Montgomery, Jack (September 15, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/09/16/hungary-builds-a-wall-cuts-illegal-immigration-by-over-99-per-cent/ Hungary Builds a Wall, Cuts Illegal Immigration by Over 99 Per Cent]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 16, 2017. See also:
*Montgomery, Jack (February 9, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/clips/2019/02/09/exclusive-hungarian-govt-praises-trump-border-protection-obligation-state/ EXCLUSIVE – Hungary Backs Trump’s Wall: ‘Border Protection An Obligation of the State’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
*Montgomery, Jack (February 15, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/02/15/hungary-fighting-illegal-migration-not-possible-without-barriers/ Hungary: ‘Fighting Illegal Migration Not Possible Without Physical Barriers at Border’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
*Gorondi, Pablo (May 10, 2019). [https://www.apnews.com/07ac72b6f0b24d8b83ef61114e3b075f Hungary stems migrant flow, but issue remains big in EU vote]. ''Associated Press''. Retrieved May 26, 2019.</ref> In April 2017, the Hungarian government completed construction of a second border fence, one with high-tech features, on the Serbian border.<ref>Multiple references:
*[https://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/04/28/hungary-completes-second-anti-migrant-fence/ Hungary Completes Second Anti-Migrant Fence]. ''Breitbart News''. April 28, 2017. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
*[https://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/04/28/hungary-completes-2nd-border-fence-meant-to-stop-migrants.html Hungary completes 2nd border fence meant to stop migrants]. ''Fox News'' (from the ''Associated Press''). April 28, 2017. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
*[http://p.dw.com/p/2c64B Hungary completes second fence to keep out migrants]. ''Deutsche Welle''. April 28, 2017. Retrieved August 13, 2017.</ref> Unlike most other European countries, Hungary's leadership has taken a more conservative right-wing, common sense approach to the immigration crisis.<ref name="foxnews.com"/><ref>Multiple references:
*Montgomery, Jack (July 1, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/07/01/hungarian-hypocrisy-political-correctness-migration-enabled-terrorism/ EXCLUSIVE – Hungarian Govt Says ‘Hypocrisy and Political Correctness’ on Migration Enabled Terrorism]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 1, 2018.
*Binder, John (July 2, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2018/07/02/exclusive-hungarians-warn-u-s-illegal-migration-cant-be-controlled-without-strong-border/ Exclusive – Hungarians Warn U.S. Illegal Migration Can’t Be Controlled Without ‘Strong’ Border]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 2, 2018.
*Montgomery, Jack (May 20, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/05/20/orban-we-want-change-we-want-a-europe-that-protects-its-borders-on-land-and-sea/ Orban: ‘We Want Change, We Want a Europe that Protects Its Borders on Land and Sea’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 20, 2019.</ref> In March 2017, the Hungarian government refused a Swedish request to let 5,000 asylum seekers into its borders.<ref>Tomlinson, Chris (March 28, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/03/28/hungary-refuses-5000-migrants-sweden/ Hungary Refuses to Take 5,000 Migrants From Sweden]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved March 28, 2017.</ref> In May 2018, the Hungarian government under Orbán rejected a European Union-African migration declaration that disproportionately favored the African countries and "further inspires migration."<ref>Friedman, Victoria (May 4, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/05/04/hungary-rejects-eu-africa-declaration-inspires-migration/ Hungary Rejects EU-Africa Declaration that ‘Inspires Migration’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
*Gorondi, Pablo (May 10, 2019). [https://www.apnews.com/07ac72b6f0b24d8b83ef61114e3b075f Hungary stems migrant flow, but issue remains big in EU vote]. ''Associated Press''. Retrieved May 10, 2019.
*Bensman, Todd (December 4, 2019). [https://cis.org/Bensman/Tunnels-Under-Hungarys-Fence-Are-Inconsequential The Tunnels Under Hungary's Fence Are Inconsequential]. ''Center for Immigration Studies''. Retrieved December 4, 2019.</ref> Hungary's government has also criticized the [[United Nations]]'s [[Global Compact on Migration]],<ref>Multiple references:
*Hale, Virginia (March 5, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/03/05/hungary-un-plan-mass-migration/ Hungary Challenges United Nations Plan to Facilitate Global Mass Migration]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
*Montgomery, Jack (June 8, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/06/08/hungary-migration-un-compact-victim-europe/ Hungary Slams Pro-Mass Migration UN Compact: ‘Its Clear Victim Is Europe’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
*Friedman, Victoria (November 24, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2018/11/24/hungary-attacks-un-pact-attempting-legalising-migration-populist-claims-criticism-migration-criminal/ Hungary Attacks UN Migration Compact for Attempting to ‘Legalise Illegal Immigration’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved November 24, 2018.</ref> and it withdrew from it in July 2018.<ref>Shaw, Adam (July 19, 2018). [https://www.foxnews.com/world/2018/07/19/hungary-joins-us-in-withdrawing-from-un-global-migration-agreement.html Hungary joins US in withdrawing from UN global migration agreement]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved July 19, 2018.</ref>

On September 15, 2015, the same day the Hungarian government closed its border with Serbia, several laws came into effect in the nation. The laws made illegal immigrants in Hungary subject to criminal charges and made it illegal to damage the nation's border fence.<ref>Multiple references:
*Harven, Michelle (September 11, 2015). [https://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/hungary-enacts-tougher-laws-illegal-immigrants/ Hungary enacts tougher laws on illegal immigrants]. ''PBS''. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
*[http://p.dw.com/p/1GWVT Hungary begins border crackdown as fence completed]. ''Deutsche Welle''. September 15, 2015. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
*Pandey, Avaneesh (September 15, 2015). [http://www.ibtimes.com/european-refugee-crisis-hungary-enacts-tough-new-laws-closes-key-border-crossing-2096891 European Refugee Crisis: Hungary Enacts Tough New Laws, Closes Key Border Crossing; Declares Emergency In 2 Counties]. ''International Business Times''. Retrieved August 13, 2017.</ref> On September 21, 2017, the Hungarian parliament voted to give the army the ability to use non-lethal force on migrants.<ref>Multiple references:
*[https://www.breitbart.com/london/2015/09/21/hungarian-parliament-grants-army-right-to-use-force-against-migrants/ Hungarian Parliament Grants Army Right To Use Force Against Migrants]. ''Breitbart News''. September 21, 2015. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
*Dunai, Marton (September 22, 2015). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants-hungary-law-idUSKCN0RL1K220150922 Hungary beefs up border with army, warns migrants to stay away]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved August 13, 2017.
*Holehouse, Matthew; Philipson, Alice (September 22, 2015). [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/hungary/11881046/Refugee-crisis-Hungary-declares-victory-in-border-strategy-as-migrants-head-to-Croatia-instead.html Refugee crisis: Hungarian parliament votes to deploy army as EU interior ministers to meet]. ''The Telegraph''. Retrieved August 13, 2017.</ref> In July 2016, Hungary enacted a law allowing the army to push migrants back to the border if they were found 8 kilometers (4.97 miles) or less from the border.<ref>Thorpe, Nick (July 14, 2016). [https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36786438 Hungary deploys army to push migrants back to Serbia]. ''BBC''. Retrieved August 13, 2017.</ref>

Orbán stated that Hungary would admit all Europeans fleeing from their respective countries' liberal and globalist policies.<ref>Montgomery, Jack (February 11, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/02/11/hungary-will-welcome-true-refugees-germans-french-others-seeking-europe-lost-homelands/ Orban: Hungary Will Welcome ‘European Refugees’ Fleeing Multicultural West]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 8, 2017. See also:
*Duke, Selwyn (March 28, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/europe/item/28612-people-fleeing-western-europe-because-of-muslim-migration People Fleeing Western Europe Because of Muslim Migration]. ''The New American''. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
*Tomlinson, Chris (October 20, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2018/10/20/french-flee-to-hungary-to-escape-effects-of-mass-migration/ French Flee To Hungary To Escape Effects of Mass Migration]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved October 20, 2018.</ref> As Orbán himself noted, Hungary's policies likely saved all of Europe from an even greater and more catastrophic migrant crisis.<ref>Montgomery, Jack (April 4, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/04/04/orban-culture-hypocrisy-europe-gratitude-hungary-halting-migrant-influx/ Orban: ‘Hypocrisy’ Prevents Europe from Admitting Gratitude to Hungary for Halting Migrant Influx]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved April 4, 2017.</ref> He also stated that his conservative migration and family policies helped Hungary avoid the [[culture war]] being fought in Western Europe.<ref>Friedman, Victoria (October 7, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/10/07/orban-europe-locked-culture-war-cultural-peace-reigns-hungary/ Orbán: Europe Locked in ‘Culture War’, But ‘Cultural Peace’ Reigns in Hungary]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved October 7, 2018.</ref> According to [[Politico]] in September 2017, he "won" the argument on immigration policy.<ref>Barigazzi, Jacopo (September 15, 2017). [https://www.politico.eu/article/viktor-orban-migration-eu-has-won-the-argument/ Orbán wins the migration argument]. ''Politico''. Retrieved September 15, 2017.</ref> Despite this, the left-wing [[mainstream media]] strongly opposed his migration policies.<ref>Duke, Selwyn (October 11, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/europe/item/30313-cnn-accuses-hungary-of-racism-bullies-country-on-migrant-issue CNN Accuses Hungary of Racism; Bullies Country on Migrant Issue]. ''The New American''. Retrieved October 11, 2018.</ref>

In June 2018, Hungary's parliament passed a series of laws cracking down on individuals and entities that aid illegal immigration, and it passed a constitutional amendment banning the settlement of an "alien population" in the country.<ref name="StopSoros">Multiple references:
*Shaw, Adam (June 20, 2018). [https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/06/20/hungarys-pro-trump-populist-government-pushes-soros-crackdown.html Hungary's pro-Trump, populist government pushes Soros crackdown]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved June 20, 2018.
*Simon, Zoltan (June 20, 2018). [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-06-20/hungary-approves-immigration-crackdown-as-orban-ignores-eu-alarm Hungary Approves Immigration Crackdown as Orban Ignores EU Alarm]. ''Bloomberg''. Retrieved June 20, 2018.
*Dunai, Marton (June 20, 2018). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hungary-soros/hungary-approves-stop-soros-law-defying-eu-rights-groups-idUSKBN1JG1VN Hungary approves 'STOP Soros' law, defying EU, rights groups]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved June 20, 2018.
*Tomlinson, Chris (July 27, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/07/27/hungary-adopts-new-tax-pro-mass-migration-ngos/ Hungary Adopts New Tax on Pro-Mass Migration NGOs]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
See also:
*King, Laura (June 28, 2018). [https://www.latimes.com/world/la-fg-hungary-europe-immigration-20180628-story.html The European country that makes the U.S. look lenient on immigration]. ''Los Angeles Times''. Retrieved June 29, 2018.</ref> In September 2018, the EU parliament voted to move forward with sanctions on Hungary because of the Stop Soros laws along with his government's other conservative policies.<ref>Multiple references:
*Parke, Caleb (September 12, 2018). [https://www.foxnews.com/world/2018/09/12/eu-punishes-hungary-with-unprecedented-action.html EU punishes Hungary with unprecedented action]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
*Tomlinson, Chris (September 12, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/09/12/eu-parliament-votes-enact-article-7-potential-sanctions-hungary/ EU Parliament Votes to Enact Article 7 Opening Up Potential Sanctions Against Hungary]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
See also:
*Risdon, James (September 17, 2018). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/eu-trying-to-force-same-sex-marriage-muslim-migration-onto-hungary EU trying to force same-sex ‘marriage,’ Muslim migration onto Hungary]. ''LifeSiteNews''. Retrieved September 17, 2018.
*Tomlinson, Chris (September 12, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/09/12/orban-defiance-vote-potential-sanction-european-parliament/ Orban Proclaims Defiance Ahead of European Parliament Sanctions Vote]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
*Victoria, Friedman (September 13, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/09/13/poland-veto-eu-sanctions-solidarity-hungarian-people/ Poland to Veto EU Sanctions ‘in Solidarity with Hungarian People’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
*Tomlinson, Chris (July 28, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/07/28/eu-taking-hungary-to-euro-court-over-anti-illegal-migration-stop-soros-laws/ EU Dragging Hungary to Euro Court over Anti-Illegal Migration ‘Stop Soros’ Laws]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 4, 2019.</ref> Orbán's government fought attempts by the EU to weaken its [[sovereignty]].<ref>Newman, Alex (September 21, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/europe/item/30132-hungary-resists-eu-assault-on-sovereignty-christian-civilization Hungary Resists EU Assault on Sovereignty, Christian Civilization]. ''The New American''. Retrieved September 21, 2018.</ref>

Campaigning on an anti-illegal immigration platform, Orbán performed strongly in the 2019 European Parliament elections.<ref>Multiple references:
*Than, Krisztina; Dunai, Marton (May 26, 2019). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-eu-election-hungary-orban/hungarys-fidesz-wins-52-of-vote-orban-vows-to-halt-immigration-idUSKCN1SW062 Hungary's Fidesz wins 52% of vote; Orban vows to halt immigration]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
*Hale, Virginia (May 28, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/05/28/hungary-oppose-migration-eu-agenda/ Hungary Vows to Fight EU Mass Migration Agenda After Huge Election Win]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 28, 2019.</ref>

===Opposition to George Soros===
Orbán is known for his opposition to [[George Soros]], who himself is from Hungary.<ref>Multiple references:
*[https://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/02/13/hungarys-orban-renews-attack-on-influence-george-soros.html Hungary's Orban renews attack on influence of George Soros]. ''Fox News'' (from the ''Associated Press''). Retrieved March 18, 2018.
*Montgomery, Jack (April 4, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/04/04/orban-soros-networks-dangerous-international-campaign-against-national-borders/ Orban: ‘We Must Fight’ Soros Network’s ‘Extremely Dangerous’ International Campaign Against National Borders]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
*Montgomery, Jack (June 14, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/06/14/hungarian-pm-population-replacement-underway-europe-speculators-soros-profit/ Hungarian PM: ‘Population Replacement Underway in Europe, Speculators Like Soros Hope to Profit from Its Ruination’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
*Duke, Selwyn (June 16, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/europe/item/29296-hungarian-leader-europeans-purposely-being-replaced-with-muslims-as-soros-profits Hungarian Leader: Europeans Purposely Being Replaced With Muslims as Soros Profits]. ''The New American''. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
See also:
*Pocius, Skomantas (June 4, 2018). [https://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/orban-soros-and-the-unbridgeable-conflict-over-hungarian-sovereignty/ Orbán, Soros, and the Unbridgeable Conflict Over Hungarian Sovereignty]. ''The American Conservative''. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
*Montgomery, Jack (December 22, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2018/12/22/hungary-ft-soros-enemy-democracy-not-person-year/ Hungary Hits Back at FT: Soros an ‘Enemy of Democracy’, Not ‘Person of the Year’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved December 22, 2018.</ref> He strongly opposed the ultra-liberal [[Central European University]] (founded and funded by Soros) and on March 29, 2017, announced a new law which could close it.<ref>Simon, Zoltan; Gergely, Andras (March 29, 2017). [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-03-29/soros-s-university-caught-in-orban-campaign-as-ceu-protests-law Soros-Funded University Pledges to Fight Hungarian Crackdown]. ''Bloomberg''. Retrieved March 19, 2018.</ref> He stated that it was cheating students and breaking rules by awarding both a Hungarian and an American diploma, despite the university having no U.S. presence.<ref name="Cheating">[https://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/03/31/soros-backed-university-cheating-says-hungarian-pm/ Soros-Backed University Is ‘Cheating’, Says Hungarian PM]. ''Breitbart News''. March 31, 2017. Retrieved April 12, 2017.</ref><ref>[https://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/04/03/hungary-parliament-fast-track-bill-targeting-soros-university/ Hungary: Parliament to Fast-Track Bill Targeting Soros University]. ''Breitbart News''. April 3, 2017. Retrieved April 12, 2017.</ref> He also opposed George Soros due to his efforts by supporting the [[European migrant crisis|massive immigration from Muslim nations into Europe]].<ref name="Cheating"/>

On April 10, 2017, Hungary enacted a law tightening its standards for universities and thus threatening CEU's existence.<ref>[https://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/04/11/hungary-president-signs-law-threatening-soros-university/ Hungary President Signs Law Threatening Soros University]. ''Breitbart News''. April 11, 2017. Retrieved April 12, 2017.</ref><ref>Sandford, Alasdair (April 10, 2017). [http://www.euronews.com/2017/04/10/hungary-defies-protests-to-pass-into-law-anti-soros-university-bill Hungary Defies Protests to Pass into Law 'Anti-Soros' University Bill]. ''Euronews''. Retrieved April 12, 2017.</ref> Orbán passed another law in June 2017 ordering foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with a certain revenue or higher to register as a "foreign-supported organisation," something thus targeting the NGOs funded by Soros.<ref>Tomlinson, Chris (June 13, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/06/13/hungary-passes-law-tighten-rules-foreign-funded-ngos/ Anti Soros Law? Hungary Tightens Rules On Foreign-Funded NGOs]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 13, 2017.</ref> He proposed "Stop Soros" legislation to crack down on NGOs that actively support illegal immigration.<ref>Montgomery, Jack (June 2, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/06/02/hungarian-govt-outlines-stop-soros-legislation-criminalising-ngos-which-aid-and-abet-illegal-migrants/ Hungarian Govt Outlines ‘Stop Soros’ Legislation Criminalising NGOs Which Aid and Abet Illegal Migrants]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 2, 2018.</ref> The Hungarian parliament passed the "Stop Soros" legislation in June 2018.<ref name="StopSoros"/> Soros's Central European University stopped offering courses to asylum seekers because of the law.<ref>Friedman, Victoria (August 29, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/08/29/soros-university-suspends-programmes-migrants-hungarian-anti-propaganda-tax/ Soros University Suspends Programmes for Migrants Due to Hungarian Anti-Propaganda Tax]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 29, 2018.</ref>

Orbán started a new campaign against Soros in September 2017 by distributing a questionnaire to Hungarians so they could express their thoughts on Soros.<ref>Multiple references:
*Tomlinson, Chris (September 15, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/09/15/hungarian-prime-minister-orban-launches-new-campaign-soros/ Hungarian Prime Minister Orbán Launches New Campaign Against Soros]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
*Byrne, Andrew (October 2, 2017). [https://www.ft.com/content/76ce19e4-a768-11e7-93c5-648314d2c72c Hungary steps up anti-Soros rhetoric with ‘national consultation’]. ''Financial Times''. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
*[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-migrants-hungary-soros/hungarys-fidesz-prepares-campaign-against-soros-plan-for-migrants-idUSKCN1BP26O Hungary's Fidesz prepares campaign against 'Soros plan' for migrants]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved March 18, 2018.</ref> According to the Hungarian government, over 2.3 million people sent responses.<ref>Multiple references:
*Montgomery, Jack (December 13, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/12/13/public-overwhelmingly-reject-soros-plan-mass-migration-europe/ Public Overwhelmingly Reject ‘Soros Plan’ for Mass Migration to Europe]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
*Friedman, Victoria (December 29, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/12/29/orban-europeans-are-asserting-their-will-embracing-conservatism-and-rejecting-the-soros-plan/ ‘Accept the Will of the People on Migration, Culture, or Hit the Road’: Orbán Tells Europe’s Leaders]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
*Gorondi. Pablo (December 5, 2017). [https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2017-12-05/hungary-says-anti-george-soros-campaign-most-successful-yet Hungary Says Anti-George Soros Campaign Most Successful Yet]. ''U.S. News & World Report''. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
*Pivarnyik, Balázs (December 4, 2017). [https://budapestbeacon.com/orban-soros-plan-most-successful-national-consultation-to-date/ Orbán: “Soros plan” most successful national consultation to date]. ''The Budapest Beacon''. Retrieved March 18, 2018.</ref> The Hungarian government began a new campaign against Soros and [[Jean-Claude Juncker]] in February 2019.<ref>Multiple references:
*Hale, Virginia (February 20, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/02/20/hungary-warns-brussels-migrant-flood/ Hungary: New Campaign Warns EU Planning to Flood Bloc With Migrants]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
*Murphy, James (February 20, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/europe/item/31526-hungary-launches-new-ad-campaign-aimed-at-soros-and-eu-immigration-policies Hungary Launches New Ad Campaign Aimed at Soros and EU Immigration Policies]. ''The New American''. Retrieved February 20, 2019.</ref>

After Orbán's landslide election victory in 2018, Soros's Central European University,<ref>Multiple references:
*Tomlinson, Chris (April 19, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/04/19/soros-retreat-billionaire-move-university-budapest-vienna/ Soros in Retreat: Billionaire’s University to Move from Budapest to Vienna]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
*Dunai, Marton (May 1, 2018). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hungary-soros-university/soros-university-promises-no-exodus-from-hungary-despite-orban-law-idUSKBN1I23ME Soros university promises no exodus from Hungary despite Orban law]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved May 1, 2018.</ref> along with his [[Open Society Foundations]],<ref>Hale, Virginia (April 20, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/04/20/soros-open-society-foundations-announces-exit-hungary/ Soros’s Open Society Foundations Announces Exit from Hungary]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved April 20, 2018.</ref><ref>Nolan, Daniel (April 20, 2018). [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/20/crackdown-prompt-soros-open-society-budapest-viktor-orban Crackdown prompts Soros's Open Society to quit Budapest]. ''The Guardian''. Retrieved April 20, 2018.</ref> considered leaving Hungary, though the former ultimately announced it would stay.<ref>Simon, Zoltan (June 26, 2018). [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-06-26/soros-founded-college-to-stay-in-budapest-forcing-orban-call Soros-Founded College to Stay in Hungary, Forcing Orban’s Hand]. ''Bloomberg''. Retrieved June 27, 2018.</ref> In May 2018, the Open Society Foundations announced they would leave the country,<ref>Multiple references:
*Shaw, Adam (May 15, 2018). [https://www.foxnews.com/world/2018/05/15/soros-group-pulls-out-hungary-as-orban-government-floats-stop-soros-package.html Soros group pulls out of Hungary as Orban government floats 'Stop Soros' package]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
*Santora, Marc (May 15, 2018). [https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/15/world/europe/soros-philanthropy-hungary-viktor-orban.html Soros Foundations Leaving Hungary Under Government Pressure]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
*Dunai, Marton (May 15, 2018). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hungary-soros-office/soros-foundations-office-to-pull-out-of-hungary-idUSKCN1IG0IT Soros foundation to shut its office in 'repressive' Hungary]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
*Jasper, William F. (May 17, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/europe/item/29071-soros-subversives-flee-hungary-as-pm-orban-shows-he-s-serious-about-sovereignty Soros Subversives Flee Hungary as PM Orban Shows He’s Serious About Sovereignty]. ''The New American''. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
See also:
*Friedman, Victoria (May 15, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/05/15/soros-hungarian-empire-verge-collapse-university-ready-move/ Soros’s Hungarian Empire on Verge of Collapse as University Ready to Leave]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
*[https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/08/16/soros-foundations-to-withdraw-from-hungary-by-end-of-august/ Soros Foundations to Withdraw From Hungary By End of August]. ''Breitbart News''. August 16, 2018. Retrieved August 16, 2018.</ref> and it moved to [[Berlin]] later that year.<ref>Hale, Virginia (October 5, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/10/05/hungary-open-society-foundations-berlin/ Kicked Out of Hungary, Soros’s Open Society Foundations Re-Opens in Berlin]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved October 5, 2018.</ref> The Hungarian government continued to believe that Soros had not ceased trying to advance his left-wing agenda in the country.<ref>Hale, Virginia (April 20, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/04/20/hungary-george-soros-plotting-brussels-overturn-patriotic-election-vote/ Hungary: George Soros Plotting with Brussels to Overturn Patriotic Election Result]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved April 20, 2018.</ref>

While liberals claim that Orbán's government is somehow "anti-Semitic" because of its opposition to Soros, many figures including liberal Jews have noted that Hungary's government under Orbán took pro-Israel and pro-Jewish stances.<ref>Multiple references:
*Schwartz, Yaakov (July 13, 2018). [https://www.timesofisrael.com/fans-of-orban-or-not-hungarian-jews-are-optimistic-ahead-of-pms-israel-visit/ Fans of Orban or not, Hungarian Jews are optimistic ahead of PM’s Israel visit]. ''The Times of Israel''. Retrieved July 13, 2018.
*Liphshiz, Cnaan (June 6, 2018). [https://www.jta.org/2018/06/06/news-opinion/israeli-diplomat-praised-hungary-fighting-anti-semitism-cynical An Israeli diplomat praised Hungary for fighting anti-Semitism. Was he being cynical?] ''Jewish Telegraphic Agency''. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
*Pfeffer, Anshel (July 18, 2018). [https://www.haaretz.com/world-news/europe/.premium.MAGAZINE-hungary-s-jews-trapped-between-pro-israel-and-anti-semitic-politics-1.6289081 With Orbán and Soros, Hungary’s Jews Trapped Between pro-Israel and anti-Semitic Politics]. ''Haaretz''. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
*Williams, Thomas D. (July 10, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2018/07/10/david-goldman-anti-soros-is-not-anti-semitism/ David Goldman: Anti-Soros Is Not Anti-Semitism]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
See also:
*Montgomery, Jack (July 19, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/07/19/israeli-government-welcomes-hungarys-viktor-orban-official-visit/ Israeli Government Welcomes Hungary’s Viktor Orbán as ‘True Friend of Israel’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
*[https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-rare-move-foreign-ministry-fetes-hungarys-orban-as-he-arrives-in-israel/ In rare move, Foreign Ministry fetes Hungary’s Orban as he arrives in Israel]. ''The Times of Israel''. July 18, 2018. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
*Tomlinson, Chris (March 6, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/03/06/orban-hungary-is-defeating-anti-semitism-while-western-europe-imports-it/ Orban: Hungary Is Defeating Anti-Semitism While Western Europe Imports It]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved March 6, 2019.
*Solomon, Ariel Ben (May 13, 2019). [https://www.jns.org/leading-hungarian-rabbi-on-viktor-orban-and-the-lean-towards-the-right/ Leading Hungarian rabbi deconstructs Viktor Orbán and the lean towards the right]. ''Jewish News Syndicate''. Retrieved May 13, 2019.</ref>

===Culture and family===
Orbán and his government have pursued strongly [[pro-family]] policies.<ref>Van Maren, Jonathon (May 1, 2019). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/blogs/eastern-europe-is-rejecting-failed-sexual-revolutionand-progressives-are-outraged Eastern Europe is rejecting failed sexual revolution…and progressives are outraged]. ''LifeSiteNews''. Retrieved May 1, 2019. See also:
*Dail, Bree A. (May 22, 2019). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/christian-worldview-driveshungarys-stunningly-successful-pro-family-policies-minister-for-family ‘Christian worldview’ drives Hungary’s stunningly successful pro-family policies: Minister for family]. ''LifeSiteNews''. Retrieved May 23, 2019.
*Tomlinson, Chris (June 7, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/06/07/families-more-important-economic-system-hungarian-govt-launch-new-pro-child-policy/ Exclusive: Families More Important Than Economic Growth, Says Hungarian Govt on Launch of New Pro-Child Policy]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 7, 2019.</ref> In 2017, he hosted the annual conference of the conservative World Congress of Families.<ref>Multiple references:
*Hodges, Mark (June 1, 2017). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/hungarys-prime-minister-under-fire-for-event-promoting-natural-family Hungary’s Prime Minister under fire for event promoting ‘natural family’]. ''LifeSiteNews''. Retrieved June 16, 2018.
*[https://profam.org/prime-minister-viktor-orbans-opening-speech-at-the-budapest-world-congress-of-families-xi/ Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s Opening Speech at the World Congress of Families XI Budapest Family Summit, Hungary]. ''International Organization for the Family''. October 4, 2017. Retrieved June 22, 2018.</ref> In his fourth term starting in 2018, Orbán made solving Hungary's demographic problems a priority for his agenda,<ref>Montgomery, Jack (May 28, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/05/28/hungarian-govts-first-priority-is-demographics-mass-migration-rejected-in-favour-of-supporting-mothers-families/ Hungarian PM Says ‘First Priority’ is Demographics: Rejects Mass Migration, Pledges to Support Mothers, Families]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 28, 2018. See also:
*Szakacs, Gergely (February 10, 2019). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hungary-orban-benefits/orban-offers-financial-incentives-to-boost-hungarys-birth-rate-idUSKCN1PZ0I0 Orban offers financial incentives to boost Hungary's birth rate]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
*Friedman, Victoria (February 11, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/02/11/we-need-hungarian-children-orban-tax-breaks-families/ ‘We Need Hungarian Children’: Orbán Introduces Tax Breaks for Families]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
*Freiburger, Calvin (February 12, 2019). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/to-boost-birth-rates-hungarys-prime-minister-offers-zero-taxes-for-families To boost birth rates, Hungary’s prime minister offers zero taxes for families with 4 or more kids]. ''LifeSiteNews''. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
*Abbamonte, Jonathan (February 12, 2019). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/hungarian-govt-offers-huge-incentives-for-families-to-have-more-kids Hungarian gov’t offers huge incentives for families to have more kids]. ''LifeSiteNews''. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
*Tomlinson, Chris (August 1, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/08/01/hungary-offer-30k-euros-married-couples-three-children/ Hungarian Government Will Give $33,000 Bonus to Married Couples Who Have Three Children]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 1, 2019.
*Barillas, Martin M. (August 2, 2019). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/hungary-offers-married-couples-33000-if-they-have-three-children Hungary offers married couples $33,000 if they have three children]. ''LifeSiteNews''. Retrieved August 2, 2019.</ref> and his government has pushed for socially cohesive solutions rather than simply importing foreigners to increase the population.<ref>Multiple references:
*Montgomery, Jack (February 11, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/02/11/exclusive-hungary-rejects-mass-migration-prefers-pro-family-policy/ EXCLUSIVE – Hungary Rejects Mass Migration, Prefers Social Cohesion, Pro-Family Policies]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved February 11, 2019.
*Friedman, Victoria (February 28, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/02/28/hungary-backs-europe-families-not-europe-migrants/ Hungary Backs ‘Europe of Families’, Not ‘Europe of Migrants’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
See also:
*[https://hungarytoday.hu/orban-demography-budapest-summit/ Orbán: Govt Duty to Pursue Strong Demographic Policy]. ''Hungary Today''. September 5, 2019. Retrieved September 8, 2019.</ref>

Orbán's pro-family policies have been effective.<ref>Williams, Thomas D. (April 27, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/04/27/report-hungary-counters-europes-demographic-winter/ Report: Hungary Counters Europe’s Demographic Winter]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved April 27, 2019.</ref><ref>Stone, Lyman (July 10, 2018). [https://ifstudies.org/blog/is-hungary-experiencing-a-policy-induced-baby-boom Is Hungary Experiencing a Policy-Induced Baby Boom?] ''Institute for Family Studies''. Retrieved October 25, 2019.</ref><ref>Smith, Samuel (March 17, 2019). [https://www.christianpost.com/news/make-families-great-again-hungary-seeing-more-babies-less-abortions-through-pro-family-policies.html 'Make Families Great Again': Hungary seeing more babies, fewer abortions through pro-family policies]. ''The Christian Post''. Retrieved December 8, 2019.</ref> By 2018, his pro-family policies saw [[abortion]]s fall by a third, marriages rise, and divorces become less frequent.<ref>Bourne, Lisa (June 1, 2018). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/hungary-sees-abortion-numbers-plunge-with-rise-of-pro-family-policies Hungary sees abortion numbers plunge with rise of pro-family policies]. ''LifeSiteNews''. Retrieved June 1, 2018.</ref><ref name="Family2018"/><ref name="MarriageBoom">[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hungary-marriages/hungary-government-scheme-sparks-marriage-boom-will-babies-follow-idUSKBN1Y01XG Hungary government scheme sparks marriage boom. Will babies follow?] ''Reuters''. November 26, 2019. Retrieved November 26, 2019.</ref> The country's fertility rate for married women also began to rise again.<ref>Friedman, Victoria (July 12, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/07/12/hungary-sees-rising-fertility-rate-turns-back-demographic-decline/ Make Babies Great Again: Hungarian Fertility Rates Rise, Turns Back Demographic Decline]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 12, 2018.</ref> Marriage levels in the first nine months of 2019 reached the highest level since 1990, and the country saw the most September weddings since 1979.<ref name="MarriageBoom"/> Orbán's government began a formal consultation with Hungarian citizens for input on how the solve Hungary's demographic decline.<ref name="Family2018">Montgomery, Jack (November 3, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2018/11/02/marriage-up-abortion-and-divorce-down-as-hungary-chooses-family-support-over-mass-migration/ Marriage Up, Abortion and Divorce Down as Hungary Chooses Family Support Over Mass Migration]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved November 3, 2018.</ref><ref>Cummings McLean, Dorothy (November 1, 2018). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/hungary-plans-to-encourage-support-large-stable-families1 Hungary plans to encourage, support ‘large, stable families’]. ''LifeSiteNews''. Retrieved November 1, 2018.</ref> Additionally, Orbán's government criticized pro-abortion policies.<ref>Williams, Thomas D. (September 26, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/09/26/exclusive-hungarian-minister-warns-pro-abortion-is-pro-killing/ Exclusive: Hungarian Minister Warns ‘Pro-Abortion Is Pro-Killing’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 26, 2019.</ref> In January 2020, Hungary announced it would offer free in vitro fertilization procedures to help increase the country's birthrate.<ref>Tomlinson, Chris (January 12, 2020). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2020/01/12/hungary-offers-free-ivf-procedures-with-goal-of-2-1-birthrate-by-2030/ Hungary Offers Free IVF Procedures with Goal of 2.1 Birthrate by 2030]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 12, 2020.</ref> On the other hand, some social conservatives criticized Orbán's government, along with other European conservatives, for not pushing hard enough for pro-life policies at the European and international levels.<ref>Gennarini, Stefano (May 24, 2019). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/european-pro-life-nationalist-parties-fall-short-on-fighting-abortion European ‘pro-life’ nationalist parties fall short on fighting abortion]. ''LifeSiteNews'' (from ''C-Fam''). May 25, 2019.</ref>

In August 2018, the Hungarian government moved to ban "gender studies" programs at state-run universities due to not having any real purpose and favoring "ideology rather than science,"<ref>Multiple references:
*Williams, Thomas D. (August 10, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/08/10/hungary-discontinues-gender-studies-programs-ideology-not-science/ Hungary Discontinues Gender Studies Programs: ‘Ideology, Not Science’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 10, 2018.
*Shaw, Adam (August 11, 2018). [https://www.foxnews.com/world/2018/08/11/hungarys-populist-government-abolishes-gender-studies-courses.html Hungary's populist government abolishes gender studies courses]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved August 11, 2018.
*Clabough, Raven (August 14, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/europe/item/29784-hungary-bans-gender-studies-programs Hungary Bans Gender-studies Programs]. ''The New American''. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
*Day, Matthew (August 13, 2018). [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/08/13/viktor-orban-moves-ban-gender-studies-courses-university-dangerous/ Viktor Orban moves to ban gender studies courses at university in 'dangerous precedent' for Hungary]. ''The Telegraph''. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
A conservative critique of the decision:
*Ciccotta, Tom (August 10, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/tech/2018/08/10/hungary-bans-gender-studies-programs-cites-concerns-with-lack-of-jobs/ Hungary Bans Gender Studies Programs, Cites Concerns with Lack of Jobs]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 11, 2018.</ref> and the decision was made official in October 2018.<ref>Multiple references:
*Friedman, Victoria (October 17, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2018/10/17/hungary-revokes-funding-gender-studies-programme/ Hungary Revokes Government Funding for Gender Studies]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
*Risdon, James (October 19, 2018). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/hungary-stops-funding-university-gender-studies-people-are-born-either-men- Hungary stops funding university gender studies: ‘people are born either men or women’]. ''LifeSiteNews''. Retrieved October 19, 2018.
*Daughterty, Owen (October 17, 2018). [https://thehill.com/policy/international/411856-hungarys-right-wing-leader-bans-gender-studies-an-ideology-not-a-science Hungary ends funding for gender studies programs, calling them 'an ideology']. ''The Hill''. Retrieved October 17, 2018.</ref> In December 2018, Orbán's government, along with Poland, killed a proposed EU statement speaking favorably of "[[LGBTQI]]" people.<ref>Herszenhorn, David M.; Bayer, Lili (December 7, 2018). [https://www.politico.eu/article/hungary-and-poland-say-no-to-lgbtiq/ Hungary and Poland say no to LGBTIQ]. ''Politico''. Retrieved December 7, 2018.</ref><ref>Cummings McLean, Dorothy (December 12, 2018). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/poland-and-hungary-block-lgbtiq-rights-from-being-enshrined-in-eu-legislati Poland and Hungary block ‘LGBTIQ rights’ from being enshrined in EU legislation]. ''LifeSiteNews''. Retrieved December 13, 2018.</ref>

Orbán has promoted the arts as a means to promote Hungarian culture.<ref>Cooper, Michael (October 26, 2018). [https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/26/arts/music/hungary-viktor-orban-trump-opera.html Hungary Turned Far Right. That’s Meant Millions for Its Opera.] ''The New York Times''. Retrieved October 29, 2018.</ref>

===Other===
In addition to supporting a border fence along Hungary's border, Orbán has voiced solidarity with other EU nations, such as [[Poland]], for defying the EU on various issues.<ref>Lane, Oliver JJ (July 22, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/07/22/orban-europe-must-regain-sovereignty-soros-empire-build-border-wall-stop-muslimized-europe/ Orban: ‘Europe Must Regain Sovereignty From The Soros Empire’, Build Border Wall to Stop ‘Muslimized Europe’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 22, 2017.</ref> The governments of Poland and Hungary worked together to counter the EU.<ref name="HungaryPoland">Multiple references:
*Montgomery, Jack (February 21, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/02/21/hungary-unites-poland-beat-brussels/ Hungary Unites With Poland To Fight Brussels]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
*Montgomery, Jack (January 4, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/01/04/poland-hungary-unite-eurocrats-empire/ Poland and Hungary Unite Against Eurocrats: ‘We Don’t Want to Live in an Empire’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
*Nelson, Soraya Sarhaddi (March 12, 2018). [https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2018/03/12/587949473/how-poland-and-hungary-are-forming-a-powerful-tag-team-against-brussels How Poland And Hungary Are Forming A Powerful Tag Team Against Brussels]. ''NPR''. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
*Friedman, Victoria (March 9, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/03/09/hungarys-orban-considering-union-polish-conservatives/ Hungary’s Orbán Considering Union with Polish Conservatives]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved March 9, 2019.
*Kent, Simon (October 6, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/middle-east/2019/10/06/e-u-infighting-over-illegal-immigration-grows-as-hungary-poland-cry-enough/ E.U. Infighting over Illegal Immigration Grows as Hungary, Poland Cry ‘Enough’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved October 6, 2019.</ref> When French President [[Emmanuel Macron]] fired his ambassador to Hungary for speaking highly of Orbán's migration policy, his government chose to honor the ambassador.<ref>Friedman, Victoria (July 6, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/07/06/hungary-trolls-macron-awarding-fired-french-ambassador-high-state-honour/ Hungary Trolls Macron by Awarding Fired French Ambassador State Honour]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 6, 2018.</ref> Hungary's government under Orbán has voiced opposition to punishing the [[United Kingdom]] for its 2016 [[Brexit]] vote.<ref>Friedman, Victoria (September 26, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/09/26/hungary-pushes-eu-agree-free-trade-agreement-brexit-britain/ Hungary Urges EU to Agree ‘Extensive’ Free Trade Agreement with Brexit Britain]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 26, 2018.</ref>

