Why Is Barry Goldwater Famous

Overview

Barry Goldwater is famous as a defining figure of modern American conservatism, the 1964 Republican presidential nominee, and a long‑serving U.S. senator from Arizona. His outspoken views on limited government, anti‑communism, and individual liberty helped reshape the Republican Party and the broader conservative movement in the United States. He is also widely remembered for his vote against the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and for a series of memorable campaign moments, including the controversial “Daisy” television commercial used by his opponent, President Lyndon B. Johnson.

Although Barry Goldwater died in 1998, his legacy is preserved mainly through historical institutions and archives rather than through an organisation offering day‑to‑day public services. For South African readers interested in his life, politics, or archival material, the most relevant contact points are the institutions that hold and interpret his papers and historical record.

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Barry Goldwater’s Historical Significance

Architect of Modern American Conservatism

Barry Goldwater is widely regarded as a central architect of post‑war American conservatism:

• He served five terms in the U.S. Senate (1953–1965 and 1969–1987), representing Arizona, and became a national conservative voice prioritising small government, low taxes, and a strong national defence, as summarised by the Encyclopaedia Britannica’s biography of Goldwater.¹
• His 1960 book The Conscience of a Conservative became a foundational text for conservative activists and helped move the Republican Party in a more ideologically conservative direction. This role is highlighted in historical overviews such as those of the Miller Center at the University of Virginia.²

1964 Republican Presidential Nominee

Goldwater’s 1964 presidential run is one of the main reasons he is famous:

• He secured the Republican nomination in 1964 and ran against incumbent President Lyndon B. Johnson. According to the official biography on the U.S. Senate’s historical site, Goldwater’s campaign, though unsuccessful electorally, marked a long‑term ideological shift in the Republican Party toward conservatism.³
• His acceptance speech at the 1964 Republican National Convention, particularly the line “Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice,” became one of the most quoted and debated phrases in American political history.³

Controversial Civil Rights Stance

Goldwater’s vote against the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is a key part of his fame and controversy:

• The U.S. Senate Historical Office notes that Goldwater opposed the 1964 Civil Rights Act on constitutional and states’‑rights grounds, despite having supported earlier civil rights measures.³
• This vote alienated many Black voters and moderates and contributed significantly to his landslide defeat in the 1964 election, as summarised by the Miller Center’s analysis of his campaign and its legacy.²

Long‑Term Impact on U.S. Politics

Although Goldwater lost decisively in 1964, historians widely regard his campaign as a precursor to the conservative ascendancy that culminated in Ronald Reagan’s election in 1980:

• The Miller Center and other academic analyses argue that Goldwater’s campaign mobilised conservative activists, shifted the party’s ideological centre, and laid organisational groundwork that benefitted later conservative leaders.²
• His retirement from the Senate in 1987 marked the end of an era, but his influence on issues such as deregulation, anti‑communism, and conservative jurisprudence persisted.

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Key Institutions Preserving Barry Goldwater’s Legacy

Because Barry Goldwater himself is deceased, there is no active “Barry Goldwater organisation” that South African users would contact for services. Instead, the most relevant entities are archives and institutions holding his papers, photographs, and historical materials. The main one is in his home state, Arizona.

The Barry M. Goldwater Papers – Arizona State University

The primary repository for Barry Goldwater’s personal and political papers is at Arizona State University (ASU).

Where His Papers Are Held

ASU Library’s official site explains that the Barry M. Goldwater Papers are part of the university’s Special Collections and constitute an extensive archive of his correspondence, campaign materials, photographs, and professional records.⁴

• ASU Library – Barry M. Goldwater Papers: Arizona State University Library – Barry M. Goldwater Papers⁴

This collection is the central point of contact for researchers wishing to access original Goldwater materials.

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Verified Contact Details for Barry Goldwater Archival Access

Because there is no living office of Barry Goldwater or operating foundation with publicly listed contact details, the best practical contact for anything related to Barry Goldwater’s life, work, or documents is the Arizona State University Library’s Special Collections, which manages his papers.

Arizona State University Library – Special Collections (Barry M. Goldwater Papers)

Official website (collection landing page)
The dedicated Barry M. Goldwater collection page is hosted by ASU Library:
– Website: Arizona State University Library – Barry M. Goldwater Papers⁴

From this page, ASU directs users to the broader Special Collections contact channels for enquiries and access arrangements.

Physical Address

ASU Library’s contact page lists the physical address for the main library (which oversees Special Collections and Archives):
– Address: Arizona State University Library, P.O. Box 871006, Tempe, AZ 85287‑1006, United States.⁵

This postal/physical address is the appropriate reference point for correspondence related to the Goldwater papers.

General Phone Number

The ASU Library main contact number provided on its official contact page is:
– Phone: +1 480‑965‑6164⁵

This is the primary telephone contact for the library, including enquiries that can be routed to Special Collections and the Goldwater materials.

Email Contact

ASU Library offers a central email‑style contact form rather than publishing multiple direct email addresses for all units:

• General “Ask a Librarian” / contact‑form entry point: accessible via the “Contact Us” and “Ask a Librarian” links on the main ASU Library contact page.⁵

For specific archival or Special Collections queries (such as access to the Barry M. Goldwater Papers), users are directed through the library’s contact and reference services.

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How to Use These Contact Details

For South African researchers, journalists, students, or members of the public who want to explore why Barry Goldwater is famous or consult his original materials, using ASU Library’s channels efficiently will save time and reduce back‑and‑forth.

