How The Religious Right Became A Political Force |AJ+

The religious right is seen as a political force today, but it wasn't always. The plan to mobilize its constituencies took years.



He's been called the mastermind of the religious right. Paul Weyrich arrived in Washington, DC, in the 1960s, determined to shake things up by winning evangelical voters over to the Republican Party. He seized upon the issue of racial integration in the South and the crackdown on private, religious “segregation academies” to win over conservative religious leaders. In doing so, he began a movement that would help President Ronald Reagan take office in 1981 – and also President Donald Trump in 2017.



Learn more here:



Politico. “The Real Origins of the Religious Right.”



The Atlantic. “In Southern Towns, 'Segregation Academies' Are Still Going Strong.”





The New Republic. “Amazing Disgrace.”



Presenter & Senior Producer: Imaeyen Ibanga

Shot & Edited by: Brian Joseph

Animations by: Chia Liu

Produced by: Kathryn Wheeler, Stephanie Whiteside

Executive Producer: Sarah Nasr



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