The amendment, passed during reconstruction, eventually provided the basis for most civil rights protections.

the presidential debate between carter and reagan in 1980 was ranked among the highest ratings achieved by any television program in the previous decade (the 1970s). carter focused on portraying reagan as a "war hawk" and a "right-wing radical", which could be considered as comments with no factual evidence. however, reagan openly criticized medicare and social security benefits, stating the fact that national debt was approaching $ 1 trillion. these arguments, plus his closing remarks, in which he asked viewers to question themselves "if it is easier for them to buy things in the store or find employment than 4 years ago", were key to him win the election by a vast margin during that year.

e."