Final answer:
The conservative movement of the 1950s and 1960s was important in establishing conservative ideology as a dominant force in American politics, culminating in the election of Ronald Reagan and the implementation of conservative policies in the 1980s.
Step-by-step explanation:
The formation of the conservative movement in the 1950s and 1960s was crucial because it laid the groundwork for a shift in American politics toward conservative ideology. Conservative think tanks like the American Enterprise Institute and the Heritage Foundation rose to prominence, influencing public policy and opinion with significant backing from wealthy donors and the wider public. The movement managed to merge traditional social values with free-market economic principles, leading to electoral successes and policy changes that reflected a conservative agenda focusing on decreased governmental intervention in the economy, promotion of 'traditional' family values, and skepticism towards unions and progressive taxation.
The conservatives leveraged a message that appealed to the nostalgic sentiments of the public, which was particularly effective during times of uncertainty and felt challenges to 'traditional' American values. Throughout the 1960s and into the 1980s, this strategy attracted a base of conservatives as well as moderate voters who began to view government intervention and taxation as impediments to economic growth. The election of Ronald Reagan in 1980 marked a pivotal moment, solidifying the conservative movement's influence on the national stage and signaling a shift toward conservative policies in governance, particularly under the guidance of think tank-generated recommendations like the Heritage Foundation's 'Mandate for Leadership' which aimed to reduce federal government size and influence.