In May 2018, Orbán, along with two other EU member-states, blocked a proposed EU motion to condemn U.S. President [[Donald Trump]]'s decision to move the U.S. embassy in [[Israel]] to [[Jerusalem]],<ref>Montgomery, Jack (May 12, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/05/12/orbans-hungary-blocks-macron-led-eu-motion-condemning-trumps-jerusalem-decision/ Orban’s Hungary Blocks Macron-led EU Motion Condemning Trump’s Jerusalem Decision]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 12, 2018.</ref> and he sent an envoy to the celebration of the opening of the U.S.'s new embassy.<ref>Kent, Simon (May 13, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2018/05/13/four-european-ambassadors-break-e-u-will-attend-u-s-embassy-opening-jerusalem/ Four European Envoys Break with E.U. to Attend U.S. Embassy Celebration in Jerusalem]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 13, 2018.</ref>

In August 2019, Orbán's government announced it would investigate social media political [[censorship]] in Europe.<ref>Tomlinson, Chris (August 13, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/08/13/hungary-announces-investigation-into-social-media-censorship-in-europe/ Hungary Announces Investigation into Social Media Censorship in Europe]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 13, 2019.</ref>

Orbán's government has criticized the [[Euro]] currency.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hungary-euro/hungary-central-bank-head-says-euro-a-strategic-error-financial-times-idUSKBN1XD0IZ Hungary central bank head says euro a 'strategic error': Financial Times]. ''Reuters''. November 3, 2019. Retrieved November 3, 2019.</ref>

Orbán's government moved to increase military spending and modernize its armed forces.<ref>Emmott, Robin (November 20, 2019). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hungary-nato/hungary-aims-to-reach-nato-defense-spending-goal-in-2023-idUSKBN1XU2HF Hungary aims to reach NATO defense spending goal in 2023]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved November 20, 2019.</ref>

In 2019, Hungary fined [[Facebook]] for falsely claiming its services are free.<ref>Bokhari, Allum (December 7, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/tech/2019/12/07/hungary-fines-facebook-for-claiming-services-are-free/ Hungary Fines Facebook for Claiming Services Are ‘Free’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved December 7, 2019.</ref>

==Political views==
Orbán takes strong stands against mass immigration and [[George Soros]] and for national sovereignty and cultural Christian values.<ref name="Battlefield">Friedman, Victoria (April 16, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/04/16/battlefield-europe-stop-mass-migration-future-europe-viktor-orban/ Orban Easter Speech: ‘Battlefield Europe… Stop Mass Migration. The Future of Europe Is at Stake’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved April 16, 2017.</ref><ref>Williams, Thomas D. (April 27, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/04/27/george-soros-has-ruined-the-lives-of-millions-of-europeans-says-hungarian-prime-minister/ George Soros ‘Has Ruined the Lives of Millions of Europeans’ Says Hungarian Prime Minister]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved April 27, 2017.</ref><ref>Tomlinson, Chris (July 10, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/07/10/viktor-orban-claims-european-union-following-soros-migrant-plans/ Viktor Orban: European Union Is Following ‘Soros Migrant Plans’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 10, 2017.</ref><ref>Multiple references:
*Friedman, Victoria (November 1, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/11/01/hungary-govt-dedicated-christian-values-made-europe-great/ Hungary: Governments Should Be ‘Dedicated to Christian Values’ that Made Europe Great]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved November 1, 2017.
*Tomlinson, Chris (June 17, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/06/17/orban-new-eu-leadership-must-respect-nations-and-christian-culture/ Orbán: New EU Leadership Must Respect Nations and Christian Culture]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 17, 2019.
*Tomlinson, Chris (July 10, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/07/10/orban-alliance-migration-christian-values-baltic-states/ Orbán Looks To Alliance on Migration, Christian Values With Baltic States]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 10, 2019.
*Montgomery, Jack (July 27, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/07/27/hungary-illegal-migration-threat-european-culture-civilization/ Hungary: ‘Illegal Migration Is a Threat to European Culture and Civilization’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 27, 2019.
See also:
*Williams, Thomas D. (August 6, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/faith/2019/08/06/hungary-decries-wall-of-silence-concealing-christian-persecution/ Hungary Decries ‘Wall of Silence’ Concealing Christian Persecution]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 6, 2019.
*[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-security-turkey-hungary/hungary-would-have-to-use-force-to-fend-off-new-wave-of-migrants-pm-idUSKBN1WW10O Hungary would have to 'use force' to fend off new wave of migrants: PM]. ''Reuters''. October 17, 2019. Retrieved October 17, 2019.
*Zindulka, Kurt (October 19, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/10/19/says-hungary-will-use-force-if-turkey-opens-gates-refugees/ Hungary: Orban Will ‘Use Force’ If Turkey ‘Opens the Gates’ of Europe to Migrants]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
*Duke, Selwyn (October 21, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/europe/item/33803-hungary-responds-to-turkey-s-thuggish-threat-may-use-force-to-repel-migrants Hungary Responds to Turkey’s Thuggish Threat: May “Use Force” to Repel Migrants]. ''The New American''. Retrieved October 21, 2019.</ref> He is a [[nationalist]] and strongly opposes [[globalism]] as its supporters want mass migrants and the abolition of national identity, something he strongly voiced in a March 2018 speech.<ref>Multiple references:
*Montgomery, Jack (March 16, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/03/16/hungarian-prime-minister-not-halt-immigration-borders-consumed/ Hungarian Prime Minister: ‘Those Who Do Not Halt Mass Migration Are Lost: Slowly But Surely They Are Consumed’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
*[https://www.foxnews.com/world/2018/03/15/massive-peace-march-in-hungary-backing-viktor-orban.html Massive 'Peace March' in Hungary backing Viktor Orban]. ''Fox News'' (from the ''Associated Press''). March 15, 2018. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
*Than, Krisztina (March 15, 2018). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hungary-election-rallies/tens-of-thousands-join-rally-for-hungarys-orban-before-april-vote-idUSKCN1GR1U6 Tens of thousands join rally for Hungary's Orban before April vote]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
*[https://www.rferl.org/a/hungary-poles-march-orban-vote/29102360.html Hungarians, Poles March To Back Hungary's Nationalist Prime Minister Before Vote]. ''Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty''. March 15, 2018. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
*[http://p.dw.com/p/2uQA0 Hungary's PM Viktor Orban warns of immigration threat at National Day rally]. ''Deutsche Welle''. March 15, 2018. Retrieved March 18, 2018.</ref> He believes that Islamization is real and occurring in Europe because of mass migration and [[open borders]].<ref>Multiple references:
*Williams, Thomas D. (September 6, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/09/06/hungarian-pm-orban-the-islamization-of-europe-is-real/ Hungarian PM Orban: ‘The Islamization of Europe Is Real’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
*Friedman, Victoria (January 12, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/01/12/orban-open-borders-divide-eu-islamic-christian-west-christian-east/ Orban: Islam and Open Borders Will Divide EU into ‘Two Civilisations’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
See also:
*Tomlinson, Chris (September 13, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/09/13/orban-new-austrian-govt-should-reject-political-islam/ Orban: New Austrian Govt Should Reject Political Islam]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 13, 2019.</ref> He is a critic of [[multiculturalism]].<ref>Tomlinson, Chris (March 10, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/03/10/orban-no-place-for-multiculturalism-in-hungary/ Orban: No Place for Multiculturalism in Hungary]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved March 10, 2019.</ref> For his 2017 Christmas message, Orbán stated that "Christianity is culture and civilization" and that "we love our country, our nation, our family, Hungarian culture and European civilization."<ref>Montgomery, Jack (December 25, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/12/25/hungarians-pms-christmas-message-want-protect-christian-culture-not-retreat-behind-concerete-blocks-watch-daughters-harassed-new-years/ Hungarian Christmas Message: ‘We’ll Protect Christian Culture, Not Retreat Behind Concrete Blocks and Watch Our Women Harassed on New Year’s’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved December 26, 2017.</ref> In February 2018, Orbán stated that "Christianity is Europe's last hope" and that [[Europhile]]s and other [[liberal elite]]s "opened the way to the demise of Christian culture and the spreading of Islam."<ref name="Dunai2018"/><ref>Multiple references:
*Hale, Virginia (February 19, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/02/19/orban-patriotic-alliance-save-europe/ Hungary’s Orbán Calls for Patriotic Alliance to Save Europe, ‘We’ll Fight Together to Stop the Soros Plan’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
*Chamberlain, Samuel (February 19, 2018). [https://www.foxnews.com/world/2018/02/19/hungary-is-last-front-against-islamization-europe-prime-minister-says.html Hungary is last front against 'Islamization' of Europe, prime minister says]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
*Mainwaring, Doug (February 19, 2018). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/hungarian-prime-minister-christianity-is-europes-last-hope Hungarian Prime Minister: ‘Christianity is Europe’s last hope’]. ''LifeSiteNews''. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
*Newman, Alex (February 27, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/europe/item/28381-hungarian-pm-only-christianity-can-save-europe-from-globalists Hungarian Leader: Only Christianity Can Save Europe]. ''The New American''. Retrieved February 27, 2018.
*Eder, Marton (February 18, 2018). [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-02-18/hungary-s-orban-warns-of-europe-s-demise-in-re-election-bid Hungary's Orban Warns of Europe's Demise in Re-Election Bid]. ''Bloomberg''. Retrieved February 18, 2018.
*Hussain, Danyal (February 18, 2018). [https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5406559/Christianity-Europes-hope-says-Hungary-PM.html 'Christianity is Europe's last hope' says Hungary's nationalist Prime Minister as he calls for renewed crackdown on migration that 'advances Islam']. ''Daily Mail''. Retrieved February 18, 2018.
See also:
*[http://p.dw.com/p/2su5p Hungary's Orban threatens pro-refugee NGOs, slams Muslim immigration]. ''Deutsche Welle''. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
*Montgomery, Jack (February 12, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/02/12/exclusive-hungary-eu-wrong-to-push-aside-christianity-and-national-identity-parallel-societies-dangerous/ EXCLUSIVE – Hungary: EU Wrong to Push Aside Christianity and National Identity, ‘Parallel Societies’ Dangerous]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved February 12, 2019.</ref> Orbán voiced strong support for an illiberal Christian democracy in a July 2018 speech in Romania, arguing that Western European countries had acted undemocratically and criticizing the leftist "1968 elite."<ref>Multiple references:
*Montgomery, Jack (July 30, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/07/30/orban-central-europe-anti-globalist-bastion-christian-culture-national-identity/ Orban: Central Europe Will Be Anti-Globalist Bastion of Christian Culture and National Identity]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 30, 2018.
*Bogorowski, Hanna (July 28, 2018). [https://dailycaller.com/2018/07/28/viktor-orban-hungary-eu-elite/ Hungarian PM Slams 'European Elite,' Predicts Illiberal Shift in EU Leadership]. ''The Daily Caller''. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
*[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hungary-orban/hungarian-pm-sees-shift-to-illiberal-christian-democracy-in-2019-european-vote-idUSKBN1KI0BK Hungarian PM sees shift to illiberal Christian democracy in 2019 European vote]. ''Reuters''. July 28, 2018. Retrieved July 29, 2018.
See also:
*Ruse, Austin (August 2, 2018). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/opinion/hungarys-pro-christianity-prime-minister-is-seriously-bothering-the-un Hungary’s pro-Christianity prime minister defends ‘traditional family’ in epic speech]. ''LifeSiteNews'' (from ''C-Fam''). Retrieved August 5, 2018.</ref> Orbán has called for an international alliance to oppose mass migration and protect Christian culture,<ref>Duke, Selwyn (July 13, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/europe/item/32845-hungary-seeks-international-alliance-to-oppose-migration-and-support-christian-culture Hungary Seeks International Alliance to Oppose Migration and Support Christian Culture]. ''The New American''. Retrieved July 13, 2019.</ref> and he has supported persecuted Christians abroad.<ref>Multiple references:
*[https://twitter.com/roddreher/status/1170049409448632320 Rod Dreher]. ''Twitter''. September 6, 2019. Retrieved September 8, 2019.
*Williams, Thomas D. (November 26, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/faith/2019/11/26/hungarys-orban-christian-persecution-is-organized-attack-on-an-entire-culture/ Hungary’s Orbán: Christian Persecution Is ‘Organized Attack on an Entire Culture’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
*Williams, Thomas D. (November 26, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/faith/2019/11/26/hungary-decries-11-murdered-christians-world-every-day/ Hungary Decries ‘11 Murdered Christians in the World Every Day’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved November 27, 2019.
*Montgomery, Jack (December 24, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/12/24/hungarian-govt-christians-christian-culture-attacked-across-europe-world/ Hungarian Govt: Christians, Christian Culture Attacked Across Europe, World]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved December 24, 2019.
See also:
*McLean, Dorothy Cummings (November 26, 2019). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/hungarian-pm-persecuted-christians-will-help-us-save-europe Hungarian PM: Persecuted Christians will help us save Europe]. ''LifeSiteNews''. Retrieved November 26, 2019.</ref> He is critical of the [[homosexual agenda]].<ref>Bourne, Lisa (August 20, 2019). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/pro-family-hungarians-earn-partial-victory-as-coca-cola-pulls-lgbt-ads Pro-family Hungarians earn ‘partial victory’ as Coca-Cola pulls LGBT ads]. ''LifeSiteNews''. Retrieved August 20, 2019.</ref> Orbán's government has spoken out against globalist ideology.<ref>Williams, Thomas D. (September 26, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/09/26/hungarian-govt-family-minister-globalism-is-a-bad-choice-slams-canadas-trudeau/ Hungarian Govt Family Minister: ‘Globalism Is a Bad Choice’, Slams Canada’s Trudeau]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 26, 2019.</ref>

Orbán is one of the most outspoken opponents to the [[European migrant crisis]] and calls for a stronger border defense in [[Hungary]], he is also a defender of national interests and values. Unlike most other European heads-of-government, Orbán has taken a more conservative right-wing, common sense approach to the immigration crisis,<ref name="foxnews.com">Shaw, Adam (March 1, 2017). [https://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/03/01/europes-pro-trump-outpost-populist-hungary-buoyed-by-us-shift-on-refugees-russia.html Europe's pro-Trump outpost: Populist Hungary buoyed by US shift on refugees, Russia]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved March 1, 2017.</ref><ref>Multiple references:
*Kassam, Raheem (December 14, 2015). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2015/12/14/europe-is-a-battlefield-due-to-migrants-says-hungarian-pm-tens-of-millions-more-to-come/ Europe Is a ‘Battlefield’ Due To Migrants, Says Hungarian PM – ‘Tens Of Millions More To Come’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
*Lane, Oliver JJ (May 14, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/05/14/orban-poland-west-never-experienced-communism-cant-understand-eastern-europe/ Orban in Poland: The West Never Experienced Communism, So Can’t Understand Eastern Europe]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
*Montgomery, Jack (August 16, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/08/16/hungarian-govt-swedens-political-leaders-on-side-illegal-migrants/ Hungarian Govt: Sweden’s Leaders are ‘On the Side’ of Illegal Migrants]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 16, 2018.
*Montgomery, Jack (December 27, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2018/12/27/orban-bringing-africas-problems-europe-destroy-culture/ Hungary’s Orban: Bringing Africa’s Problems to Europe Will ‘Destroy 2,000-year-old Culture’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved December 27, 2018.
*Montgomery, Jack (July 13, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/07/13/hungary-pm-warns-on-long-term-migrant-crisis-millions-will-arrive-our-task-is-to-defend-our-people/ Hungary PM Warns on Long-term Migrant Crisis: ‘Millions Will Arrive, Our Task Is to Defend Our People’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
*Tomlinson, Chris (December 28, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/12/28/hungarys-orban-labels-eus-mass-migration-policy-grave-mistake/ Hungary’s Orban Labels EU’s Mass Migration Policy ‘Grave Mistake’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
See also:
*Montgomery, Jack (March 4, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/03/04/hungary-pm-migrant-crisis-will-happen-again-even-stronger-form/ Hungary PM: Migrant Crisis ‘Will Happen Again In an Even Stronger Form’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
*Montgomery, Jack (September 24, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/09/24/eu-trying-cram-mandatory-migrant-quotas-down-throats-european-countries/ Hungary: EU Trying to ‘Cram Mandatory Migrant Quotas Down Throats of European Countries’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 24, 2019.</ref> and he remained committed to protecting Hungary's demographic composition.<ref>Williams, Thomas D. (September 8, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/09/08/pm-viktor-orban-hungary-is-not-an-immigrant-country-and-does-not-want-to-become-one/ PM Viktor Orban: ‘Hungary Is Not an Immigrant Country and Does Not Want to Become One’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 8, 2017.</ref> He has criticized the European Union<ref>Montgomery, Jack (October 9, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/10/09/hungarian-pm-eu-insults-member-states-abuses-powers-george-soros/ Hungarian PM: ‘The EU Insults Member-States, Abuses its Powers, and Eats from George Soros’s Hand’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved October 11, 2017.</ref> and has argued that the EU's policies and attitudes favor terrorists.<ref>Tomlinson, Chris (June 13, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/06/13/hungarian-orban-accuses-eu-favouring-terrorists/ Hungarian PM Orbán: ‘The European Union Is on the Side of Terrorists’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 13, 2017.</ref> In addition to criticizing the EU for holding [[Marxist]] values,<ref>Montgomery, Jack (June 22, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/06/22/hungarian-pm-spirit-marx-lenin-re-education-camps-lives-eu/ Hungarian PM: ‘The Spirit of Marx, Lenin, and the Re-Education Camps’ Lives on in the EU]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 22, 2018.</ref> he has also criticized supporters of a "[[United States of Europe]]" for intentionally supporting and enabling mass migration to Europe in order to create a "post-Christian and post-national" state.<ref>Montgomery, Jack (November 14, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/11/14/hungary-pm-united-states-europe-plotters-using-mass-migration-create-post-national-post-christian-federation/ Hungary PM: ‘United States of Europe’ Plotters Using Mass Migration to Create ‘Post-National, Post-Christian’ Super-state]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved November 14, 2017.</ref> Orbán has warned against EU plans to take away border security obligations from its member nations.<ref>Multiple references:
*Hale, Virginia (September 14, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/09/14/orban-eu-open-border-brussels/ Orbán Warns EU Planning to ‘Open the Gate’ with New Brussels Border Force]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
*[https://voiceofeurope.com/2018/09/hungary-brussels-does-not-aim-to-protect-the-eus-borders-but-to-set-up-a-reception-service-to-manage-immigration-rather-than-to-stop-it/ Hungary: Brussels does not aim to protect the EU’s borders but to set up a reception service to manage immigration rather than to stop it]. ''Voice of Europe'' (from the ''Hungary Journal''). September 17, 2018. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
See also:
*Tomlinson, Chris (May 22, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/05/22/orban-calls-voters-send-strong-message-brussels/ Orban Tells Voters to Send ‘Strong Message’ to Brussels in EU Elections]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 22, 2019.</ref> Despite this, Orbán opposes leaving the EU.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hungary-orban/hungary-will-remain-part-of-the-european-union-pm-orban-says-idUSKBN1WE0GT Hungary will remain part of the European Union, PM Orban says]. ''Reuters''. September 29, 2019. Retrieved September 29, 2019.</ref> His government has also criticized the [[United Nations]] for its open borders immigraton policies, stating that "national interest comes first."<ref>Shaw, Adam (September 25, 2019). [https://www.foxnews.com/politics/hungary-joins-trumps-attack-on-open-borders Hungary joins Trump’s attack on 'open-borders' agenda at UN, says 'national interest comes first']. ''Fox News''. Retrieved September 25, 2019.</ref>

Orbán has stressed that the responsibility for defending Hungary lies with Hungary rather than the EU or NATO and has stated that "a nation which is unable to protect its country is not worthy of it."<ref>Friedman, Victoria (May 17, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/05/17/orban-defending-hungary-our-duty-not-nato-eu/ Orbán: ‘Defending Hungary Is Our Duty – Not NATO’s or the EU’s’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 18, 2018.</ref>

Orbán looks highly upon former United Kingdom Prime Minister [[Margaret Thatcher]],<ref name="Battlefield"/> and he has also spoken highly of [[Boris Johnson]].<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hungary-orban-brexit/hungary-pm-orban-boris-johnson-is-one-of-europes-bravest-politicians-idUSKBN1Z81JQ Boris Johnson "one of Europe's bravest politicians": Hungarian PM Orban]. ''Reuters''. January 9, 2020. Retrieved January 9, 2020.</ref> He became the first leader of an EU member state to endorse [[Donald Trump]] for U.S. President in 2016.<ref>Multiple references:
*[https://www.breitbart.com/london/2016/07/23/hungary-pm-orban-becomes-first-eu-leader-endorse-trump/ Hungarian PM Orban Becomes First EU Leader To Endorse Trump]. ''Breitbart News''. July 23, 2016. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
*[https://www.foxnews.com/world/2016/07/24/hungary-prime-minister-says-trump-is-better-candidate-for-europe.html Hungary prime minister says Trump is better candidate for Europe]. ''Fox News'' (from the ''Associated Press''). July 24, 2016. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
*Dunai, Marton (July 26, 2016). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-hungary-orban/orban-says-trumps-migration-foreign-policy-plans-vital-for-hungary-idUSKCN1061PU Orban says Trump's migration, foreign policy plans 'vital' for Hungary]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved March 18, 2018.
See also:
*Tomlinson, Chris (December 21, 2016). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2016/12/21/viktor-orban-declares-2017-year-rebellion/ Orbán Declares 2017 the ‘Year of Rebellion’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved March 18, 2018.</ref> Orbán has spoken positively of President Trump, stating that he speaks straightforwardly and that he and Trump agree on numerous issues.<ref>Williams, Thomas D. (June 8, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/06/08/hungarian-pm-with-trump-finally-someone-who-speaks-in-straightforward-manner/ Hungarian PM: With Trump, Finally Someone Who Speaks in ‘Straightforward Manner’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 8, 2017. See also:
*Shaw, Adam (April 16, 2019). [https://www.foxnews.com/politics/hungarys-top-diplomat-praises-trump-on-nato-push-contrasts-against-obama-era-lecturing Hungary’s top diplomat praises Trump on NATO push, contrasts against Obama-era ‘lecturing’]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved April 18, 2019.</ref> His administration has cast itself as a "natural ally" of the U.S.<ref>Sands, David R. (May 31, 2018). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/may/31/hungary-natural-ally-trump-pompeo-peter-szijjarto-/ 'Natural ally': Hungary leads fight against anti-U.S. 'hysteria' in Europe]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved May 31, 2018. See also:
*Friedman, Victoria (December 4, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/12/04/hungarian-minister-praises-american-leadership-nato-criticises-brain-dead-comments/ Hungarian Minister Praises American Leadership in NATO, Criticises Macron’s Brain Dead Comments]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
*[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hungary-orban-iran/hungary-wants-eu-position-on-iran-to-be-closer-to-u-s-stance-pm-idUSKBN1Z81B3 Hungary wants EU position on Iran to be closer to U.S. stance: PM]. ''Reuters''. January 9, 2020. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
*Friedman, Victoria (January 9, 2020). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2020/01/09/hungarys-orban-wants-eu-adopt-us-stance-iran/ Hungary’s Orbán Wants EU to Adopt Israeli-U.S. Stance on Iran]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 9, 2020.</ref> Orbán and his government have spoken highly of [[Matteo Salvini]], Italy's conservative immigration minister.<ref>Multiple references:
*Montgomery, Jack (June 19, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/06/19/orban-slams-eu-praises-salvini-ngo-ships-run-white-collar-people-smugglers/ Hungary’s Orban Praises Italy’s Salvini: NGO Crews Are ‘White-Collar People-Smugglers’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 20, 2018.
*Montgomery, Jack (July 1, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/07/01/hungary-backs-salvini-gamechanging-shut-ports-illegals-eu-leaders-all-talk-no-action/ EXCLUSIVE – Hungary Backs Salvini’s ‘Gamechanging’ Move to Shut Ports to Migrants, Brands EU Leaders All Talk]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 1, 2018.
*Williams, Thomas D. (August 28, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/08/28/viktor-orban-matteo-salvini-is-my-hero/ Viktor Orban: Matteo Salvini Is ‘My Hero’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
*Tomlinson, Chris (May 2, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/05/02/orban-labels-salvini-most-important-person-europe-ahead-visit/ Orban Labels Salvini ‘Most Important Person in Europe’ Ahead of Visit]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 2, 2019.
*[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-eu-election-right-hungary/hungary-pm-makes-overtures-to-italy-far-right-in-hint-of-eu-conservative-split-idUSKCN1S81K8 Hungary PM makes overtures to Italy far right in hint of EU conservative split]. ''Reuters''. May 2, 2019. Retrieved May 2, 2019.
*Gorondi, Pablo (May 2, 2019). [https://www.apnews.com/cba92046268e4b1d8781a2af05f79a43 Anti-migrant politicians bond at razor wire fence in Hungary]. ''Associated Press''. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
*Friedman, Victoria (May 5, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/05/05/orban-hungary-italy-have-proved-illegal-migration-stopped-land-sea/ Orban: Hungary and Italy Have Proved Illegal Mass Migration Can Be Stopped]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 5, 2019.
*Montgomery, Jack (August 30, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/08/30/orban-to-brother-in-arms-salvini-hungarians-will-never-forget-your-fight-for-strong-borders-european-heritage/ Orban to ‘Brother in Arms’ Salvini: Hungarians ‘Will Never Forget’ Your Fight for Strong Borders, European Heritage]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 30, 2019.
*Tomlinson, Chris (September 20, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/09/20/hungarian-minister-with-salvini-europe-was-safe/ Hungarian Minister: With Salvini Europe Was Safe]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
See also:
*Friedman, Victoria (August 29, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/08/29/orban-salvini-attack-globalist-macron-leader-pro-migration-parties-eu/ Orban, Salvini Attack Globalist Macron as ‘Leader of Pro-Migration Parties’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 29, 2018.
*Hale, Virginia (August 29, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/08/29/orban-salvini-elections-anti-migration-front/ Orbán, Salvini Set to Take On Globalism at EU Elections with Anti-Migration Front]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 29, 2018.
*Tondo, Lorenzo (August 28, 2018). [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/aug/28/matteo-salvini-viktor-orban-anti-migrant-plan-brussels Matteo Salvini and Viktor Orbán to form anti-migration front]. ''The Guardian''. Retrieved August 29, 2018.
*Foster, Peter (August 28, 2018). [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/08/28/populist-duo-viktor-orban-matteo-salvini-call-deportation-migrants/ Populist duo Viktor Orban and Matteo Salvini call for deportation of migrants from Europe]. ''The Telegraph''. Retrieved August 29, 2018.
*Tomlinson, Chris (January 11, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/01/11/orban-gives-support-salvini-alliance-poland/ Orban Gives Support to Salvini’s Italy Allying with Poland]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
*Tomlinson, Chris (June 2, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/06/02/orban-not-joining-salvini-led-eu-parliament-group/ Orban Not Joining Salvini-led EU Parliament Group]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 3, 2019.</ref> He also has a good relationship with [[Israel]] and its prime minister [[Benjamin Netanyahu]].<ref>Multiple references:
*Pfeffer, Anshel (July 18, 2018). [https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-the-netanyahu-orban-bromance-that-is-shaking-up-europe-and-d-c-1.6290691 Netanyahu and Orbán: An Illiberal Bromance Spanning From D.C. to Jerusalem]. ''Haaretz''. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
*Byrne, Andrew; Zeveloff, Naomi (July 18, 2017). [https://www.ft.com/content/1652bef2-6bb4-11e7-bfeb-33fe0c5b7eaa Netanyahu hails Orban’s Hungary as an ally of Israel]. ''Financial Times''. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
*[https://www.voanews.com/a/hungary-orban-hosts-netanyahu-vows-to-squelch-anti-semitism/3949258.html Hungary's Orban Hosts Netanyahu, Vows to Squelch Anti-Semitism]. ''Voice of America''. July 18, 2017. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
*Dunai, Marton (July 18, 2017). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hungary-israel/hungarys-orban-welcomes-netanyahu-vows-to-fight-anti-semitism-idUSKBN1A312O Hungary's Orban welcomes Netanyahu, vows to fight anti-Semitism]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
*[https://www.timesofisrael.com/hungarys-orban-to-make-first-trip-to-israel-next-month/ Hungary’s controversial Orban to make first trip to Israel next month]. ''The Times of Israel''. June 27, 2018. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
*Glick, Caroline (April 11, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2018/04/11/caroline-glick-israel-stands-hungary-nationalist-government/ Caroline Glick: Israel Stands with Hungary’s Nationalist Government]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
*Montgomery, Jack (July 18, 2017). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/07/18/israeli-pm-says-hungary-at-forefront-of-fight-against-anti-semitism/ Israeli PM Says Hungary ‘At Forefront’ of Fight Against Anti-Semitism]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 1, 2018.
See also:
*Aharon, Jenny (April 24, 2018). [https://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Hungarian-PM-Orban-Israels-friend-or-foe-552640 Hungarian PM Orban: Israel's Friend of Foe?] ''The Jerusalem Post''. Retrieved June 27, 2018.</ref> Orbán sent a letter of congratulations to German Conservative politician [[Horst Seehofer]] on his re-election as leader of the [[Christian Social Union of Bavaria]].<ref>[http://www.miniszterelnok.hu/viktor-orban-congratulates-horst-seehofer/ Viktor Orbán congratulates Horst Seehofer]. ''Miniszterelnok.hu'' (from ''MTI''). December 19, 2017. Retrieved February 9, 2019.</ref> He has spoken critically of [[Hillary Clinton]] and globalist EU politicians,<ref>Multiple references:
*Montgomery, Jack (October 2, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/10/02/orban-praises-trump-slams-clinton-rebukes-eu-migration-commissioner/ Orbán Praises Trump, Slams Clinton, Rebukes EU Migration Commissioner: ‘This Man Is Our Employee’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved October 2, 2018.
*Montgomery, Jack (February 1, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/02/01/hungary-eu-vice-prez-european-socialists-following-orders-soros-network/ Hungary: EU Vice-Prez, European Socialists ‘Following Orders of Soros Network’ to Increase Immigration]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
*Montgomery, Jack (September 16, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/09/16/orban-buries-eus-juncker-blind-national-politician-comments/ Orban Buries EU’s Juncker over ‘Blind National Politician’ Comments]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 16, 2019.</ref> such as [[Emmanuel Macron]].<ref>Williams, Thomas D. (January 10, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/01/10/hungarys-orban-says-he-must-fight-french-president-macron-on-immigration/ Hungary’s Orbán Says He ‘Must Fight’ French President Macron on Immigration]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 10, 2019.</ref> Orbán's government has criticized Sweden for its leftist policies.<ref>Multiple references:
*Tomlinson, Chris (February 22, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/02/22/sweden-protests-hungarian-personal-attacks-after-nazi-policy-comparison/ Sweden Protests Hungarian ‘Personal Attacks’ After ‘Nazi’ Policy Comparison]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
*Tomlinson, Chris (March 29, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2018/03/29/swedish-education-minister-tells-hungary-it-is-not-ok-to-use-sweden-as-example-of-failed-mass-migration-policies/ Sweden to Hungary: It Is Not OK to Use us as an Example of Failed Mass Migration Policies]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved February 23, 2019.</ref> He has called for having the [[establishment]] European People's Party work with conservative-populists.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-eu-election-orban/orban-says-eu-conservatives-must-work-with-populists-idUSKCN1S73VG Orban says EU conservatives must work with populists]. ''Reuters''. May 1, 2019. Retrieved May 1, 2019. See also:
*[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hungary-orban-party/hungary-pm-says-european-conservatives-losing-influence-flags-new-party-grouping-idUSKBN1Z81HW Hungary PM says European conservatives losing influence, flags new party grouping]. ''Reuters''. January 9, 2020. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
*Bayer, Lili; Wanat, Zosia (January 9, 2020). [https://www.politico.eu/article/orban-new-initiative-needed-epp-stays-liberal-path/ Orbán: New conservative group needed if EPP stays on ‘liberal’ path]. ''Politico''. Retrieved January 9, 2020.</ref> In 2019, Orbán honored conservative British philosopher Sir [[Roger Scruton]].<ref>Lane, Olvier JJ (December 4, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/12/04/hungary-awards-conservative-philosopher-scruton-om/ Pictures: Hungary’s Orban Honours Conservative Philosopher Sir Roger Scruton With Order of Merit]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved December 4, 2019.</ref>

Orbán has discussed reintroducing the [[death penalty]] in Hungary,<ref>Traynor, Ian (April 29, 2015). [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/apr/29/hungary-pm-death-penalty-work-camps-for-immigrants-viktor-orban Hungary PM: bring back death penalty and build work camps for immigrants]. ''The Guardian''. Retrieved April 5, 2018.</ref> something not allowed under EU law, though he has denied plans to actually do so.<ref>(April 30, 2015). [https://www.novinite.com/articles/168260/Hungary%E2%80%99s+PM+Orban+Denies+Plans+to+Restore+Death+Penalty Hungary’s PM Orban Denies Plans to Restore Death Penalty]. ''Novinite.com''. Retrieved June 22, 2018.</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
*[http://www.kormany.hu/en/the-prime-minister/the-prime-minister-s-speeches/prime-minister-viktor-orban-s-speech-at-the-25th-balvanyos-summer-free-university-and-student-camp Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s Speech at the 25th Bálványos Summer Free University and Student Camp], Hungarian Government, delivered July 26, 2014.
*[http://www.kormany.hu/en/the-prime-minister/the-prime-minister-s-speeches/prime-minister-viktor-orban-s-speech-at-the-29th-balvanyos-summer-open-university-and-student-camp Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s speech at the 29th Bálványos Summer Open University and Student Camp], Hungarian Government, delivered July 28, 2018.
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0pY0NHgC2E Viktor Orban: "As We Beat the Soviet Empire, We'll Beat Soros' Empire"], YouTube, published January 1, 2018.
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmGyDw6_ypo Viktor Orbán Day of Honor Speech 2018 (with ENG subs)], YouTube, published March 17, 2018.
*[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-sh/Viktor_Orban The man who thinks Europe has been invaded], BBC, April 2018.

{{Nationalism}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Orbán, Viktor}}
[[Category:Hungarian Politicians]]
[[Category:Conservatives]]
[[Category:Nationalists]]
[[Category:Current Heads of Government]]
[[Category:Pro Second Amendment]]
[[Category:Patriots]]

James Hetfield

2020-09-06T15:48:53Z

King Conservative:

'''James Hetfield''' (born August 3, 1963) is an American vocalist and guitarist. He is best known as being the co-founder (Along with Lars Ulrich) of the American thrash metal band [[Metallica]]. He supports the [[Second Amendment]].<ref>https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/jun/5/nra-member-james-hetfield-under-fire-activists-wan/</ref><ref>https://conservativepush.com/2018/03/23-famous-people-taking-stand-second-amendment/</ref>

He currently lives in Vail, [[Colorado]], with his wife, Francesca Tomasi, on August 17, 1997. When asked his thoughts on climate change, he responded "I really avoided the press around the Live Earth day. I didn't quite agree with what was going on there. Politics drive me crazy, and I don't like talking politics. Politics get in the way of things; they get in the way of getting things done, and getting our music across is what we wanna do – we don't wanna cloud it with 'Democrat, Republican,' whatever. Our philosophy is 'think for yourself' at the end of the day – do what you think feels right. I really believe that humans will survive. I have a lot of faith in mankind that we will overcome and adapt – whatever it is; whether it's man-made or God-made, or Earth/Mother Nature – we have a lot of smart people on this planet that will make something good out of bad."{{cn}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hetfield, James}}
[[Category:Pro Second Amendment]]
[[Category:Singers]]
[[Category:Heavy Metal]]
[[Category:Patriots]]
[[Category:Conservatives]]

Jair Bolsonaro

2020-09-06T15:47:10Z

King Conservative:

{{Officeholder
|name=Jair Messias Bolsonaro
|image=Jair Bolsonaro official photo.jpg
|party= [[Social Liberal Party]]
|spouse=Rogéria Nantes Braga (div.) Ana Cristina Valle (div.) Michelle Bolsonaro
|religion=[[Catholic]]
|offices=
{{Officeholder/president
|country=Brazil
|number=38th
|terms=January 1, 2019 – present
|vp=[[Hamilton Mourão]]
|preceded=[[Michel Temer]]
|former=n
|succeeded=
}}
|military=y
|allegiance=[[Brazil]]
|branch=Army
|serviceyears=1971–1988
|rank=Captain
|commands=8th Field Artillery Group 9th Parachute Artillery Group
}}
'''Jair Messias Bolsonaro''' (born March 21, 1955) is the president of [[Brazil]]. He is a strongly [[conservative]] and anti-[[establishment]]<ref name="TropicalTrump">Newman, Alex (September 3, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/south-america/item/29946-tropical-trump-bolsonaro-may-be-brazil-s-next-president “Tropical Trump” Bolsonaro May Be Brazil's Next President]. ''The New American''. Retrieved September 3, 2018.</ref><ref name="GlobalistsFreak"/><ref name="5Policies"/><ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-politics/brazils-bolsonaro-says-political-class-is-an-impediment-idUSKCN1SQ1VA Brazil's Bolsonaro says political class is an impediment]. ''Reuters''. May 20, 2019. Retrieved May 20, 2019.</ref> former congressman and retired army captain. He often invokes [[God]] in his speeches.

He supports the right of all non-criminals to own firearms and proposed this as one of his first initiatives upon taking the office of president. One of his favorite expressions is "combater o lixo marxista," which means "fight the [[marxist]] garbage."<ref>https://twitter.com/jairbolsonaro/status/1079686972673806336</ref>

==Life and career==
Bolsonaro was born in the municipality of Glicério in São Paulo. He is of Italian descent. Bolsonaro served in Brazil's military from 1971 to 1988, graduating from Agulhas Negras Military Academy in 1977. Afterward, he served in [[Rio de Janeiro]]'s city council from 1989 to 1991, and in Brazil's congress starting in 1991.

Bolsonaro has changed parties several times in his career, something not unusual considering the large number of parties in Brazil, along with the fact that conservative parties in the country tend to be weak. He was a member of the [[Progressive Party (Brazil)|Progressive Party]]. The most leftist members of that party usually classify it as a ''PSNN'' (''Progressista Só No Nome'' - ''[[Progressive]] In Name Only'', ''PLINO''). In March 2016, he left PP to join [[Social Christian Party]], and he later joined the [[Social Liberal Party]]. All of these parties are conservative or conservative-leaning despite their names.

