Behind the Bastards Part One: How Orange County Incubated American Fascism
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Jan 9, 2024 Francesca Fiorentini discusses the birth of the modern Republican Party in Orange County, California. Topics include the region's political shifts, the influence of Orange County on conservatism, the collaboration between the Better American Foundation and the LAPD, the rise of right-wing movements, and the influence of the military-industrial complex.
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OC and Republican Party Origins
- The Republican party's origins trace back to Orange County, California in the 1960s.
- This era saw the rise of figures like John Schmitz, an early figure of Trumpist politics.
OC's Conservative Identity
- Orange County's transformation from farmland to suburbs fueled its conservative identity.
- Defense industry money and a lack of community spaces intensified this.
OC Resistance to Vietnamese Refugees
- Post-Vietnam War, Orange County saw resistance to Vietnamese refugees settling there, despite their anti-communist stance.
- This highlights the complex history of demographics and political views.