Discuss the following passage and describe its historical significance (what does it teach us about the past?) and place it in the larger historical context (what larger historical event/movement is it part of?). As a rough guide, your answer should be somewhere in the 200-300 word range.
Address to the National Associationof American Evangelicals,1983
"So I tell you there are a great many God-fearing, dedicated, noble men and women in public life, present company included. And yes, we need your help to keep us ever mindful of the ideas and the principles that brought us into the public arena in the first place. The basis of those ideals and principles is a commitment to freedom and personal liberty that, itself, is grounded in the much deeper realization that freedom prospers only where the blessing of God are avidly sought and humbly accepted.
The American experiment in democracy rests on this insight . . .
Well, I'm pleased to be here today with you who are keeping America great by keeping her good. Only through your work and prayers and those of millions of others can we hope to survive this perilous century and keep alive this experiment in liberty, this last, best hope of man.
I want you to know that this administration is motivated by a political philosophy that sees the greatness of America in you, her people, and in your families, churches, neighborhoods, communities - the institutions that foster and nourish values like concern for others and respect for the rule of law under God."