During the voting of the Dilma Rousseff in the Congress, on April 17, 2016, Bolsonaro dedicated his vote to [[Brilhante Ustra]], the only militair that was declared by the Justice as a "torturer", and who allegedly was the torturer of Rousseff in the 1970s. [[Jean Wyllys]], after he voted, spat on Bolsanaro.<ref>https://www.bbc.com/portuguese/noticias/2016/04/160417_momentos_marcantes_impeachment_ru</ref>

==2018 presidential election==
[[File:Brazilian presidential election, 2nd round, 2018.png|thumb|left|250px|Results of the 2nd round of the 2018 presidential election]]
Bolsonaro successfully ran for the [[Brazil]]ian presidency in 2018.<ref>[http://politica.estadao.com.br/blogs/marcelo-moraes/2014/10/30/bolsonaro-serei-o-candidato-da-direita-a-presidencia-em-2018/ Bolsonaro: "I will be the right-wing candidate for the presidency in 2018"] - Estadão.</ref> He tried in 2014, but the leaders of [[Progressive Party (Brazil)|his party]] decided to support the [[Marxist]] government of [[Dilma Rousseff]]. Among the presidential proposals, Bolsonaro called for closing unnecessary ministries (such as Ministry of Finance, which keeps the [[socialism|government in control of the economy]], and the Defense Ministry, which creates [[fascism|military subordination to political]]), the reduction of state in all its spheres, the [[free market]], [[homeschooling]], the neutral point of view in schools, private health, pro-[[gun rights]],<ref name="5Policies"/><ref>Kew, Ben (October 2, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2018/10/02/bolsonaro-campaign-importing-second-amendment-rights-brazil/ Bolsonaro Campaign Urges Importing Second Amendment Rights to Brazil]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved October 10, 2018.</ref> the prohibition of [[same-sex "marriage"]] and abortion. He also ran on a strong anti-corruption program.<ref name="5Policies"/><ref name="MeredithCNBC2018">Meredith, Sam (October 9, 2018). [https://www.cnbc.com/2018/10/09/brazil-election-all-you-need-to-know-about-jair-bolsonaro.html Who is the 'Trump of the Tropics?': All you need to know about Brazil's presidential frontrunner]. ''CNBC''. Retrieved October 9, 2018.</ref><ref name="CoalitionCabinet">Federowski, Bruno; Mandl, Carolina (October 9, 2018). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-election/brazils-far-right-bolsonaro-no-coalition-politics-in-cabinet-picks-idUSKCN1MJ27U Brazil's far-right Bolsonaro: No coalition politics in cabinet picks]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved October 9, 2018.</ref><ref>Martel, Frances (April 6, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2018/04/06/martel-lula-arrest-imminent-brazils-conservatives-need-jair-bolsonaro-get-serious/ Martel: with Lula Arrest Imminent, Brazil’s Conservatives Need Jair Bolsonaro to Get Serious]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved October 10, 2018.</ref><ref>Kew, Ben (October 26, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/latin-america/2018/10/26/brazils-bolsonaro-makes-final-anti-corruption-push-our-country-isnt-a-criminal-gang/ Brazil’s Bolsonaro Makes Final Anti-Corruption Push: ‘Our Country Isn’t a Criminal Gang’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved October 28, 2018.</ref><ref>Boadle, Anthony; Stargardter, Gabriel (October 28, 2018). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-election/far-right-bolsonaro-rides-anti-corruption-rage-to-brazil-presidency-idUSKCN1N203K Far-right Bolsonaro rides anti-corruption rage to Brazil presidency]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved October 28, 2018.</ref>

During the 2018 election campaign, Bolsonaro survived an attempted assassination attempt, being stabbed.<ref>Multiple references:
*Puglie, Frederic (September 18, 2018). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/sep/18/jair-bolsonaro-stabbing-emboldens-brazils-unlikely/ Assassination attempt only emboldens Brazil's Trump-like presidential front-runner]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
*Martel, Frances (September 6, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2018/09/06/brazil-conservative-presidential-frontrunner-jair-bolsonaro-stabbed-on-video/ Brazil: Conservative Presidential Frontrunner Jair Bolsonaro Stabbed on Video]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
See also:
*Martel, Frances (October 31, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/latin-america/2018/10/31/jair-bolsonaro-thanks-god-surviving-campaign-stabbing-church-service/ Jair Bolsonaro Thanks God for Surviving Campaign Stabbing]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved October 31, 2018.</ref>

Bolsonaro won 46% of the vote in the election's first round, significantly better than polls predicted and less than four percentage points to winning the election outright.<ref>Multiple references:
*Martel, Frances (October 7, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2018/10/07/brazil-conservative-bolsonaro-wins-round-1-of-presidential-race-heads-to-run-off-with-socialist/ Brazil: Conservative Bolsonaro Wins Round 1 of Presidential Race, Heads to Run-off with Socialist]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
*Pearson, Samantha; Magalhães, Luciana (October 8, 2018). [https://www.wsj.com/articles/brazil-votes-in-divisive-presidential-race-1538910000 Brazil’s Bolsonaro Takes Lead in First Round of Presidential Election]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
See also:
*[https://www.wsj.com/articles/brazilian-swamp-drainer-1539039700 Brazilian Swamp Drainer]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. October 8, 2018. Retrieved October 9, 2018.</ref> His party performed very well in the congressional and gubernatorial elections held the same day.<ref>Multiple references:
*Federowski, Bruno; Carolina Marcello, Maria (October 7, 2018). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-election-congress-analysis/bolsonaro-transforms-tiny-brazil-party-into-congressional-powerhouse-idUSKCN1MI07Q Bolsonaro transforms tiny Brazil party into congressional powerhouse]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
*Phillips, Dom (October 8, 2018). [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/08/bolsonaro-allies-ride-conservative-wave-in-brazil-elections Bolsonaro allies ride conservative wave in Brazil elections]. ''The Guardian''. Retrieved October 31, 2018.
*Gamarski, Rachel, Adghirni, Samy (October 8, 2018). [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-10-08/bolsonaro-election-effect-turns-brazil-s-congress-on-its-head Bolsonaro Election Effect Turns Brazil’s Congress on Its Head]. ''Bloomberg''. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
See also:
*Martel, Frances (October 9, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2018/10/09/brazil-doubles-number-military-veterans-congress/ Brazil More than Doubles Number of Military Veterans in Congress]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved October 10, 2018.
*[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-politics/bolsonaros-party-eyes-forming-biggest-bloc-in-brazil-lower-house-idUSKCN1NR00S Bolsonaro's party eyes forming biggest bloc in Brazil lower house]. ''Reuters''. November 21, 2018. Retrieved November 21, 2018.</ref> Bolsonaro's campaign had strong momentum going into the runoff,<ref>Puglie, Frederic (October 21, 2018). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/oct/21/jair-bolsonaro-near-brazil-election-win-president/ 'Brazil's Trump' on track for presidential victory]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved October 21, 2018.</ref> and he received strong support from [[evangelical Christians]].<ref>Multiple references:
*Puglie, Frederic (October 22, 2018). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/oct/22/jair-bolsonaro-aided-evangelicals-brazil-president/ Christian evangelical voters boost 'Brazil's Trump' in presidential bid]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved October 22, 2018.
*Polimédio, Chayenne (January 24, 2018). [https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2018/01/the-evangelical-takeover-of-brazilian-politics/551423/ The Rise of the Brazilian Evangelicals]. ''The Atlantic''. Retrieved October 28, 2018.
*Warren, Steve (October 29, 2018). [https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/cwn/2018/october/how-evangelical-christians-helped-elect-brazils-new-president How Evangelical Christians Helped Elect Brazil's New President]. ''CBN News''. Retrieved October 31, 2018.
See also:
*[https://www1.cbn.com/content/brazilian-president-jair-bolsonaro-cbn-news-i-had-massive-support-evangelicals-brazil-0 Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro to CBN News: 'I Had Massive Support of the Evangelicals in Brazil']. ''CBN News''. Retrieved March 26, 2019.</ref>

Bolsonaro won the election runoff with about 55% of the vote, marking a major shift in Brazilian<ref name="GlobalistsFreak">Newman, Alex (October 29, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/south-america/item/30481-globalists-freak-as-tropical-trump-bolsonaro-wins-in-brazil Globalists Freak as “Tropical Trump” Bolsonaro Wins in Brazil]. ''The New American''. Retrieved October 29, 2018.</ref><ref>Multiple references:
*Martel, Frances (October 28, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/latin-america/2018/10/28/jair-bolsonaro-elected-president-of-brazil/ Conservative Jair Bolsonaro Elected President of Brazil]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved October 28, 2018.
*Araújo, Guilherme Ferreira; Jones, Gualberto Garcia (October 28, 2018). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/brazil-elects-a-strong-pro-life-president-breaking-decades-of-leftist-rule Brazil elects a strong pro-life president, breaking decades of leftist rule]. ''LifeSiteNews''. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
*Pearson, Samantha; Magalhaes, Luciana (October 28, 2018). [https://www.wsj.com/articles/brazilians-head-to-polls-in-divisive-presidential-election-1540724400 Antiestablishment Candidate Wins Brazil’s Presidential Race]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved October 28, 2018.
*Miles, Frank (October 28, 2018). [https://www.foxnews.com/world/far-right-congressman-wins-brazils-presidency Brazil elects anti-establishment candidate Jair Bolsonaro as president]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved October 28, 2018.
*Birnbaum, Emily (October 28, 2018). [https://thehill.com/policy/international/413557-far-right-candidate-jair-bolsonaro-wins-brazils-presidential-race Far-right candidate Jair Bolsonaro elected president of Brazil]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved October 28, 2018.
*Brito, Ricardo; Boadle, Anthony (October 29, 2018). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-election/brazil-elects-firebrand-bolsonaro-in-major-swing-to-the-right-idUSKCN1N315C Brazil elects firebrand Bolsonaro in major swing to the right]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved October 29, 2018.
*Londoño, Ernesto; Darlington, Shasta (October 28, 2018). [https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/28/world/americas/jair-bolsonaro-brazil-election.html Jair Bolsonaro Wins Brazil’s Presidency, in a Shift to the Far Right]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved October 29, 2018.
See also:
*Pearson, Samantha; Magalhaes, Luciana (October 26, 2018). [https://www.wsj.com/articles/brazils-likely-presidential-victor-sets-shift-to-right-1540568454 Brazil’s Likely Presidential Victor Sets Shift to Right]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved October 28, 2018.
*Pearson, Samantha; Magalhaes, Luciana (October 28, 2018). [https://www.wsj.com/articles/brazilians-head-to-polls-in-divisive-presidential-election-1540724400 Conservative’s Win Signals Sharp Rightward Turn in Brazil]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved October 28, 2018.
*[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-election-policy-factbox/factbox-from-crime-to-china-bolsonaro-plots-radical-new-course-for-brazil-idUSKCN1N300E Factbox: From crime to China, Bolsonaro plots radical new course for Brazil]. ''Reuters''. October 28, 2018. Retrieved October 28, 2018.
*Martel, Frances (October 29, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/latin-america/2018/10/29/martel-bolsonaro-won-brazils-presidency-not-interrupting-lefts-mistakes/ Martel: Bolsonaro Won Brazil’s Presidency by Not Interrupting the Left’s Mistakes]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
*De Freitas Bento, Mauricio (October 31, 2018). [https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/op-eds/five-reasons-jair-bolsonaro-won-in-brazil Five reasons Jair Bolsonaro won in Brazil]. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved October 31, 2018.</ref> and [[Latin America]]n<ref>Kew, Ben (December 25, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2018/12/25/crash-of-the-pink-tide-latin-america-continues-shift-rightwards-in-2018/ Crash of the Pink Tide: Latin America Continues Shift Rightwards in 2018]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 1, 2019.</ref> politics. He was congratulated by U.S. President [[Donald Trump]]<ref>Multiple references:
*Kew, Ben (October 29, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2018/10/29/trump-leads-americas-congratulating-jair-bolsonaro-brazilian-election-victory/ Trump Leads the Americas in Congratulating Jair Bolsonaro on Brazilian Election Victory]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved October 29, 2018.
*Spiering, Charlie (October 29, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2018/10/29/donald-trump-congratulates-newly-elected-conservative-brazilian-president-jair-bolsonaro/ Donald Trump Congratulates Newly Elected Conservative Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved October 29, 2018.
See also:
*Brooks, Brad (October 29, 2018). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-election-trump/a-trump-bolsonaro-bromance-could-be-brewing-after-brazilians-big-win-idUSKCN1N31BZ A Trump-Bolsonaro bromance could be brewing after Brazilian's big win]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved October 29, 2018.
*Brito, Ricardo; Gaier, Rodrigo Viga (October 29, 2018). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-election/brazils-far-right-president-elect-eyes-close-u-s-ties-idUSKCN1N315C Brazil's far-right president-elect eyes close U.S. ties]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved October 29, 2018.
*Watts, Jonathan (October 29, 2018). [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/29/jair-bolsonaro-brazil-trump-rightwing-axis Trump joy over Bolsonaro suggests new rightwing axis in Americas and beyond]. ''The Guardian''. Retrieved October 29, 2018.</ref> and Italian Deputy Prime Minister [[Matteo Salvini]],<ref>Friedman, Victoria (October 29, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2018/10/29/italys-populist-minister-salvini-congratulates-brazil-election-jair-bolsonar/ Like Minds: Italy’s Populist Salvini Congratulates President-Elect Bolsonaro of Brazil]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved October 29, 2018.</ref> among others. According to Brazilian professor Dawisson Belém Lopes, Brazil had elected "the most right wing leader of any democracy in the world."<ref>Tegel, Simeon (October 31, 2018). [https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/will-bolsonaro-win-brazil-usher-right-wing-ripple-effects-latin-n926816 Will Bolsonaro's victory in Brazil usher right-wing ripple effects in Latin America?] ''NBC News''. Retrieved November 1, 2018.</ref>

==President of Brazil==
===Transition and inauguration===
Even before his inauguration, Bolsonaro had already begun making conservative changes.<ref>Londoño, Ernesto; Andreoni, Manuela (January 1, 2019). [https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/01/world/americas/brazil-jair-bolsonaro-president.html Brazil Wanted Change. Even Before Taking Office, Jair Bolsonaro Delivered.] ''The New York Times''. Retrieved January 1, 2019.</ref> Among his other actions in preparation for assuming office, he nominated [[Ernesto Araújo]], a pro-Trump [[nationalist]], to be his foreign minister.<ref>Multiple references:
*Schipani, Andres (November 14, 2018). [https://www.ft.com/content/4c328e0c-e846-11e8-8a85-04b8afea6ea3 Brazil’s Bolsonaro taps Trump-leaning diplomat as foreign minister]. ''Financial Times''. Retrieved November 14, 2018.
*Savarese, Mauricio (November 14, 2018). [https://www.foxnews.com/world/pro-trump-diplomat-to-become-brazils-foreign-minister Pro-Trump diplomat to become Brazil's foreign minister]. ''Fox News'' (from the ''Associated Press''). Retrieved November 14, 2018.
See also:
*Mainwaring, Doug (November 30, 2018). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/brazils-new-pro-trump-foreign-minister-trashes-climate-change-as-marxist-id Brazil’s new pro-Trump foreign minister trashes climate change as Marxist ‘ideology’]. ''LifeSiteNews''. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
*Williams, Thomas D. (December 1, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/latin-america/2018/12/01/brazils-populist-minister-slams-climate-alarmism-as-marxist-ideology/ Brazil’s Populist Minister Slams Climate Alarmism as ‘Marxist Ideology’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
*Watts, Jonathan (November 15, 2018). [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/15/brazil-foreign-minister-ernesto-araujo-climate-change-marxist-plot Brazil's new foreign minister believes climate change is a Marxist plot]. ''The Guardian''. Retrieved November 18, 2018.</ref> He also nominated an evangelical pro-lifer pastor to be his minister in charge of family, women, and indigenous issues.<ref>Multiple references:
*Boadle, Anthony (December 6, 2018). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-politics-rights/brazils-bolsonaro-lumps-native-tribes-with-women-in-new-ministry-idUSKBN1O52CI Brazil's Bolsonaro lumps native tribes with women in new ministry]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
*Phillips, Dom (December 10, 2018). [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/dec/06/outcry-over-bolsonaros-plan-to-put-conservative-in-charge-of-new-family-and-women-ministry Bolsonaro to abolish human rights ministry in favour of family values]. ''The Guardian''. Retrieved December 29, 2018.</ref> Overall, his cabinet was comprised of conservatives and military men.<ref>Multiple references:
*[https://www.voanews.com/a/bolsonaro-government-has-military-conservative-streak/4695428.html Bolsonaro Government Has Military, Conservative Streak]. ''Voice of America'' (from ''Agence France-Presse''). December 11, 2018. Retrieved December 11, 2018.
*[https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/12/10/world/politics-diplomacy-world/brazils-jair-bolsonaro-fills-cabinet-rightist-environment-chief/#.XA_nvWhKhPY Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro fills out Cabinet with rightist environment chief]. ''The Japan Times'' (from ''AFP-JIJI''). December 10, 2018. Retrieved December 11, 2018.
See also:
*[https://www.voanews.com/a/brazilian-president-elect-adds-fifth-military-man-to-cabinet-/4675357.html Brazilian President-elect Adds Fifth Military Man to Cabinet]. ''Voice of America'' (from ''Reuters''). November 26, 2018. Retrieved December 11, 2018.
*Garcia, Raphael Tsavkko (December 10, 2018). [https://brazilian.report/power/2018/12/10/jair-bolsonaro-cabinet/ Who's who in Jair Bolsonaro's new cabinet]. ''The Brazilian Report''. Retrieved December 11, 2018.
*Schipani, Andres (November 22, 2018). [https://www.ft.com/content/cc6331fc-ecde-11e8-8180-9cf212677a57 Jair Bolsonaro’s inner circle: who’s who]. ''Financial Times''. Retrieved December 29, 2018.</ref> Bolsonaro was inaugurated on January 1, 2019, declaring in his inauguration speech that Brazil would now be "liberated from socialism, inverted values, the bloated state and political correctness."<ref>Multiple references:
*Martel, Frances (January 2, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/latin-america/2019/01/02/bolsonaro-takes-helm-brazil-our-flag-never-red/ Bolsonaro Takes Helm in Brazil: ‘Our Flag Will Never Be Red’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
*Pearson, Samantha; Trevisani, Paulo (January 1, 2019). [https://www.wsj.com/articles/brazils-bolsonaro-is-sworn-in-as-president-marking-rightward-shift-11546365060 Brazil’s Bolsonaro Is Sworn In as President, Marking Rightward Shift]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
*Boadle, Anthony (December 31, 2018). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-politics/bolsonaro-takes-office-in-brazil-says-nation-liberated-from-socialism-idUSKCN1OV1AU Bolsonaro takes office in Brazil, says nation 'liberated from socialism']. ''Reuters''. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
*Rua, Ellis; Lopes, Marina; Sheridan, Mary Beth (January 1, 2019). [https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/right-wing-leader-jair-bolsonaro-set-to-become-brazils-president/2019/01/01/0ee6386c-0adf-11e9-8942-0ef442e59094_story.html With Jair Bolsonaro’s inauguration, Brazil moves sharply to the right]. ''The Washington Post''. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
*Phillips, Dom (January 1, 2019). [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/01/jair-bolsonaro-inauguration-brazil-president Bolsonaro declares Brazil's 'liberation from socialism' as he is sworn in]. ''The Guardian''. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
*[https://www.cbsnews.com/news/jair-bolsonaro-inaugural-address-brazil-new-president-2019-01-01/ Brazil's new far-right president promises sweeping changes in inaugural address]. ''CBS News''. January 1, 2019. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
*Lima, Mario Sergio; Said, Flavia (January 1, 2019). [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-01-01/former-army-captain-takes-brazil-s-reins-in-surge-of-nationalism Bolsonaro Takes the Reins in Brazil in Nationalist Surge]. ''Bloomberg''. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
See also:
*Lawler, Dave (January 3, 2019). [https://www.axios.com/bolsonaro-ally-trump-lgbt-human-rights-ministry-0bc97f0e-6db2-46e6-b551-5651211debf7.html Arrival of Brazil's Bolsonaro draws praise from Trump, fear from critics]. ''Axios''. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
*Phillips, Dom (December 31, 2018). [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/dec/31/jair-bolsonaro-inauguration-brazil-president-brasilia-populist-leaders Populist leaders to attend Jair Bolsonaro's inauguration in Brazil]. ''The Guardian''. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
*Samuels, Brett (January 1, 2019). [https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/423413-trump-congratulates-brazils-bolsonaro-on-inauguration-the-usa-is-with Trump congratulates Brazil’s Bolsonaro on inauguration: ‘The U.S.A. is with you’]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
*[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-politics-trump/trump-congratulates-brazils-president-bolsonaro-idUSKCN1OV1PU Trump congratulates Brazil's President Bolsonaro]. ''Reuters''. January 1, 2019. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
*Bogorowski, Hanna (January 1, 2019). [https://dailycaller.com/2019/01/01/jair-bolsonaro-donald-trump-brazil/ Brazil's New President Thanks Trump — Vows to Bring Prosperity 'Under God's Protection']. ''The Daily Caller''. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
*Rothwell, James; Avagnina, Gianluca (January 1, 2019). [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/01/01/jair-bolsonaro-vows-work-donald-trump-gods-protection-sworn/ Jair Bolsonaro vows to work with Trump 'under God's protection' as he is sworn in as president of Brazil]. ''The Telegraph''. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
*Goodenough, Patrick (January 1, 2019). [https://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/patrick-goodenough/trump-praises-brazils-new-leader-who-vows-free-his-country-socialism Trump Praises Brazil’s New Leader, Who Vows to Free His Country From Socialism]. ''CNS News''. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
*[https://www.cnbc.com/2019/01/01/trump-praises-brazils-new-president-bolsonaro-after-he-vowed-to-strengthen-democracy-.html Trump praises Brazil's new President Bolsonaro after he vowed to 'strengthen democracy']. ''CNBC'' (from ''Reuters''). January 1, 2019. Retrieved January 2, 2019.</ref>

===Tenure===
Bolsonaro's presidency represented a unique opportunity for Brazil to advance conservative policies and improve the standard of living.<ref>Pinkerton, James P. (January 5, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/environment/2019/01/05/pinkerton-opportunity-brazils-jair-bolsonaro-south-america-north-america/ Pinkerton: The Opportunity of Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro for South America—and North America]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 5, 2019. See also:
*Hodgson, Fergus (February 27, 2019). [https://www.theepochtimes.com/bolsonaros-agenda-is-what-the-doctor-ordered-for-brazil_2818849.html Bolsonaro’s Agenda Is What the Doctor Ordered for Brazil]. ''The Epoch Times''. Retrieved March 1, 2019.</ref> He made many changes just in the first few days of his tenure.<ref name="FirstDays">Multiple references:
*Douglas, Bruce (January 5, 2019). [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-01-05/a-new-order-in-brazil-as-bolsonaro-marks-first-few-days-in-power A New Order in Brazil as Bolsonaro Marks First Few Days in Power]. ''Bloomberg''. Retrieved January 5, 2019.
*Lopes, Marina; Faiola, Anthony (January 5, 2019). [https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/what-the-first-days-of-bolsonaros-presidency-say-about-the-direction-hell-take-brazil/2019/01/04/89d59e72-0ed7-11e9-8f0c-6f878a26288a_story.html What the first days of Bolsonaro’s presidency say about the direction he will take Brazil]. ''The Washington Post''. Retrieved January 5, 2019.
*[https://www.timesnownews.com/international/article/far-right-jair-bolsonaro-puts-stamp-on-brazil-in-first-week/342466 Far-right Jair Bolsonaro puts stamp on Brazil in first week]. ''TimesNowNews.com'' (from ''AFP''). January 6, 2019. Retrieved January 6, 2019.
See also:
*Puglie, Frederic (January 27, 2019). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/jan/27/jair-bolsonaro-brazils-trump-has-rocky-start/ 'Brazil's Trump' off to rocky start on domestic front]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved January 29, 2019.</ref> In his first address in front of Brazil's congress, Bolsonaro stated that "we are going to unite the people, value the family, respect religions and our Judeo-Christian tradition, combat gender ideology, conserving our values," and he mentioned his campaign slogan of "Brazil first and God above everything."<ref>Hoffman, Matthew Cullinan (January 7, 2019). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/brazils-new-president-declares-god-above-all-vows-to-fight-gender-ideology Brazil’s new president declares ‘God above all,’ vows to fight gender ideology]. ''LifeSiteNews''. Retrieved January 7, 2019.</ref>

The Left used the same tactics and made the same attacks against Bolsonaro as it did against U.S. President Donald Trump.<ref>Wood, L. Todd (March 8, 2019). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/mar/8/left-wing-anti-trump-playbook-brazil-jairbolsonaro/ Left using anti-Trump playbook against Brazil's new conservative president]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved March 10, 2019.</ref>

In Bolsonaro's first 100 days in office, analysts agreed that he kept more campaign promises than, at least, his two most recent predecessors.<ref>Alves, Lise (April 10, 2019). [https://riotimesonline.com/brazil-news/rio-politics/national-politics/100-days-of-bolsonaro-administration-campaign-promises/ 100 Days of Bolsonaro Administration: Campaign Promises]. ''The Rio Times''. Retrieved April 11, 2019.</ref> He promoted conservative policies in his first year.<ref>Savarese, Mauricio; Jeantet, Diane (December 31, 2019). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/dec/31/brazils-bolsonaro-keeps-far-right-entering-tough-2/ Brazil's Bolsonaro keeps to far right, faces tough 2nd year]. 'The Washington Times'' (from the ''Associated Press''). Retrieved December 31, 2019.</ref>

====Gun rights====
Bolsonaro announced that upon assuming office, he would sign a decree to allow all Brazilians to own firearms if they do not have a criminal record,<ref>Multiple references:
*Adelmann, Bob (January 1, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/south-america/item/31067-decree-by-brazil-s-new-president-keeps-his-campaign-promise-to-expand-gun-rights Decree by Brazil’s New President Keeps His Campaign Promise to Expand Gun Rights]. ''The New American''. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
*Hawkins, Awr (December 31, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2018/12/30/brazils-president-elect-decree-protections-citizens-right-own-guns/ Brazil’s President-Elect to Decree Protections on Citizens’ Right to Own Guns]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved December 31, 2018.
*[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-guns/brazils-president-elect-plans-decree-allowing-wider-gun-ownership-idUSKCN1OS0HN Brazil's president-elect plans decree allowing wider gun ownership]. ''Reuters''. December 29, 2018. Retrieved December 31, 2018.
*Pearson, Samantha; Magalhaes, Luciana (January 1, 2019). [https://www.wsj.com/articles/brazil-has-an-idea-to-fix-rampant-gun-violence-more-guns-11546315200 Brazil Has an Idea to Fix Rampant Gun Violence: More Guns]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
See also:
*Hawkins, Awr (January 2, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/01/02/brazils-jair-bolsonaro-hoodlums-already-have-guns-time-to-level-playing-field/ Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro: ‘Hoodlums Already Have Guns,’ Time to Level Playing Field]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 3, 2019.</ref> something he did on January 15, 2019.<ref>Multiple references:
*Hawkins, Awr (January 16, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/01/16/president-bolsonaro-signs-decree-to-broaden-law-abiding-brazilians-access-to-firearms/ President Bolsonaro Signs Decree to Broaden Law Abiding Brazilians’ Access to Firearms]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 16, 2019.
*Pearson, Samantha; Magalhães, Luciana (January 15, 2019). [https://www.wsj.com/articles/brazils-new-leader-eases-gun-restrictions-in-bid-to-combat-violence-11547568308 Brazil’s New Leader Eases Gun Restrictions in Bid to Combat Violence]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
*Prengaman, Peter; Savarese, Mauricio (January 15, 2019). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/jan/15/brazils-bolsonaro-loosens-gun-laws-first-of-expect/ Bolsonaro loosens gun laws in Brazil, world murder capital]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
*Marcello, Maria Carolina; Stargardter, Gabriel (January 15, 2019). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-guns/bolsonaro-loosens-gun-laws-in-murder-ridden-brazil-idUSKCN1P91Q6 Bolsonaro loosens gun laws in murder-ridden Brazil]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
*Darlington, Shasta (January 15, 2019). [https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/15/world/americas/bolsonaro-brazil-gun-rules.html Bolsonaro Signs Decree Making It Easier for Brazilians to Buy Guns]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
*Phillips, Don (January 15, 2019). [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/15/brazil-bolsonaro-signs-decree-easing-gun-restrictions Brazil's Bolsonaro signs decree loosening gun ownership rules]. ''The Guardian''. Retrieved January 15, 2019.
*Schipani, Andres (January 15, 2019). [https://www.ft.com/content/42865972-18db-11e9-b93e-f4351a53f1c3 Jair Bolsonaro makes it easier for Brazilians to buy and own guns]. ''Financial Times''. Retrieved January 15, 2019.</ref> On May 7, 2019, Bolsonaro signed another decree, increasing the amount of ammunition Brazilians could buy and reducing restrictions on gun imports.<ref>Multiple references:
*Hayward, John (May 8, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2019/05/08/bolsonaro-expands-brazilian-gun-rights-executive-order/ Bolsonaro Expands Brazilian Gun Rights with Executive Order]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 11, 2019.
*Paraguassu, Lisandra (May 7, 2019). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-politics-guns/brazils-bolsonaro-signs-decree-easing-gun-import-ammo-limits-idUSKCN1SD2OU Brazil's Bolsonaro signs decree easing gun import, ammo limits]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
*[https://www.apnews.com/e0f64da5875a46ba9cc7f00291a1c843 Brazil’s Bolsonaro signs decree easing gun laws]. ''Associated Press''. May 7, 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
*[https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/brazils-bolsonaro-signs-decree-easing-gun-laws-62888225 Brazil's Bolsonaro signs decree easing gun laws]. ''ABC News'' (from the ''Associated Press''). May 7, 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
*[https://www.dw.com/en/brazils-bolsonaro-signs-decree-further-easing-gun-rules/a-48645988 Brazil's Bolsonaro signs decree further easing gun rules]. ''Deutsche Welle''. May 8, 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2019.
See also:
*[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-politics-guns-taurus/brazil-gunmaker-taurus-shares-soar-as-bolsonaro-eases-gun-laws-idUSKCN1SE24K Brazil gunmaker Taurus' shares soar as Bolsonaro eases gun laws]. ''Reuters''. May 8, 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2019.</ref> On June 25, 2019, Bolsonaro reversed the May order, seeing that Brazil's congress would reject it.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-guns/brazil-president-backtracks-on-looser-gun-restrictions-as-lawmakers-resist-idUSKCN1TQ2Z1 Brazil president backtracks on looser gun restrictions as lawmakers resist]. ''Reuters''. June 25, 2019. Retrieved June 25, 2019.</ref><ref>Said, Flavia (June 25, 2019). [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-06-25/brazil-gun-decree-scrapped-by-bolsonaro-amid-congress-pushback Brazil Gun Decree Scrapped by Bolsonaro Amid Congress Pushback]. ''Bloomberg''. Retrieved June 30, 2019.</ref>

====Crime====
Bolsonaro sent soldiers to the province of Ceará to put down major gang violence.<ref>Kew, Ben (January 7, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2019/01/07/violence-rages-northern-brazil-bolsonaro-deploys-military/ Violence Rages in Northern Brazil as Bolsonaro Deploys Military]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 7, 2019.</ref>

In Christmas 2019, Bolsonaro issued a pardon to police officers convicted of involuntary crimes – committed out of self-defense.<ref>Biller, David (December 24, 2019). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/dec/24/brazils-bolsonaro-grants-police-officers-christmas/ Brazil's Bolsonaro grants police officers Christmas pardon]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved December 24, 2019.</ref>

On Christmas Day 2019, Bolsonaro signed a major bill cracking down on crime.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-politics-anti-crime/bolsonaro-signs-anti-crime-bill-designed-to-tackle-violence-in-brazil-idUSKBN1YT0MF Bolsonaro signs anti-crime bill designed to tackle violence in Brazil]. ''Reuters''. December 25, 2019. Retrieved December 25, 2019.</ref> On December 27, 2019, Bolsonaro signed a bill removing jail time as a possible punishment for military police and firefighters convicted of disciplinary offenses.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-politics/bolsonaro-signs-law-ending-disciplinary-detention-for-military-police-and-firefighters-idUSKBN1YV0XX Bolsonaro signs law ending disciplinary detention for military police and firefighters]. ''Reuters''. December 27, 2019. Retrieved December 27, 2019.</ref>

====Economy, deregulation, and bureaucracy====
Immediately upon assuming office, President Bolsonaro weakened the department protecting "indigenous rights," and instead promoting integration into Brazilian society, economic development, and improving indigenous quality of life.<ref>Multiple references:
*[https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-01-02/new-brazilian-president-removes-indigenous-protections/10680166 Brazil's new President Jair Bolsonaro rolls back Indigenous tribe protections]. ''Abc.net.au''. January 2, 2019. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
*Inouye, Stefani; Boadle, Anthony (January 2, 2019). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-politics-agriculture/bolsonaro-gives-brazil-farm-ministry-powers-on-indigenous-land-in-win-for-farmers-idUSKCN1OW0OS Bolsonaro gives Brazil farm ministry powers on indigenous land, in win for farmers]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
*Biller, David (January 2, 2019). [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-01-02/brazil-s-new-leader-quick-to-please-farmers-cap-natives-lands Bolsonaro Caps Natives’ Lands, Pleasing Farmers in One of First Acts]. ''Bloomberg''. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
*Londoño, Ernesto (January 2, 2019). [https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/02/world/americas/brazil-bolsonaro-president-indigenous-lands.html On Day 1, Brazil’s New President Undermines Indigenous Land Rights]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved January 2, 2019.</ref><ref name="Savarese2019">Savarese, Mauricio (January 2, 2019). [https://www.apnews.com/c754faab167c43d1bb883dda1b511c54 Brazil’s Bolsonaro targets minorities on 1st day in office]. ''Associated Press''. Retrieved January 2, 2019.</ref> He also signed several decrees promoting the [[free market]], including reducing a planned minimum wage increase, reducing the number of ministries, and firing partisan civil service officers,<ref>Multiple references:
*Martel, Frances (January 4, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/latin-america/2019/01/04/brazil-bolsonaro-promises-fire-communist-government-employees/ Brazil: Bolsonaro Promises to Fire ‘Communist’ Government Employees]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 5, 2019.
*Khan, Shehab (January 4, 2019). [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/jair-bolsonaro-brazil-president-civil-servants-fire-far-right-left-wing-a8711116.html Jair Bolsonaro: Brazil’s new far right president fires hundreds of ‘left wing’ civil servants]. ''The Independent''. Retrieved January 4, 2019.</ref> actions which caused Brazil's stock market to rise significantly<ref>Multiple references:
*Lewis, Jeffrey T. (January 2, 2019). [https://www.wsj.com/articles/brazils-new-finance-chief-urges-quick-pension-overhaul-11546455741 Brazil’s New Conservative Leader Moves to Revamp Economy]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
*Boadle, Anthony (January 2, 2019). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-politics/brazil-markets-soar-as-new-government-vows-to-shrink-state-idUSKCN1OW19Y Brazil markets soar as new government vows to shrink state]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
*Yuk, Pan Kwan (January 2, 2019). [https://www.ft.com/content/37a1a98c-0ec0-11e9-a3aa-118c761d2745 Brazilian stocks: new year, new record high]. ''Financial Times''. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
*Lima, Mario Sergio; Said, Flavia (January 2, 2019). [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-01-02/brazil-economy-chief-vows-to-drain-the-swamp-of-government-waste Brazil’s Economy Chief Vows to Drain the Swamp of Government Waste]. ''Bloomberg''. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
*Motson, Nikki (January 3, 2019). [https://p.dw.com/p/3Ays0 Markets soared in response to new president Jair Bolsonaro taking office in Brazil]. ''Deutsche Welle''. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
See also:
*Deveau, Scott (Febraury 6, 2019). [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-02-06/brookfield-bullish-on-brazil-with-bolsonaro-s-pro-business-bent Brookfield Bullish on Brazil With Bolsonaro’s Pro-Business Bent]. ''Bloomberg''. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
*McGeever, Jamie (February 28, 2019). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-latam-stocks-poll/brazil-stocks-to-enjoy-prolonged-bolsonaro-boost-mexico-more-muted-reuters-poll-idUSKCN1QH0OS Brazil stocks to enjoy prolonged Bolsonaro boost, Mexico more muted: Reuters poll]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved February 28, 2019.</ref><ref name="Deliver">Lima, Mario Sergio; Biller, David (January 2, 2019). [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-01-02/brazilian-assets-soar-as-bolsonaro-starts-to-deliver-on-promises Brazilian Assets Soar as Bolsonaro Starts to Deliver on Promises]. ''Bloomberg''. Retrieved January 2, 2019.</ref> and business optimism to increase.<ref>Harris, Bryan (April 11, 2019). [https://www.ft.com/content/c897ee82-5a02-11e9-9dde-7aedca0a081a Brazil’s business optimism bounces back under Bolsonaro]. ''Financial Times''. Retrieved April 12, 2019.</ref> Bolsonaro's government promised to privatize about 100 government-run industries.<ref>Kew, Ben (January 4, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/economy/2019/01/04/brazils-bolsonaro-pledges-privatize-many-industries-possible/ Brazil’s Bolsonaro Pledges to Privatize as Many Industries as Possible]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 5, 2019.</ref><ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-infrastructure/brazil-plans-to-privatize-or-liquidate-100-state-run-companies-idUSKCN1P2197 Brazil plans to privatize or liquidate 100 state-run companies]. ''Reuters''. January 8, 2019. Retrieved January 8, 2019.</ref> In his first few days in office, Bolsonaro abolished Brazil's labor department.<ref name="FirstDays"/>

Bolsonaro has promoted Brazil as an emerging free-market society, criticizing his predecessors and stating that "the left wing will not prevail."<ref>Kew, Ben (January 22, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2019/01/22/jair-bolsonaro-declares-new-brazil-davos-left-will-not-prevail/ Jair Bolsonaro Introduces ‘New Brazil’ at Davos: ‘The Left Will Not Prevail’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 23, 2019.</ref>

Bolsonaro worked to reduce socialistic environmental regulations.<ref>Spring, Jake (May 8, 2019). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-environment/ex-ministers-blast-bolsonaro-for-dismantling-brazils-environment-protections-idUSKCN1SE2IQ Ex-ministers blast Bolsonaro for dismantling Brazil's environment protections]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved May 8, 2019.</ref>

After Brazil's congress rejected President Bolsonaro's decree to transfer indigenous land decisions to the Agriculture Department, Bolsonaro issued another decree reinstating this policy in June 2019.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-politics-indigenous/brazils-bolsonaro-hands-indigenous-land-decisions-back-to-farm-sector-idUSKCN1TK37O Brazil's Bolsonaro hands indigenous land decisions back to farm sector]. ''Reuters''. June 19, 2019. Retrieved June 19, 2019.</ref>

Under Bolsonaro's presidency, Brazil's congress passed a major pension reform bill to improve the country's financial situation.<ref>Multiple references:
*McGeever, Jamie; Marcello, Maria Carolina (October 22, 2019). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-politics-pension/brazils-bolsonaro-heralds-great-day-as-senate-approves-pension-reform-idUSKBN1X11UT Brazil's Bolsonaro heralds 'great day' as Senate approves pension reform]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved October 22, 2019.
*Marcello, Maria Carolina; McGeever, Jamie (October 23, 2019). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-politics-pensions/brazil-pension-reform-awaits-ratification-after-clearing-senate-idUSKBN1X2290 Brazil pension reform awaits ratification after clearing Senate]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved October 23, 2019.</ref>

Under Bolsonaro, Brazil saw an increase in economic growth and investment.<ref>Multiple references:
*Lewis, Jeffrey T. (December 3, 2019). [https://www.wsj.com/articles/investors-tune-out-discord-to-embrace-brazils-economic-turnaround-11575369000 Investors Tune Out Discord to Embrace Brazil’s Economic Turnaround]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
*Lewis, Jeffrey T.; Trevisani, Paulo (December 3, 2019). [https://www.wsj.com/articles/brazils-economy-expands-at-fastest-pace-in-six-quarters-11575377914 Brazil’s Economy Expands at Fastest Pace in Six Quarters]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved December 3, 2019.</ref>

