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Difficulty: MediumDemographic Shifts and Sun Belt Migration

"The migration to the Sun Belt represents a critical pivot in modern American history. As millions of families relocated to the suburbs of the South and West, they brought with them a distinct political outlook. These new suburbanites, often employed in the technology, defense, or service sectors, championed lower taxes, deregulation, and a reduced role for the federal government. The resulting suburban sprawl not only transformed the physical landscape but also created a fertile ground for a new brand of politics that challenged the post-World War II liberal consensus."
—Adapted from a sociological study of late twentieth-century regional migration

Which of the following was a direct consequence of the demographic shifts and political trends described in the excerpt?

  1. A
    The enactment of federal legislation that significantly expanded New Deal-style social welfare programs.
  2. A political realignment that bolstered the conservative movement and the electoral power of the Republican Party.Answer
  3. C
    A massive increase in union membership and labor advocacy in Southern manufacturing industries.
  4. D
    The adoption of federal policies prioritizing high corporate tax rates and increased business regulations.

Answer

A political realignment that bolstered the conservative movement and the electoral power of the Republican Party.
The political realignment described in the excerpt reflects how the migration of suburban middle-class families, retirees, and professionals to the Sun Belt states (the South and West) created a conservative constituency that favored lower taxes, deregulation, and limited government intervention. This shift fractured the New Deal coalition and significantly boosted the electoral fortunes of the Republican Party starting in the 1980s.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the excerpt to identify the main demographic and political trends.
The excerpt describes the migration of families to the suburbs of the South and West (the Sun Belt), who championed lower taxes, deregulation, and a reduced role for the federal government.
Understanding the values of the migrating population is key to determining their political impact.
2
Connect the values of the Sun Belt migrants to broader political changes in the late twentieth century.
The rejection of the post-World War II liberal consensus and the push for deregulation and lower taxes align with the goals of the modern conservative movement.
This helps identify how these demographic changes translated into national political outcomes.
3
Identify the option that accurately reflects the national political consequence of this regional realignment.
The shift bolstered the conservative coalition and the Republican Party's electoral power, particularly in presidential elections starting in 1980.
This matches the historical consequence of the Sun Belt's growing population and political shift.

Key Concept

Demographic shifts to the Sun Belt and their political impacts in the late twentieth century.
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

Demographic Shifts and Sun Belt Migration

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