Final answer:
The 1964 presidential election featured a significant ideological battle between President Lyndon Johnson and Senator Barry Goldwater. Johnson's liberal views and Civil Rights Act support contrasted with Goldwater's conservative stance, leading to Johnson's landslide victory with lasting political implications.
Step-by-step explanation:
The 1964 Presidential Election
The 1964 presidential election was a pivotal moment in American history, marking a significant ideological clash between the incumbent President Lyndon B. Johnson of the Democratic Party and Senator Barry Goldwater, the Republican nominee. President Johnson, who had taken office following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, was known for his liberal stance and support for civil rights, as exemplified by his backing of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. In stark contrast, Senator Barry Goldwater was a staunch conservative who opposed the Civil Rights Act and advocated for a smaller federal government, with the exception of a strong national defense.
Johnson's positioning and prior success with civil rights contrasted sharply with Goldwater's policies, especially as the nation was grappling with issues of discrimination, poverty, and racial segregation. Coupled with the fear that Goldwater lacked the composure necessary to lead a nuclear power, this led to a landslide victory for Johnson. He won overwhelmingly in the electoral college, securing 486 votes to Goldwater's 52, and also achieved a significant margin in the popular vote.
The election result had lasting effects on both parties. Despite his electoral defeat, Goldwater's campaign catalyzed the resurgence of conservative ideologies within the Republican Party and influenced future political strategies, particularly in the South.