====Education====
He also signed a decree eliminating the "diversity" division of Brazil's education ministry and created a new division to promote literacy,<ref>Multiple references:
*Saldaña, Paulo (January 2, 2019). [https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/educacao/2019/01/velez-desmonta-secretaria-de-diversidade-e-cria-nova-subpasta-de-alfabetizacao.shtml Vélez desmonta secretaria de diversidade e cria nova subpasta de alfabetização]. ''Folha De S.Paulo''. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
* https://twitter.com/jairbolsonaro/status/1080567217031393283
See also:
*[https://www.voanews.com/a/new-brazil-government-drops-diversity-from-school-books/4736666.html New Brazil Government Drops ‘Diversity' from School Books]. ''Voice of America'' (from ''Agence France-Presse''). January 9, 2019. Retrieved March 31, 2019.</ref> the decree being signed as Bolsonaro vowed "to tackle the Marxist garbage" in Brazilian schools.<ref>Multiple references:
* https://twitter.com/jairbolsonaro/status/1080461738666012672
*Schow, Ashe (January 2, 2019). [https://www.dailywire.com/news/39879/new-brazil-president-vows-tackle-marxist-garbage-ashe-schow New Brazil President Vows To Tackle ‘Marxist Garbage’ In Schools]. ''The Daily Wire''. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
*Woodall, Crystal (January 3, 2019). [https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/2019/january/brazils-donald-trump-to-battle-marxist-garbage-bolsonaro-signals-new-era-for-us-and-latin-america 'Brazil's Donald Trump' to Battle 'Marxist Garbage': Bolsonaro Signals New Era for US and Latin America]. ''CBN News''. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
*Pentchoukov, Ivan (January 2, 2019). [https://www.theepochtimes.com/bolsonaro-vows-to-tackle-the-marxist-garbage-in-brazils-schools_2755389.html Bolsonaro Vows to ‘Tackle the Marxist Garbage’ in Brazil’s Schools]. ''The Epoch Times''. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
See also:
*[https://www.voanews.com/a/brazil-education-overhaul-aims-at-ousting-marxist-ideology-/4774799.html Brazil Education Overhaul Aims at Ousting 'Marxist Ideology']. ''Voice of America'' (from ''Reuters''). February 6, 2019. Retrieved March 31, 2019.</ref> In February 2019, Bolsonaro announced it would revise public school textbooks to remove left-wing propaganda, including references to homosexuality and feminism.<ref>Multiple references:
*Barillas, Martin M. (February 11, 2019). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/brazils-new-president-to-eliminate-transgender-pro-gay-ideology-from-school Brazil’s new president to eliminate transgender, pro-gay ideology from schools]. ''LifeSiteNews''. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
*Ciccotta, Tom (February 12, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/tech/2019/02/12/bolsonaro-erase-marxist-rubbish-from-brazilian-colleges/ Bolsonaro: Erase ‘Marxist Rubbish’ from Brazilian Colleges]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
*Osborne, Samuel (February 12, 2019). [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/brazil-jair-bolsonaro-school-textbook-feminism-homosexuality-lgbt-violence-women-a8775271.html Bolsonaro regime to remove Brazilian textbook references to feminism and homosexuality]. ''The Independent''. Retrieved February 13, 2019.</ref> On February 25, 2019, the Education Ministry under Bolsonaro instructed schools to have students sing the national anthem and that teachers read a patriotic statement to students,<ref>Multiple references:
*[https://www.foxnews.com/world/brazil-ministry-tells-students-to-recite-bolsonaro-slogan Brazil ministry tells students to recite Bolsonaro slogan]. ''Fox News'' (from the ''Associated Press''). February 26, 2019. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
*[https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/brazil-s-new-right-wing-government-asks-schools-read-out-n975901 Brazil's new right-wing government asks schools to read aloud a President Bolsonaro slogan]. ''NBC News'' (from ''Reuters''). February 25, 2019. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
Brazil's education department revised its policy after criticism:
*Phillips, Dom (February 26, 2019). [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/feb/26/brazil-education-minister-bolsonaro-slogan-students-recite Outrage after Brazil ministry asks schools to read aloud Bolsonaro slogan]. ''The Guardian''. Retrieved March 1, 2019.</ref> and he encouraged students to call out their teachers when they promoted left-wing content.<ref>Kaiser, Anna Jean (May 3, 2019). [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/03/brazil-schools-teachers-indoctrination-jair-bolsonaro Call for students to film 'biased' teachers brings Brazil's culture wars to classroom]. ''The Guardian''. Retrieved May 8, 2019.</ref> Bolsonaro has attempted to remove left-wing bias from the history content in Brazilian schools.<ref>Pearson, Samantha (April 12, 2019). [https://www.wsj.com/articles/bolsonaro-takes-aim-at-brazils-history-11555080030 Bolsonaro Takes Aim at Brazil’s History]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved April 12, 2019.</ref> In September 2019, Bolsonaro announced his administration would draft legislation to ban far-left gender ideology indoctrination in public schools.<ref>Barillas, Martin M. (September 10, 2019). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/brazilian-president-moves-to-protect-schoolkids-from-lgbt-gender-ideology Brazilian president moves to protect schoolkids from LGBT gender ideology]. ''LifeSiteNews''. Retrieved September 10, 2019.</ref>

President Bolsonaro succeeded in increasing security and reducing left-wing influences in Brazil's public schools.<ref>Watson, Katy (May 7, 2019). [https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-48039435 How Brazil's culture wars are being waged in classrooms]. ''BBC News''. Retrieved May 8, 2019.</ref>

====Social issues====
On his first day in office, President Bolsonaro signed a decree removing LGBT issues from the list of concerns of the human rights ministry,<ref name="Savarese2019"/><ref>Gstalter, Morgan (January 2, 2019). [https://thehill.com/policy/international/human-rights/423594-brazils-new-president-removes-lgbt-concerns-from-human Brazil’s new president removes LGBT concerns from human rights ministry]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved January 2, 2019.</ref> and he signed another decree increasing oversight over NGOs and international organizations, which he argued inhibited indigenous integration into Brazilian society.<ref name="NGOdecree">Stargardter, Gabriel (January 2, 2019). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-politics-ngos/bolsonaro-presidential-decree-grants-sweeping-powers-over-ngos-in-brazil-idUSKCN1OW1P8 Bolsonaro presidential decree grants sweeping powers over NGOs in Brazil]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved January 2, 2019.</ref>

President Bolsonaro created a national week to raise awareness of teen pregnancy in order to prevent it.<ref>[http://www2.planalto.gov.br/acompanhe-o-planalto/noticias/2019/01/semana-nacional-vai-conscientizar-para-evitar-a-gravidez-na-adolescencia Semana nacional vai conscientizar para evitar a gravidez na adolescência]. ''Planalto.gov.br''. January 4, 2019. Retrieved January 6, 2019.</ref>

In January 2019, President Bolsonaro announced he would end a program to create an "indigenous cryptocurrency."<ref>[https://www.ccn.com/brazils-new-president-jair-bolsonaro-shuts-down-indigenous-cryptocurrency-project/ Brazil’s New President Jair Bolsonaro Shuts Down ‘Indigenous Cryptocurrency’ Project]. ''AltCoin News''. January 8, 2019. Retrieved January 9, 2019.</ref>

President Bolsonaro abolished the culture ministry shortly after assuming office.<ref>Neuendorf, Henri (January 9, 2019). [https://news.artnet.com/art-world/brazil-disbands-ministry-culture-1434835 Brazil’s New Right-Wing President Jair Bolsonaro Has Disbanded the Country’s Ministry of Culture]. ''Artnet News''. Retrieved January 9, 2019.</ref><ref>Angeleti, Gabriella (January 9, 2019). [https://www.theartnewspaper.com/news/brazilian-culture-ministry-bolsonaro-osmar-terra Jair Bolsonaro’s government extinguishes Brazilian ministry of culture]. ''The Art Newspaper''. Retrieved January 9, 2019.</ref>

Pro-life Brazilian governmental officials vocally supported pro-life policies at the UN.<ref>[https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/brazilian-pro-life-voices-make-themselves-heard-at-un-womens-conference Brazilian pro-life voices make themselves heard at UN women’s conference]. ''LifeSiteNews'' (from the ''Campaign Life Coalition''). March 26, 2019. Retrieved March 26, 2019.</ref> Bolsonaro's government criticized the [[World Health Organization]] for pro-abortion guidelines.<ref>Gennarini, Stefano (October 11, 2019). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/brazilian-minister-says-world-health-orgs-abortion-guidelines-risk-girls-lives Brazilian minister says World Health Org’s abortion guidelines risk girls’ lives]. ''LifeSiteNews''. Retrieved October 11, 2019.</ref>

President Bolsonaro made numerous changes to environmental policy.<ref>Jeantet, Diane (May 15, 2019). [https://www.apnews.com/6ba1d372640641749278a3054f3a47d4 AP Explains: Brazil’s environmental changes under Bolsonaro]. ''Associated Press''. Retrieved May 15, 2019.</ref> In May 2019, he fired a far-left activist from his role as the leader of a government-controlled climate change group.<ref>Spring, Jake (May 10, 2019). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-environment/brazils-bolsonaro-fires-militant-head-of-climate-change-action-group-idUSKCN1SG2BT Brazil's Bolsonaro fires 'militant' head of climate change action group]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved May 10, 2019.</ref> He accused left-wing NGOs of manipulating deforestation statistics to make his record look bad,<ref>Kew, Ben (August 22, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2019/08/22/brazil-bolsonaro-suggests-ngos-started-amazon-wildfires-after-cutting-their-funding/ Brazil: Bolsonaro Suggests NGO’s Started Amazon Wildfires After Cutting Their Funding]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 22, 2019. See also:
*Kew, Ben (August 23, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2019/08/23/amazon-fires-brazils-bolsonaro-urges-macron-stop-meddling-after-he-threatens-veto-trade-deal/ Amazon Fires: Brazil’s Bolsonaro Urges Macron to Stop Meddling After He Threatens to Veto Trade Deal]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
*Richardson, Valerie (August 29, 2019). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/aug/29/nasa-area-burned-by-global-wildfires-dropped-by-25/ NASA: Area burned by global wildfires dropped by 25% since 2003]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved September 8, 2019.
*Richardson, Valerie (August 26, 2019). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/aug/26/amazon-fires-normal-agriculture-despite-internatio/ Annual Amazon farmland burn sets records for international outrage]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved September 8, 2019.
*[https://twitter.com/lyndseyfifield/status/1167114222247075847 Lyndsey Fifield]. ''Twitter''. August 29, 2019. Retrieved September 8, 2019.
*[https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/145464/fires-in-brazil Fires in Brazil]. ''Earthobservatory.nasa.gov''. August 22, 2019. Retrieved September 8, 2019.
*Murphy, James (November 30, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/south-america/item/34189-brazil-s-bolsonaro-puts-blame-for-some-amazon-fires-on-hollywood-s-leonardo-dicaprio Brazil’s Bolsonaro Puts Blame for Some Amazon Fires on Hollywood’s Leonardo DiCaprio]. ''The New American''. Retrieved November 30, 2019.
*Mass, Warren (December 11, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/tech/environment/item/34301-brazil-s-president-dares-to-call-greta-thunberg-a-brat Brazil’s President Dares to Call Greta Thunberg a Brat]. ''The New American''. Retrieved December 11, 2019.</ref> though he later sent soldiers to stop fires in the Amazon.<ref>De Souza, Marcelo Silva (August 24, 2019). [https://www.apnews.com/526be768cbab450c9dabc394e662cb32 Brazilian troops begin deploying to fight Amazon fires]. ''Associated Press''. Retrieved August 24, 2019.
*Smits, Jeanne (August 30, 2019). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/blogs/global-elites-myths-and-lies-about-amazon-fires-burning-hot-and-heavy Global elites’ myths and lies about Amazon fires burning hot and heavy]. ''LifeSiteNews''. Retrieved August 30, 2019.</ref>

On May 21, 2019, President Bolsonaro signed a proclamation consecrating Brazil to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.<ref>Barillas, Martin M. (May 23, 2019). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/brazilian-president-signs-proclamation-consecrating-nation-to-virgin-mary Brazilian president signs proclamation consecrating nation to Virgin Mary]. ''LifeSiteNews''. Retrieved May 23, 2019.</ref>

====Foreign policy====
[[File:Trump and Bolsonaro, March 2019.jpg|thumb|250px|Bolsonaro and U.S. President [[Donald Trump]] in March 2019]]
On his first day in office, President Bolsonaro signed a decree giving Brazil's government strong oversight over international organizations operating in Brazil.<ref name="NGOdecree"/> Meanwhile, Brazil's foreign minister, [[Ernesto Araújo]], stated that Brazil would reject globalism and oversight by international organizations.<ref name="Deliver"/><ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-politics-araujo/brazils-new-foreign-minister-says-country-will-abandon-globalism-idUSKCN1OW1OO Brazil's new foreign minister says country will abandon globalism]. ''Reuters''. January 2, 2019. Retrieved January 2, 2019. See also:
*Paraguassu, Lisandra; Brito, Ricardo (January 3, 2019). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-politics/brazil-wants-to-move-embassy-to-jerusalem-push-reform-at-wto-idUSKCN1OX1SR Brazil wants to move embassy to Jerusalem, push reform at WTO]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
*Araujo, Ernesto (January 7, 2019). [https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2019-01-07/brazil-s-bolsonaro-brings-foreign-policy-revolution-says-araujo Bolsonaro Was Not Elected to Take Brazil as He Found It]. ''Bloomberg''. Retrieved January 7, 2019.</ref> In January 2019, Bolsonaro stated Brazil would move its embassy in [[Israel]] to [[Jerusalem]],<ref>Giaritelli, Anna (January 4, 2019). [https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/brazil-to-follow-us-by-moving-its-embassy-in-israel-to-jerusalem Brazil to follow US by moving its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem]. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved January 4, 2019.</ref> though in March 2019, he announced Brazil would open a trade office in Jerusalem "as a part of its embassy in Israel."<ref>Multiple references:
*[https://www.timesofisrael.com/brazil-to-open-trade-office-in-jerusalem-as-a-part-of-its-embassy/ Brazil to open trade office in Jerusalem ‘as a part of its embassy’]. ''The Times of Israel''. March 31, 2019. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
*Burke, Michael (March 31, 2019). [https://thehill.com/policy/international/436643-brazil-opening-diplomatic-office-in-jerusalem-as-bolsonaro-visits-israel Brazil opening 'diplomatic office' in Jerusalem as Bolsonaro visits Israel]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
*Levingston, Ivan; Moura, Fabiola (March 31, 2019). [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-03-31/brazil-to-open-diplomatic-office-in-jerusalem-israel-says Brazil Will Open Trade Office in Jerusalem, Bolsonaro Says]. ''Bloomberg''. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
*Landau, Noa; Tibon, Amir (March 31, 2019). [https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-brazil-formally-announces-opening-business-office-in-jerusalem-instead-of-embassy-1.7068760 Brazil Announces Opening Jerusalem 'Business Office' - Instead of Promised Embassy]. ''Haaretz''. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
*[https://www.breitbart.com/news/brazil-to-open-diplomatic-office-in-jerusalem/ Brazil to open diplomatic office in Jerusalem]. ''Breitbart News'' (from ''UPI''). March 31, 2019. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
*Williams, Dan (March 31, 2019). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-brazil/brazil-opens-israel-trade-mission-in-jerusalem-short-of-full-embassy-move-idUSKCN1RC097 Brazil opens Israel trade mission in Jerusalem, short of full embassy move]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
See also:
*Danan, Deborah (March 31, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/middle-east/2019/03/31/brazils-bolsonaro-to-netanyahu-i-love-israel/ Brazil’s Bolsonaro to Netanyahu: ‘I Love Israel’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
*Bedard, Paul (March 29, 2019). [https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/washington-secrets/brazil-to-relocate-embassy-to-jerusalem-despite-pushback Brazil to relocate embassy to Jerusalem despite ‘pushback’]. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
*Danan, Deborah (December 15, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/middle-east/2019/12/15/brazil-to-move-embassy-to-jerusalem-presidents-son-vows-at-opening-of-trade-mission/ Brazil Opens Trade Office in Jerusalem Ahead of Expected Embassy Move]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
*Roberts, Katabella (December 16, 2019). [https://www.theepochtimes.com/brazil-opens-trade-office-in-jerusalem-after-pledge-to-relocate-embassy-by-2020_3175341.html Brazil Opens Trade Office in Jerusalem After Pledge to Relocate Embassy by 2020]. ''The Epoch Times''. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
*[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-brazil-embassy/netanyahu-says-brazil-committed-to-move-embassy-to-jerusalem-in-2020-idUSKBN1YJ0IS Netanyahu says Brazil committed to move embassy to Jerusalem in 2020]. ''Reuters''. December 15, 2019. Retrieved December 15, 2019.</ref> Bolsonaro became the first Brazilian president to visit the [[Western Wall]] while being accompanied by a senior Israeli official.<ref>Multiple references:
*Danan, Deborah (April 2, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/middle-east/2019/04/02/in-first-brazils-bolsonaro-visits-western-wall-with-netanyahu/ WATCH: In First, Brazil’s Bolsonaro Visits Western Wall with Netanyahu]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
*Rosenberg, Ilan; Paraguassu, Lisandra (April 1, 2019). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-brazil/bolsonaro-visits-western-wall-palestinians-angry-at-jerusalem-mission-idUSKCN1RD2OW Bolsonaro visits Western Wall, Palestinians angry at Jerusalem mission]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved April 2, 2019.</ref>

In January 2019, President Bolsonaro withdrew Brazil from the [[UN Migrant Treaty]], citing a desire to protect the country's [[national sovereignty]].<ref>Multiple references:
*Kew, Ben (January 9, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2019/01/09/bolsonaro-pulls-brazil-out-u-n-migration-pact-we-will-define-our-rules/ Bolsonaro Pulls Brazil Out of U.N. Migration Pact: ‘We Will Define Our Rules’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
*Paris, Francesca (January 9, 2019). [https://www.npr.org/2019/01/09/683634412/brazilian-president-bolsonaro-withdraws-from-u-n-compact-on-migration Brazilian President Bolsonaro Withdraws From U.N. Compact On Migration]. ''NPR''. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
*Londoño, Ernesto (January 9, 2019). [https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/09/world/americas/bolsonaro-brazil-migration-accord.html Bolsonaro Pulls Brazil From UN Migration Accord]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved January 9, 2019.
*[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-migration/brazil-quits-u-n-migration-pact-will-still-take-in-venezuelan-refugees-source-idUSKCN1P22G0 Brazil quits U.N. migration pact, will still take in Venezuelan refugees: source]. ''Reuters''. January 8, 2019. Retrieved January 8, 2019.</ref> In a 2019 speech to the trade organization Mercosur, Bolsonaro advocated for national sovereignty,<ref>Martel, Frances (July 18, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/latin-america/2019/07/18/bolsonaro-trump-mercosur-speech/ Bolsonaro Channels Trump to South American Trade Bloc: ‘I Want Brazil to Be Great’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 18, 2019.</ref> and he did the same at a [[United Nations General Assembly]] speech later that year in which he also criticized socialism.<ref>Multiple references:
*Pearson, Samantha; Lewis, Jeffrey T. (September 24, 2019). [https://www.wsj.com/articles/brazils-bolsonaro-defends-right-to-develop-amazon-11569338624 Brazil’s Bolsonaro Defends Right to Develop Amazon]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
*Martel, Frances (September 24, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/environment/2019/09/24/bolsonaro-asks-u-n-to-fight-colonialist-macron-environmentalists-on-amazon-fires/ Bolsonaro Asks U.N. to Fight ‘Colonialist’ Macron, Environmentalists on Amazon Fires]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
*Laurence, Lianne (September 25, 2019). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/brazils-president-slams-socialism-defends-sovereignty-in-hard-hitting-un-address Brazil’s president slams socialism, defends sovereignty in hard-hitting UN address]. ''LifeSiteNews''. Retrieved September 25, 2019.</ref>

President Bolsonaro extradited a communist terrorist to Italy, where he had been wanted for several decades.<ref>Tomlinsom, Chris (January 15, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/01/15/communist-terrorist-cesare-battisti-arrives-italy-fulfilling-bolsonaro-promise/ Brazil’s Bolsonaro Fulfils Promise to Italy’s Salvini, Hands Over Communist Terrorist]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 15, 2019.</ref> He refused to recognize [[Nicolás Maduro]]'s Marxist Venezuelan government after a disputed election.<ref>Kew, Ben (January 14, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2019/01/14/brazil-recognizes-venezuelan-assembly-leader-rightful-president/ Brazil Recognizes Venezuelan Assembly Leader as Rightful President]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 15, 2019. See also:
*[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-politics-brazil/brazils-bolsonaro-formally-recognizes-venezuelan-opposition-envoy-idUSKCN1T5312 Brazil's Bolsonaro formally recognizes Venezuelan opposition envoy]. ''Reuters''. June 4, 2019. Retrieved June 5, 2019.</ref> In November 2019, Brazil under Bolsonaro was one of only three countries to vote against an annual UN resolution condemning U.S. sanctions on Cuba.<ref>Lederer, Edith M. (November 7, 2019). [https://apnews.com/966ea6e0d9f74c5f8b246702f2f75acf UN votes overwhelmingly to condemn US embargo on Cuba]. ''Associated Press''. Retrieved November 7, 2019.</ref>

Bolsonaro's first foreign trip was to the United States rather than Argentina, breaking a Brazilian precedent.<ref>[https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3002295/brazil-leader-jair-bolsonaro-woos-donald-trump Brazil leader Jair Bolsonaro woos Donald Trump, opens base to US rockets, visits CIA and dines with Steve Bannon]. ''South China Morning Post''. Retrieved March 19, 2019. See also:
*Fox, Ben (March 19, 2019). [https://www.apnews.com/bdc70648e5814d25b549d1c252910006 Brazil’s new president signals better relations with the US]. ''Associated Press''. March 19, 2019. Retrieved March 19, 2019.</ref>

Bolsonaro, however, advocated for and advanced plans for a monetary union between Brazil and Argentina, something which would reduce Brazilian national sovereignty.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-economy-currency/brazils-bolsonaro-doubles-down-on-monetary-union-with-argentina-idUSKCN1T81II Brazil's Bolsonaro doubles down on monetary union with Argentina]. ''Reuters''. June 7, 2019. Retrieved June 7, 2019.</ref>

Bolsonaro adopted a weak position on China as president, contrasting with the strong position he took during his campaign,<ref>Multiple references:
*Biller, David; Jeantet, Diane (November 13, 2019). [https://apnews.com/e99b67b41fe8478a9e513d39f2168a5a Economy in mind, Bolsonaro changes tack and cozies up to Xi]. ''Associated Press''. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
*Trevisani, Paulo (November 15, 2019). [https://www.wsj.com/articles/brazil-deepens-china-ties-in-about-face-11573772734 Brazil Deepens China Ties in About-Face]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved November 17, 2019.</ref><ref name="ChinaBrazilTrade2019">Hayward, John (November 14, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2019/11/14/bolsonaro-expands-free-trade-china-threatening-brazilian-industry/ Bolsonaro Expands ‘Free Trade’ with China, Threatening Brazilian Industry]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved November 16, 2019.</ref> and some conservatives criticized him for this.<ref>Brian, Paul (November 1, 2019). [https://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/even-latin-americas-trump-is-kowtowing-to-the-chinese/ Even Latin America’s Trump is Kowtowing to the Chinese]. ''The American Conservative''. Retrieved November 1, 2019.</ref> Additionally, Bolsonaro adopted a trade policy more in line with the [[establishment]] that also threatened Brazilian industry.<ref name="ChinaBrazilTrade2019"/><ref>Multiple references:
*[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brics-summit-brazil/bolsonaro-says-brazils-trade-policy-is-realistic-and-pragmatic-idUSKBN1XO24Y Bolsonaro says Brazil's trade policy is realistic and pragmatic]. ''Reuters''. November 14, 2019. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
*[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brics-summit-bolsonaro/bolsonaro-says-wants-no-role-for-brazil-in-u-s-china-trade-war-idUSKBN1XO1XY Bolsonaro says wants no role for Brazil in U.S.-China trade war]. ''Reuters''. November 14, 2019. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
*Hayward, John (November 15, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2019/11/15/bolsonaro-brazil-will-stay-out-of-u-s-china-trade-dispute/ Bolsonaro: Brazil Will Stay Out of U.S.-China Trade Dispute]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved November 16, 2019.</ref>

====Other====
In August 2019, after disestablishing a left-wing Cuban slave doctor program, Bolsonaro created a Doctors for Brazil program, giving medical jobs to Brazilians.<ref>Martel, Frances (August 2, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/latin-america/2019/08/02/bolsonaro-cuban-slave-doctor-program-created-guerrilla-cells-brazil/ Bolsonaro: Cuban Slave Doctor Program Created ‘Guerrilla Cells’ in Brazil]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved August 3, 2019.</ref> In 2019, Bolsonaro ended visa requirements for tourists and business people from China, India, the United States, Canada, Japan, and Australia.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-visas/brazil-says-it-will-no-longer-require-visas-from-chinese-indian-citizens-idUSKBN1X32AX Brazil says it will no longer require visas from Chinese, Indian citizens]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved October 27, 2019.</ref>

In December 2019, Bolsonaro signed an order allowing small farmers to gain the title of the land they farm.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-politics-landrights/brazils-bolsonaro-moves-on-land-titles-for-small-farmers-idUSKBN1YE2R1 Brazil's Bolsonaro moves on land titles for small farmers]. ''Reuters''. December 10, 2019. Retrieved December 10, 2019.</ref>

==Views==
In its eighth consecutive term, Jair Bolsonaro is one of the most admired personalities and at the same time one of the most hated in [[Brazil]]. Bolsonaro is the most conservative and [[right-wing]] politician on the Brazilian political spectrum, and for defending [[Christian values|Christian]],<ref name="ProLifeIsrael"/><ref>Thomas, Goerge (March 20, 2019). [https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/politics/2019/march/we-are-god-fearing-men-brazils-president-is-a-friend-to-president-trump-and-biblical-values 'We Are God-Fearing Men': Brazil's President a Friend to Trump and Biblical Values]. ''CBN News''. Retrieved March 26, 2019.</ref> [[family values|family]],<ref name="Chapman2018"/> [[traditional values|traditional]] and [[conservative values]], has been falsely labeled by the Brazilian media as "[[Nazi]]",<ref>[http://www.cartacapital.com.br/tecnologia/a-onda-bolsonaro-e-o-despertar-do-neonazismo The Bolsonaro wave and the awakening of neo-Nazism] - [[CartaCapital]]</ref> "[[homophobic]]",<ref>[http://terramagazine.terra.com.br/interna/0,,OI5125255-EI6578,00-Vou+processar+o+Bolsonaro+diz+Mott+sobre+panfletos.html Earth. "I'll sue the Bolsonaro" says Mott on pamphlets] - Terramagazine.terra.com.br.</ref> "[[racist]]",<ref>[http://noticias.uol.com.br/politica/2011/04/01/para-ministra-da-igualdade-racial-declaracoes-de-bolsonaro-sao-caso-explicito-de-racismo.jhtm Chief of Seppir consider statements such as "explicit racism" of Bolsonaro]. - UOL (April 1, 2011). Visited on April 2, 2011.</ref> "[[fascist]]",<ref>[http://www.joildo.net/artigos/tortura-nunca-mais/ Mario Jakobskind (May 29, 2009). Torture Never Again! Joildo.net]</ref> "[[sexist]]"<ref>[http://www.mndh.org.br/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2747&Itemid=56 MNDH want full pressure against Bolsonaro] - MNDH.</ref> and "[[white supremacist]]". The international [[mainstream media]] has also been extremely biased against Bolsonaro.<ref>Jasper, William F. (October 10, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/south-america/item/30291-fake-news-media-in-a-froth-as-trump-of-the-tropics-bolsonaro-seems-headed-to-be-brazil-s-president Fake News Media in a Froth as “Trump of the Tropics” Bolsonaro Seems Headed to Be Brazil’s President]. ''The New American''. Retrieved October 10, 2018. See also:
*Rogan, Tom (October 22, 2018). [https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/the-economist-is-wrong-jair-bolsonaro-would-be-better-for-brazil-than-fernando-haddad The Economist is wrong, Jair Bolsonaro would be better for Brazil than Fernando Haddad]. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved October 22, 2018.
*Stargardter, Gabriel (May 2, 2019). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-politics/brazils-bolsonaro-faces-backlash-as-sponsors-ditch-ny-gala-dinner-idUSKCN1S824M Brazil's Bolsonaro faces backlash as sponsors ditch NY gala dinner]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved May 2, 2019.
*Martel, Frances (May 4, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/latin-america/2019/05/04/brazils-bolsonaro-cancels-nyc-trip-environmentalists-bill-de-blasio-object/ Brazil’s Bolsonaro Cancels NYC Trip After Environmentalists, Bill de Blasio Object]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved May 4, 2019.</ref> He has been compared to U.S. President [[Donald Trump]] and even has the nickname "Tropical Trump."<ref name="TropicalTrump"/><ref name="MeredithCNBC2018"/><ref>Dilorenzo, Sarah; Prengaman, Peter (October 9, 2018). [https://www.foxnews.com/world/ap-explains-how-brazils-bolsonaro-used-trump-tactics AP Explains: How Brazil's Bolsonaro used Trump tactics]. ''Fox News'' (from the ''Associated Press''). Retrieved October 9, 2018.</ref>

Bolsonaro takes strongly [[pro-life]] positions,<ref name="ProLifeIsrael">Bohon, Dave (November 5, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/world-news/item/30556-brazil-s-new-president-christian-pro-life-pro-israel Brazil’s New President: Christian, Pro-Life, Pro-Israel]. ''The New American''. Retrieved November 5, 2018.</ref><ref name="Chapman2018">Chapman, Michael W. (November 1, 2018). [https://www.cnsnews.com/blog/michael-w-chapman/brazils-new-president-strong-supporter-israel Brazil's New President is Pro-Life, Pro-Family, and Strong Supporter of Israel]. ''CNS News''. Retrieved November 2, 2018.</ref><ref>Risdon, James (October 19, 2018). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/outspoken-pro-life-candidate-leads-in-brazils-presidential-election-race Outspoken pro-life candidate leads in Brazil’s presidential election race]. ''LifeSiteNews''. Retrieved October 19, 2018.</ref> and he is critical of [[Carnival]] because of its immoral and degenerate practices.<ref>Chakraborty, Barnini (March 6, 2019). [https://www.foxnews.com/world/brazils-far-right-president-slams-carnival-tweets-x-rated-clip-and-asks-about-golden-shower Brazil's far-right president slams Carnival, tweets x-rated clip and asks about 'golden shower']. ''Fox News''. Retrieved March 6, 2019.</ref> He supports strong [[law and order]] policies on crime,<ref>Carolina Carcello (October 21, 2018). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-election/brazils-bolsonaro-says-he-intends-to-use-armed-forces-to-fight-violence-idUSKCN1MV0W8 Brazil's Bolsonaro says he intends to use armed forces to fight violence]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved October 21, 2018.</ref> and he has a good relationship with Brazil's military.<ref>Pearson, Samantha; Magalhaes, Luciana (October 29, 2018). [https://www.wsj.com/articles/brazils-new-president-set-to-give-military-more-clout-1540855191 Brazil’s New President Set to Give Military More Clout]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved October 29, 2018.</ref> He accurately condemns [[Similarities between Communism, Nazism and liberalism|national socialism as a left-wing ideology]].<ref>Multiple references:
*Chapman, Michael W. (April 5, 2019). [https://www.cnsnews.com/blog/michael-w-chapman/bolsonaro-israel-there-no-doubt-nazism-was-left-wing-movement Bolsonaro in Israel: 'There Is No Doubt' Nazism Was Left-Wing Movement]. ''CNS News''. Retrieved April 6, 2019.
*Dolsten, Josefin (April 4, 2019). [https://www.timesofisrael.com/bolsonaro-says-nazis-were-leftists-following-visit-to-yad-vashem/ Bolsonaro says Nazis were ‘leftists’ following visit to Yad Vashem]. ''The Times of Israel''. Retrieved April 6, 2019.
*Wise, Justin (April 3, 2019). [https://thehill.com/policy/international/437196-bolsonaro-says-no-doubt-nazis-were-leftists-after-visiting-israel Bolsonaro says after visiting Holocaust museum that Nazis 'no doubt' were leftists]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved April 3, 2019.</ref>

When he was first elected for the first time, Bolsonaro had a more friendly stance toward economic interventionism. Over the years, however, Bolsonaro has come to strongly support [[limited government]], a [[free market]] without bureaucracy, and privatization.<ref name="5Policies">Kew, Ben (October 29, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/latin-america/2018/10/29/who-is-jair-bolsonaro-five-conservative-policies-brazils-president-elect-champions/ Who is Jair Bolsonaro? Five Conservative Policies Brazil’s President-Elect Champions]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved October 29, 2018.</ref><ref name="CoalitionCabinet"/><ref>Prengaman, Peter (October 8, 2018). [https://www.foxnews.com/world/a-look-at-the-campaign-proposals-made-by-brazils-bolsonaro A look at the campaign proposals made by Brazil's Bolsonaro]. ''Fox News'' (from the ''Associated Press''). Retrieved October 9, 2018.</ref><ref>Ayres, Marcela (October 24, 2018). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-election-guedes/after-converting-bolsonaro-free-market-guru-must-convince-brazil-idUSKCN1MY2OB After converting Bolsonaro, free-market guru must convince Brazil]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved October 24, 2018.</ref>

On foreign policy issues, Bolsonaro has voiced support for nationalist policies similar to those of President Trump,<ref name="5Policies"/><ref>Boadle, Anthony (October 16, 2018). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-election-diplomacy/brazil-right-winger-would-follow-trumps-lead-on-foreign-policy-idUSKCN1MQ2HR Brazil right-winger would follow Trump's lead on foreign policy]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved October 16, 2018.</ref><ref>Schipani, Andres; Rathbone, John Paul (October 30, 2018). [https://www.ft.com/content/40303dd4-dbb2-11e8-8f50-cbae5495d92b Jair Bolsonaro poised to upend Brazil’s foreign policy]. ''Financial Times''. Retrieved November 2, 2018.</ref> and he views the [[United States]] positively.<ref>[https://www.foxnews.com/world/brazils-bolsonaro-opens-doors-to-host-u-s-military-base Brazil's Bolsonaro opens doors to host U.S military base]. ''Fox News'' (from the ''Associated Press''). January 4, 2019. Retrieved January 6, 2019.</ref> Bolsonaro takes strongly pro-[[Israel]] positions,<ref name="ProLifeIsrael"/><ref name="Chapman2018"/><ref>Keinon, Herb (January 7, 2019). [https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Benjamin-Netanyahu/Netanyahu-completes-embrace-of-Bolsonaro-576540 Netanyahu Completes Embrace of Bolsonaro]. ''The Jerusalem Post''. Retrieved January 7, 2019.</ref> supporting moving Brazil's embassy to [[Jerusalem]], something he affirmed he would do after his election,<ref>Samuels, Brett (November 1, 2018). [https://thehill.com/policy/international/414389-brazils-bolsonaro-confirms-plan-to-move-israel-embassy-to-jerusalem Brazil's Bolsonaro confirms plan to move Israel embassy to Jerusalem]. ''The Hill''. Retrieved November 1, 2018.</ref><ref>Shaw, Adam (November 2, 2018). [https://www.foxnews.com/politics/brazil-president-elect-jair-bolsonaro-intends-to-move-israel-embassy-to-jerusalem Brazil president-elect Jair Bolsonaro intends to move Israel embassy to Jerusalem]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved November 2, 2018.</ref> and closing the "[[Palestinian]]" embassy in Brazil.<ref>Dilorenzo, Sarah; Savarese, Mauricio; Prengaman, Peter (October 8, 2018). [https://www.timesofisrael.com/with-most-returns-in-brazils-far-right-candidate-bolsonaro-ahead/ Brazil’s far-right, pro-Israel candidate falls just short of election stunner]. ''The Times of Israel'' (from the ''Associated Press''). Retrieved October 9, 2018.</ref><ref>Keinon, Herb (October 29, 2018). [https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Netanyahu-congratulates-new-populist-pro-Israel-Brazilian-president-570654 Netanyahu Congratulates New Populist, Pro-Israel Brazilian President]. ''The Jerusalem Post''. Retrieved October 31, 2018.</ref> He is seen as a critic of [[China]],<ref>Multiple references:
*Kew, Ben (October 17, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2018/10/17/brazilian-presidential-frontrunner-jair-bolsonaro-china-buying-brazil/ Brazilian Presidential Frontrunner Jair Bolsonaro: ‘China Is Buying Brazil’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
*Spring, Jake (October 25, 2018). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-election-china-insight/bolsonaros-anti-china-rants-have-beijing-nervous-about-brazil-idUSKCN1MZ0DR Bolsonaro's anti-China rants have Beijing nervous about Brazil]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved October 25, 2018.
*Hayward, John (October 29, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2018/10/29/china-panics-bolsonaro-unthinkable-brazil-align-u-s-taiwan/ China Panics over Bolsonaro: ‘Unthinkable’ for Brazil to Align with U.S. and Taiwan]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved October 29, 2018.</ref> [[Venezuela]],<ref>Multiple references:
*Showalter, Monica (October 30, 2018). [https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2018/10/bad_week_for_venezuelas_maduro_trump_and_bolsonaro_have_a_bromance.html Bad week for Venezuela's Maduro: Trump and Bolsonaro have a bromance]. ''American Thinker''. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
*Martel, Frances (October 29, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/latin-america/2018/10/29/venezuelas-opposition-welcome-brazils-conservative-president-elect-bolsonaro/ Venezuela’s Opposition Welcome Brazil’s Conservative President-Elect Bolsonaro]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
See also:
*[https://p.dw.com/p/37i5y Brazil's Jair Bolsonaro: Venezuela should be kicked out of Mercosur]. ''Deutsche Welle''. November 6, 2018. Retrieved November 7, 2018.
*Colitt, Raymond; Martin, Eric (January 23, 2019). [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-01-23/brazil-leader-pledges-sweeping-reform-to-avoid-deeper-crisis Bolsonaro Says Brazil Must Reform or Become Next Venezuela]. ''Bloomberg''. Retrieved January 23, 2019.</ref> and [[Cuba]].<ref>Multiple references:
*Martel, Frances (December 20, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/latin-america/2018/12/20/bolsonaro-meets-cuban-resistance-vows-brazils-support-against-communism/ Bolsonaro Meets Cuban Resistance: Vows Brazil’s Support Against Communism]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
*[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-cuba/brazils-bolsonaro-threatens-to-cut-diplomatic-ties-with-cuba-idUSKCN1N71ZF Brazil's Bolsonaro threatens to cut diplomatic ties with Cuba]. ''Reuters''. November 2, 2018. Retrieved November 2, 2018.</ref> However, after his election, he stated that he welcomed increased Chinese investment and trade.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-politics-china/brazils-bolsonaro-welcomes-chinese-investment-trade-idUSKCN1NA2DN Brazil's Bolsonaro welcomes Chinese investment, trade]. ''Reuters''. November 5, 2018. Retrieved November 5, 2018. See also:
*Martel, Frances (December 28, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/asia/2018/12/28/brazil-bolsonaro-invites-china-inaugural-calling-coalition-communism/ Brazil: Bolsonaro Invites China to Inaugural After Calling for Coalition Against Communism]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 1, 2019.
*Martel, Frances (January 3, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/asia/2019/01/03/china-brags-brazils-bolsonaro-wants-better-better-ties-beijing/ China Brags: Brazil’s Bolsonaro Wants ‘Better and Better’ Ties with Beijing]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved January 3, 2019.</ref> Bolsonaro was critical of the [[globalist]] [[Mercosur]] trade agreement,<ref>Adghirni, Samy; Gamarski, Rachel (October 17, 2018). [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-10-17/after-nafta-rewrite-brazil-s-bolsonaro-eyes-mercosur-overhaul After Nafta Rewrite, Brazil’s Bolsonaro Eyes Mercosur Changes]. ''Bloomberg''. Retrieved November 2, 2018.</ref> though he continued integrating Brazil into the organization.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-argentina-brazil-bolsonaro/brazils-bolsonaro-says-mercosur-will-soon-sign-eu-trade-deal-idUSKCN1T72BV Brazil's Bolsonaro says Mercosur will soon sign EU trade deal]. ''Reuters''. June 6, 2019. Retrieved June 7, 2019.</ref> Bolsonaro is strongly [[anti-communist]], even stating in a speech after his election as president that he had "an obligation" to fight communism in Latin America.<ref>Martel, Frances (December 10, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/latin-america/2018/12/10/bolsonaro-brazil-obligation-help-latin-america-fight-communism/ Bolsonaro: Brazil Has ‘an Obligation’ to Help Latin America Fight Communism]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved December 11, 2018. See also:
*Martel, Frances (December 22, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/latin-america/2018/12/22/brazils-conservatives-turn-ambitions-towards-global-anti-socialist-alliance/ Brazil’s Conservatives Turn Ambitions Towards Global Anti-Socialist Alliance]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved December 22, 2018.</ref> He has made similar statements on the need for him to fight the Left.<ref>Preissler Iglesias, Simone (March 18, 2019). [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-03-18/bolsonaro-calls-for-an-end-to-communism-on-visit-to-washington Bolsonaro Sees Himself Ending ‘Dirty Ideology of the Left’ in Brazil]. ''Bloomberg''. Retrieved March 18, 2019.</ref> While opposed to Venezuela's Marxist regime, he has been skeptical of pursuing military action in the country as it would not be in Brazil's interests.<ref>Iglesias, Simone Preissler; Adghirni, Samy (September 26, 2019). [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-09-26/bolsonaro-rules-out-venezuela-intervention-citing-vietnam-war Bolsonaro Rules Out Venezuela Intervention, Citing Vietnam War]. ''Bloomberg''. Retrieved September 28, 2019.</ref>

