ALTHOUGH THE WATTS RIOT of 1965 was an extreme response, it appears in retrospect as an ominous omen of the future. One domestic crisis after another in the next few years, including even bloodier racial confrontations in the cities, shattered the optimism of social engineers and threw liberals back on the defensive. By late 1965 Johnson himself seemed close to despair.
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.
