Although the Watts Riot of 1965 was an extreme reaction, it is seen as a warning of more serious issues to come. The riot marked the beginning of a series of domestic crises, with increasing racial conflicts in American cities that undermined the initial hopes for social progress.
By the end of 1965, even President Johnson appeared to feel overwhelmed and disillusioned. The violence and upheaval challenged the optimism of social reformers and pushed liberals into a defensive position, reflecting a turbulent period in American history filled with racial and social unrest.