Final answer:
The executive branch ceased to support expanded civil rights due to lack of public support, change in political ideology, and economic considerations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The executive branch ceased to support expanded civil rights due to a combination of factors:
- Lack of public support: As the civil rights movement progressed, public support began to decline as some white Americans were frightened by riots and perceived the messages of groups like the Black Panthers as militant.
- Change in political ideology: The increasing diversity of the nation prompted a conservative backlash, leading to debates about immigration and resistance to expanding civil rights.
- Economic considerations: The limited funding caused by the war in Vietnam and the rising condition of minorities led to frustration among Americans who blamed the federal government and underprivileged groups for the persistence of poverty and racial injustice.