Final answer:
The increasing popularity of the Moral Majority in the early 1980s was best explained by the rise of conservatism, as conservatives were suspicious of the federal government's support for liberal causes. The Moral Majority capitalized on this sentiment and advocated for social and fiscal conservative causes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The increasing popularity of the Moral Majority in the early 1980s can be best explained by the rise of conservatism. During this time, many conservatives, especially white Southerners, were suspicious of the federal government and its support for liberal causes. Issues such as the legalization of abortion, stricter enforcement of the separation of church and state, and growing toleration of homosexuality by governmental leaders fueled support for social and fiscal conservative causes. The Moral Majority, led by televangelist Jerry Falwell, capitalized on these sentiments and advocated for issues such as legalizing school prayer, teaching creationism, and outlawing abortion.