Bolsonaro is a critic of the left-wing [[mainstream media]].<ref>Boadle, Anthony; Slattery, Gram (November 4, 2018). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-politics-media/brazils-next-president-declares-war-on-fake-news-media-idUSKCN1N90NN Brazil's next president declares war on 'fake news' media]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved November 4, 2018.</ref>

While originally pledging to leave the [[globalist]] [[Paris climate agreement]], Bolsonaro later retracted that conservative promise.<ref>Viga Gaier, Rodrigo (October 25, 2018). [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-election/brazils-bolsonaro-scraps-pledge-to-quit-paris-climate-deal-idUSKCN1MZ1DB Brazil's Bolsonaro scraps pledge to quit Paris climate deal]. ''Reuters''. Retrieved October 25, 2018. See also:
*Christofaro, Beatrice (October 26, 2018). [https://www.apnews.com/b7de89252286498f93729f308555cf5f Brazil far-right candidate softens stances ahead of election]. ''Associated Press''. Retrieved October 26, 2018.
*[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-brazil-climate-paris-agreement/brazil-vice-president-says-country-is-staying-in-paris-climate-accord-idUSKCN1UA1U7 Brazil vice president says country is staying in Paris climate accord]. ''Reuters''. July 15, 2019. Retrieved July 15, 2019.</ref>

==Personal life==
Bolsonaro has been married three times, and he has five children, with his three oldest sons – including [[Eduardo Bolsonaro]] – also serving as conservative elected officials. Bolsonaro has been baptized in the [[Jordan River]].<ref>Dias Carneiro, Júlia (January 5, 2019). [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-sh/Jair_Bolsonaro_Brazil Jair Bolsonaro: Brazil’s unlikely president]. ''BBC News''. Retrieved January 10, 2019.</ref>

== See also ==
*[[National conservatism]]
*[[Nationalism]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|colwidth=35em}}

{{Conservative Presidents}}
{{Nationalism}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bolsonaro, Jair}}
[[Category:Brazilian People]]
[[Category:Military Personnel]]
[[Category:Conservatives]]
[[Category:Nationalists]]
[[Category:Anti-Communism]]
[[Category:Pro-Life]]
[[Category:People Associated with Firearms]]
[[Category:Current Heads of State]]
[[Category:Current Heads of Government]]
[[Category:Pro Second Amendment]]
[[Category:Patriots]]

Maria Butina

2020-09-06T15:43:06Z

King Conservative:

'''Maria Butina''' or '''Marina Butina''' is a Russian gun right's activist and [[libertarian]]. Butina headed an organization which aimed to secure a guaranteed constitutional right to keep and bear arms modeled on the U.S. [[Second Amendment]] to protect Russian citizens' after the 70 year en[[slave]]ment of the Russian people by [[far left]] [[progressive]]s of the [[Soviet Union]]. Butina became the target of anti-Second Amendment [[globalist]]s, advocates of the [[war on sovereignty]] and the corrupt [[Obama]] [[intelligence community]] during [[Deep State coup plot]].<ref>https://saraacarter.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/United-States-v.-Maria-Butina.pdf</ref>

U.S. intelligence had Butina on its radar by spring 2015, in part because she left an overt trail of open-source intelligence documenting her contacts with major conservative figures at the Conservative Political Action Conference, the [[National Rifle Association]] and the libertarian Freedom Fest, starting in 2013.

==Patrick Byrne==
On June 8, 2015 Butina approached [[Patrick Byrne]], CEO of Overstock.com, at the [[Las Vegas]] Freedom Fest. Byrne, who held a security clearance as a member of the [[Council on Foreign Relations|CFR]], reported the contact with a [[Russia]]n national to the [[FBI]]. By December 2015 Byrne was reporting more frequently on Butina.

In the early GOP primary season of 2016 Byrne was told by FBI handlers to focus Marina Butina's attention to the campaign of Donald Trump and to diminish any attention toward Marco Rubio or Ted Cruz. Byrne warned FBI officials of a potential that his efforts, his reputation and those who trust him, may result in Butina gaining entry into the confidence of the campaign. The FBI agents told Byrne that was exactly the intent; people high up in the FBI wanted Ms. Butina to gain deep access into the [[2016 Trump campaign]]. Butina was used by the FBI to “dirty-up” political targets, opening them up for surveillance. Byrne became suspicious of a corrupt political motive, but didn't say anything at the time.

By June and July 2016 FBI agents requested Byrne to focus on developing a closer romantic relationship with Maria Butina, and to use his influence to target her to closer proximity with the Trump family and Trump campaign. Byrne said the specific instructions were coming to the agents from [[Peter Strzok]] as he relayed the requests of those above him Byrne named [[James Comey]], [[Andrew McCabe]], [[Bill Priestap]], and [[John Carlin]] (DOJ-NSD).

On December 11, 2016 [[Glenn Simpson]] emailed [[Nellie Ohr]] of [[FusionGPS]] a link to an article in the [[left-wing]] ''ThinkProgress'' headlined, ''"Why has the NRA been cozying up to Russia?"'' The article focused on Butina and Russian Alexander Torshin. Nellie Ohr responded, "Thank you!" to which Simpson, the next day, answered, "Please ring if you can." Nellie Ohr forwarded the Simpson message to her husband Asst Attn Gen. [[Bruce Ohr]], saying, "I assume Glenn means you not me."

==Frame up==
Despite the government's efforts to paint Butina as a Russian spy attempting to infiltrate [[Republican]] circles she was never investigated by the [[Mueller Team]]. Further, the FBI did nothing to stop Butina from meeting with high level Republican and conservative figures. The FBI didn't warn those conservative figures she had made contact with, even though the FBI had Butina under [[surveillance]]. Unlike an associate of Russian operative Anna Chapman who mad contact with a major [[Democratic party]] donor close to [[Hillary Clinton]], the FBI acted swiftly to make arrest.<ref>https://thehill.com/hilltv/rising/399970-the-real-maria-butina-scandal-fbi-could-have-prevented-it</ref>

In 2018, Butina pleaded guilty to a [[FARA]] Act violation. Prosecutors had to walk back accusations they made during the trial that she was a Russian spy using sex as a tool to gain influence and access. The guilty plea was not an admission that Butina was a Russian spy or involved in [[espionage]] but a failure to register as a Russian citizen working on behalf of her country.

Butina was sentenced to Florida's FCI Tallahassee minimum security prison until Oct. 25, 2019. She was released from prison on Oct. 25, 2019 and boarded a plane heading to Russia.<ref>https://www.rt.com/news/471846-butina-leaves-prison-florida/</ref> Butina explained why she accepted a plea deal:
{{quotebox|Butina: I saw with my own eyes that there is no justice in the US. 
Questioner:You signed a plea deal. We were watching the case very closely, just like all of Russia. Some lawyers said the prosecutors might not have enough evidence to prove your guilt. Why then take a plea bargain? 
Butina: Imagine you are in a foreign country, away from your parents… you have no contact with your family. You are locked up in solitary confinement. It’s very cold and you sit on the floor. You might be facing a 15-year sentence. I thought about how old I was going to be and whether my parents were going to be alive when that day came. And then you find out, that according to statistics, in the US about 98% of defendants who face a jury get convicted. So the chance of you losing is, well, quite high. Besides, who would have been judging me? I would have faced a jury in Washington – the people who watch [[CNN]], the people who have already been fed this narrative, and with those people, it wouldn’t have mattered what I was being accused of. I would have been on trial for being Russian. I would have been sentenced to 15 years. So I believe I made the only right decision. There was no other way.<ref>[https://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2019/10/27/maria-butina-explains-why-she-agreed-to-a-plea-deal-despite-her-innocence/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=maria_butina_explains_why_she_agreed_to_a_plea_deal_despite_her_innocence&utm_term=2019-10-27 Maria Butina explains why she agreed to a plea deal despite her innocence, October 27, 2019.]</ref>}}

==See also==
*[[Jessie Liu]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mso7uoUkm8 Finally Free After McCarthyism Witch-Hunt In America! Maria Butina Arrives Back in Russia]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Butina, Maria}}

[[Category:Trump-Russia Collusion Hoax]]
[[Category:Second Amendment]]
[[Category:Conservatives]]
[[Category:Pro Second Amendment]]
[[Category:Patriots]]

Maria Butina

2020-08-26T17:53:09Z

King Conservative:

'''Maria Butina''' or '''Marina Butina''' is a Russian gun right's activist and [[libertarian]]. Butina headed an organization which aimed to secure a guaranteed constitutional right to keep and bear arms modeled on the U.S. [[Second Amendment]] to protect Russian citizens' after the 70 year en[[slave]]ment of the Russian people by [[far left]] [[progressive]]s of the [[Soviet Union]]. Butina became the target of anti-Second Amendment [[globalist]]s, advocates of the [[war on sovereignty]] and the corrupt [[Obama]] [[intelligence community]] during [[Deep State coup plot]].<ref>https://saraacarter.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/United-States-v.-Maria-Butina.pdf</ref>

U.S. intelligence had Butina on its radar by spring 2015, in part because she left an overt trail of open-source intelligence documenting her contacts with major conservative figures at the Conservative Political Action Conference, the [[National Rifle Association]] and the libertarian Freedom Fest, starting in 2013.

==Patrick Byrne==
On June 8, 2015 Butina approached [[Patrick Byrne]], CEO of Overstock.com, at the [[Las Vegas]] Freedom Fest. Byrne, who held a security clearance as a member of the [[Council on Foreign Relations|CFR]], reported the contact with a [[Russia]]n national to the [[FBI]]. By December 2015 Byrne was reporting more frequently on Butina.

In the early GOP primary season of 2016 Byrne was told by FBI handlers to focus Marina Butina's attention to the campaign of Donald Trump and to diminish any attention toward Marco Rubio or Ted Cruz. Byrne warned FBI officials of a potential that his efforts, his reputation and those who trust him, may result in Butina gaining entry into the confidence of the campaign. The FBI agents told Byrne that was exactly the intent; people high up in the FBI wanted Ms. Butina to gain deep access into the [[2016 Trump campaign]]. Butina was used by the FBI to “dirty-up” political targets, opening them up for surveillance. Byrne became suspicious of a corrupt political motive, but didn't say anything at the time.

By June and July 2016 FBI agents requested Byrne to focus on developing a closer romantic relationship with Maria Butina, and to use his influence to target her to closer proximity with the Trump family and Trump campaign. Byrne said the specific instructions were coming to the agents from [[Peter Strzok]] as he relayed the requests of those above him Byrne named [[James Comey]], [[Andrew McCabe]], [[Bill Priestap]], and [[John Carlin]] (DOJ-NSD).

On December 11, 2016 [[Glenn Simpson]] emailed [[Nellie Ohr]] of [[FusionGPS]] a link to an article in the [[left-wing]] ''ThinkProgress'' headlined, ''"Why has the NRA been cozying up to Russia?"'' The article focused on Butina and Russian Alexander Torshin. Nellie Ohr responded, "Thank you!" to which Simpson, the next day, answered, "Please ring if you can." Nellie Ohr forwarded the Simpson message to her husband Asst Attn Gen. [[Bruce Ohr]], saying, "I assume Glenn means you not me."

==Frame up==
Despite the government's efforts to paint Butina as a Russian spy attempting to infiltrate [[Republican]] circles she was never investigated by the [[Mueller Team]]. Further, the FBI did nothing to stop Butina from meeting with high level Republican and conservative figures. The FBI didn't warn those conservative figures she had made contact with, even though the FBI had Butina under [[surveillance]]. Unlike an associate of Russian operative Anna Chapman who mad contact with a major [[Democratic party]] donor close to [[Hillary Clinton]], the FBI acted swiftly to make arrest.<ref>https://thehill.com/hilltv/rising/399970-the-real-maria-butina-scandal-fbi-could-have-prevented-it</ref>

In 2018, Butina pleaded guilty to a [[FARA]] Act violation. Prosecutors had to walk back accusations they made during the trial that she was a Russian spy using sex as a tool to gain influence and access. The guilty plea was not an admission that Butina was a Russian spy or involved in [[espionage]] but a failure to register as a Russian citizen working on behalf of her country.

Butina was sentenced to Florida's FCI Tallahassee minimum security prison until Oct. 25, 2019. She was released from prison on Oct. 25, 2019 and boarded a plane heading to Russia.<ref>https://www.rt.com/news/471846-butina-leaves-prison-florida/</ref> Butina explained why she accepted a plea deal:
{{quotebox|Butina: I saw with my own eyes that there is no justice in the US. 
Questioner:You signed a plea deal. We were watching the case very closely, just like all of Russia. Some lawyers said the prosecutors might not have enough evidence to prove your guilt. Why then take a plea bargain? 
Butina: Imagine you are in a foreign country, away from your parents… you have no contact with your family. You are locked up in solitary confinement. It’s very cold and you sit on the floor. You might be facing a 15-year sentence. I thought about how old I was going to be and whether my parents were going to be alive when that day came. And then you find out, that according to statistics, in the US about 98% of defendants who face a jury get convicted. So the chance of you losing is, well, quite high. Besides, who would have been judging me? I would have faced a jury in Washington – the people who watch [[CNN]], the people who have already been fed this narrative, and with those people, it wouldn’t have mattered what I was being accused of. I would have been on trial for being Russian. I would have been sentenced to 15 years. So I believe I made the only right decision. There was no other way.<ref>[https://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2019/10/27/maria-butina-explains-why-she-agreed-to-a-plea-deal-despite-her-innocence/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=maria_butina_explains_why_she_agreed_to_a_plea_deal_despite_her_innocence&utm_term=2019-10-27 Maria Butina explains why she agreed to a plea deal despite her innocence, October 27, 2019.]</ref>}}

==See also==
*[[Jessie Liu]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mso7uoUkm8 Finally Free After McCarthyism Witch-Hunt In America! Maria Butina Arrives Back in Russia]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Butina, Maria}}

[[Category:Trump-Russia Collusion Hoax]][[Category:Second Amendment]]
[[Category:Conservatives]]
[[Category:Pro Second Amendment]]

Andrew Weissmann

2020-08-14T01:12:09Z

King Conservative:

'''Andrew Weissmann''' (born March 17, 1958) headed the [[Obama administration]]'s [[Department of Justice]] Criminal Fraud Section.

Weissmann donated $2,300 to the [[Barack Hussein Obama 2008 Presidential campaign|Obama Victory Fund in 2008]], $2,000 to the [[DNC]] in 2006 and at least $2,300 to the [[Hillary Clinton 2008 presidential campaign|Clinton campaign in 2007]]. He was at [[Hillary Clinton]] headquarters on election night and is part of the anti-Trump Resistance. Weissmann is alleged to have committed the [[felon]]ious act of [[leak]]ing the [[Roger Stone]] search warrant to [[CNN]] before it being served.<ref>https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2019/02/exclusive-documents-show-cnn-was-tipped-off-on-roger-stone-arrest-by-29-fbi-armed-agents-leaked-by-fbi/</ref><ref>https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/jun/10/roger-stone-erupts-after-cnn-wins-journalism-award/</ref>

==Background==
[[File:Pjimage-115-600x338 (1).jpg|right|300px|thumb|Clinton operatives [[Sally Yates]] (left) and Andrew Weissmann (right).<ref>https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/mueller-needs-to-make-a-change/2017/12/13/fbf93682-e050-11e7-bbd0-9dfb2e37492a_story.html </ref><ref>https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/337428-four-top-legal-experts-on-muellers-team-donated-to-democratic-causes </ref><ref>https://bigleaguepolitics.com/confirmed-mueller-team-can-disbarred-clinton-conflicts-trump-case/ </ref> Yates was referred for criminal investigation for her role in the Obama administration's [[FISA abuse]] scandal.<ref>https://newsprocession.com/2018/04/lawmakers-issue-criminal-referral-to-doj-for-dossier-splinter-group-comey-clinton-lynch-yates-mccabe-strzok-and-page/ </ref> Weissman praised Yates for her leadership of the Resistance.<ref>https://www.cnn.com/2017/12/05/politics/mueller-emails-praise-doj-yates/index.html </ref>]]
Weissmann was FBI director [[Robert Mueller]]’s special counsel in 2005, and the [[FBI]]'s general counsel in 2011. He has served as an assistant U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York (EDNY). In 2015 he headed the criminal fraud section at DOJ. Weissmann has taught at NYU School of Law, Fordham Law School, and Brooklyn Law School.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/andrew-weissmann-selected-chief-criminal-divisions-fraud-section-0|title=Press release: Andrew Weissmann Selected as Chief of Criminal Division's Fraud Section|date=January 9, 2015|work=U.S. Department of Justice|accessdate=}}</ref> On June 19, 2017 he joined the [[Mueller team]] in the [[Spygate]] coverup.<ref>Karen Freifeld. [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-russia-lawyers/mueller-team-lawyer-brings-witness-flipping-expertise-to-trump-probes-idUSKBN19A1CM Mueller team lawyer brings witness-flipping expertise to Trump probes] Reuters. June 19, 2017</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Flegenheimer|first1=Matt|title=Andrew Weissmann, Mueller’s Legal Pit Bull|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/31/us/politics/andrew-weissmann-mueller.html|newspaper=The New York Times|accessdate=December 11, 2017|date=}}</ref><ref>Tom Schoenberg. [http://www.smh.com.au/world/trumprussia-senior-us-justice-official-said-to-jump-to-investigation-20170531-gwhovd.html Trump-Russia: senior US justice official Andrew Weissmann joining investigation]. ''Sydney Morning Herald'', June 1, 2017.</ref> and jointly led the case against [[Paul Manafort]] and [[Rick Gates]].

===Uranium One===
:''Main article:'' [[Uranium One bribery scandal]]
Vadim Mikerin, director of Tenex, plea agreement shows that the Obama DOJ’s Fraud Section was then run by Andrew Weissmann.

The Justice Department instructs prosecutors that when Congress has given a federal offense its own conspiracy provision with a heightened punishment (as it has for money laundering, racketeering, narcotics trafficking, and other serious crimes), they may not charge a section 371 conspiracy. Section 371 is for less serious conspiracy cases. Using it for money laundering — which caps the sentence below Congress’s intent for that behavior — subverts federal law and signals to the court that the prosecutor does not regard the offense as major.

Yet, that is exactly what [[Rod Rosenstein]]'s office did, in a plea agreement his prosecutors co-signed with attorneys from the Justice Department’s Fraud Section. (See in ''The Hill''’s report, the third document embedded at the bottom, entitled “Mikerin Plea Deal.”) No RICO, no extortion, no fraud — and the plea agreement does not to mention any of the extortions in 2009 and 2010, before Committee on Foreign Investment in the US approved Rosatom's acquisition of Uranium One. Mikerin just pled guilty to a nominal “money laundering” conspiracy charge, insulating him from a longer sentence. Thus, he got a term of only four years’ for a major [[national security]] crime.

==Trump-Russia hoax==
===Illegal FBI activities===
In 2016 and 2017 Weissmann was regularly briefed by [[DOJ]] official [[Bruce Ohr]] who was carrying information from [[Fusion GPS]] and [[Christopher Steele]] to the [[FBI]] after Steele was fired as an FBI informant for violating FBI regulations.<ref>https://theconservativetreehouse.com/2019/04/20/mueller-outlines-rosenstein-august-2nd-scope-memo-investigate-claims-in-steele-dossier/</ref> Weissman did not report the illegal activity to his superiors as departmental regulations require.<ref>Steele had been fired as a source and ordered not to gather any intelligence for the FBI. [[Peter Strzok]] and [[Lisa Page]] recruited Ohr as a conduit to circumvent FBI regulations which barred Steele as unreliable and for violating FBI regulations. Ohr shared the fact that he was part of a [[conspiracy]] violating the FBI's own rules, personally benefitting financially from the illegal activity, and committing fraud against the [[judicial]] system. https://dailycaller.com/2018/08/30/bruce-ohr-dossier-fbi/</ref> Weissman was appointed lead prosecutor in the [[Mueller investigation]] to cover up the FBI's 2016 illegal spying on Team Trump.<ref>https://dailycaller.com/2018/08/30/bruce-ohr-dossier-fbi/</ref> Weissmann is suspected in illegal [[leak]]s from the Mueller probe.<ref>https://libertyunyielding.com/2018/09/11/new-strzok-page-texts-on-media-leak-strategy-coincided-with-apparent-media-collusion-involving-mueller-deputy-weissmann/</ref>

===Coup===
Disgraced Deputy Asst. Attn. Gen [[Bruce Ohr]] informed Weissmann about his activities with [[Christopher Steele]] during the transition and after President Trump took office.<ref>https://thehill.com/opinion/white-house/425739-fisa-shocker-doj-official-warned-steele-dossier-was-connected-to-clinton</ref> Ohr made these disclosures to Weissmann before Weissmann joined special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation.<ref>https://www.theepochtimes.com/2015-employment-of-nellie-ohr-by-fusion-gps-raises-new-questions_2638763.html</ref> The Mueller Team knew of Ohr's involvement with the [[2016 Clinton campaign]]'s ''[[Steele dossier]]'' hoax from the start of the Special Counsel investigation.

===Mueller report===
Weissmann is a principal author of the Mueller report.

==Arthur Andersen==
:{{see also|Enron scandal}}
Weissmann prosecuted the Big 5 accounting firm Arthur Andersen LLP. Weissmann argued that Arthur Andersen had covered up for [[Enron]] and convinced the judge to instruct the jury that they could convict the firm regardless of whether its employees knew they were violating the law. That ruling was later overturned by the [[Supreme Court]] in a 9-0 ruling, in which the court held that "the jury instructions failed to convey the requisite consciousness of wrongdoing."<ref>{{cite news|last1=Willman|first1=David|title=Mueller deputy Andrew Weissmann has a reputation for hard-charging tactics — and sometimes going too far|url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-na-pol-trump-weissmann-20180216-story.html|accessdate=|publisher=Los Angeles Times|date=19 February 2018}}</ref> 85,000 jobs were destroyed by indicting the whole company and not just its board of directors.<ref>https://dailycaller.com/2017/11/20/meet-the-very-shady-prosecutor-robert-mueller-has-hired-for-the-russia-investigation/</ref> [[Kathryn Ruemmler]] worked with Weissmann on the case.

==See also==
*[[Far left]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Deep State}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Weissman, Andrew}}

[[Category:Trump-Russia Collusion Hoax]][[Category:Clinton Scandals]][[Category:Anti-Trump]][[Category:2010s]][[Category:American Jews]]

Benjamin Wittes

2020-08-14T01:10:17Z

King Conservative:

[[File:800px-Benjamin Wittes, 2013.jpg|250px|right|thumb|'''Benjamin Wittes''' of the [[Lawfare Group]], associated with the Brookings Institution, has been in the forefront of the political weaponization of Law providing the sketchy legal theories under which both the 2017 [[Deep State coup]] and the 2019 [[impeachment inquiry]] were carried out.]]
'''Benjamin Wittes''' (born November 5, 1969) is the Editor-in-Chief and founder of Lawfareblog. Wittes is also Senior Fellow in Governance Studies at the [[Brookings Institute]]. Wittes is a former editorial writer at the ''[[Washington Post]]''. Wittes is founder of the [[subversive]] [[Lawfare Group]].

==See also==
*[[James Baker (DOJ)]]
*[[Peter Strzok]]

{{Deep State}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wittes, Benjamin}}

[[Category:Trump-Russia Collusion Hoax]][[Category:Anti-Constitutionalists]][[Category:2010s]][[Category:American Jews]]

Benjamin Wittes

2020-08-14T01:09:57Z

King Conservative: Undo revision 1676115 by King Conservative (talk)

[[File:800px-Benjamin Wittes, 2013.jpg|250px|right|thumb|'''Benjamin Wittes''' of the [[Lawfare Group]], associated with the Brookings Institution, has been in the forefront of the political weaponization of Law providing the sketchy legal theories under which both the 2017 [[Deep State coup]] and the 2019 [[impeachment inquiry]] were carried out.]]
'''Benjamin Wittes''' is the Editor-in-Chief and founder of Lawfareblog. Wittes is also Senior Fellow in Governance Studies at the [[Brookings Institute]]. Wittes is a former editorial writer at the ''[[Washington Post]]''. Wittes is founder of the [[subversive]] [[Lawfare Group]].

==See also==
*[[James Baker (DOJ)]]
*[[Peter Strzok]]

{{Deep State}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wittes, Benjamin}}

[[Category:Trump-Russia Collusion Hoax]][[Category:Anti-Constitutionalists]][[Category:2010s]][[Category:American Jews]]

Benjamin Wittes

2020-08-14T01:09:21Z

King Conservative:

[[File:800px-Benjamin Wittes, 2013.jpg|250px|right|thumb|'''Benjamin Wittes''' (born November 5, 1969) of the [[Lawfare Group]], associated with the Brookings Institution, has been in the forefront of the political weaponization of Law providing the sketchy legal theories under which both the 2017 [[Deep State coup]] and the 2019 [[impeachment inquiry]] were carried out.]]
'''Benjamin Wittes''' is the Editor-in-Chief and founder of Lawfareblog. Wittes is also Senior Fellow in Governance Studies at the [[Brookings Institute]]. Wittes is a former editorial writer at the ''[[Washington Post]]''. Wittes is founder of the [[subversive]] [[Lawfare Group]].

==See also==
*[[James Baker (DOJ)]]
*[[Peter Strzok]]

{{Deep State}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wittes, Benjamin}}

[[Category:Trump-Russia Collusion Hoax]][[Category:Anti-Constitutionalists]][[Category:2010s]][[Category:American Jews]]

Benjamin Wittes

2020-08-14T01:08:44Z

King Conservative:

[[File:800px-Benjamin Wittes, 2013.jpg|250px|right|thumb|'''Benjamin Wittes''' of the [[Lawfare Group]], associated with the Brookings Institution, has been in the forefront of the political weaponization of Law providing the sketchy legal theories under which both the 2017 [[Deep State coup]] and the 2019 [[impeachment inquiry]] were carried out.]]
'''Benjamin Wittes''' is the Editor-in-Chief and founder of Lawfareblog. Wittes is also Senior Fellow in Governance Studies at the [[Brookings Institute]]. Wittes is a former editorial writer at the ''[[Washington Post]]''. Wittes is founder of the [[subversive]] [[Lawfare Group]].

==See also==
*[[James Baker (DOJ)]]
*[[Peter Strzok]]

{{Deep State}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wittes, Benjamin}}

[[Category:Trump-Russia Collusion Hoax]][[Category:Anti-Constitutionalists]][[Category:2010s]][[Category:American Jews]]

Homophobia

2020-07-02T18:44:20Z

King Conservative:

{{Homosexuality}}
'''"Homophobia"''' is a widely used term of dubious meaning. It is a coinage modeled on terms such as "claustrophobia" and "hydrophobia" but unlike those terms "homophobia" has no basis in clinical psychology.<ref>http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/homophobia</ref> In response to the so-called "normalization" of homosexuality, pro-homosexual [[activist]]s attempted to stigmatize political opponents using a smear tactic to imply religious believers and others suffered from a "[[mental illness]]". The word caught on in academia, news media, and among Hollywood celebrities and is still used to imply [[discrimination]] against a person with a disability is perfectly legitimate and acceptable.

== Etymology and definition ==
The word homophobia comes from combining the Greek prefix ''homo-'', meaning "same", and suffix ''-phobia'', meaning "fear of". In its early usage, the term described heterosexual fears that others might think they were homosexual.<ref>http://www.narth.com/docs/creates.html</ref> The [[neologism]] was promoted by [[George Weinberg]], a homosexual activist and psychologist, who attempted to define it in clinical literature shortly before the downgrading of homosexuality as a mental illness by the [[American Psychiatric Association]] in 1973. Weinberg claimed it was "the dread of being in close quarters with homosexuals -- and in the case of homosexuals themselves, selfloathing."<ref>Plummer, David, ''One of the Boys: Masculinity, Homophobia, and Modern Manhood'', [https://books.google.com/books?id=xHGz4f_2_7IC&pg=PA3&ots=U8ktZZgnAk&dq=George+Weinberg+homophobia&ie=ISO-8859-1&sig=d7hjCcZ1uuBlgdLyRjUJwEn51uA#PPA3,M1 pp. 3-4]: "'Homophobia was introduced into the clinical literature by George Weinberg in 1972, in ''Society and the Healthy Homosexual.''</ref> The term then entered common usage beginning with [[pornographic]] publications.<ref>Gregory M. Herek, Ph.D., published ''Beyond 'Homophobia': Thinking About Sexual Prejudice and Stigma in the Twenty-First Century,'' in the April, 2004, issue of Sexuality Research & Social Policy.</ref>

A study by University of Arkansas researchers concluded that the word ''homophobia'' is technically incorrect. Doctoral student Bunmi Olatunji, lead author of the study stated that homophobia is not actually a fear, and therefore it should not be "pathologized," or treated as a disease would be treated. The 138 participants in the 2001-2002 study, whose gender preferences were unknown to the researchers, were asked to complete a series of questionnaires and surveys. While some subjects displayed conservative sexual attitudes of elevated levels of disgust and dread of contamination toward homosexuals, the results showed a negative correlation between attitudes about homosexuals and measures of fear or anxiety.

The term's meaning has not been accepted or agreed upon within the psychological [[therapeutic]] community. William O'Donohue and Christine E. Caselles <ref>William O'Donohue and Christine E. Caselles, [http://www.springerlink.com/content/n0264m864t146585/ Homophobia: Conceptual, definitional, and value issues], Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, Volume 15, Number 3, Springer Netherlands, September, 1993. ISSN 0882-2689</ref> have concluded based upon research within the therapeutic community a clear understanding of the term has not been adequately evaluated and it is not clear whether the term can be accurately characterized. They have concluded, "the construct of homophobia, as it is usually used, makes an illegitimately pejorative evaluation of certain open and debatable value positions, much like the former disease construct of homosexuality."

Gregory M. Herek, a psychology professor at the University of California at Davis, and a recognized authority on prejudice against lesbians and homosexual men, credits psychologist George Weinberg with inventing the word homophobia in the late 1960s. However, the word "has a number of problems with it," said Herek, particularly because there is no basis for the "phobia" suffix in a clinical sense.

Connie Ress, a regional media manage at the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation stated that she had no intention of dropping the use of the word due to semantical controversy, as she claimed discrimination against homosexuals and the need for laws to protect them was the real issue.<ref>No fear factor in 'homophobia,' by Keith Taylor, The Washington Blade</ref> At a minimum, its continued use stigmatizes people with disabilities.

==Application==
The term homophobia is primarily used by LGBT campaigners and their supporters, to disparage persons who in any way oppose homosexuality and its practices. Some claim that "it is intended to sound like a form of [[mental illness]]", but this does not describe its popular use or the definition of the word. According to the [[National Association for Research & Therapy on Homosexuality]] (NARTH), homosexual-rights advocate Gregory M. Herek, Ph.D. wrote that the term "homophobia" was useful in pushing forward the homosexual agenda in our culture.<ref>[http://www.narth.com/docs/creates.html Gay Psychologist Creates New Terms for Use in the Social Debate]</ref> "In his paper on homophobia, stigma, and sexual prejudice, Dr. Herek suggests that although the term "homophobia" was useful in pushing forward the gay agenda in our culture, the term may be too limited in its scope today."

For example, NARTH says,
<blockquote>
The term "homophobia" is often used inaccurately to describe any person who objects to homosexual behavior on either moral, psychological or medical grounds. Technically, however, the terms actually denotes a person who has a phobia—or irrational fear—of homosexuality. Principled disagreement, therefore, cannot be labeled "homophobia." <ref>[http://www.narth.com/menus/positionstatements.html NARTH Position Statements]</ref>
</blockquote>

The more recent, restrictively pejorative use of the term "homophobia" reflects upon the intents of the homosexual community to skew perceptions of them (versus their detractors) by manipulating the language used to describe them.

It was recently announced that the Associated Press has dropped the term "homophobia" from its Style Book and will no longer use that term in its news reports, noting that the use of the suffix "-phobia" (referring to an "irrational or uncontrollable fear") should not be used in political or social contexts in AP reports, including "homophobia" (and its derivative "homophobe").<ref>[http://americansfortruth.com/2012/12/04/ap-style-book-ends-use-of-smear-term-homophobia/ AP Style Book Ends Use of Smear Term ‘Homophobia’ in Political and Social Contexts]</ref>

=== Claims of Internalized homophobia ===
The therapeutic community is largely divided between proponents of "[[gay gene]]" theory who believe a person is born a homosexual and will always be a homosexual, and proponents of [[Reparative therapy]] who believe with sympathy and understanding a homosexual can be relieved of afflictions if they so desire. Gay gene advocates wish to inform homosexuals that their sexual orientation may be based in genetics, whereas restoration therapy advocates claim that it is to cruel to "brainwash" young people into believing there is no hope of ever leading a "heterosexual lifestyle".

Dr. [[Joseph Nicolosi]] reports homosexuality is a symptom of an underlying problem of [[gender identity]]. Nicolosi says,
:In the classic triadic family we have a sensitive boy who did not get the close, affirming relationship with his father that would have confirmed him in his gender identity, and a mother who is likely to be over-close and standing in the way between father and son. The father was not supportive enough in affirming, recognizing and reinforcing the boy's maleness.<ref name = "griefwork">[http://www.narth.com/docs/griefwork.html Clinical Issues: Grief Work], Interview: Joseph Nicolosi, Ph.D.</ref>

Nicolosi adds many homosexual men admit that no matter how liberated they are, they always struggle, on some deeper level, with a sense of inferiority or self-loathing. Some therapists refer to this as [[internalized homophobia]]. Nicolosi attributes this feeling to an internal process, unrelated to social stigma, which precedes [[same-sex attraction]]s.<ref name = "griefwork"/>

=== Homophobia as an over-used term ===
The suffix "phobia" suggests an irrational fear,<ref>Psychologists do not recognize it as a phobia in any generally recognized publication like the DSM IV.</ref> but it is most often used as an attack term by [[homosexual rights|homosexual "rights"]] groups to suggest that opposition to homosexuality is "irrational" and "hateful".<ref>E.g., this site [http://www.religioustolerance.org/hom_phob.htm] first defines homophobia as a dread or fear, but says that it includes those who write their Congressmen to oppose same-sex "marriage".</ref> Dr. Sander J. Breiner of NARTH has stated, "it would be very valuable for society in general, and therapists in particular, to have a clear picture of homophobia separated from all the other topics that have been lumped under that rubric." <ref>[http://www.narth.com/docs/coll-breiner.html HOMOPHOBIA: A Scientific Non-Political Definition], Dr. Sander J. Breiner, National Association for Research and Therapy on Homosexuality, 2003.</ref> Of the myriads of references to the term in popular and other sociologic publications Breiner observes, "There is no personal, internal, institutional, or cultural homophobia. The terms do not exist in the recognized scientific literature...There is only one homophobia, which has been properly defined," in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) <ref>[http://anxiety.psy.ohio-state.edu/phobia-d.htm Specific Phobia DSM-IV Criteria]</ref> developed by the American Psychiatric Association. Breiner, an advocate of [[Reparative therapy]], claims "There is no doubt that homophobia exists" as an irrational fear among both homosexuals and heterosexuals. In response, many Christians look to Bible verses such as, 2 Timothy 1:7: "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.<ref>[http://bible.cc/2_timothy/1-7.htm 2 Timothy 1:7]</ref>

Noted homosexual activist and pornographer Clinton Fein, in his article, “The Gay Agenda” stated, “Homophobic inclinations alone, even without any actions, should be criminal and punishable to the full extent of the law.”