When to Phone vs. Use Online Contact

• Phone (+1 480‑965‑6164)
  Use the phone number listed on the ASU Library contact page⁵ when:
  • You require quick clarification on access procedures (e.g., whether an appointment is needed to view the Goldwater papers).
  • You want to confirm opening hours, reading room rules, or whether specific materials are available on a given date.
  • Time zones permit real‑time conversation (Arizona is generally 9 hours behind South Africa, depending on daylight‑saving time, so late afternoon/early evening South African time usually corresponds to early morning in Arizona).
• Website / Online Contact Form
  Use the online contact and “Ask a Librarian” services referenced from the ASU Library contact page⁵ when:
  • You are submitting a detailed research query that may need some time to answer.
  • You need written confirmation, such as permission to use images or documents in publications.
  • You are requesting information about digitised copies or remote access options, which is especially relevant for South African‑based users.

What to Prepare Before Making Contact

To make your interaction efficient:

1. Clarify your purpose
   • Are you writing an academic paper on why Barry Goldwater is famous in the history of American conservatism?
   • Are you looking for specific campaign materials from the 1964 election?
   • Are you researching his Senate career or his vote on the Civil Rights Act?
2. Identify relevant dates and topics
   • For example: “Goldwater’s 1964 presidential campaign,” “The Conscience of a Conservative,” or “Goldwater’s Senate speeches on defence and foreign policy.”
     Being specific makes it easier for librarians to point you to the right boxes and folders in the Barry M. Goldwater Papers.
3. Check the online collection description first
   • The ASU Library’s Goldwater page⁴ often provides an overview of what the collection contains and any access conditions. Reading this before contacting them helps you ask precise questions.
4. Time‑zone awareness
   • When phoning from South Africa, remember the substantial time difference with Arizona. Using email or the contact form may be more practical for non‑urgent matters.

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When to Use Which “Department” or Service

Although ASU Library does not separate “departments” publicly by politician or collection, different functions within the library may handle different aspects related to Barry Goldwater’s legacy:

1. Reference / “Ask a Librarian” Service

• Use for: General questions about Goldwater, where to find basic information, and how to start research.
• Access: Via the ASU Library contact page and its “Ask a Librarian” link.⁵
• Typical queries:
  • “Where can I find basic biographical information on Barry Goldwater?”
  • “Do you have digitised materials from the Barry M. Goldwater Papers available online?”
  • “Can you recommend starting points for research on Goldwater’s 1964 campaign?”

For background information, you can also consult well‑regarded online reference sources such as the Encyclopaedia Britannica biography of Barry Goldwater¹ or the Miller Center at the University of Virginia.²

2. Special Collections / Archives Staff

• Use for: Detailed questions about specific items in the Barry M. Goldwater Papers or arrangements to consult material in person.
• Access: Contact initially via the main ASU Library phone number or contact form, asking to be directed to Special Collections.⁵
• Typical queries:
  • “I would like to view correspondence from Goldwater’s 1964 campaign; which series or boxes should I request?”
  • “Are there restrictions on reproducing Goldwater photographs for a book or documentary?”
  • “How do I obtain high‑resolution scans of particular documents for academic purposes?”

3. Interlibrary Loan or Digital Services

• Use for: Access to copies or scans of materials when you are not able to visit Arizona in person.
• Access: Often coordinated via the library’s main contact channels, depending on policy.⁵
• Typical queries:
  • “Is it possible to request digital scans of selected Goldwater documents from South Africa?”
  • “Are there any licensing or fee structures for digital copies of Goldwater materials?”

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Escalation and Further Avenues

There is no ombudsman or regulatory body specifically for Barry Goldwater’s legacy; issues generally relate to library access and usage rights. If you encounter difficulties, escalation routes are within the normal structure of an academic library.

Within Arizona State University Library

If you experience problems such as unanswered queries or disputes over access:

1. Follow up via the same channel
   • Politely resend your question or call back via +1 480‑965‑6164, referencing previous communication.⁵
2. Ask to speak with a supervisor or department head
   • Request referral to the Special Collections or Archives supervisor if the matter specifically concerns the Barry M. Goldwater Papers.
3. Use official feedback channels
   • The ASU Library contact page includes general feedback mechanisms, allowing you to register concerns or complaints about library services.⁵

Alternative Research Routes

If, for any reason, you cannot access ASU directly:

• U.S. Senate Historical Office
  The U.S. Senate provides an official historical biography of Barry Goldwater on its site, covering his Senate career, 1964 presidential run, and major positions.³
  • Website: U.S. Senate – Barry Goldwater Biographical Sketch³
• University of Virginia Miller Center
  The Miller Center offers a well‑researched profile of Barry Goldwater and analysis of his lasting influence on American politics.²
  • Website: Miller Center – Barry Goldwater Profile²

These sources are particularly useful if you wish to understand why Barry Goldwater is famous without needing direct archival access.

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Why Barry Goldwater Remains Famous Today

For South African readers trying to understand his continuing relevance:

1. Symbol of Ideological Conservatism
   Goldwater’s name is closely associated with a purist form of American conservatism—limited government, low taxes, strong anti‑communism, and individual liberty, as described by the Miller Center and other historical analyses.²

2. Pivotal but Defeated Presidential Candidate
   While he suffered a heavy defeat in 1964, historians at the U.S. Senate and Miller Center emphasise that his campaign began a long‑term realignment of the Republican Party and paved the way for later conservative victories.³²

3. Controversy Over Civil Rights
   His opposition to the 1964 Civil Rights Act, documented by the U.S. Senate Historical Office,³ is still debated and shapes how both supporters and critics view his legacy.

4. Enduring Academic and Public Interest
   The extensive Barry M. Goldwater Papers at Arizona State University⁴ demonstrate ongoing scholarly interest in his life, from his early Arizona politics to his Senate career and presidential campaign.

For South African students of politics and history, Barry Goldwater is a case study in how a losing candidate can nonetheless change the long‑term direction of a political party and national ideology—one of the core reasons he remains famous worldwide.

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