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Difficulty: EasyThe Conservative Movement and the Election of 1980

"For too long, the political establishment has ignored the quiet crisis unfolding in our neighborhoods. We have watched as distant courts and federal agencies impose mandates that undermine local school boards and traditional values. At the same time, high taxes have punished hard-working families who simply wish to preserve their independence. Our goal is to restore local control, protect the traditional family, and unleash the economic potential of free enterprise."

—Adapted from a campaign pamphlet of a conservative political action group, 1980

The sentiments expressed in the excerpt contributed most directly to which of the following political developments?

  1. A
    A national shift toward expanding federal welfare programs modeled on the Great Society.
  2. B
    A renewed reliance on Keynesian deficit spending to stimulate consumer demand.
  3. The formation of a new conservative coalition that united social traditionalists with advocates of free enterprise.Answer
  4. D
    The belief that expanding federal regulatory agencies was necessary to protect traditional family structures.

Answer

The formation of a new conservative coalition that united social traditionalists with advocates of free enterprise.
The correct answer is correct because the excerpt highlights key elements of the conservative coalition that emerged in the late 1970s and came to power in the election of 1980. This coalition brought together social and religious conservatives, who were concerned with traditional family values and opposed to federal intervention in local communities, and fiscal conservatives, who advocated for free enterprise, deregulation, and lower taxes.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the source text to identify the core concerns being raised by the author.
The author raises concerns about federal mandates undermining traditional values and high taxes hurting families, while promoting local control and free enterprise.
Understanding the source's content is necessary to connect it to the correct historical movement.
2
Contextualize the source within the late 1970s and 1980.
The combination of concerns over traditional social values (traditional family, local schools) and economic issues (high taxes, free enterprise) defines the New Right/conservative coalition that rallied behind Ronald Reagan.
Connecting the source to its historical context helps identify the broader political trend it represents.
3
Identify the option that best matches this historical development.
The option stating the formation of a new conservative coalition that united social traditionalists with advocates of free enterprise matches these developments.
Selecting the option that aligns with the synthesis of social traditionalism and economic conservatism in the late 20th century.

Key Concept

The rise of the conservative movement and the formation of the Reagan coalition in the 1980 election.
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

The Conservative Movement and the Election of 1980

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