Final answer:
Support for the Civil Rights Movement comprised economic, social, political, and religious arguments, with a key emphasis on equality, justice, and the constitutional promise of rights for all. The 1960s was a transformative period that saw significant gains in educational and economic opportunities for minorities, while the early 1970s experienced backlash from certain white communities.
Step-by-step explanation:
Various Americans supported the Civil Rights Movement for different reasons spanning from economic to social, political, and religious concerns. Supporters highlighted the economic benefits of having a more equal society, where all citizens could contribute to the economy and consume more goods and services. Socially, the movement was driven by a belief in equality and justice, a rejection of racial discrimination and segregation. Politically, there was a push for the fulfilment of the Constitution's promise of equal rights for all citizens, while the Cold War context highlighted the need to present a united and fair country on the world stage. Religious reasons also played a role as many religious denominations and organizations saw the fight for civil rights as in line with their moral and ethical beliefs.
Conceptions of freedom significantly evolved between 1945 and 1970, with the period witnessing a rise in civil rights consciousness across various minority groups such as African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans and women. The 1960s liberal groups paved the path for broader educational and economic opportunities, leading to a transformative period for the Civil Rights movement. However, in the early 1970s, there was a backlash from some white communities who felt threatened by the gains of minorities. Yet, despite such challenges, these years laid the foundation for a more inclusive definition of American freedom and rights.