Final answer:
Evangelical Christians gained political influence in the US in the 1970s and 1980s through televangelists and political action committees like the Moral Majority. This influence contributed to the election of President Ronald Reagan and the growth of Evangelical Christian denominations. Evangelicals are the second largest group of American Christians and are dominant in the Deep South and Appalachia.
Step-by-step explanation:
Evangelical Christians gained considerable political influence in the United States in the 1970s and 1980s. The rise of televangelists like Billy Graham and Jim Bakker, who had millions of loyal viewers, contributed to this influence. These religious leaders advocated conservative social issues, recommended political candidates, and formed political action committees like the Moral Majority. Their support played a role in the election of President Ronald Reagan and other conservative Republicans.
During this time, Evangelical Christian denominations also experienced a surge in membership, with the Southern Baptists becoming the largest denomination in the country. The movement of religious revivals known as the Second Great Awakening in the early 19th century laid the foundation for the growth and influence of evangelicalism in the United States.