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Difficulty: MediumThe Conservative Movement and the Election of 1980

"The atomic bomb of the social revolution is the Equal Rights Amendment. It would destroy the family, which is the basic unit of society. The family is the only institution we have that can successfully raise children to be moral, law-abiding citizens. Yet today, the traditional family is under attack from federal bureaucrats, activist judges, and radical feminists who wish to replace parental authority with state control."
—Phyllis Schlafly, address to the National Press Club, circa 19791979

Which of the following best explains how the sentiments expressed in the excerpt shaped the conservative movement leading up to the presidential election of 19801980?

  1. A
    They prompted a demand for Keynesian economic interventions and increased government spending to protect household incomes.
  2. B
    They led to conservative support for the expansion of federal welfare initiatives to strengthen the financial security of families.
  3. They galvanized social traditionalists to form a powerful coalition with economic conservatives who favored deregulation and tax cuts.Answer
  4. D
    They fostered a resurgence of absolute isolationism that rejected any United States military involvement abroad.

Answer

The sentiments expressed in the excerpt galvanized social traditionalists to form a powerful coalition with economic conservatives who favored deregulation and tax cuts.
The correct answer is correct because the conservative movement in the late twentieth century succeeded by building a broad coalition. This coalition brought together social conservatives (who focused on traditional values, opposition to the Equal Rights Amendment, and abortion) and economic conservatives (who advocated for tax cuts, deregulation, and free markets), helping Ronald Reagan win the presidency in 19801980.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the stimulus document to identify the core message and perspective of the author.
The excerpt by Phyllis Schlafly expresses strong opposition to social changes (like the Equal Rights Amendment) and argues that the traditional family is under threat from federal bureaucrats and feminists.
Understanding the source's focus on social traditionalism is essential for identifying its role in the conservative movement.
2
Recall the political strategy and coalition-building that led to the conservative ascendancy in the election of 19801980.
The key to Ronald Reagan's victory was uniting disparate conservative factions: social conservatives (such as religious groups and anti-feminists) and economic conservatives (who wanted deregulation and tax cuts).
This links the specific social-conservative message of the stimulus to the broader political realignment of the era.
3
Evaluate the choices to find the one that accurately describes this alliance and reject options that mischaracterize conservative policies.
The option describing the coalition of social traditionalists and economic conservatives aligns with historical facts, while options suggesting Keynesian policies, welfare expansion, or isolationism are historically inaccurate.
This identifies the correct answer based on historical analysis and error elimination.

Key Concept

The Conservative Movement and the Election of 19801980
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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The Conservative Movement and the Election of 1980

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