Printed Page 839 Chapter Chronology
Continuing Struggles over Rights
What gains and setbacks did minorities, feminists, and gays and lesbians experience during the Reagan years?
The rise of conservatism put liberal social movements on the defensive, as the government moved away from the national commitment to equal opportunity undertaken in the 1960s and the president's federal court appointments reflected that shift. Feminists and minority groups fought to keep protections they had recently won, and the gay and lesbian rights movement grew.