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Difficulty: EasyPost-1980 Immigration and Cultural Diversity

"In recent years, a new theory has gained ground—one that rejects the goal of assimilation and instead celebrates permanent ethnic separation. While we must respect and celebrate our diverse origins, we must also preserve the common language and democratic ideals that hold our society together. Without a shared commitment to these core American values, we risk the fragmentation of our nation into hostile subgroups."

— Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr., historian, *The Disuniting of America*, 1991

The arguments in the excerpt most directly reflect which of the following debates in United States society during the late twentieth century?

  1. A
    The efforts to implement supply-side economic policies to reduce federal spending
  2. B
    The debates over the use of Cold War containment policies to restrict immigration from Latin America
  3. The tension between promoting multiculturalism and preserving a unified national identityAnswer
  4. D
    The internal disagreement over nonviolent strategies within the Civil Rights Movement

Answer

The tension between promoting multiculturalism and preserving a unified national identity
The correct answer is correct because the excerpt discusses the conflict between assimilation into a shared American culture and the celebration of distinct ethnic identities, which directly refers to the late-twentieth-century debates over multiculturalism versus a unified national identity.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the stimulus text to identify its main subject and perspective.
The text criticizes a 'new theory' that rejects assimilation in favor of 'permanent ethnic separation' and argues for the preservation of a 'common language and democratic ideals' to prevent 'fragmentation.'
This establishes that the passage is about the balance between celebrating diverse cultural origins and maintaining a unified national culture.
2
Compare the identified subject with the historical context of the late twentieth century.
During the 1980s and 1990s, increased immigration from Asia and Latin America led to debates over multiculturalism in education, public policy, and national identity.
This connects the text to the broader historical trend of post-1980 cultural diversity debates.
3
Evaluate the answer choices to find the one that matches this cultural debate.
The option concerning the tension between promoting multiculturalism and preserving a unified national identity directly matches the author's focus on assimilation versus ethnic separation.
This confirms the correct choice while eliminating distractors related to unrelated economic, foreign, or civil rights policies.

Key Concept

Debates over multiculturalism and national identity in the late 20th century
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Post-1980 Immigration and Cultural Diversity

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