Erik Holland, author of "The Nature of Homosexuality," perceives that homosexuals have become so reckless in labeling others homophobic that "anyone who questions their labeling someone a homophobe is called a homophobe himself. Even quoting factual statistics about the connection between homosexuality and AIDS is allegedly homophobic." In addition, according to pro-homosexual author Vernon A Wall, "even acceptance of homosexuality can be seen as a form of homophobia, because to talk about the acceptance of homosexuality is to imply that there is something about homosexuality that needs acceptance."<ref>http://www.homosexinfo.org/Homophobia/HomePage</ref>

===Term homophobia used as a political tactic ===
The term "homophobia" is sometimes associated with a theory that anybody who is hetero-normative, or disapproves of homosexual behaviors of any kind, or finds homosexuality distasteful, is secretly homosexual. This "repressed gay" theory has no scientific basis whatsoever. It is merely a means of psychological intimidation and mind control used in promoting the homosexual agenda. By this means a powerful stigma is attached to those who even conscientiously oppose homosexual practices, thus silencing many who might otherwise object to it. In relation to such oppression, psychologist Nicholas Cummings, former president of the American Psychological Association (APA), observed, "Homophobia as intimidation is one of the most pervasive techniques used to silence anyone who would disagree with the gay activist agenda." In addressing 100 fellow professionals, Cummings related that while writing "Destructive Trends in Mental Health" with psychologist Rogers Wright, a number of fellow psychologists who were invited to participate flatly turned them down, fearing loss of tenure, loss of promotion, and other forms of professional retaliation. "We were bombarded by horror stories," Dr. Cummings said. "Their greatest fear was of the gay lobby, which is very strong in the APA."<ref>[http://www.narth.com/docs/insiders.html Psychology Losing Scientific Credibility, Say APA Insiders]</ref>

While not all homosexuals agree with such tactics, it has been explicitly promoted by leaders in the LGBT movement. In what is widely regarded as the handbook for the homosexual agenda, Harvard trained marketing experts and social scientists Marshall Kirk (1957 - 2005) and Hunter Madsen advocated avoiding portraying homosexuals as aggressive challengers, but as "victims", while making those who opposed them as "evil persecutors". As a means of the latter, they promoted "jamming," in which Christians, traditionalists, or anyone else who opposes the homosexual agenda are publicly smeared. "In any campaign to win over the public, gays must be portrayed as victims in need of protection so that straights will be inclined by reflex to adopt the role of protector ... The purpose of victim imagery is to make straights feel very uncomfortable," they suggested.

"Jam homo-hatred (i.e., disagreement with homosexual behaviors) by linking it to Nazi horror," was the strategy of Kirk and Madsen. "Associate all who oppose homosexuality with images of 'Klansmen demanding that gays be slaughtered,' 'hysterical backwoods preachers,' 'menacing punks,' and a 'tour of Nazi concentration camps where homosexuals were tortured and gassed.'" (In fact, they never were – see [[Homocaust myth]]). Thus, "propagandistic advertisement can depict homophobic and homohating bigots as crude loudmouths..."
<ref>http://www.leaderu.com/socialsciences/sellinghomosexuality.html http://www.article8.org/docs/gay_strategies/after_the_ball.htm</ref>

What is seen by some as Kirk and Madsen's most revealing admission is their statement, '''“[O]ur effect is achieved without reference to facts, logic, or proof.”''' "...the person's beliefs can be altered whether he is conscious of the attack or not"<ref>After the Ball: How America Will Conquer Its Fear and Hatred of Gays in the 90’s, p. 152-153 (1989, Doubleday/Bantam)</ref>

Marshall Kirk died in 2005 at the age of 48. The cause of death has not been publicly revealed but is suspected to have been HIV-related.

Author Robert Bauman additionally records, "It makes no difference that the ads are lies . . . because we’re using them to ethically good effect, to counter negative stereotypes that are every bit as much lies, and far more wicked ones." <ref>The Gentleman from Maryland: The Conscience of a gay Conservative, by Robert Bauman, 1986, page 163.</ref>

There are increasing indications that pro-homosexual attempts at brainwashing have been highly effective, as assent to such an irrational perception by homosexuals, or assent to its deceptive tactics, is not confined to those within actual homosexual organizations, as [[mainstream media]] and academic publications often arbitrarily use the term to describe all those who oppose homosexuality, and its attendant practices. Recently, the government of Brazil relegated all who oppose homosexuality to being "homophobic".<ref>Brazilian Government Says 99% of Citizens Are "Homophobic" and Must Be Reeducated https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/feb/09021301.html</ref>

In an article titled, "First Things" (Aug/Sept. 1993), Professor Jerry Z. Muller described how the homosexual lobby has gained widespread acceptance in the educational realm.

[Their] strategy has been remarkably successful. With a rapidity largely attributable in large part to a total lack of articulate resistance, homosexual ideology has gained an unquestioned and uncontested legitimacy in American academic life. Within the academy, as within nonacademic elite culture, the definition of opposite to homosexuality as "homophobia - a definition which implies that it is impossible to give good reasons for the cultural disapproval of homosexuality - is the best evidence of the success of this strategy.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=cbfVg_1qhe0C&pg=PP1&lpg=PP1&dq=David+W.+Virtue+scots+college&source=bl&ots=aDW7a615Gn&sig=Y1cLsx5sCQTgUUDJ88b5AKPRkNg&hl=en&ei=8skISpP1AcGktgfi2PzsCw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1#PPR14,M1 Homosexuality, by F. Earle Fox, David W. Virtue, p. 12]</ref>

The American College of Pediatricians, commenting on one prototypical pro-homosexual bias which indicts contrary views as "homophobic", stated that such a response is "scientifically improper and demonstrates an anti-heterosexual viewpoint."<ref>http://www.acpeds.org/index.cgi?cat=24&art=58&BISKIT=3443441086&CONTEXT=art</ref>

This has also resulted in extreme attempts to negate the Biblical injunctions against homoeroticism and to read it into the Bible, in seeking affirmation for the sin. See [[Homosexual misinterpretation]]

=== Fear of homophobia as a psychological condition ===
It may be speculated that the widespread response to labeling all who oppose homosexuals "homophobic" may itself be driven by an irrational fear of those who oppose them, in which homosexuals imagine that most or all of those who oppose them are motivated by irrational fears, and wish to do them harm, and from which type of people they must be especially protected. "Homophobia" has also been stated to be the real cause of AIDS<ref>"An essay on the origin and nature of homophobia," Scott Bidstrup (pro-homosexual activist)</ref> Such fears may explain the perception that "the nuclear family is a microcosm of the fascist state...",<ref>Socarides, A Freedom Too Far, 1995</ref> and similar attacks on ''heteronormativity''. It has also been claimed by preeminent pro-homosexual psychotherapist, John J. McNeill, that "Interiorized self-hatred is the sin of gay people, and we must learn to see it that way."

=== Violence against homosexuals===
''See also:'' [[Gay bashing]]

In 1990, Congress passed the Hate Crime Statistics Act, which required the Attorney General to collect data about crimes that manifest evidence of prejudice based on race, religion, sexual orientation, or ethnicity/national origin. In 1994, lawmakers amended the Hate Crime Statistics Act to include bias against persons with disabilities.<ref>Federal Bureau of Investigation Uniform Crime Reporting Program, Hate Crime Statistics 2005: About Hate Crime [http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/hc2005/abouthc.htm]</ref>

In 2005, law enforcement agencies reported 1,171 hate crime offenses based on sexual-orientation bias, 348 of which are property crimes which includes theft and graffiti.<ref>U.S. Department of Justice — Federal Bureau of Investigation, [http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/hc2005/table4.htm Uniform Crime Reports], Offense Type by Bias Motivation, 2005 Table 4.</ref> While the FBI reports statistics by victim class or bias motivation, race, religion, sexual orientation and disability, the FBI does not report the sexual orientation of known offenders. Thus a conclusion that all offenders are heterosexual is faulty, and the methodology does not measure violence within the homosexual community. In all of 2004, there was one anti-homosexual murder in the United States, and the FBI has reported none since.<ref>U.S. Department of Justice — Federal Bureau of Investigation, [http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/hc2004/tables/HateCrime2004.pdf Uniform Crime Reports], Offense Type by Bias Motivation, 2004 Table 4.</ref> Of greater concern among many is the higher risk and more frequent incidence of domestic abuse in same-sex partnerships than among the heterosexual population.<ref>[http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=IS04C02 Comparing the Lifestyles of Homosexual Couples to Married Couples]</ref>

While 818 bias-motivated crimes of persons against homosexuals were reported nationwide in 2004, an earlier study found 5046 incidences of homosexual domestic violence in only nine cities, all of which are crimes of persons. The subject of homosexual domestic violence has not been researched with anything near the thoroughness afforded to heterosexual domestic violence. However the uniformity of conclusions based upon varying sample sizes point to a prevalence ranging from 20%-35% of homosexual domestic partnerships,<ref>[http://ncavp.org/common/document_files/Reports/2001ncavpdvrpt.pdf Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Domestic Violence in 2001,] National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs, 2002.</ref> with a study by the Canadian government showing gay domestic abuse as high as 82%.

==Resistance to the term==
Commenting on its psychological use, WorldNetDaily managing editor David Kupelian states,
<blockquote>This is how the "marketers of evil" work on all of us. They transform our attitudes by making us feel as though our "super uncomfortable" feelings toward embracing unnatural or corrupt behavior of whatever sort – a discomfort literally put into us by a loving God, for our protection – somehow represent ignorance or bigotry or weakness.<ref>[http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=48076 '''Brokeback Mountain': Rape of the Marlboro Man'', December 27, 2005]</ref>
</blockquote>

==Conclusions==
In effect, "homophobia" is a bogus term invented to suppress and eradicate all resistance to the normalization of homosexual behavior under any circumstances, or criticism of [[LGBT]] ideology, activism and the LGBT agenda.
It is being applied to an ever-wider range of things, such as resistance to increased political and social power of homosexuals in advancing their [[homosexual agenda|agenda]]. The term is used regularly by activists to describe several kinds of people, which may or may not match the actual definition of "fear of homosexuals and homosexuality". The recipients of the "homophobia" label include those who feel uncomfortable around homosexuals, those who reveal that they disagree with LGBT ideas and even those who may privately tolerate homosexuality but who fail to publicly support homosexuals when called upon to do so.<ref>pro homosexual author Vernon A Wall</ref>

==Term of Insult or Manipulation==
The word "homophobia", which is widely used as an insult, is an ideological tool of left-wing [[political correctness]] and effectively enforces censorship by smearing all dissenters from LGBT ideology with accusations of "mental illness" - "phobia". It goes hand in hand with the ploy of replacing moral terminology with accusations of "hatred".

The current usage of terms like "homophobic" and "homophobe" imply that all opposition to the LGBT agenda is crazy. Actually, there are many rational reasons that logically-thinking people remain hetero-normative, and unconvinced by LGBT ideology.

The term is closely linked with the slang expression "gay-bashing" and the two words are often used interchangeably as synonyms, strongly implying that anybody who will not capitulate to the LGBT ideology and accept all their arguments, is guilty of violent physical attacks on persons practicing homosexuality. By this casual association, hetero-normativity is denigrated and criminalized, while all logical debate is censored and silenced.

The term "homophobia" is increasingly applied to all hetero-normative discourse or moral criticism of [[homosexual]] behavior, implying that any such viewpoint is "irrational" (see [[phobia]]). Furthermore, the term has been adopted in law as an equivalent term to "racism" and is now being used to criminalize hetero-normativity as well as classifying it as a "mental disorder".

==Homophobia and AIDS==
The term "homophobia" gained currency during the AIDS pandemic in the 1980s, when embattled LGBT campaigners were faced with the disaster of their own making. Unwilling to admit that the lethal disease was the result of their own behavior, they insisted that homosexuals were dying because of the ignorance and prejudice of heterosexuals, who were guilty of "homophobia". This argument gained traction in the mainstream media, where homosexuals and activists have a disproportionate influence.

==Distorted worldview==
The term "homophobia" is closely linked to efforts of LGBT activists to publicize and exaggerate any acts of aggression towards any homosexual by heterosexuals worldwide, past or present, which all come under the category of "homophobia". This is a distorted picture meant to draw attention away from the unwelcome facts that most violence against homosexuals is carried out by other homosexuals, and that by spreading the AIDS pandemic they are killing each other as well as causing a grave problem for the population at large.

To support their claims of "homophobia", homosexuals and activists frequently invent attacks, and make false reports about violence against homosexuals, past and present. Here is just one, incomplete, list of such hoaxes that have been exposed. More such examples can be found using internet search <ref>https://gaybullyingitisreal.wordpress.com/2017/01/23/how-homosexuals-fake-hate-crimes/</ref>

The LGBT myth of the "Homocaust" i.e. mass extermination of homosexuals under the Nazi regime in Germany, is an example of fake history invented to support the fake ideology of "homophobia". See [[Homocaust myth]].

==Extension to create transphobia==
The term "homophobia" is twinned with the coinage "transphobia" used to mean any doubt about, resistance to or criticism of [[gender confusion]] ideology.
The second term functions in the same way, smearing with accusations of mental illness, closing down scientific or rational debate, and when enshrined in law, criminalizing resistance to a fake ideology. The belief in "transphobia" is backed up by unconvincing evidence. It has been claimed that in 2016, a total of 23 gender-confused people were killed in the USA. However, even if we accept the figures at face value and accept that the motivation in every case was prejudice, this statistic is merely in line with the percentage of gender-confused people in the general population. It does not indicate any higher likelihood of being murdered.<ref>https://www.hrc.org/resources/violence-against-the-transgender-community-in-2017</ref>

==Christian view==
People who use the term "homophobia" are implying that it is impossible to "hate the sin and love the sinner", which is the duty of Christians. To refuse to applaud deplorable behavior or even to remain neutral is crudely labeled as "hatred". No one talks about opposition to alcoholism in terms of [[hatred]], because groups like [[Alcoholics Anonymous]] have popularized the view that drinking alcohol is addictive.

Conservative Christians and other people who regard homosexuality as sinful, harmful or abnormal, have coined the term [[heterophobia]] to describe those who manifest an antipathy to those who uphold hetero-normativity. While the term ''phobia'' is an irrational fear of something, nobody is afraid of homosexuals, and nobody fears contracting homosexuality. That is in contrast to heterophobia, the existence of which has been documented.

==See also==
*[[Opposition to homosexuality]]
*[[Homosexual agenda]]
*[[Gender identity disorder]]
*[[Gleichschaltung]]
*[[Political Correctness]]
*[[Atheism and the persecution of homosexuals]]

== References ==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Homosexuality]]
[[Category:Mental Health]]
[[Category:Homophobia]]

Category:Homophobia

2020-07-02T18:43:05Z

King Conservative: Created page with "Articles relating to Homophobia."

Articles relating to [[Homophobia]].

Ku Klux Klan

2020-07-02T18:42:42Z

King Conservative:

[[File:Ku-Klux-Klan-By-Democrats-For-Democrats-600x600.jpg|right|200px|thumb|The Klan was founded as the militant terrorist arm of the [[Democratic party]].]]
The '''Ku Klux Klan''' ('''KKK''') is the traditional militant terrorist wing of the [[Democratic party|Democrat Party]].

It had three incarnations in the USA. Several prominent Democrats were members of the KKK including Democrat [[Robert Byrd]], who was a U.S. Senator from [[West Virginia]] for more than 50 years and who had led his local KKK chapter, and Democrat [[Hugo Black]], who was appointed to the [[U.S. Supreme Court]] by [[FDR]] and became the Justice most hostile to [[classroom prayer]] and [[Christianity]] in public life. Despite the Democrat-KKK connection, however, liberals (who falsely claim that the pre-1964 Democrats were a "conservative" party) similarly falsely claim the KKK to be a "right-wing" organization.

The Klan beginning in the 1860s was a violent effort by white Southern Democrats to fight [[Republican]] [[Reconstruction]] efforts and recognizing full citizenship rights of Blacks after the [[Civil War]]. Reconstruction was ended as a political compromise to resolve the exceedingly close presidential election of 1876. Owing to this, the Klan Democrats often targeted those belonging to the Republican Party with death.

The second Klan flourished nationwide for a few years in the 1920s as state and district organizers profited handsomely by signing up millions of members, selling them distinctive white-robe costumes. The Klan voiced strong support for prohibition, opposed sexual immorality and promoted [[racism]], anti-Semitism, anti-Catholicism and immigration restriction. Dramatic scandals inside the organization and lack of organizational structure caused the Klan to collapse quickly in the late 1920s. By 1928 it was practically defunct.

The third Klan comprised unrelated hate groups that sprang up in the South in the 1960s to fight integration, but it largely fell apart with the defeat of [[President Jimmy Carter]] in 1980.<ref>http://www.fumento.com/arson/wsjfire.html</ref>

Violent [[leftist]]s, who founded the Klan and have been loyal [[Democrat]]s since its original inception, are now appealing to groups they had previously persecuted.<ref>https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2828425/The-Ku-Klux-Klan-opens-door-Jews-black-people-homosexuals-new-recruits-wear-white-robes-hats.html</ref>

==First KKK==
[[File:Lynch.jpg|thumb|450px|right|The first victims (yellow line) were Republican [[carpetbagger]]s; once they were driven out the Democrats turned on Blacks (blue line). Source: Historical Statistics of the U.S., and is based on the 1952 Negro year Book.]]
The first KKK was an movement of white Southerners who opposed [[Reconstruction]]. It was founded in 1866 by members of the [[Democrat Party]] to inflicting violence against black leaders and white Republicans.<ref>http://www.history.com/topics/ku-klux-klan</ref> One of the founders, and the first "Grand Wizard," was former Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest. Attempts were made to break up the Klan by President [[Ulysses S. Grant]] and the U.S. Army using the Civil Rights Act of 1871 (also known as the Ku Klux Klan Act).

Republicans stripped [[white]] [[male]]s who engaged in rebellion against the [[United States]] of the [[vote]], and gave it to Blacks. Newly freed Blacks held local, state and federal elected and non-elected positions as Republicans. The white males who were deprived of the vote were also barred from holding any civil service position and were universally Democrats. This disenfranchisement created enormous resentment among Democrats, so they formed the Ku Klux Klan to engage in voter intimidation and suppression.
[[Image:Artoon.jpg|left|200px|thumb|A political cartoon depicting the KKK and the Democrat Party as continuations of the Confederacy]]
By 1876, the situation had become ungovernable for Republicans.<ref>"the Compromise of 1877, which resolved the disputed presidential election of 1876 by awarding the presidency to Republican Rutherford B. Hayes (who had lost the popular vote) in exchange for the removal of federal troops from the South after the Civil War (which benefited Democrats, who wished to end Reconstruction and return white supremacy to southern state governments)." [https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/us-history/the-gilded-age/gilded-age/a/gilded-age-politics-patronage Gilded Age politics: patronage]. khanacademy.org</ref> The Republicans had been able to pass the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments which guaranteed Blacks basic equality and civil rights, but eventually had to declare an amnesty for whites who engaged in rebellion. Reconstruction ended, and Republicans withdrew from [[social engineering]] which had divided the country so deeply and stirred up such bitterness and hatred among Democrats toward both Blacks and Republicans. Reconstruction earned Republicans the undying [[hatred]] of Democrats.<ref>See for example [https://youtu.be/-yY7g2jOquM James O'Keefe debate with Hairy Hillbilly Hippie] for an example of a partisan Democrat who votes against his own economic interests.</ref><ref>See excerpt from [[Dinesh D'Souza]]'s, ''[https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/dinesh-dsouza-the-secret-history-of-the-democratic-party Hillary's America: The Secret History of the Democratic Party]'', Regnery Publishing, July 18, 2016.</ref>

[[African American]]s in the South were left to the mercy of increasingly hostile state governments dominated by white Democratic legislatures; neither the legislatures, law enforcement or the courts worked to protect freedmen.<ref>{{cite book|title=Encyclopedia of American Civil Liberties|author=Finkelman, Paul|year=2006}}</ref> As [[Democrats]] regained power in the late 1870s, they struggled to suppress black voting through intimidation and fraud at the polls. [[Paramilitary]] groups such as the [[Red Shirts]] acted on behalf of the Democrats to suppress black voting. From 1890 to 1908, 10 of the 11 former Confederate states passed disfranchising constitutions or amendments,<ref>{{cite book|title=Democracy's Privileged Few|author=Chafetz, Joshua Aaron|year=2007}}</ref> with provisions for [[poll tax]]es,<ref name="Klarman, Michael J. 2004">{{cite book|title=From Jim Crow to Civil Rights|author=Klarman, Michael J.|year=2004}}</ref> residency requirements, [[literacy test]]s,<ref name="Klarman, Michael J. 2004"/> and [[grandfather clause]]s that effectively disfranchised most black voters and many poor white people. The disfranchisement also meant that black people could not serve on juries or hold any political office, which were restricted to voters; those who could not vote were excluded from the political system.
[[File:FDR Truman and KKK.jpeg|right|200px|thumb|Despite historical revisionism, FDR and Truman were in bed with the Klan.]]
==Second KKK: The 1920s==
The second KKK was a nonviolent membership organization in the 1920s that reached hundreds of thousands—possibly millions—of men in every state. It was mostly a [[Ponzi scheme]], whereby the organizers took all the money (for initiation fees and costumes). When they had organized an area they moved on, leaving local chapters without money or leadership. No prominent American admitted he was a member at the time, but state organizers claimed vast powers. There is a possibility that some local Klans in the deep South engaged in violence against blacks, but historians are unsure; allegations of systematic violence were common but have not been verified. In recent years historians have found enough records to show that local chapters were primarily discussion groups, often with speakers who denounced Catholics, Jews, crime and violation of the prohibition laws.

A series of scandals rocked the KKK's reputation and the group somewhat faded after the 1924 Democratic National Convention.

In 1937 President [[Franklin Delano Roosevelt]] appointed Alabama Senator [[Hugo Black]] to the Supreme Court. Black was a member of the Ku Klux Klan and built his career campaigning at Klan meetings. In ''Korematsu v. the United States'', Black voted to uphold [[President Roosevelt]]'s mass arrests and incarceration of [[Japanese]] men, women, and children based on [[race]].

==Third Klan==
The third Klan currently exists and comprises a few thousand members in local chapters. There is no real organization, and the group sponsors vehement hate talk as well as occasional violent threats and actions. It is racist and aims at the suppression of African-American, Jewish, homosexual, and Catholic interests. The current Klan presents itself as a "Christian" organization, but all denominations have rejected it as inherently non-Christian.
[[File:KKKrally1946.JPG|left|300px|thumb|Ku Klux Klan rally, unknown location, August, 1951]]
Democrat Sen. [[Robert Byrd]] joined the Klan in the 1940s and was unanimously elected to the rank of Exalted Cyclops for his inborn leadership skills.<ref name="washingtonpost.com">Pianin, Eric. [https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/18/AR2005061801105_pf.html A Senator's Shame: Byrd, in His New Book, Again Confronts Early Ties to KKK]. Washington Post, 2005-06-19, pp. A01</ref><ref>https://allthatsinteresting.com/famous-kkk-members</ref> He repeatedly expressed his desire for the Klan to expand to its previous size and power, once remarking in a letter that "The Klan is needed today as never before and I am anxious to see its rebirth here in West Virginia" and "in every state in the nation." <ref>King, Colbert I. [http://www.pulitzer.org/year/2003/commentary/works/king2.html Sen. Byrd: The view from Darrell's barbershop], Washington Post, March 2, 2002</ref>
[[File:RR-KKK.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Ronald Reagan]] starred as the crusading district attorney battling the Klan in this 1951 film.<ref>See [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0044075/usercomments analysis of film]</ref>]]
Byrd commented on the 1945 controversy raging over the idea of racially integrating the military. In his book When ''Jim Crow Met John Bull'', Graham Smith referred to a letter written that year by Byrd, when he was 28 years old, to fellow Klansman Sen. [[Theodore Bilbo]] of [[Mississippi]], in which Byrd vowed never to fight: {{Cquote|Rather I should die a thousand times, and see Old Glory trampled in the dirt never to rise again, than to see this beloved land of ours become degraded by race mongrels, a throwback to the blackest specimen from the wilds.}} Bilbo told ''[[Meet the Press]]'' in a 1949 interview: {{cquote|No man can leave the Klan. He takes an oath not to do that. Once a Ku Klux, always a Ku Klux.<ref>[http://mdah.state.ms.us/new/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/bilbo.pdf Robert L. Fleegler, "Theodore G. Bilbo and the Decline of Public Racism, 1938–1947"],''The Journal of Mississippi History'', Spring 2006. [https://web.archive.org/web/20160103063503/http://mdah.state.ms.us/new/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/bilbo.pdf]</ref>}}
Democrats tried to block passage of the [[bi-partisan]] [[1964 Civil Rights Act]] by filibustering for 75 hours, led by a 14-hour and 13-minute speech by the Exalted Cyclops Sen. Byrd.<ref>{{cite news|title=Byrd Says He Regrets Voting For Patriot Act |agency=Associated Press |work=[[Common Dreams NewsCenter|Common Dreams]] |date=February 28, 2006 |url=http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/0228-07.htm |accessdate=|deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060919043913/http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/0228-07.htm |archivedate=September 19, 2006 }}</ref> The law was intended to block Republican gains in the South followed by buying off Blacks with [[Great Society]] [[welfare]] and [[affirmative action]] programs. By the 1960s the Klan was so thoroughly infiltrated by [[FBI]] informers, the joke existed that a Klan cell of 6 members often consisted of 5 FBI informants and one klansman. In 1981 when the Republicans took control of the Senate for the first time in 28 years, the Exalted Cyclops Robert Byrd was again elected Democrat Senate Leader to oppose [[Ronald Reagan]].

[[David Duke]] was a [[Democrat]] at the time of his official membership with the Klan and founded the National Association for the Advancement of White People (NAAWP). Duke quit the Klan and the Democrat party and was elected to the Louisiana state legislature. When Duke registered to run for higher office in a Republican primary, the [[Republican National Committee]] disavowed Duke and repudiated his racist views.<ref>[http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1P2-1176548.html RNC Condemns Ex-Klansman Duke], ''[[Washington Post]]'', February 25, 1989. {{dead link}}</ref>

==21st Century==
By the 1990s there were fewer than 10,000 members of the Klan. Many so-called "chapters" or "hate groups," as measured by the [[Southern Poverty Law Center]]'s newsletter ''Klanwatch'', consisted of a single individual. The threat emanating from the Klan was often exaggerated to serve as a fundraising tool for anti-racist watchdog organizations. Chat rooms and discussion boards were set up by anti-racist watchdog groups in the hopes of baiting in a young person to identify who may be susceptible to extremist recruiting. These chat rooms and discussion groups also served the dual purpose of making the Klan threat appear larger than it actually was for fundraising purposes.
[[File:Blmhillary (1).jpg|left|350px|thumb|The teaching of [[Black history]] has led to a new appreciation of the Democratic party's role in relationship to Blacks.]]
During the [[2016 U.S. presidential election]], the KKK (along with former Klansman [[David Duke]]), in possible [[collusion]] with the Democrat Party, pretended to "support" [[Donald Trump]] for President as part of a strategy to discredit Trump and make sure he would lose the election by making a false connection between the KKK and the Republicans (as the Democrats have done since 1964<ref>[http://www.blackandblondemedia.com/2009/01/14/democrat-race-lie/ The Democrat Race Lie] at Black & Right</ref>). However, because the Republicans have always opposed the KKK and despise what it stands for,<ref>[https://www.wnd.com/2016/07/the-ugly-history-of-democratic-suppression-of-blacks/ The Ugly History of Democratic Suppression of Blacks] at WND</ref> and because the Democrat-KKK connection is public knowledge despite the efforts of Democrats and liberals (particularly in the [[mainstream media]]) to bury and deny this historic fact,<ref>[http://blackrepublican.blogspot.ca/2015/10/the-ku-klux-klan-was-terrorist-arm-of_56.html The Ku Klux Klan was the Terrorist Arm of the Democrat Party]</ref> the KKK scheme to try to discredit Trump by publicly pretending to endorse him backfired as he rejected the "endorsement" and the public saw through the KKK's ruse, leading KKK Grand Dragon Will Quigg, who formerly pretended to support Trump, to show his and his organization's true colors, and those of the Democrats, by now publicly supporting Democrat nominee [[Hillary Clinton]].<ref>[https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2016-03-14/ku-klux-klan-grand-dragon-will-quigg-endorses-hillary-clinton-for-president Ku Klux Klan Grand Dragon Will Quigg Endorses Hillary Clinton for President] at U.S. News & World Report</ref> Hillary, who has [[Hillary Rodham Clinton#Racism|her own history of racism]] and whose mentor, late Democrat senator Robert Byrd, was himself a longtime KKK member,<ref name="washingtonpost.com"/> did not reject the KKK's campaign endorsement of her, which was one of the contributing factors toward her downfall in the election as Trump won the presidency, ultimately making the Democrat-KKK scheme against him fruitless. In multiple [[George Soros]] funded protests against Trump, many liberals dressed themselves in KKK robes and pretended to "support" Trump, holding signs that said "KKK wants Trump" and "Make America White Again" while the DNC created an attack ad claiming that the KKK is "actively supporting" Trump.<ref>https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bQOYADCDSyY</ref>

==Bibliography==
* Newton, Michael, and Judy Ann Newton. ''The Ku Klux Klan: An Encyclopedia''. (1991).
* Alexander, Charles. “Kleagles and Cash.” . ''The Business History Review.'' (1965) Vol. 39, No. 3, pp. 348–367
* Chalmers, David. ''Hooded Americanism.'' (1987), an older survey
* Dray, Philip. ''At the Hands of Persons Unknown: The Lynching of Black America'', (2002).
* Feldman, Glenn. ''Politics, Society, and the Klan in Alabama, 1915-1949''. (1999).
* Fryer, Jr. Roland G. and Steven D. Levitt. "Hatred and Profits: Getting under the Hood of the Ku Klux Klan," ''National Bureau of Economic Research,'' September 2007, [http://ideas.repec.org/p/nbr/nberwo/13417.html abstract]; [http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:cyuQ-5WfsXAJ:www.economics.harvard.edu/faculty/fryer/papers/Hatred%2520and%2520Profits,%2520Getting%2520Under%2520the%2520Hood%2520of%2520the%2520Ku%2520Klux%2520Klan.pdf+%22Hatred+and+Profits%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us full text online]
* George, John, and Laird Wilcox. ''American Extremists: Militias, Supremacists, Klansmen, Communists & Others'' (1996) 443 pgs. [http://www.questia.com/library/book/american-extremists-militias-supremacists-klansmen-communists-and-others-by-john-george-laird-wilcox.jsp online edition]
* Glaeser, Edward L. “The Political Economy of Hatred.” ''Quarterly Journal of Economics.'' 2005. Vol. 120, No. 1, pp. 45–86. [http://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/abs/10.1162/qjec.2005.120.1.45 abstract], goes well beyond the KKK
* Goldberg, Robert Alan. ''Hooded Empire: The Ku Klux Klan in Colorado.'' (1981).
* Horn, Stanley F. ''Invisible Empire: The Story of the Ku Klux Klan, 1866-1871'', (1939)
::Horn, born in 1889, was a Southern historian who was sympathetic to the first Klan, which, in a 1976 oral interview,<ref>http://www.lib.duke.edu/forest/Research/ohisrch.html</ref> he was careful to distinguish from the later "spurious Ku Klux organization which was in ill-repute—and, of course, had no connection whatsoever with the Klan of Reconstruction days."
* Jackson, Kenneth T. ''The Ku Klux Klan in the City, 1915-1930.'' (1992)
* MacLean, Nancy. ''Behind the Mask of Chivalry: The Making of the Second Ku Klux Klan.'' (1994)
* McVeigh, Rory. “Power Devaluation, the Ku Klux Klan, and the Democratic National Convention of 1924.” ''Sociological Forum'' 2001. 16(1):1-30.
* Moore, Leonard J. ''Citizen Klansmen: The Ku Klux Klan in Indiana, 1921-1928'' (1991). [http://www.questia.com/library/book/citizen-klansmen-the-ku-klux-klan-in-indiana-1921-1928-by-leonard-j-moore.jsp online edition]
* Parsons, Elaine Frantz, "Midnight Rangers: Costume and Performance in the Reconstruction-Era Ku Klux Klan." ''The Journal of American History'' 92.3 (2005): 811–36. [http://www.historycooperative.org/journals/jah/92.3/parsons.html in History Cooperative]
* Pegram, Thomas R. "Hoodwinked: The Anti-Saloon League and the Ku Klux Klan in 1920s Prohibition Enforcement." ''Journal of Gilded Age and Progressive era'' 7.1 (2008): [http://www.historycooperative.org/journals/jga/7.1/pegram.html online].
* Rhodes, James Ford. ''History of the United States from the Compromise of 1850 to the McKinley-Bryan Campaign of 1896. Volume: 7.'' (1920)
* Trelease, Allen W. ''White Terror: The Ku Klux Klan Conspiracy and Southern Reconstruction'' (1995).
* Wade, Wyn Craig. ''The Fiery Cross: The Ku Klux Klan in America''. (1987); a highly negative account of all three Klans, based on extensive research but not familiar with recent scholarship.

==References==
<references/>

==Critical external links==
* [http://reactor-core.org/original-kkk.html The History of the Original Ku Klux Klan] - by an anonymous author sympathetic to the original Klan {{dead link}}
* W. S. Simkins, "Why the Ku Klux," 4 ''The Alcalde'' (June 1916): 735–748. [http://www.law.du.edu/russell/lh/alh/docs/simkins.html online]; Simkins (1842-1929) was an organizer of the KKK in Florida in 1868, and a law professor when he wrote this memoir.
* [http://education.harpweek.com/KKKHearings/AppendixA.htm Full text of the Klan Act of 1871]
**[http://education.harpweek.com/KKKHearings/AppendixB.htm simplified version]
* [http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-694 Ku Klux Klan in the Reconstruction Era] (New Georgia Encyclopedia)
* [http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/nge/Article.jsp?id=h-2730 Ku Klux Klan in the Twentieth Century] (New Georgia Encyclopedia)

[[Category:United States History]]
[[Category:Hate Groups]]
[[Category:Democratic Party]]
[[Category:Liberalism]]
[[Category:United States Political Scandals]]
[[Category:Reconstruction]]
[[Category:1920s]]
[[Category:Terrorism]]
[[Category:Racist Organizations]]
[[Category:Gangs]]
[[Category:Anti Second Amendment]]
[[Category:Gun Control]]
[[Category:Racism]]
[[Category:Anti-Semitism]]
[[Category:Homophobia]]

Anti-Semitism

2020-07-02T18:38:08Z

King Conservative:

[[Image:Aldershot Cemetery.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Anti-Semitic graffiti on Jewish graves, Aldershot Military Cemetery, Hampshire, England, November, 2004. (c. Community Security Trust/Fox News)]]
'''Anti-Semitism''' (or '''antisemitism''') is [[discrimination]] against, [[Hate|hatred]] against, or criticism of [[Jews]], Jewish culture, or the state of [[Israel]], or Semitic ethnic groups such as Arabs, Assyrians, Palestinians, and Samaritans. As a word it is first recorded in the English language in 1882,<ref>https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antisemitism</ref> but as an idea and argument of hatred examples exist from much earlier times. It was Wilhelm Marr (1819–1904), a German agitator who coined the term ''"anti-semitism"'' in 1879.

==Origins of Anti-Semitism==
The first Christians were Jews, including Jesus Christ. The story of Jesus was remembered and retold in the synagogues. Splits appeared very soon after the death of Jesus between the [[Pharisees]] and the Revisionist Jews. The [[Gospel of John]] was written quite soon after he and other revisionist Jews were barred from the [[synagogue]] by the Orthodox party. The references to Jews in the Gospel according to St John does not refer to Jews as a whole, but to the Pharisees. However, this was not well understood by later readers, and once the early generations of Jews had died out John's gospel was often used to justify acts of anti-Semitism.

==Blood Libel==
One of the oldest instances of anti-Semitic claims was made in the first century AD by Apion who claimed Jews sacrificed Greeks in their temple in a type of accusation known as a "blood libel".

The "Blood libel" myth reappeared in England in 1144, after [[William of Norwich]] was found murdered. William was called a martyr and created a second wave of anti-semitism, this time in Europe. It was mostly popularized with the story of Little Saint Hugh of Lincoln, and was even present in the [[Canterbury Tales]]. This continued on for many centuries until modern times. This "blood libel" accusation has survived the centuries and is today seen in [[Islam]]ic anti-Semitic propaganda.

==Middle Ages==
In the [[Middle Ages]], Catholics blamed Jews for the death of Jesus Christ. This fueled Christian antipathy against Jews in most of Europe. This also led to rumors that Jews "desecrated the host" (tortured [[communion]] bread as per the [[Catholic]] doctrine of [[transubstantiation]]), and that they "poisoned the wells", leading to the [[Black Death]]. Another element that resulted in Jewish persecution was some quotations from the Talmud that had the Rabbis making various claims inferring that the Virgin Mary was a prostitute who had pre-marital relations with a Roman Centurion that resulted in Jesus's birth, and also claimed that Jesus (titled "Yeshu" in the Talmud as an insult<ref>https://jewsforjesus.org/newsletter-mar-2008/y-shua-or-yeshu</ref>) was boiling in hot excrement for all eternity,<ref>http://answering-christianity.com/jews1.htm</ref><ref>http://www.answering-christianity.com/jews2.htm</ref><ref>http://www.halakhah.com/gittin/gittin_57.html</ref> especially after the Jewish convert Nicolas Donin exposed these passages in 1239.<ref>http://www.traditioninaction.org/HotTopics/a028htJPII_VisitToSynagogue1986.htm</ref><ref>http://exodusmyth.com/2017/02/18/the-truth-about-the-talmud-michael-hoffman/</ref> It didn't help that Christians expelled practitioners of Judaism from various places. Professing Jews were expelled from England in 1290, from France in 1306, and from Spain in 1492 and Portugal in 1496. (Those who converted to Christianity could remain.) Many went to Holland and Poland. Napoleon removed most of the restrictions that kept Jews in ghettoes in Germany.

==1800–1914==
===New nationalism===
Secular nationalism became a trend in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. As a result, anti-Semitism was transformed in the 19th century from a matter of religion to a matter of language and culture. Each "nation" rediscovered its historic language and culture and tried to establish a national homeland. However, this did not remove old biases against Jews in Europe. In most cases, Jews were excluded or distrusted and were not treated as part of the cultural center but as part of the periphery. Anti-Semitic references were common in the popular literature of both the 19th and early 20th centuries. It became more "scientific", and often connected with pseudo-scientific racial theories. The most notable example being the theory of [[evolution]].

===Germany===
In Germany, leading 19th century anti-Semites include composer [[Richard Wagner]] and his son-in-law writer [[Houston Stewart Chamberlain]].

Historians have long debated whether or not the Anti-Semitism of imperial Germany directly prepared the ideological climate for Nazism. One way of testing the thesis of direct continuity is to examine how Judeophobes proposed to solve the "Jewish problem" in the Second Reich, 1870-1914. At that time, most anti-Semites stopped short of calling for the exclusion of Jews from German society, and in fact, many advocated full integration. A handful of exclusionists, believing in the preordained struggle with the Jews and being pessimistic about getting them to leave Germany, did, however, plant the seeds of genocide.<ref>Donald L. Niewyk, "Solving The 'Jewish Problem': Continuity and Change in German Antisemitism, 1871-1945." ''Leo Baeck Institute. Year Book'' 1990 35: 335-370.</ref>

===Socialism===
Leftist scholars examining the connection between socialism and anti-Semitism before 1914 generally have assumed that capitalist exploitation of the workers was responsible for the "Jewish question," and that the labor movement was largely immune to anti-Semitism. At a deeper level, factors such as retarded economic development in Central and Eastern Europe, Christian cultural traditions, the fragility of political liberalism outside Western Europe, the intensity of national conflicts and the quality of leadership and class consciousness among the proletariat led to anti-Semitism in Russia, Germany, France and Britain before 1914.

===Austria===
The national government of the Austro-Hungarian Empire deliberately protected Jews from violent Anti-Semitism. However, popular antipathy toward Jews was more deeply rooted and stubborn in Austria than in most European countries. Reasons included slow development of a secular, pluralist society based on individual rights and open career opportunities; survival of corporatist ideas of economic organization; replacement of the multinational ideal of the Austro-Hungarian Empire by political division and ethnic antagonism; and the conspicuous role of individual Jews in finance capitalism, mass media, arts, and radical politics.

