Question

Which reference imbues Smith’s argument with historical significance? Answer choices for the above question A. The Republican Party was successful in the past and it can be successful again. B. The current challenge is similar to the one faced by the Republican Party during the Civil War. C. President Lincoln overcame the challenges presented to him during the Civil War. D. The Republican Party has always fought “loose spending and loose programs.”

Answer 1

Option B, which regards the current challenge as similar to that during the Civil War faced by the Republican Party, imbues Smith’s argument with historical significance by drawing parallels between past and present challenges faced by the party.

Step-by-step explanation:

Within Smith’s argument, the reference that imbues it with historical significance is option B: "The current challenge is similar to the one faced by the Republican Party during the Civil War." This comparison directly links contemporary issues with a pivotal historical event, the Civil War, which is a key moment in the Republican Party's past.

It evokes the profound challenges faced by the nation and the party during a time when the United States was literally divided. The reference to this period underscores the gravity of current challenges by drawing a parallel with the past, hence suggesting that the Republican Party can draw from its historical strength and resilience demonstrated during the Civil War, wherein the party, led by Abraham Lincoln, succeeded in winning the presidency and played a crucial role in the Union's efforts during the conflict.