American conservatism is a school of conservatism that originated in the United States during the 1950s. From the First Party System to the New Deal era, "conservatism" was characterized by faith in institutions, support for political compromise, and a claim to be in touch with the "backbone of the country", best exemplified by the Whigs. This early form of conservatism, influenced by British traditionalist conservatism, prioritized social fabric and organic tradition over individual autonomy, which was associated with classical liberalism. Since the New Deal, however, liberalism has been strongly associated with government intervention in the economy, social justice, and progressivism, while conservatism adopted the classical liberal ideals of limited government, laissez-faire economics, and states' rights, taking on a new form. Modern American conservatism's hallmarks are respect for American tradition, supporting Judeo-Christian values, moral absolutism, economic liberalism, anti-communism, advocacy of American exceptionalism, and a defense of Western culture from "creeping socialism", moral relativism, multiculturalism, and liberal internationalism. American conservatives seek to strengthen the free market, limit the size and scope of the government in the economy, and oppose high taxes and unionization. The movement was born from the ashes of classical liberalism, and it was unique in that it was not connected to a monarchy, landed aristocracy, an established church, or a military elite. Instead, the movement was born out of republicanism. While American conservatism was initially strongly associated with the upper class and low-tax advocacy, the Tea Party movement and the rise of Trumpism in the 2010s led to American conservatism adopting several elements of right-wing populism, driving several neoconservatives into political exile or into the Joe Biden camp during the 2020 presidential election.