Final answer:
Various federal policies in the middle decades of the 20th century aimed to narrow class, race, and ethno-religious differences, but these disparities were not completely eradicated.
Step-by-step explanation:
The middle decades of the 20th century saw various federal policies that aimed to narrow class, race, and ethno-religious differences. One such policy was the GI Bill of Rights, which provided education and housing benefits to millions of veterans. This enabled many individuals from diverse backgrounds to pursue higher education and improve their socio-economic status.
Another significant federal policy was the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which sought to protect the rights of marginalized groups, including African Americans and other minority communities. It outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Additionally, affirmative action programs were implemented to address historical inequalities.
However, it is important to note that while these policies contributed to some progress in narrowing class, race, and ethno-religious differences, they did not completely eradicate these disparities. Structural inequalities, systemic racism, and prejudice that existed before and persisted after these policies limited their effectiveness. Therefore, while the federal policies had positive impacts, they did not completely eliminate the gaps.