Question

In the 1964 election, Barry Goldwater suffered a major defeat even though he succeeded in the deep south. What did this suggest?

a) Southern states strongly supported Goldwater
b) Barry Goldwater won the overall election
c) The deep south alone was not enough for Goldwater to win
d) Goldwater faced no opposition in the deep south

Answer 1

The correct answer is c) The deep south alone was not enough for Goldwater to win, as Goldwater's victory in the deep south did not translate to a broader appeal, resulting in a landslide defeat in the 1964 presidential election.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the 1964 election, Barry Goldwater suffered a major defeat to Lyndon Johnson, despite winning over the deep south. This outcome suggested that the deep south alone was not enough for Goldwater to win the presidency since Johnson won every state outside of the Deep South and Goldwater's home state of Arizona, securing a landslide victory. Goldwater's stance against the New Deal and social legislation, along with his opposition to the 1964 Civil Rights Act, may have resonated in the deep south due to opposition to federal racial integration efforts, yet these views were less appealing to the broader electorate. Furthermore, Goldwater's conservative message on federal government size and power did not align with a majority of American voters at the time. The correct answer to the question is, therefore, c) The deep south alone was not enough for Goldwater to win.

Answer 2

Barry Goldwater's success in the Deep South during the 1964 election highlighted regional support for his conservative stance but also underlined that this support was insufficient to win the presidency, as he was defeated nationally by Lyndon B. Johnson.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the 1964 election, although Barry Goldwater achieved success in the Deep South, it indicated that his appeal was limited to this region. His stance on states' rights and opposition to the 1964 Civil Rights Act earned him support in states resistant to federal mandates on racial integration. However, this regional support was not reflective of the national mood. The wider American electorate preferred President Lyndon Johnson's more liberal policies and assurances of avoiding Vietnam escalation. Consequently, Goldwater's victory in the Deep South suggested that, while southern states strongly supported his conservative positions, the Deep South alone was not enough for Goldwater to win the overall election, as he faced significant opposition elsewhere and ultimately lost in a landslide to Johnson.