People often use the word "conservative" loosely to describe anyone who disagrees with a certain idea or policy. But when we get to the heart of what conservatism is, the definition gets more specific. Conservatism is a political ideology that believes in traditional values, a strong national defense, limited government, and free markets. These are all beliefs that fit comfortably within the modern world, but they've been at the center of conservative thought for centuries.

So how did conservatism come to be such a popular idea? In the early 1900s, many people felt that the rapid changes brought about by the industrial revolution were going too fast.