The 1960s trend in federal grants is best described as

• A. Increased
• B. Declined due to budget cuts
• C. Remained about the same
• D. Shifted to local governments only

Answer: (A)

During the 1960s, the federal government dramatically expanded its role in domestic policy by funding a broad array of programs through grants to states and localities. The Great Society and civil rights initiatives unleashed many new grant programs— covering education, health care, urban development, and more—so total grant dollars rose and the reach of federal funding widened. That makes the description of the trend as an increase the best fit, since there was substantial growth rather than cuts or stagnation. It’s not accurate to claim the shift went to local governments only, because while some programs are administered at the state level, the overall effect was a larger federal grant presence across the states.