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“[As] Members of the House of Representatives and as citizens seeking to join th...

Oct 11, 2023

“[As] Members of the House of Representatives and as citizens seeking to join that body we propose not just to change its policies, but even more important, to restore the bonds of trust between the people and their elected representatives. “That is why in this era of official evasion and posturing, we offer instead a detailed agenda for national renewal, a written commitment with no fine print. “This year’s election offers the chance, after four decades of one- party control, to bring to the House a new majority that will transform the way Congress works. That historic change would be the end of government that is too big, too intrusive, and too easy with the public’s money. It can be the beginning of a Congress that respects the values and shares the faith of the American family. “To restore accountability to Congress. To end its cycle of scandal and disgrace. To make us all proud again of the way free people govern themselves.” —Contract with America (excerpt), 1994 1. The writing of the Contract with America, excerpted, demonstrates which of the following? (A)The growth and influence of the conservative movement in the United States in the 1980s and 1990s (B)The ability of the Democratic Party and the Republican Party to forge alliances in the 1980s and 1990s (C) The importance of “third-party” movements in terms of shaping political debate in the United States in the 1980s and 1990s (D)The growing importance of social and religious issues, such as gay marriage and abortion, in public discourse 2. Which of the following generalizations is illustrated by the impact of the Contract with America? (A) The Republican Party experienced electoral setbacks, being shut out from control of the House of Representatives, the Senate, and the White House for the decade after the Contract with America appeared. (B) The Republican Party was able to roll back or eliminate key elements of the Great Society agenda of President Lyndon Johnson. (C) Although Republicans continued to denounce “big government,” the size and scope of the federal government continued to grow in the 1990s, as many programs remained popular with voters and difficult to reform or eliminate. (D) Many Congressional Republicans quit the Republican Party and joined the Democratic Party in protest of the divisive tone of the Contract with America.

Key Concept

KC-9.3.II: In the 1980s and 1990s, conservatives sought to limit the role of the federal government and championed free-market capitalism, traditional family values, and a strong national defense.

Explanation

The Contract with America was a document released by the United States Republican Party during the 1994 Congressional election campaign. The text of the Contract, excerpted here, emphasizes a desire for smaller government, fiscal responsibility, and accountability, which were key tenets of the conservative movement during this period. Therefore, the Contract with America demonstrates the growth and influence of the conservative movement in the United States in the 1980s and 1990s. 2.

Key Concept

KC-9.3.II: Despite conservative calls for a reduced role of the federal government, the size and scope of the federal government continued to grow in the 1990s, as many programs remained popular with voters and difficult to reform or eliminate.

Explanation

While the Contract with America and the conservative movement sought to reduce the size of the federal government, in reality, the size and scope of the federal government continued to grow in the 1990s. Many government programs remained popular with voters, making them difficult to reform or eliminate. Therefore, the impact of the Contract with America illustrates this generalization.

What is the Contract with America?, What were the goals of the conservative movement in the 1980s and 1990s?, How did the size of the federal government change in the 1990s?