Karl Lueger, the popular mayor of Vienna (1897–1910) and routinely used high powered Anti-Semitic rhetoric. It caught the attention of one young resident, Adolf Hitler, who had come from Linz. But there was no action takes against Jews, who played a major role in Vienna's cultural and business life. Lueger operated within a strong national government that tolerated Jews. The Habsburg dynasty did not allow significant anti-Jewish actions in its domains. The inviolate character of the Rechtsstaat and of a political culture based on law still existed. Mass violence within this political system was rare, and economic life was not yet caught up in the disastrous economic cycles of the post-1918 era. All these structural factors were serious barriers to the translation of anti-Semitic rhetoric in Vienna from words into deeds during the Habsburg era. In the 1930s, however, as Austria became culturally and politically dominated by its northern neighbor, Vienna became increasingly hostile, and many Jews fled even before the Nazis marched in and took over in 1938.

Anti-Semitism was an integral part of the political platform of the Austrian Socialist Left before 1914. Given the depths of anti-Jewish feelings among the Austrian masses, the Socialists endeavored to woo the working class from right-wing political parties through employing the latter's anti-Semitic arguments concerning Jewish control of the Austrian economy. This approach was even utilized by such Socialists of Jewish background as Victor Adler. Once Lueger's anti-Semitic party gained control of the Vienna municipal government in 1897, the Socialist press attacked him and his associates for their alleged lack of fidelity to their anti-Semitic principles through covert dealings with the Jewish upper class.

===Russia===
Alone among the major European nations, Russia in the 19th century did not emancipate its Jewish subjects. Popular anti-Semitism (which had an anti-capitalist bias) proceeded from, and flourished with the support of, anti-Jewish laws and official policies that tried either to forcibly integrate Jews into or to segregate them from the rest of Russian society - especially rural society. Pogroms – systematic slaughters of thousands of Jews in certain areas — happened in clusters, as in 1881-82 and 1905–06, and were related to severe political crises involving the issue of Jewish emancipation.

===Italy===
Anti-Semitism played a far smaller role in Italy than in other European countries. One possible explanation is the high degree of assimilation achieved by the Italian Jewish community. However, assimilation elsewhere in Europe was not a bar to anti-Semitism. A more plausible reason is the lateness of industrialization, which meant that the lower middle classes did not fall victim to the economic and social anxieties experienced by the petite bourgeoisie of Germany and France. Other factors are the extremely small numbers of Italian Jews, the ethnically homogeneous nature of the Italian population, which meant that the Italians did not suffer from the paranoid insecurity of Germans who were confronted by large minorities within their borders, and Italy's long history of not succumbing to xenophobia and its weak race consciousness.

===France===
[[Alfred Dreyfus]] (1859–1935) was a Jewish officer in the French Army falsely accused of spying in the 1890s. The Dreyfuss Affair became a central issue in French politics, with critics like Émile Zola—who creed "[[J'accuse]]"—insisting it was a miscarriage of justice brought by a conspiracy of Catholic army officers. Dreyfuss was proven innocent and released in 1899.

==1914–1945==
Anti-Semitism was the core belief of [[Adolf Hitler]] and the Nazis (National Socialists), helping them gain power in Germany in 1933 and leading to their murder of six million Jews during the [[Holocaust]] of World War II.

In the 1920s [[Henry Ford]]'s newspaper, ''The Dearborn Independent'', reprinted the false ''[[The Protocols of the Elders of Zion|Protocols of the Elders of Zion]]''. Ford publicly apologized to Jews.

American aviator [[Charles Lindbergh]] disparaged Jews at a critical debate over intervention in the war in Europe in 1940. He led the "[[America First]]" movement opposed to war. He suggested the drive to war was orchestrated by Jews and would hurt the U.S.

== Soviet Union and anti-semitism (1922–1991) ==
{{See also|Atheism and anti-semitism|Left-wing Anti-Semitism#20th century: Stalinist anti-Semitism}}

==Post 1945==
Following World War II there was a steady decline of anti-Semitism, and a virtual disappearance of discrimination against Jews, in North America and Western Europe. Despite an apparent resurgence in Russia and Eastern Europe after the collapse of communism and occasional outbreaks elsewhere, anti-Semitism outside the Middle East by the early 1990s was only one - and a relatively minor - type of the xenophobia found in multiethnic, multicultural societies.

Anti-Semitism was in total disrepute after the fall of Nazi Germany in 1945. After 1945 Anti-Semitism was not significantly greater in Germany than in Britain or France. For some years after 1945, the overwhelming majority of Jews in Germany were refugees and displaced persons from the East. Most of them emigrated to Israel, North and South America, or Australia, leaving behind small numbers who would not or could not leave. Some German Jews had "assimilated" and were criticized by Eastern Jews as being too lax in their religious observance, but all Jews faced problems arising from questions of reparations and remembrances of the Holocaust. Democratic [[West Germany]] admitted its guilt and made large-scale financial reparations to Israel. Communist [[East Germany]], however, denied everything, opposed Israel and promoted anti-Semitism as the Nazis before them had.

===United States===
Republican President [[Richard Nixon]] hurt his reputation after recordings of informal conversations laden with racial slurs and invective known as the [[Watergate Tapes]] were made public. These informal comments about Jewish control of the media and calling Robert Vesco "a cheap kike" among other comments suggested to Nixon critics that his views were informed by a mistrust of Jewish culture.<ref>http://hnn.us/articles/657.html</ref> Nixon defenders note his support of [[Israel]] during the [[Yom Kippur War]] and his many Jewish friends and associates such as [[Henry Kissinger]], [[Herb Stein]] and others.<ref>http://www.slate.com/id/1003783/</ref>

In 1958, the [[American Nazi Party]] was founded by [[George Lincoln Rockwell]], who is known for his Holocaust denial and racist positions.

In 1984, [[Democrat Party]] presidential candidate, and noted liberal, [[Jesse Jackson]] uttered anti-Semitic slurs to a reporter for the ''Washington Post'' when discussing the state of African-American and Jewish relations, which had been a key [[New Deal Coalition]] for half a century. Jackson is reported to have referred to Jews as "Hymies", and to New York City as "Hymietown". Jackson apologized, but it was never forgotten.<ref>[http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=187440 Jesse and the Jews], Michael W. Hirschorn, ''The Harvard Crimson'', March 05, 1984.</ref> Mayor Ed Koch even said that any Jews who vote for Jackson in 1988 were "crazy".

The Left has falsely tried to claim that most anti-Semitism comes from the Right, and that it is increasing, something the Israeli government has rejected.<ref>Glick, Caroline (November 2, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2018/11/02/caroline-glick-israeli-cabinet-minister-challenges-never-trump-propaganda-antisemitism-adl/ Caroline Glick: Israeli Cabinet Minister Challenges Propaganda on Trump and Antisemitism]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved November 2, 2018.</ref>

==Modern anti-Semitism==
[[File:Trump-antisemitic-3.jpg|right|350px|thumb|A blatantly [[anti-Semitic]] cartoon depicting [[Israel]]i [[Prime Minister]] [[Benjamin Netanyahu]] as a guide dog with a [[Star of David]] collar leading a blind [[President Trump]] wearing a skullcap. The cartoon accompanied an op-ed published 4/25/19 in the International Edition of the ''New York Times''.<ref>https://thehill.com/homenews/media/440957-ny-times-opinion-apologizes-for-cartoon-depicting-anti-semitic-tropes</ref>]]
During the [[Gulf War]] of 1991 anti-Semites alleged the United States was being used to fight Israel's wars.<ref>[http://newint.org/features/2004/10/01/conspiracism/ ''Zog ate my brains''], [[Chip Berlet]], New Internationalist, October 2004.</ref>

The [[U.S. State Department]] ''Report on Global Anti-Semitism'' in 2005 said this about the current state of anti-Semitism worldwide:

:Beginning in 2000, verbal attacks directed against Jews increased while incidents of vandalism... surged. Physical assaults including beatings, stabbings and other violence against Jews in Europe increased markedly, in a number of cases resulting in serious injury and even death. Also troubling is a bias that spills over into anti-Semitism in some of the [[leftist|left-of-center]] press and among some intellectuals.

:The United States is frequently included as a target of such attacks, which often assert that U.S. foreign policy is made in Israel or that Jews control the media and financial markets in the United States and the rest of the world. ...Similarly, allegations that Jews were behind the [[9/11]] attacks were widely disseminated, especially in the Islamic world.<ref>[http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/40258.htm Report on Global Anti-Semitism], U.S. Department of State Report to the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on International Relations, Released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, January 5, 2005.</ref>

In the United States, [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] Senator [[Ernest Hollings]] was recently ostracized for public criticism of the [[George W. Bush|Bush Administration]] <ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20040506-20051231re_/http://hollings.senate.gov/~hollings/opinion/2004506A17.html Bush's failed Mideast policy is creating more terrorism], U.S. Senator Ernest F. Hollings, Charleston Post and Courier, 6 May 2004.</ref> considered to be anti-Semitic.<ref>[http://www.adl.org/PresRele/ASUS_12/4496_12.htm Anti-Semitism: USA, ADL Urges Senator Hollings to Disavow Statements on Jews and the Iraq War], ADL Press Release, New York, 14 May 2004.</ref> On March 3, 2003 Rep. [[James Moran]] (D-Va.) said, "If it were not for the strong support of the Jewish community for this war with Iraq, we would not be doing this".<ref>[http://judaism.about.com/library/2_antisemitism/bl_moran_iraq.htm Are Jews Behind the War on Iraq?] A Case of Classical Anti-Semitism.</ref> Moran has since made further anti-semitic comments.<ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/16/AR2005061601570.html Democrats Play House To Rally Against the War], Dana Milbank, ''Washington Post'', June 17, 2005.</ref><ref>https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/14/AR2007091402171.html</ref>
Some supporters of the anti-[[Iraq War]] movement have been accused of anti-Semitism, including a group known as ANSWER-[[Act Now to Stop War and End Racism]], one of the first organizations formed to protest the policies of the Bush administration after 9/11.<ref>[http://www.forward.com/articles/the-%E2%80%98answer%E2%80%99-question-poses-difficult-choices/ "The 'Answer' Question Poses Difficult Choices for Liberals"] by Gal Beckerman, ''The Forward'', September 30, 2005.</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20041019075845/http://www.tikkun.org/magazine/index.cfm/action/tikkun/issue/tik0305/article/030512a.html Authoritarianism and Anti-Semitism in the Anti-War Movement?]. ''Tikkun'', May/June 2003. Link is to page on the Internet Archive, archived Oct 19, 2004.</ref>

Liberal activist [[Cindy Sheehan]], though she found popular support among [[leftist]]s and the mainstream media, was condemned for her outspoken anti-Semitic conspiracy theories.<ref>[http://www.davidduke.com/index.php?p=350 Why Cindy Sheehan is Right!], David Duke, 8/14/2005.</ref> Sheehan traveled to [[Venezuela]] <ref>[http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/40258.htm Report on Global Anti-Semitism] U. S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, January 5, 2005.</ref> to appear with Venezuelan dictator [[Hugo Chavez]] to denounce U.S. foreign policy which she blames as responsible for the death of her son.

Former [[President of the United States|U.S. president]] [[Jimmy Carter]] has recently come under much criticism for his writings and comments that have been viewed as anti-Semitic. In his book, "Palestine Peace Not Apartheid", Carter endorsed Islamic terrorism against Israel as a tactic to achieve political ends. The sentiment was widely criticized by people across the political spectrum. In early 2007, it was revealed that Carter once complained there were "too many Jews" on the U.S. government's Holocaust Memorial Council. The council's former executive director, Monroe Freedman, also revealed that a noted Holocaust scholar who was a Presbyterian Christian was rejected from the council's board by Carter because the scholar's name "sounded too Jewish." <ref>http://www.worldnetdaily.com/staticarticles/article53954.html</ref>

While the contemporary American left's hatred for Jews and Jewish traditions has been documented, others who were on the right have been ostracized by conservative commentators. [[William F. Buckley]], Jr., founder and publisher of the ''National Review'' said of [[Reform Party]] presidential candidate and former Nixon speechwriter [[Patrick Buchanan]], "I find it impossible to defend Pat Buchanan against the charge that what he did and said during the period under examination amounted to anti-Semitism..." referring to comments Buchanan made regarding the U.S. involvement in the first [[Gulf War]] which lead to military action against [[Saddam Hussein]] and [[Iraq]].<ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1282/is_n24_v43/ai_11810753 In search of anti-semitism], William F. Buckley, Jr., ''National Review'', Dec 30, 1991.</ref>

The number of anti-Semitic incidents in Britain increased by 34 percent in 2006.<ref>[https://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,290187,00.html Increase in Anti-Semitic Violence Troubles Jews in Britain] by Donald Snyder, Fox News, July 20, 2007</ref>

[[Swastika]]s have been carved into several cornfields in the United States. A 130-foot-square swastika was carved into a field in July 1998. A bigger 600-by-600 foot version of the [[National Socialist German Workers Party|Nazi]] symbol was found in a nearby cornfield almost a year later. In September 2007, a giant swastika covering several acres was discovered.<ref>
[http://www.nj.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/news-8/1190695524193000.xml&coll=1 Police helicopter finds swastika cut into a Mercer County cornfield] The Star-Ledger, September 25, 2007</ref>

===Anti-Semitism and the Left===
[[File:CCP anti-semitism.jpg|right|300px|thumb|The communist controlled Chinese embassy tweeted an [[anti-Semitic]] image portraying the United States as the grim reaper carrying an [[Israel]]i flag knocking on [[Hong Kong]]'s door.<ref>https://freebeacon.com/national-security/chinese-embassy-in-france-tweets-quickly-deletes-anti-semitic-imagery/</ref>]]
{{See also|Left-wing Anti-Semitism}}
Anti-semitism has been growing rapidly at a phenomenal rate in Liberal countries, especially European countries.

It has also been growing amongst liberals in the United States of America, The Institute for Jewish & Community Research, did a study of who is anti-Semitic, and found that people who identify as Democrats are consistently more likely to believe any anti-Semitic belief than are Republicans. The data from the survey also revealed a connection between anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism. This is important since liberals are more likely to be anti-Zionist than conservatives. The study found that the young, who are more likely to be liberal, are also more likely to be anti-Semites than people over age 35. The study found that more than 75% of Democrats hold at least one anti-Semitic belief. According to the study 20% of Democrats believe Jews care only about themselves.<ref>http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=30503</ref>

Recently, [[liberal]] [[Agnosticism|agnostic]] [[Richard Dawkins]] (see: [[Richard Dawkins and agnosticism]]) came under criticism for saying that the Religious Jews monopolize control over the American government.

Many left-wing anti-Semites claim to love Jews while condemning Zionism and Israel, though their comments in relation to Judaism shown otherwise.<ref>Brog, David (January 21, 2019). [https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/op-eds/beware-the-fork-tongued-anti-semites-who-claim-to-love-jews Beware the fork-tongued anti-Semites who claim to love Jews]. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved January 21, 2019.</ref>

==See also==
*[[Wandering Jew]]
*[[Blood libel|Blood Libel]]
*[[Jules Isaac]]
*[[Liberal Christianity#Liberal Christianity's Anti-semitism]]
*[[Theory of Fundamentalist anti-Semitism]]
*[[Suicide bomber: a personal account]]
*[[Left-wing Anti-Semitism]]
*[[Christianity and anti-semitism]]
*[[The Establishment and Zionism]]

==External links==
*[http://www.discoverthenetworks.org/viewSubCategory.asp?id=86 DiscoverTheNetworks.org - Anti-Semitism in Academia]
*[http://www.freemasonry.bcy.ca/anti-masonry/antisemitism.html What’s in a Hyphen?] by Shmuel Almog.
*[http://www.relativitycalculator.com/anti_semitism_special_relativity.shtml anti - Semitism and Special Relativity - Or, Who was the Very First German Nazi?]

==Further reading==
*Arendt, Hannah. ''Antisemitism'', (1968)
* Bellah, Robert N., and Frederick E. Greenspahn eds. ''Uncivil Religion: Interreligious Hostility in America'' (Part I: Jewish-Christian Tensions pp. 1–37), (1987)
* Beller, Steven. ''Antisemitism: A Very Short Introduction‎'' (2007) 132pp [https://books.google.com/books?id=pOgpsjWEAQkC&dq=intitle:antisemitism&lr=&as_drrb_is=b&as_minm_is=0&as_miny_is=2000&as_maxm_is=0&as_maxy_is=&num=30&as_brr=0 excerpt and text search]
* Bering, Dietz. ''The Stigma of Names: Antisemitism in German Daily Life, 1812-1933.'' (1992). 345 pp.
* Bishop, Claire Huchet. ''How Catholics Look at Jews: Inquiries into Italian, Spanish, and French Teaching Materials'', (1974)
* Chanes, Jerome A. ''Antisemitism: a reference handbook‎'' (2004) 347 pages; [https://books.google.com/books?id=ju7U83nRDt8C&dq=intitle:antisemitism&lr=&as_drrb_is=b&as_minm_is=0&as_miny_is=2000&as_maxm_is=0&as_maxy_is=&num=30&as_brr=0 excerpt and text search]
* Flannery, Edward. '' The anguish of the Jews: twenty-three centuries of antisemitism‎'' (2004) 369 pages [https://books.google.com/books?id=r1ulI_N0zW8C&dq=intitle:antisemitism&lr=&as_drrb_is=b&as_minm_is=0&as_miny_is=2000&as_maxm_is=0&as_maxy_is=&num=30&as_brr=0 excerpt and text search]
* Gager, John G. ''The Origins of Anti-Semitism: Attitudes Toward Judaism in Pagan and Christian Antiquity'', (1983)
* Holmes, Colin. ''Antisemitism in British Society, 1876-1939'' (1979)
* Laquer, Walter. '' The changing face of antisemitism: from ancient times to the present day‎'' (2006) 228 pages [https://books.google.com/books?id=xMGeXXBSY8wC&dq=intitle:antisemitism&lr=&as_drrb_is=b&as_minm_is=0&as_miny_is=2000&as_maxm_is=0&as_maxy_is=&num=30&as_brr=0 excerpt and text search]
* Levy, Richard, ed. '' Antisemitism: a historical encyclopedia of prejudice and persecution'' (2005) 828 pages; a major scholarly resource [https://books.google.com/books?id=Tdn6FFZklkcC&dq=intitle:antisemitism+inauthor:richard+inauthor:levy&lr=&as_drrb_is=q&as_minm_is=0&as_miny_is=&as_maxm_is=0&as_maxy_is=&num=30&as_brr=0 excerpt and text search]
* Levy, Richard S., ed. ''Antisemitism in the modern world: an anthology of texts‎'' (1990) 270 pages, primary sources
===Holocaust and Nazis===
* Burleigh, Michael. ''The Third Reich: A New History.'' (2000). 864 pp. Stress on antisemitism; [https://www.amazon.com/Third-Reich-New-History/dp/080909326X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1198874312&sr=8-1 excerpt and text search]
* Dawidowicz, Lucy. ''The War against the Jews, 1933-45,'' (1977).
* Friedlander, Saul. ''Nazi Germany and the Jews: Volume 1: The Years of Persecution 1933-1939'' (1998)
* Friedlander, Saul. ''The Years of Extermination: Nazi Germany and the Jews, 1939-1945'' (2007), the standard history [https://www.amazon.com/Years-Extermination-Nazi-Germany-1939-1945/dp/0060190434/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1195979435&sr=8-1 excerpt and text search]
* Gilbert, Martin. ''The Holocaust: A History of the Jews of Europe During the Second World War'' (1987) [https://www.amazon.com/Holocaust-History-Europe-During-Second/dp/0805003487/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1195979238&sr=8-3 excerpt and text search]
* Gilbert, Martin. ''The Routledge Atlas of the Holocaust'' (2002)[https://www.amazon.com/Routledge-Atlas-Holocaust-Historical-Atlases/dp/0415281466/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1195979238&sr=8-6 excerpt and text search]
* Gutman, Israel, ed. ''Encyclopedia of the Holocaust,'' 4 vol (1989)
* Landau, Ronnie. ''The Nazi Holocaust'' (2002)
* Niewyk, Donald, and Francis Nicosia. ''The Columbia Guide to the Holocaust.'' (2000) [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=99854126&oplinknum=4 online edition]
* Wachsmann, Nikolaus. "Looking into the Abyss: Historians and the Nazi Concentration Camps," ''European History Quarterly,'' 4 2006; vol. 36: pp. 247 – 278. fulltext in Sage; historiography
* Wistrich, Robert S. ''Hitler and the Holocaust.'' 2001. 295 pp.

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Culture]]
[[Category:Judaism]]
[[Category:Anti-Semitism]]
[[Category:Liberal Traits]]
[[Category:Bigotry]]

Karl Marx

2020-06-16T15:16:08Z

King Conservative:

{{Sociology}}
[[Image:KarlMarx.jpg|right|frame|Karl Marx]]
'''Karl Marx''' (May 5, 1818 – March 14, 1883) was the most influential of all [[socialist]] thinkers and the creator of a system of thought called [[Marxism]], the forerunner of [[Communism]]. He helped organize the international socialist movement. His ideas motivated radical [[political]] activists who joined his call to overthrow [[capitalism]].

Marxism argued that all events in [[history]] are caused by economic forces, especially class conflict between owners and workers. Marx depicted the inevitable evolution from [[feudalism]] to [[capitalism]] (which happened, he argued, during the [[French Revolution]]), to [[socialism]], which was about to happen as soon as the workers got organized. Many intellectuals accepted Marx's "scientific" analysis and prediction.

In recent decades there has been little interest in Marx among economists or historians, who nearly unanimously conclude his analysis was faulty, his ideology is non-functional, and his predictions were wrong,<ref>https://www.economist.com/node/1489165</ref> but there is more interest in Marx among critics of literature, especially in university English departments.

As Marxist ideology sees Christianity as an enemy, it is unofficially [[satanic]].

His real name was '''Moses Mordecai Levi'''. Karl Marx was only his pen name.

==Personal life==
Karl Heinrich Marx was born into a happy, wealthy middle-class home in the Rhineland city of [[Trier]], in [[Germany]]. On both sides of his family, he came from a long line of [[Jewish]] rabbis; but his father Heinrich Marx (1782-1838), an intellectual and highly respected lawyer, had his family converted to Lutheranism in 1824 when young Marx was six. Intellectually and culturally, Marx was Protestant, not Jewish. Marx received a good classical education; at age 17, he spent a year in the University of Bonn's law faculty and soaked up its cultural romanticism. At age 18 he became engaged to aristocratic Jenny von Westphalen (1814-1881), daughter of Baron von Westphalen, a prominent member of Trier society, granddaughter of a famous general, and also descended from Scottish nobility. She interested Marx in romantic literature and in the socialist Saint-Simonian movement.

===Intellectual roots===
In 1836 Marx transferred to the University of Berlin, at the time the foremost scholarly center in the world. He abandoned his superficial romanticism and came under the influence of the philosophy of the recently deceased [[G. W. F. Hegel]]. which dominated German thought. Lectures were less important than long conversations with Young Hegelian intellectuals, notably Bruno Bauer; they sought to use Hegelianism to battle the German religious, political, and philosophical status quo. After completing his doctoral thesis (which dealt with the atomic theories of Democritus and Epicurus), Marx at first hoped to obtain teaching post. When Bauer was dismissed for unorthodoxy in 1842, Marx turned to journalism and began writing for the ''Rheinische Zeitung,'' an opposition daily backed by liberal Rhenish industrialists. He soon became its editor, but the paper was closed by the authorities in May 1843, following an expose by Marx of the miserable poverty of farm workers in the Moselle vinyards, a piece of work that led him, as his friend [[Friedrich Engels]] later said, "from pure politics to economic relationships and so to socialism."

[[Ludwig Feuerbach]] (1804–72) in his 1841 book ''The Essence of Christianity'' strongly influenced Marx, who responded with "Contribution to the Critique of Hegel's Philosophy of Law. Introduction (1843-44), which includes his famous line that "religion is the opium of the masses." Marx wanted freedom ''from'' religion, claiming there would no longer be a need for it once socialism succeeded.

In 1843, Marx married Jenny von Westphalen and composed a lengthy manuscript definitely rejecting Hegel's apologia for contemporary German politics. Unemployable in Germany, Marx decided to emigrate to Paris.

===Paris and Brussels===
In [[Paris]], Marx discovered a hothouse of innumerable socialist sects. A proposed journal collapsed, and he plunged into a program of exhaustive reading in [[politics]], [[history]] and [[economics]]. In 1844 Marx composed a series of treatises known as the "Economic and Philosophical Manuscripts" or "Paris Manuscripts," in which he finally espoused "communism". He began a lifelong friendship and collaboration with
[[Friedrich Engels]], whose father was a partner in a cotton firm in the English city of Manchester. Engels supplied Marx with a practical knowledge of the daily workings of capitalism, as well as generous cash subsidies and the one firm intellectual friendship that lasted until death.

On expulsion from Paris in the autumn of 1844, Marx settled (for the next three years) in [[Brussels]], renewing his study of economics. He visited England, with Engels as his guide, and in London met the leaders of the League of the Just, a semi-clandestine club of [[immigrant|emigre]] German artisans. In Brussels Marx founded a network of correspondence committees to keep German,
French, and English communists and socialists informed about each other's ideas and activities and to introduce some theoretical unity into the movement.

He devoured the works of economists [[Adam Smith]], [[David Ricardo]], the comte de [[Henri de Saint-Simon|Saint-Simon]], and many others. He rejected the individualistic radicalism of [[Pierre Joseph Proudhon]] and attacked him in ''The Poverty of Philosophy'' (1847), an early attempt to systematize his own thought.

By 1847 the League of the Just was conscious of a need for a more firm theoretical foundation. Marx and Engels were approached and proved eager to help. During two long congresses in London, Marx's ideas were accepted in principle by the organization, now renamed the Communist League, and Marx was commissioned to set them down in writing.

==Communist Manifesto==
The classic ''[[Communist Manifesto]]'' by Marx and Engles called for the working classes to rise in rebellion. Eric Hobsbawm has argued there was a "triumphal march" of capitalism after the European revolutions of 1848–49, which proves that Marx and Engels were completely wrong in their prognosis of the rapid intensification of [[class conflict]] and the destruction of capitalism. From 1848-49 onward the European bourgeoisie implemented successfully various reforms that insured their hegemony and confounded the prognosis of the "Manifesto".

===Revolution of 1848===
Just as soon as the "Communist Manifesto" appeared, the middle classes and intellectuals of Europe rose in rebellion. The first of the revolutions of 1848, broke out in Paris. Marx rushed back to Paris at the invitation of the liberal provisional government that had replaced the government of King Louis Philippe. By March 1848, the revolution had reached Prussia, and in Berlin King Frederick William IV had
been compelled to grant an elected parliament, a free press, and the convening of an assembly to draw up a new constitution. Marx hurried to Cologne (part of Prussia), and resumed his journalistic activities, concentrating his energies on a new paper, the "Neue Rheinische Zeitungvineyards," which under his editorship favored an alliance between the German workers' movement and the more progressive elements of the middle class. By autumn, 1848, the revolution had been defeated in France and in the Austrian
Empire. Marx still favored such an alliance and refused to support separate working-class candidates in elections. Not until April 1849, a month before the final collapse of the revolution in Germany, did he change tactics and advocate separate working-class political action. But it was far too late. Marx returned
once again to Paris, expecting the revolution to succeed there; it did not and he was expelled in July 1849. Marx returned to London to begin his long exile.

===London===
The early years in [[London]] were characterized by grinding [[poverty]], due quite as much to Marx's inability to manage his finances as to their inadequacy. Three of his six children died. Three of his daughters reached maturity, as did an illegitimate son borne by the Marx family servant, a son whose true parentage remained a secret until after Engels' death. In 1856 a small legacy enabled Marx to move into a more adequate house, but what he conceived to be the necessity of keeping up appearances soon renewed
his financial difficulties. Not until 1864 did the death of his mother and a legacy from an old Communist comrade, bring him substantial relief. But as Marx's pecuniary worries receded, his health deteriorated; he was plagued by boils from head to foot. Despite these difficulties, Marx enjoyed a very warm home life. He loved to play with his children, and the week regularly culminated with a Sunday picnic accompanied by singing and recitations from Shakespeare.

Marx rejoined the Communist League and resumed his journalistic activities. But the study of economics had convinced him that "a new revolution is possible only in consequence of a new crisis," an economic crisis.

==Marx's views==

===Russia===
Initially, Marx's attitudes were marked by [[Russophobia]], pronounced anti-Pan-Slavism, and assessments of Russia as an outpost of European reaction and counterrevolution, and even as the head of a conspiracy to block the world revolution. With time, however, Marx came to consider Russia as the country in which the outbreak of the revolution was most likely. In his research for successive volumes of Capital, he read Russian theoretical works by, among others, Vasili Bervi-Flerovski and A. I. Koshelev. Marx's attitudes to the anticipated peasant revolution in Russia remained ambivalent; to a certain degree he feared its occurrence, suspecting that it could take on an "Asiatic" hue.<ref>Ewa Borowska, "Marx and Russia," ''Studies in East European Thought'' 2002 54(1-2): 87-103. ISSN: 0925-9392
Fulltext: [[Ebsco]]</ref>

===Civil society===
Hungarian scholar László Tüto has argued that Marx believed that the bourgeois revolutions meant the worldwide historical liberation of the individual from the hierarchies of traditional societies. However, this liberation carried its own price. On the one hand, civil society and the state separated from each other in the bourgeois system, and as a result the individual became intrinsically split into a private person and a citizen of a state, two forms of existence that became opposed to each other. On the other hand, the economic freedom of private persons as members of civil society could only survive in the service of the spontaneous mechanisms of the market, that is, if people made themselves the tools of the tangible powers of the economy: goods, money, and capital. After the decline of freely competitive capitalism (into monopoly capitalism) this economic freedom was pushed into the background because of the property hierarchies. Freely competitive capitalism was characterized by the basic tendency of revolutionizing the means of production, and Marx concluded that the continuation of this tendency could only be ensured by going beyond the capitalist system to a socialist environment for civil society.

===Dictatorship of the proletariat===
The "[[dictatorship of the proletariat]]" was introduced by Marx and Engels, and later used by [[V. I. Lenin]] and [[Joseph Stalin]] to justify their murderous [[totalitarian]] rule. They controlled the [[Communist party]] in the [[Soviet Union]] in the name of the proletariat (which had no voice.) Marx and Engels believed in the need for such a dictatorship during the transition to communism following the takeover by the proletariat. They envisaged some undefined form of absolute sovereignty of the people in a radical democratic state based on universal and equal suffrage. Supposedly the dictatorship would allow the proletariat to abolish bureaucracy and private ownership of the means of production, using force and repressive or dictatorial methods to overcome the inevitable resistance by the bourgeoisie. Lenin, however, saw the concept in terms of a dictatorship exercised not by a democratically chosen majority but by a [[Revolutionary Vanguard|vanguard minority revolutionary party]]; he eventually accepted the need for a state bureaucracy, and his more extreme opposition to the bourgeoisie led him to favor their exclusion and disenfranchisement to the benefit of the urban working class.

===Marriage===
Marx held a very low view of [[marriage]], as seen in ''Communist Manifesto'' and ''The German Ideology''.<ref>Solway, David (August 23, 2018). [https://www.lifesitenews.com/opinion/karl-marx-hated-marriage-and-marxism-is-marriages-enemy Karl Marx hated marriage, and Marxism is marriage’s enemy]. ''LifeSiteNews'' (from the ''American Thinker''). Retrieved August 28, 2018.</ref>

===Alienation===
Marx's theory of alienation was often employed to criticize religious, political, and economic divisions. However, the fact that it was basically about individuals and could only with great difficulty be applied to society made it a misleading tool when used in sociology.

===Globalization===
The ''Communist Manifesto'' was expressed in terms the 21st century calls [[globalization]]. It argued that it was the "historic mission" of the capitalist bourgeoisie to establish markets throughout the world and that four lessons could be drawn from this fact: members of the proletariat do not share the same nationality as the bourgeoisie, the proletarian "globalization" will in fact supersede that of the bourgeoisie, exploitation and class warfare will destroy the national barriers between members of the proletariat, and the proletariat has a duty to overthrow the ruling classes in each nation.

==Theories==
Marx saw "primitive" socialist thought as a fundamentally moral movement with no base in practical science. Marx's solution was to create an analysis of society on his principle of [[Dialectical materialism]].

===Dialectic===
The [[dialectic]]al method which was employed by Marx was developed by German philosopher [[Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel]]. Though concepts of dialectics had existed in philosophical theory since [[Plato]], Hegel systematized the idea more thoroughly than any previous thinker. For Hegel, reality is a reflection of the unfolding of Absolute Spirit, roughly meaning knowledge. Thus Hegel saw the contradictions of Enlightenment philosophy (such as between subject and object, mind and nature, etc.) as phases in the development of Absolute spirit. These contradictions would be resolved dialectically through the progress of Absolute Spirit.

Marx argued that Hegel's dialectic was upside down. Instead of being based in human knowledge, the dialectical contradictions were based in human social reality. For Marx, the contradiction between subject and object in philosophy was a reflection of the actual contradiction between workers and employers under capitalism. The difference between the ideal spirit and reality translates into Marx's view that man had become [[alienation|alienated]] from his true nature. Man had been created different from animals: he is creative, this is essential to his nature. However, in modern days, man is just automatically producing: he works to earn his wage, but has no tie to the product of his labor at all. This is the alienation from his true nature.

===Means of production===
The necessity for material sustenance gives rise to an imperfect [[means of production]], which changes as the internal contradictions of [[thesis and antithesis]] work themselves out. A key feature of Marx's theory was his contention that [[competition]] for resources splits society into mutually antagonistic classes ("The history of all hitherto existing society is the history of [[class struggle]]s.") whilst the operation of the dialectic serves to continually reduce the numbers of classes until, in the [[Industrial Age]], society was almost wholly split between "[[bourgeoisie]]" and "[[proletariat]]".

===Capitalism===
[[Capitalism]], according to Marx, is just one system in a long series of [[economic systems]] in the world. He held that a so-called "[[capitalist society]]" had strong internal contradictions. In the development of capitalism, [[capital]] would be increasingly concentrated in the hands of a few people.<ref>See his "Law of the Centralization of Capital".</ref> The difference in income between the poorest and richest would always increase. Through economic crises, the poor laborers could be inflamed to believe that the system would always be disadvantageous to them.

''[[Das Kapital]]'' (''Capital'') seeks to explain that the "bourgeoisie" make [[profit]]s by [[exploitation]] of the "proletariat." The exploitation arises when the value of the goods produced by workers is much more than the wages paid, thus creating "[[surplus value]]" over and above the value of the wages advanced. Marx sought to agitate class envy by alleging that the competition amongst the bourgeoisie forced them to exploit their workers as much as possible. If an individual bourgeois refused to continue the "exploitation" he would soon be forced into [[bankruptcy]] or be taken over by someone who would. The result is persistent low wages among the proletariat who, eventually, would rebel and replace the existing capitalist system with a [[socialist]]/communist system.

===Socialism===
It's important to note, however, that Marx never argued in any sustained fashion that socialism was inevitable: he knew there are too many factors in history to make a prediction possible. He did not have a clear idea about what the next stage after capitalism would be. The increasing concentration, he thought, would facilitate a [[communist]] system. In that system, however, man also would have to eliminate his "alienation." One possibility, which Marx imagined, was complete mechanization of production, so that any man could do any job.<ref>Marx, K. Foundations of the Critique of Political Economy, [[Berlin]]</ref>
In the ''Communist Manifesto'', Marx went into greater detail about how this [[revolution]] would unfold. He also advocated for mass-murder and terror, even specifically telling Frederick Engels in correspondences to each other: "There is only one way of shortening, simplifying, and concentrating the bloodthirsty death-throes of the old society and the bloody birth pangs of the new--revolutionary terror. . . . [...] Once we are at the helm, we shall be obliged to reenact the year 1793 [the [[Reign of Terror]]]. [...] We are pitiless and we ask no pity from you. When our time comes, we shall not conceal terrorism with hypocritical phrases. . . The vengeance of the people will break forth with such ferocity that not even the year 1793 enables us to envisage it. . . ."<ref>https://www.facebook.com/373757305985421/photos/a.373910375970114.102939.373757305985421/819295658098248/?type=1</ref>

===Morality===
Karl Marx, owing to his adherence to dialectic views, did not believe in absolute morality, and in fact has even had various astonished authors of the Communist party purged for adhering to anything implying morality such as justice, love, humanity, and even morality itself, dismissing them as "soulful ravings" and "sloppy sentimentality".<ref>https://twitter.com/andrewbostom/status/1068877898520633344</ref><ref>[http://www.austrianeconomics.org/sites/default/files/Freeman53-6_3.pdf Max Eastman, "The Religion of Immoralism", The Freeman, June 1, 1953, p. 623] "The Communist's believe in man not as an independent power, but as a constituent part of the super humanly ordained movement of the universe. That dialectic movement is their God, and it is that God who exempts them from the laws of morality. The difference between Christianity and Communism is between a religion which teaches personal salvation through sympathy and loving-kindness and a religion which teaches social salvation through bringing the morals of war into the peacetime relations of men. Marx was so sure that the world was going to be redeemed by its own dialectic evolution that he would not permit his disciples to invoke the guidance of moral ideals. He really meant it when he said the workers have ‘no ideal to realize,’ they have only to participate in the contemporary struggle. He expelled people from his Communist Party for mentioning programmatically such things as ‘love,’ ‘justice,’ ‘humanity,’ even ‘morality’ itself. ‘Soulful ravings,’ ‘sloppy sentimentality,’ he called such expressions, and purged the astonished authors as though they had committed the most dastardly crimes.”"</ref><ref>[https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?q1=Marx;id=uc1.c049728219;view=1up;seq=16;start=1;sz=10;page=search;num=8 Major speeches and debates of Senator Joe McCarthy delivered in the United States Senate, 1950-1951. Washington, Govt. Print. Off. <nowiki>[1952]</nowiki>; p. 8] "The great difference between our western Christian world and the atheistic communist world is not political, ladies and gentlemen, it is moral. There are other differences, of course, but those could be reconciled. For instance, the Marxian idea of confiscating the land and factories and running the entire economy as a single enterprise is momentous. Likewise, Lenin’s invention of the one-party police state as a way to make Marx’s idea work is hardly less momentous. Stalin’s resolute putting across of these two ideas, of course, did much to divide the world. With only those differences, however, the East and the West could most certainly still live in peace. The real, basic difference, however, lies in the religion of immoralism—invented by Marx, preached fervently by Lenin, and carried to unimaginable extremes by Stalin. This religion of immoralism, if the Red half of the world wins—and well it may—this religion of immoralism will more deeply wound and damage mankind than any conceivable economic or political system. Karl Marx dismissed God as a hoax, and Lenin and Stalin have added in clear-cut, unmistakable language their resolve that no nation, no people who believe in a God, can exist side by side with their communistic state. Karl Marx, for example, expelled people from his Communist Party for mentioning such things as justice, humanity, or morality. He called this soulful ravings and sloppy sentimentality. "</ref>

==Critique of Marxists==
[[Mikhail Bakunin]] observed how rather than discussion of issues, the tried and tested method of [[leftism]] and [[Marxism]] was spread through the art of [[character assassination]],<ref>Guy A. Aldred, ''Bakunin'', Strickland Press, [[Glasgow]], (1940).</ref> close associates of Marx were adept in the art of
{{Cquote|cowardly, odious and perfidious insinuations. They seldom make open accusation, but they insinuate, saying they "have heard - it is said - it may not be true, but', and then they hurl the most abominable calumnies in your face.}}

===Views on Religion===
:''see also: [[Atheism and Karl Marx]] and [[Marx and Islam]]''
Marx's view on [[religion]] is mostly based on [[Ludwig Feuerbach]]'s ideas,<ref>Feuerbachexhaustivereadingsemi-clandestineémigréEngelsintellectuals, L. ''The Essence of Christianity'', New York, supersede1957</ref> and his feelings toward the subject are not entirely clear. Marx is considered very controversial in religious circles for his statement, "Religion...is the opiate of the masses," yet he also stated that religion is "the heart of a heartless world." This was written in his 1843 work "A Contribution to the [http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1843/critique-hpr/intro.htm Critique of Hegel's Philosophy of Right]" and expresses Marx's belief that religion offers a false palliative to assuage the suffering of "the oppressed." He also stated in the 10 Planks of Communism that one of the necessary requirements for Communism was abolishing religion alongside the family. He also made some poems dedicated to Satan, which caused some to think he was a Satanist instead of an Atheist. During the Russian Revolution, the Russian Communist Party was highly critical of religion (likely seeing it as a threat to their Marxist agenda) and, after taking over, sought to destroy all forms of it.

