| In the late Fifties and early Sixties, a new generation of idealists set out to revive a distinctly American form of radicalism. Yet their dream to create a multiracial, nonsectarian left unexpectedly gave rise to increasingly segmented, factionalized movements whose lust for ideology barricaded them from former allies. I address the question: what led to the collapse of the New Left and the reemergence of many ideological lefts, based on nationalism, feminism and Marxism-Leninism?; Drawing on primary source materials, the words, actions, newspapers and documents of the major players and groups involved, and grounding my subject in the worldwide upsurge of revolutionary activity in the third world along with its own roots in American Exceptionalism, I develop a genealogical inquiry into the New Left quest to reinvent politics. I trace its many origins and appraise the styles of life and evaluations from which a new language, political sensibility and coalition emerged.; I argue the core unity of the New Left hinged on four principles or perspectives held in common: a rejection of the American way of life (though not its creedal values); a myth of the united and revolutionary character of the Third World; the dream of a nonsectarian, non-denominational left with a common enemy, cause and destiny; and an agnosticism towards ideological differences within the radical coalition.; There was no single model like the Soviet Union for the Sixties generation. Instead several models, based on different often competing revolutionary regimes in the third World, served as reference societies. Collectively, they were reflected in western eyes as a single dream of a non-denominational revolution, transcendent of all differences. In practice, however, these commonly held beliefs served not to unite and solidify community, but as a basis for division.; The thesis also gives an account of the vast transformation undergone by pacifists who became in many instances supporters of violence and the National Liberation Front of Vietnam. Finally, I explain the reappearance and ascendency of Marxist Leninist forces within the movement at the decade's end. |