===Anti-semitism===
Karl Marx is often labeled an [[Anti-Semitism|anti-Semite]] or a "self-hating Jew" for statements such as, "Money is the [[jealous god]] of [[Israel]], in face of which no other god may exist", "The god of the Jews has become secularized and has become the [[god of the world]]. The [[bill of exchange]] is the real god of the Jew. His god is only an illusory bill of exchange", and "What is the worldly religion of the Jew? Huckstering. What is his worldly God? Money."

It should be noted, that Marx was raised in the German Protestant culture, not in the Jewish culture of his ancestors. Furthermore, Marx's metaphorical use of Judaism and money was standard for intellectuals of his time, including Jews. Moses Hess, for example, self-consciously Jewish and proto-Zionist, used language almost exactly similar to Marx's in his "On the Money System." The equation of Judaism with money was standard for Marx's period, even by Jews.<ref>[http://www.marxists.org/archive/draper/1977/kmtr1/app1.htm]</ref>

Anti-semitism did become a major force in Germany in the late 19th century, but all the leaders of that movement rejected Marx.

== Academy Marx versus Public Marx ==

Marx in the academy and Marx in the public sphere are two different figures. It is an axiom within the academy that Marx in the public sphere is a vulgar misappropriation; even Marx once commented, "I am not a Marxist", referring to the treatment of his theory amongst his own contemporaries; this largely displays, at least, the freedom of interpretation intrinsic within Marx and the volatility of his content.

This misappropriation is likely largely a result of Marx's own Communist Manifesto and its popularity within post-war socialist activism in the US. The Communist Manifesto is only a drop in an ocean of Marx's work and theory, and not even the most relevant one. The complexity of Marx's work has actually enabled some contemporary theorists to find his work as a support of capitalism, while others interpret it as a trenchant critique of capitalism; and in fact it is both. Marx is actually very clear that capitalism is the most powerful mode of production available. What is debated is whether resistance to capitalism is intrinsic to itself, and whether the entire world marches inevitably towards capitalism.

Regardless of Marx's nuances and the usefulness of his theory for all perspectives of inquiry, even conservative ones, he continues to be misappropriated in the public. This is noticeable in the mildly anecdotal evidence that to even mention Marx is virtual political suicide. The academy refers to this phenomenon as the anti-intellectualism of the American public.

== See also ==
* [[Baldomero Ortoneda]]
* [[Max Weber]]
* [[Adolf Hitler]], [[Joseph Stalin]], [[Chairman Mao]], [[Kim Jong-Il]], [[Pol Pot]]
* [[Dictatorship of the proletariat]]
* [[List of Communist States]]
* [[List of Socialist States]]
* [[Death toll of communism]]
* [[Big government]] [[Welfare state]] leads to [[Nanny state]], leads to [[Police state]]: [[Globalist]]-[[Statist]]-[[Socialist]]-[[Communist]]
* [[Liberal totalitarianism]]

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=35em}}

==Bibliography==
* Avineri, Shlomo. ''The Social and Political Thought of Karl Marx'' (1970) [https://www.amazon.com/Political-Thought-Cambridge-Studies-Politics/dp/0521096197/ref=sr_1_21/103-4827826-5463040?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1192887351&sr=8-21 excerpt and text search]
* Berlin, Isaiah. ''Karl Marx: His Life and Environment'' (1963) [http://www.questia.com/read/53992776?title=Karl%20Marx%3a%20His%20Life%20and%20Environment online edition], excellent overview by leading non-Marxist scholar
* Carver, Terrel, ed. ''The Cambridge Companion to Marx.'' 1992. 357 pp. [https://www.amazon.com/Cambridge-Companion-Marx-Companions-Philosophy/dp/0521366259/ref=sr_1_1/103-4827826-5463040?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1192896360&sr=8-1 excerpt and text search], streee on philosophy
* Cohen, Gerald Allen, and G. A. Cohen. ''Karl Marx's Theory of History'' (2000) [https://www.amazon.com/Marxs-Theory-History-Gerald-Allen/dp/0691070687/ref=sr_1_42/103-4827826-5463040?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1192887474&sr=8-42 excerpt and text search]
* Elster, Jon. ''Making Sense of Marx.'' 1985. 556 pp. [https://www.amazon.com/Making-Studies-Marxism-Social-Theory/dp/0521297052/ref=sr_1_1/103-4827826-5463040?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1192896566&sr=1-1 excerpt and text search]
* Elster, Jon. ''An Introduction to Karl Marx'' (1986) [https://www.amazon.com/Introduction-Karl-Marx-Jon-Elster/dp/052133831X/ref=sr_1_3/103-4827826-5463040?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1192896566&sr=1-3 excerpt and text search]
* Hobsbawm, Eric J., ed. ''Marxism in Marx's Day.'' 1982. 349 pp.
* Kolakowski, Leszek. ''Main Currents of Marxism: The Founders, the Golden Age, the Breakdown.'' (3 vol. 1981, 2005). 1504 pp. covers Marx and all the Marxists [https://www.amazon.com/Main-Currents-Marxism-Founders-Breakdown/dp/0393060543/ref=sr_1_1/103-4827826-5463040?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1192896392&sr=8-1 excerpt and text search], by a leading conservative scholar; strong emphasis on philosophy
* McLellan, David. ''Karl Marx: A Biography'' (4th ed. 2006)
* Mehring, Franz. ''Marx: The Story of His Life'' (1918) [http://www.questia.com/read/3077782 online edition] [http://www.marxists.org/archive/mehring/1918/marx/index.htm another online edition]
* Oakley, Allen. ''Marx's Critique of Political Economy: Intellectual Sources and Evolution.'' Vol. 1: 1844–1860. Vol. 2: 1861 to 1863. (1984–85). 266pp, 342 pp.
* Rader, Melvin Miller. ''Marx's Interpretation of History.'' 1979. 242 pp.
* White, James D. ''Karl Marx and the Intellectual Origins of Dialectical Materialism.'' 1996. 416 pp.
*Wurmbrand, Richard. ''Marx and Satan.'' 1986

===Primary sources===
* ''The Portable Karl Marx'' edited by Eugene Kamenka (1983) [https://www.amazon.com/Portable-Karl-Marx-Viking-Library/dp/014015096X/ref=sr_1_3/103-4827826-5463040?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1192887156&sr=8-3 excerpt and text search]
* Marx, Karl. ''Karl Marx: The Essential Writings'' (1986) ed. by Frederic L. Bender [http://www.questia.com/read/94876762?title=Karl%20Marx%3a%20The%20Essential%20Writings online edition]
* Marx, Karl, and Friedrich Engels. ''The Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844 and the Communist Manifesto'' (1988) [https://www.amazon.com/Philosophic-Manuscripts-Communist-Manifesto-Philosophy/dp/087975446X/ref=sr_1_14/103-4827826-5463040?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1192887156&sr=8-14 excerpt and text search]
* Marx, Karl, and Friedrich Engels. ''The Communist Manifesto'' (1848) [https://www.amazon.com/Communist-Manifesto-Penguin-Classics/dp/0140447571/ref=sr_1_1/103-4827826-5463040?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1192887156&sr=8-1 excerpt and text search]
* Marx, Karl. ''Karl Marx: The Essential Writings'' ed by Frederic L. Bender. (2nd ed. 1986) 516 pgs. [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=94876758 online edition]
* Marx, Karl. ''Grundrisse: Foundations of the Critique of Political Economy'' ed. by Martin Nicolaus (1993) [https://www.amazon.com/Grundrisse-Foundations-Critique-Political-Classics/dp/0140445757/ref=sr_1_38/103-4827826-5463040?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1192887474&sr=8-38 excerpt and text search]
* Marx, Karl. ''Capital: A Critique of Political Economy'' (1906), 865pp [https://books.google.com/books?id=IpJC7HNskeYC&dq=inauthor:karl+inauthor:marx&num=30&as_brr=1 online ediition]

==External links==
* [https://librivox.org/author/2426 Works by Karl Marx - text and free audio] - [[LibriVox]]
* [https://www.thenewamerican.com/culture/history/item/28965-please-don-t-celebrate-karl-marx-s-200th-birthday Please Don’t Celebrate Karl Marx’s 200th Birthday], by Steve Byas of ''[[The New American]]''
* [https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/dont-be-fooled-karl-marx-was-a-hate-filled-totalitarian-whose-ideas-killed Don’t be fooled – Karl Marx was a hate-filled totalitarian whose ideas killed millions], by Matthew Cullinan Hoffman of ''LifeSiteNews''

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Vladimir Lenin

2020-06-14T19:00:13Z

King Conservative:

Leon Trotsky

2020-06-14T18:54:20Z

King Conservative: /* Religion */

[[Image:Trockiy2.jpg|right|thumb|Leon Trotsky]]

'''Leon Trotsky''' ([[Russian language|Russian]]: Лeв Давидович Трóцкий), born '''Lev Davidovich Bronstein''' (Russian: Лeв Давидович Бронштéйн) (1879-1940), pronounced (traht'-skee) was a leader with [[Vladimir Lenin]] in the [[Bolshevik]] ([[Communist]]) [[October Revolution]] in Russia in 1917. A charismatic orator, systematic organizer and brilliant theorist, Trotsky was primarily an intellectual whose writings greatly influenced leftist movements worldwide. An energetic organizer he planned the successful Petrograd uprising in November 1917, created the Red Army, and played the central role in winning the civil war (1918–20). Trotsky's independence and aloofness made him a poor backstage negotiator and he was easily outmaneuvered by Stalin, who controlled the party apparatus, After Lenin's disability in 1923, Trotsky lost power to [[Stalin]]. Forced into exile, he denounced the Soviet regime as an impure form of Communism; Stalin had him assassinated in [[Mexico]] in 1940.

Trotsky made many blunders and exaggerations, including losing his nerve when Germany invaded Russia in 1918; taking the credit due the generals for the Red victory in the civil war; claiming to be the father of the New Economic Policy of the 1920s; claiming to be on good terms with Lenin in the 1920s; displaying profound naivety in dealing with Stalin in 1924; and his [[wishful thinking]] that Stalinism was on the verge of collapse in the 1930s.

"Death came early to him," explains his leading biographer, "because he fought for a cause that was more destructive than he ever imagined."<ref>Service (2009)</ref>

==Career==
Trotsky, was the son of a prosperous and reportedly non-religious Jewish farmer in the Ukraine. Well educated and rebellious, he became a professional revolutionary as a teenager. He was arrested in 1898 and was later exiled to Siberia, where he joined the Social Democratic party. In 1902 he escaped abroad, met Lenin.

In 1903, while Lenin headed the Bolsheviks, Trotsky joined the rival Mensheviks. Mensheviks did not believe in trying to ignite a revolution, expecting that it would happen when the people were ready. By contrast, the Bolsheviks believed that the people needed to be led. From 1904 until 1917 Trotsky had a stormy relationship with Lenin, accusing Lenin of wanting to become a dictator. But the two of them resolved their differences in 1917, and after that point Trotsky was totally loyal to Lenin.

Trotsky was the most powerful orator in the Bolshevik party, and due to his numerous spells in jail and his active role in the failed 1905 revolution he was much more famous than Lenin was to ordinary Russians. He was the actual organizer behind the [[October Revolution]], as Lenin was still in exile and so unable to participate.

==Civil War==
Trotsky also helped build the [[Red Army]] that defeated the White Russian Army in the subsequent Civil War in Russia, despite having no military experience of any kind. He also crushed the [[Anarchist]] movement of [[Nestor Makhno]] and brutally suppressed the [[Kronstadt Rebellion]]. Many massacres were committed under his orders, as even other leftists admit.<ref name="Slate">Clive James, [http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/clives_lives/2007/04/leon_trotsky.html "Leon Trotsky: He was a mass murderer, not the true champion of the working class."], Slate, April 2, 2007</ref>

==Power struggle==
Lenin was always primarily a politician; politics absorbed his waking hours. The conflict between Trotsky and Lenin led to the subsequent struggle between Trotsky and [[Stalin]] in Lenin's last months. Multiple rivalries within the Bolshevik Party emerged because history did not unfold as predicted by theory; the Communist revolution did not spread into a worldwide spontaneous uprising of the working people. Lenin accused Stalin of Russian chauvinism when he proposed the incorporation of different nationalities into a unitary Soviet state. But Lenin was disabled by a stroke in 1923 before he could remove Stalin, and Stalin proved the master politician.

When Lenin died in 1924, a lengthy power struggle began between Trotsky and Stalin. Trotsky took the view that socialism in the Soviet Union must await a revolution in western Europe and even worldwide. Stalin wanted power immediately and offered a rival ideology, ''Socialism in one country''. To fend off accusations of becoming the new 'Napoleon', he gave up his command of the Red Army.

The struggle for power in the Soviet Union during Lenin's last illness in 1923 was not based merely on a clash of personalities but involved fundamental issues concerning the future political and economic development of the Soviet Union. Trotsky's desire to lessen Party control over the administration while centralizing the economy and giving priority to heavy industry, as well as his doubts about reforms of government proposed by Lenin, made him isolated on the Politburo. Trotsky did not carry out Lenin's wishes toward Stalin and the "Georgians" because he agreed with Stalin's ideas on the nationality question and centralization, but he was outmaneuvered by Stalin's strengthening of the powers of the Secretariat, which contradicted Trotsky's ideas on freeing administration from direct political control.

Trotsky was a quick-witted combatant and ruthless foe; he was an articulate intellectual, but he lacked humanism or normal human qualities such as empathy, respect for the sacred, loyalty to his friends, or indeed, loyalty to anything except his theory of how should happen, but never did. His theory suffered from lack of nuance, and from Trotsky's inability to adjust it to account for the uncertainties and human dimensions of actual history.

==Exile==
Stalin expelled Trotsky from the Bolshevik party in 1927 and exiled him from Russia in 1929. Trotsky's constant goal was to gain control of world Communist leadership and implement more radical programs. To this end, he advocated youth rebellion, [[feminism]], [[Black Power]], guerrilla warfare, free abortions, "free love" and the [[homosexual agenda]] (Stalin banned sodomy in 1934). Trotsky formed a loose organization of German followers in 1930 but failed either to defeat or take control of the German Communist Party. Indeed, his supporters nearly everywhere were outmaneuvered and defeated by the Soviet Communists, and lingered in numerous countries as a far-Left party with little influence, with the exception of Sri Lanka where the Trotskyite "Lanka Sama Samaja Party" dominated the Marxist left for decades, and Vietnam where the Trotskyites were very popular in the Saigon area in the 1930s and 1940s until they were massacred by the Stalinites under [[Ho Chi Minh]]. Intellectuals who joined Trotsky's movement were put off by Trotsky's dogmatism and his intolerance of the least deviation from his ideas.

After getting kicked out of Turkey and France, Trotsky settled in Mexico in 1937, where he was welcomed by the atheistic, anti-American government of [[Lazaro Cardenas]]. While in Mexico, Trotsky continued to write angry essays about the Soviet Government, alleging that it had betrayed the revolution. The Soviets responded by organizing several assassination attempts. The first attempt, on May 24, 1940, was a home invasion by 30 Communists armed with guns and bombs, but they somehow failed to kill Trotsky and his wife. Then on August 20, 1940 Spanish Communist Ramón Mercader, acting on orders from Stalin, successfully murdered Trotsky in his Mexico City home, using an ice axe while his back was turned.

During his time in Mexico Trotsky was in a sexual relationship with [[Frida Kahlo]],<ref name="Slate" /> even though he was not married to her at the time.

==Permanent revolution==
Trotsky's most influential idea was the notion of permanent revolution. Drawing on the experiences of the 1905 Russian Revolution, Trotsky maintained that revolution would spread worldwide after the international proletariat's aid to the Russian workers, who in turn would "export" the revolution abroad. By contrast Stalin rejected Trotsky's theory and presented his own thesis on socialism in one country (Russia) in 1926. Trotsky asserted that the unification of developed and backward countries in the worldwide operations of capitalism created a combination of separate and uneven stages of development in backward countries like Russia, permitting the Russian proletariat the capability of carrying out a revolution but at the same time requiring the permanent extension of revolution in time and space until the extinction of class distinctions. A similar ideology regarding revolution would be adhered by [[Sturmabteilung]] leader [[Ernst Röhm]].<ref>Shirer, William L. ''Rise and Fall of the Third Reich''. "The Nazification of Germany: 1933-34; 'No Second Revolution'" ''"A tremendous victory has been won. But not an absolute victory! The SA and the SS will not tolerate the German revolution going to sleep and being betrayed at the half-way stage by non-combatants. Not for the sake of the SA and SS but for Germany's sake. For the SA is the last armed force of the nation, the last defense against communism. If the German revolution is wrecked by the reactionary opposition, incompetence, or laziness, the German people will fall into despair and will be an easy prey for the bloodstained frenzy coming from the depths of Asia. If these bourgeois simpletons think that the national revolution has already lasted too long, for once we agree with them. It is in fact high time the national revolution stopped and became the National Socialist one. Whether they like it or not, we will continue our struggle - if they understand at last what it is about - with them; if they are unwilling - without them; and if necessary - against them."''[http://spartacus-educational.com/GERroehm.htm]</ref>

==American influence==
American Trotskyists were political activists in the 1930s who follows the teachings of Trotsky and opposed Stalin's version. All of them broke with Trotsky, and many became conservatives, such as Max Eastman, [[James Burnham]] and [[Seymour Martin Lipset]].

[[Paleoconservatives]], who dislike [[Neoconservatism]] intensely, have argued that it emerged from Trotskyist theories, especially the notion of permanent revolution. There are four fundamental flaws in the paleoconservatives' attack: most of the neoconservatives were never Trotskyists; none of them ever subscribed to the right-wing Socialism of Max Shachtman; the assertion that neoconservatives subscribe to "inverted Trotskyism" is misleading; and neoconservatives advocate democratic globalism, not permanent revolution.<ref>William F. King, "Neoconservatives and 'Trotskyism'" ''American Communist History'' 2004 3(2): 247-266 online at [[EBSCO]]</ref>

==Historiography==
Western commentators on Trotsky generally fall into four categories, aside from orthodox Trotskyists, who have generally been concerned with preserving his ideas rather than developing them. First, the pro-Soviets oppose him and his ideas, especially on the issue of socialism in one country. The second group, described as sympathetic critics, has examined Trotsky's stands and while generally in agreement, has commonly found his views mistaken on three points in particular: His conversion to Leninism, his failure to move against Stalin in 1923, and his characterization of Stalinism as a workers' state. A third group of commentators has viewed Trotsky skeptically, an unlikely alternative to Stalin. The realist group, in contrast, faults Trotsky for failure to realize the true nature of events after 1917. After glasnost in the 1980s Trotsky was rehabilitated in Russia as an important leader and some of his writings have been published.<ref>Michael Cox, "Trotsky and his Interpreters; Or, Will the Real Leon Trotsky Please Stand Up?" ''Russian Review'' 1992 51(1): 84-102.</ref>

==Religion==
One of Trotsky's famous quotes (which also sums up the [[Atheism]] in the Communist Movement) was : "Religions are illogical primitive ignorance. There is nothing as ridiculous and tragic as a religious government." However, he was ethnically a Ukrainian-Jew.

== See also ==
*[[Trotskyism]]
*[[Great purge]]
*[[Diego Rivera]]
*[[Elizabeth Zarubina]]
*[[Floyd Miller]]
*[[Gregory Rabinovich]]
*[[Sylvia Callen]]
*[[Jack Soble]]

==Further reading==
* Alexander, Robert J. ''International Trotskyism, 1929-1985: A Documented Analysis of the Movement'' (1991), 1128pp [http://www.questia.com/read/27804413?title=International%20Trotskyism%2c%201929-1985%3a%20A%20Documented%20Analysis%20of%20the%20Movement online edition]
* Brotherstone, Terry, et al. eds. ''The Trotsky Reappraisal'' (1992) [http://www.questia.com/read/59387717?title=The%20Trotsky%20Reappraisal online edition], 19 short essays by scholars
* Daniels, Robert V. ''Trotsky, Stalin and Socialism.'' (1991). 208 pp.
* Deutscher, Isaac. ''Trotsky'' (3v, 1954–63), by a far-left admirer of Trotsky
* Garza, Hedda. ''Leon Trotsky'' (1986) short survey
* Kolakowski, Leszek. ''Main Current of Marxism'' (1978), 3:183-219, on Trotsky in 1930s
* Molyneux, John. ''Leon Trotsky's Theory of Revolution.'' (1981). 238 pp.
* Pomper, Philip. ''Lenin, Trotsky, and Stalin: The Intelligentsia and Power.'' (1990). 446 pp.
* Renton, Dave. ''Trotsky'' (2004) [https://www.amazon.com/Trotsky-Life-Times-Dave-Renton/dp/1904341624/ref=sr_1_34?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1245111487&sr=1-34 excerpt and text search]
* Service, Robert. ''Trotsky: A Biography'' (2009), 600pp; by a leading historian; the best biography
* Thatcher, Ian D. ''Trotsky'' (2002) [https://www.amazon.com/Trotsky-Routledge-Historical-Biographies-Thatcher/dp/0415232503/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1245111296&sr=1-14 excerpt and text search]; also [http://www.questia.com/read/108142763?title=Trotsky full text online]
* Volkogonov, Dmitri. ''Trotsky: The Eternal Revolutionary.'' (1996). 560 pp. [https://www.amazon.com/Trotsky-Eternal-Revolutionary-Dmitri-Volkogonov/dp/1416576649/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1245111189&sr=1-8 excerpt and text search], very hostile

===Primary sources===
* Trotsky, Leon. ''The Basic Writings of Trotsky'' ed. by Irving Howe, (1963), [http://www.questia.com/read/58369460?title=The%20Basic%20Writings%20of%20Trotsky online edition]
* Trotsky, Leon. ''The Age of Permanent Revolution: A Trotsky Anthology'' ed. by Isaac Deutscher (1970)
* [http://www.questia.com/library/leon-trotsky.jsp online books and chapters on Trotsky and by him]

==References==
{{reflist|1}}

==External links==
* [https://librivox.org/author/4200 Works by Leon Trotsky - text and free audio] - [[LibriVox]]

{{Communism}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Trotsky, Leon}}
[[Category:Russian History]]
[[Category:Soviet Union]]
[[Category:Communists]]
[[Category:Marxism]]
[[Category:Trotskyite]]
[[Category:Mass Murderers]]
[[Category:Homosexual Agenda]]
[[Category:Dictators]]
[[Category:Jewish People]]

Leon Trotsky

2020-06-14T18:53:20Z

King Conservative: /* External links */

[[Image:Trockiy2.jpg|right|thumb|Leon Trotsky]]

'''Leon Trotsky''' ([[Russian language|Russian]]: Лeв Давидович Трóцкий), born '''Lev Davidovich Bronstein''' (Russian: Лeв Давидович Бронштéйн) (1879-1940), pronounced (traht'-skee) was a leader with [[Vladimir Lenin]] in the [[Bolshevik]] ([[Communist]]) [[October Revolution]] in Russia in 1917. A charismatic orator, systematic organizer and brilliant theorist, Trotsky was primarily an intellectual whose writings greatly influenced leftist movements worldwide. An energetic organizer he planned the successful Petrograd uprising in November 1917, created the Red Army, and played the central role in winning the civil war (1918–20). Trotsky's independence and aloofness made him a poor backstage negotiator and he was easily outmaneuvered by Stalin, who controlled the party apparatus, After Lenin's disability in 1923, Trotsky lost power to [[Stalin]]. Forced into exile, he denounced the Soviet regime as an impure form of Communism; Stalin had him assassinated in [[Mexico]] in 1940.

Trotsky made many blunders and exaggerations, including losing his nerve when Germany invaded Russia in 1918; taking the credit due the generals for the Red victory in the civil war; claiming to be the father of the New Economic Policy of the 1920s; claiming to be on good terms with Lenin in the 1920s; displaying profound naivety in dealing with Stalin in 1924; and his [[wishful thinking]] that Stalinism was on the verge of collapse in the 1930s.

"Death came early to him," explains his leading biographer, "because he fought for a cause that was more destructive than he ever imagined."<ref>Service (2009)</ref>

==Career==
Trotsky, was the son of a prosperous and reportedly non-religious Jewish farmer in the Ukraine. Well educated and rebellious, he became a professional revolutionary as a teenager. He was arrested in 1898 and was later exiled to Siberia, where he joined the Social Democratic party. In 1902 he escaped abroad, met Lenin.

In 1903, while Lenin headed the Bolsheviks, Trotsky joined the rival Mensheviks. Mensheviks did not believe in trying to ignite a revolution, expecting that it would happen when the people were ready. By contrast, the Bolsheviks believed that the people needed to be led. From 1904 until 1917 Trotsky had a stormy relationship with Lenin, accusing Lenin of wanting to become a dictator. But the two of them resolved their differences in 1917, and after that point Trotsky was totally loyal to Lenin.

Trotsky was the most powerful orator in the Bolshevik party, and due to his numerous spells in jail and his active role in the failed 1905 revolution he was much more famous than Lenin was to ordinary Russians. He was the actual organizer behind the [[October Revolution]], as Lenin was still in exile and so unable to participate.

==Civil War==
Trotsky also helped build the [[Red Army]] that defeated the White Russian Army in the subsequent Civil War in Russia, despite having no military experience of any kind. He also crushed the [[Anarchist]] movement of [[Nestor Makhno]] and brutally suppressed the [[Kronstadt Rebellion]]. Many massacres were committed under his orders, as even other leftists admit.<ref name="Slate">Clive James, [http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/clives_lives/2007/04/leon_trotsky.html "Leon Trotsky: He was a mass murderer, not the true champion of the working class."], Slate, April 2, 2007</ref>

==Power struggle==
Lenin was always primarily a politician; politics absorbed his waking hours. The conflict between Trotsky and Lenin led to the subsequent struggle between Trotsky and [[Stalin]] in Lenin's last months. Multiple rivalries within the Bolshevik Party emerged because history did not unfold as predicted by theory; the Communist revolution did not spread into a worldwide spontaneous uprising of the working people. Lenin accused Stalin of Russian chauvinism when he proposed the incorporation of different nationalities into a unitary Soviet state. But Lenin was disabled by a stroke in 1923 before he could remove Stalin, and Stalin proved the master politician.

When Lenin died in 1924, a lengthy power struggle began between Trotsky and Stalin. Trotsky took the view that socialism in the Soviet Union must await a revolution in western Europe and even worldwide. Stalin wanted power immediately and offered a rival ideology, ''Socialism in one country''. To fend off accusations of becoming the new 'Napoleon', he gave up his command of the Red Army.

The struggle for power in the Soviet Union during Lenin's last illness in 1923 was not based merely on a clash of personalities but involved fundamental issues concerning the future political and economic development of the Soviet Union. Trotsky's desire to lessen Party control over the administration while centralizing the economy and giving priority to heavy industry, as well as his doubts about reforms of government proposed by Lenin, made him isolated on the Politburo. Trotsky did not carry out Lenin's wishes toward Stalin and the "Georgians" because he agreed with Stalin's ideas on the nationality question and centralization, but he was outmaneuvered by Stalin's strengthening of the powers of the Secretariat, which contradicted Trotsky's ideas on freeing administration from direct political control.

Trotsky was a quick-witted combatant and ruthless foe; he was an articulate intellectual, but he lacked humanism or normal human qualities such as empathy, respect for the sacred, loyalty to his friends, or indeed, loyalty to anything except his theory of how should happen, but never did. His theory suffered from lack of nuance, and from Trotsky's inability to adjust it to account for the uncertainties and human dimensions of actual history.

==Exile==
Stalin expelled Trotsky from the Bolshevik party in 1927 and exiled him from Russia in 1929. Trotsky's constant goal was to gain control of world Communist leadership and implement more radical programs. To this end, he advocated youth rebellion, [[feminism]], [[Black Power]], guerrilla warfare, free abortions, "free love" and the [[homosexual agenda]] (Stalin banned sodomy in 1934). Trotsky formed a loose organization of German followers in 1930 but failed either to defeat or take control of the German Communist Party. Indeed, his supporters nearly everywhere were outmaneuvered and defeated by the Soviet Communists, and lingered in numerous countries as a far-Left party with little influence, with the exception of Sri Lanka where the Trotskyite "Lanka Sama Samaja Party" dominated the Marxist left for decades, and Vietnam where the Trotskyites were very popular in the Saigon area in the 1930s and 1940s until they were massacred by the Stalinites under [[Ho Chi Minh]]. Intellectuals who joined Trotsky's movement were put off by Trotsky's dogmatism and his intolerance of the least deviation from his ideas.

After getting kicked out of Turkey and France, Trotsky settled in Mexico in 1937, where he was welcomed by the atheistic, anti-American government of [[Lazaro Cardenas]]. While in Mexico, Trotsky continued to write angry essays about the Soviet Government, alleging that it had betrayed the revolution. The Soviets responded by organizing several assassination attempts. The first attempt, on May 24, 1940, was a home invasion by 30 Communists armed with guns and bombs, but they somehow failed to kill Trotsky and his wife. Then on August 20, 1940 Spanish Communist Ramón Mercader, acting on orders from Stalin, successfully murdered Trotsky in his Mexico City home, using an ice axe while his back was turned.

During his time in Mexico Trotsky was in a sexual relationship with [[Frida Kahlo]],<ref name="Slate" /> even though he was not married to her at the time.

==Permanent revolution==
Trotsky's most influential idea was the notion of permanent revolution. Drawing on the experiences of the 1905 Russian Revolution, Trotsky maintained that revolution would spread worldwide after the international proletariat's aid to the Russian workers, who in turn would "export" the revolution abroad. By contrast Stalin rejected Trotsky's theory and presented his own thesis on socialism in one country (Russia) in 1926. Trotsky asserted that the unification of developed and backward countries in the worldwide operations of capitalism created a combination of separate and uneven stages of development in backward countries like Russia, permitting the Russian proletariat the capability of carrying out a revolution but at the same time requiring the permanent extension of revolution in time and space until the extinction of class distinctions. A similar ideology regarding revolution would be adhered by [[Sturmabteilung]] leader [[Ernst Röhm]].<ref>Shirer, William L. ''Rise and Fall of the Third Reich''. "The Nazification of Germany: 1933-34; 'No Second Revolution'" ''"A tremendous victory has been won. But not an absolute victory! The SA and the SS will not tolerate the German revolution going to sleep and being betrayed at the half-way stage by non-combatants. Not for the sake of the SA and SS but for Germany's sake. For the SA is the last armed force of the nation, the last defense against communism. If the German revolution is wrecked by the reactionary opposition, incompetence, or laziness, the German people will fall into despair and will be an easy prey for the bloodstained frenzy coming from the depths of Asia. If these bourgeois simpletons think that the national revolution has already lasted too long, for once we agree with them. It is in fact high time the national revolution stopped and became the National Socialist one. Whether they like it or not, we will continue our struggle - if they understand at last what it is about - with them; if they are unwilling - without them; and if necessary - against them."''[http://spartacus-educational.com/GERroehm.htm]</ref>

==American influence==
American Trotskyists were political activists in the 1930s who follows the teachings of Trotsky and opposed Stalin's version. All of them broke with Trotsky, and many became conservatives, such as Max Eastman, [[James Burnham]] and [[Seymour Martin Lipset]].

[[Paleoconservatives]], who dislike [[Neoconservatism]] intensely, have argued that it emerged from Trotskyist theories, especially the notion of permanent revolution. There are four fundamental flaws in the paleoconservatives' attack: most of the neoconservatives were never Trotskyists; none of them ever subscribed to the right-wing Socialism of Max Shachtman; the assertion that neoconservatives subscribe to "inverted Trotskyism" is misleading; and neoconservatives advocate democratic globalism, not permanent revolution.<ref>William F. King, "Neoconservatives and 'Trotskyism'" ''American Communist History'' 2004 3(2): 247-266 online at [[EBSCO]]</ref>

==Historiography==
Western commentators on Trotsky generally fall into four categories, aside from orthodox Trotskyists, who have generally been concerned with preserving his ideas rather than developing them. First, the pro-Soviets oppose him and his ideas, especially on the issue of socialism in one country. The second group, described as sympathetic critics, has examined Trotsky's stands and while generally in agreement, has commonly found his views mistaken on three points in particular: His conversion to Leninism, his failure to move against Stalin in 1923, and his characterization of Stalinism as a workers' state. A third group of commentators has viewed Trotsky skeptically, an unlikely alternative to Stalin. The realist group, in contrast, faults Trotsky for failure to realize the true nature of events after 1917. After glasnost in the 1980s Trotsky was rehabilitated in Russia as an important leader and some of his writings have been published.<ref>Michael Cox, "Trotsky and his Interpreters; Or, Will the Real Leon Trotsky Please Stand Up?" ''Russian Review'' 1992 51(1): 84-102.</ref>

==Religion==
One of Trotsky's famous quotes (which also sums up the [[Atheism]] in the Communist Movement) was : "Religions are illogical primitive ignorance. There is nothing as ridiculous and tragic as a religious government."

== See also ==
*[[Trotskyism]]
*[[Great purge]]
*[[Diego Rivera]]
*[[Elizabeth Zarubina]]
*[[Floyd Miller]]
*[[Gregory Rabinovich]]
*[[Sylvia Callen]]
*[[Jack Soble]]

==Further reading==
* Alexander, Robert J. ''International Trotskyism, 1929-1985: A Documented Analysis of the Movement'' (1991), 1128pp [http://www.questia.com/read/27804413?title=International%20Trotskyism%2c%201929-1985%3a%20A%20Documented%20Analysis%20of%20the%20Movement online edition]
* Brotherstone, Terry, et al. eds. ''The Trotsky Reappraisal'' (1992) [http://www.questia.com/read/59387717?title=The%20Trotsky%20Reappraisal online edition], 19 short essays by scholars
* Daniels, Robert V. ''Trotsky, Stalin and Socialism.'' (1991). 208 pp.
* Deutscher, Isaac. ''Trotsky'' (3v, 1954–63), by a far-left admirer of Trotsky
* Garza, Hedda. ''Leon Trotsky'' (1986) short survey
* Kolakowski, Leszek. ''Main Current of Marxism'' (1978), 3:183-219, on Trotsky in 1930s
* Molyneux, John. ''Leon Trotsky's Theory of Revolution.'' (1981). 238 pp.
* Pomper, Philip. ''Lenin, Trotsky, and Stalin: The Intelligentsia and Power.'' (1990). 446 pp.
* Renton, Dave. ''Trotsky'' (2004) [https://www.amazon.com/Trotsky-Life-Times-Dave-Renton/dp/1904341624/ref=sr_1_34?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1245111487&sr=1-34 excerpt and text search]
* Service, Robert. ''Trotsky: A Biography'' (2009), 600pp; by a leading historian; the best biography
* Thatcher, Ian D. ''Trotsky'' (2002) [https://www.amazon.com/Trotsky-Routledge-Historical-Biographies-Thatcher/dp/0415232503/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1245111296&sr=1-14 excerpt and text search]; also [http://www.questia.com/read/108142763?title=Trotsky full text online]
* Volkogonov, Dmitri. ''Trotsky: The Eternal Revolutionary.'' (1996). 560 pp. [https://www.amazon.com/Trotsky-Eternal-Revolutionary-Dmitri-Volkogonov/dp/1416576649/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1245111189&sr=1-8 excerpt and text search], very hostile

===Primary sources===
* Trotsky, Leon. ''The Basic Writings of Trotsky'' ed. by Irving Howe, (1963), [http://www.questia.com/read/58369460?title=The%20Basic%20Writings%20of%20Trotsky online edition]
* Trotsky, Leon. ''The Age of Permanent Revolution: A Trotsky Anthology'' ed. by Isaac Deutscher (1970)
* [http://www.questia.com/library/leon-trotsky.jsp online books and chapters on Trotsky and by him]

==References==
{{reflist|1}}

==External links==
* [https://librivox.org/author/4200 Works by Leon Trotsky - text and free audio] - [[LibriVox]]

{{Communism}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Trotsky, Leon}}
[[Category:Russian History]]
[[Category:Soviet Union]]
[[Category:Communists]]
[[Category:Marxism]]
[[Category:Trotskyite]]
[[Category:Mass Murderers]]
[[Category:Homosexual Agenda]]
[[Category:Dictators]]
[[Category:Jewish People]]

Jake Tapper

2020-06-08T15:55:06Z

King Conservative:

'''Jacob Paul "Jake" Tapper''' (born March 12, 1969) is a reporter for [[CNN]]. Critics refer to him as Fake Yapper.

==Trump-Russia==
:''Main article:'' [[Russian collusion hoax]]
Sometime before January 6, 2017, [[DNI]] [[James Clapper]] briefed opposition research talking points, manufactured by the Clinton campaign in the ''[[Steele dossier]]'', to Jake Tapper of CNN. The salacious innuendo lacked verification and a " news hook" for CNN to report, so Clapper instructed [[FBI]] Director [[James Comey]] to brief President-elect Trump on the allegations. Clapper immediately leaked the fact Trump had been briefed, creating the "news hook" CNN was looking for to publicize the existence of the ''Steele dossier''. Clapper was rewarded with a job at CNN afterward.<ref>''[https://www.scribd.com/document/377590825/HPSCI-Final-Report-on-Russian-Active-Measures-Redacted-Release Russian Active Measures in the 2016 Election''], House Permanent Sub Committee on Intelligence, March 22, 2017, pp. 107-108.</ref><ref>[https://www.themarketswork.com/2018/04/27/clapper-leaks-twice-to-cnn-brennan-stands-in-the-shadows-a-russian-narrative-is-born/ Clapper Leaks Twice to CNN. Brennan Stands in the Shadows. A Russian Narrative is Born,] Jeff Carlson, April 27, 2018.</ref><ref>[https://theconservativetreehouse.com/2018/04/20/anatomy-of-a-political-smear-confirmed-james-comey-january-briefing-was-scripted-by-clapper-and-brennan-to-create-media-narrative/ Anatomy of a Political Smear Confirmed – James Comey January Briefing Was Scripted by Clapper and Brennan To Create Media Narrative], by Sundance, April 20, 2018. theconservativetreehouse.com</ref>

==See also==
*[[Fake news]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tapper, Jake}}
[[Category:Television Personalities]]
[[Category:Liberals]]
[[Category:Trump-Russia Collusion Hoax]]
[[Category:American Jews]]