The Sixties : An Era Of Continuing Movement For Civil Rights

The 1960’s era was known as being called the “Golden Age”. The 1960’s were a time for change, counter culture, and political movements. One of the most important events that occurred during the 1960’s was the presidential election between Richard Nixon and John F Kennedy. During this election, the Cold War between the Soviet Union and United States was the main focus. Also at this time there was a rise in the civil rights movement. The election of 1960 was a changing point in American history.

After Kennedy’s assassination, the country mourned and Lyndon B. Johnson assumed the presidency and began to finish the work that JFK started.

When looking into the 1950’s and 1960’s, it is important to look at the many struggles going on back then in order to truly differentiate between the two decades. These two decades experienced many different challenges both socially and politically. In fact, many people have portrayed the 1950s as the decade of prosperity, conformity, and consensus. While others have portrayed the 1960s as a decade of turbulence, protest, and disillusionment. In order to truly differentiate between both the 1950s and 1960s, we must consider the war, civil rights, and social changes.

Terry H. Anderson The Sixties takes us back to that controversial decade where citizens not only believed change was important but demanded it to occur. The author beings his discussion on the Cold War era and how it seeded the growth of the sixties. The conventional and orthodox of the fifties was a vast improvement for many of the old-generation who lived through the great depression. The decade was referred to as “Happy Days,” however, it was only truly happy for white American males. The rest of the population was tired of the unfair treatment and the lack of national problems being addressed by the government. This anger was beginning to manifestation and would eventually take center stage in the era of the sixties.

The 1960s was crammed full of many impacting events and important figures. From Hitchcock releasing one of the greatest thrillers of all time, Psycho, to Marilyn Monroe’s untimely death, to the infamous Woodstock festival. This era changed history completely and made the United States think twice about its youth. Events of the 1960s are still impacting our country as we know it today. The sudden pull from the conservative ‘50s changed America’s views on all aspects of life, including fashion, entertainment, and lifestyles.

Kennedy was assassinated,this horrible event was the beginning of a new era for a new president. Lyndon B. Johnson was the vise president for JFK, throughout the 1950’s he worked to obstruct the passage and enforcement of civil right laws. Lyndon B. Johnson reassured a grieving nation that “the ideas and the ideals which Kennedy so nobly represented must and will be translated into effective action.” That is exactly what Lyndon B. Johnson did, in his first term he accomplished many goals and displayed dedication to reunite America. On July 2, 1964 Johnson signed the Civil Right Movement, it prohibited discrimination in most places of public accommodation; outlawed discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color,religion, sex or national origin. The Civil Right Movement was the most significant civil rights legislation since Reconstruction, it was the beginning of the colored people’s success. This legislation not only made America an equal field for everyone, but Johnson started to earn the support and love from the Americans, specifically the African Americans. Lyndon B. Johnson was reelection in 1964, capturing 61% of the popular vote and 94% casted ballots for Johnson. In August 1965, Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act into law, aimed to overcome legal barriers at the state and local levels that prevented African Americans from exercising their right to vote as guaranteed under the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Accomplishing this in his second term was an outstanding accomplishment, not only did Johnson keep his word but also is demonstrating that he is ready to do more for the country. This victory streak didn’t last forever, America got involved in War. LBJ’s presidency was dominated by the Vietnam War. United States attacked villagers and their homes, American citizens had no idea. The U.S had many as 4 million people into refugees, refugees that were innocent and noble people. By late 1968, the U.S

The 1960s in America was a decade filled with controversy and calls for change. During John F. Kennedy’s time as president, an era of protest and rebellion was underway. Race riots, anti-war protests, and an uptick in drug usage plagued the lifestyles of many Americans. Lyndon B. Johnson ascended to presidency as a result of Kennedy’s assassination, and unfortunately inherited these problems. Johnson was successful working with domestic social and economic issues, but the inability to deal with the Vietnam and the political scheme scheme as a whole stained his resume as an effective president.

The Sixties, by Terry H. Anderson, takes the reader on a journey through one of the most turbulent decades in American life. Beginning with the crew-cut conformity of 1950s Cold War culture and ending with the transition into the uneasy '70s, Anderson notes the rise of an idealistic generation of baby boomers, widespread social activism, and revolutionary counterculture. Anderson explores the rapidly shifting mood of the country with the optimism during the Kennedy years, the liberal advances of Johnson's "Great Society," and the growing conflict over Vietnam that nearly tore America apart. The book also navigates through different themes regarding the decade's different currents of social change; including the anti-war movement, the civil

John F. Kennedy can be considered one of the greatest presidents that the United States of America has had because of some of the famous things he did for his country. He was a soldier in World War II who received the Purple Heart as well as the Navy and Marine Corps Medal. He also won the space race for the United States of America against the Soviet Union or Russia. Along with these two well-known accomplishments, Kennedy stood against communism. In 1961, after a failed United states attempt to overthrow Fidel Castro, the soviet union reached an agreement with Cuba Fidel Castro to place Russian nuclear missiles in Cuba to prevent a future American invasion. A few months later a U-2 spy plane got picture of nuclear missile bases being built in Cuba. So Kennedy decided to “quarantine” Cuba so they couldn’t use those

The 1960’s was a focal point in American history, for several obvious reasons and more than a few elusive ones. The United States up to this point was the ultimate hero version of itself, and people felt differently about their government. There was also a sense that if they decided to do it nothing was beyond their reach. The United States of the 21st century is far from that, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, the War on Drugs, and even on Poverty have shattered the notion that we are infallible. The origins of some of these failings can be traced to the 1960’s. The generation which rewarded these battles is now aging and slowly fading from a much objective view is now possible. There were two major revolutions that took the center stage in this

During his presidency, he successfully took the United States out of a recession, established the Peace Corps, avoided a nuclear war during the Cold War and contributed to the treaty to end the Cold War. He also helped to pass the Equal Pay Act of 1963, which required “employers to pay men and women equally for doing the same work” (nolo.com). This was a big step for equal right for women. JFK was also assassinated in 1963 in Dallas, TX during a presidential motorcade in Dealey Plaza. After his assassination Lyndon Baines Johnson became president and was mostly known for “his Great Society social service programs, finishing the civil rights act of 1964 and expanding U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War”

The film The Sixties: Long March to Freedom, goes into depth and provides accounts of the lives of Black Americans living in 1960’s racially divided America. Many of these individuals who fought for equal rights and freedom from racial and degrading whites in the south were as young as 7 years old and as old as our grandparents today. The film highlights the level of racial segregation, prejudice, and discrimination faced by these individuals in the southern states of Mississippi and Alabama. For example, throughout the film we are introduced to a group of multi-racial individuals from Nashville, Tennessee, known as freedom riders.

Of the many historical eras, the 1960 era is regarded as one of the most controversial eras ever in the history of America. However, this was not the anticipation that most of American citizens had. At the very beginning of the 1960s, many believed that this was perhaps the most promising era yet. They even dubbed this era the golden age. The expectations of the people intensified in 1961 when John F. Kennedy took the office of the president. His charisma and enthusiasm won the hearts and trust of the American people. They strongly believed that his government would provide solutions to the major problems that they were facing at the time. However, to the surprise of many, the decade turned out to be the complete opposite of what they had

The 1960s are frequently referred to as a period of social protest and dissent. Antiwar demonstrators, civil-rights activists, feminists, and members of various other social groups demanded what they considered to be justice and sought reparation for the wrongs they believed they had suffered. The decade marked a shift from a collective view on politics, to a much more individualistic viewpoint. The 1960s could easily be characterized as a period during which political, ideological, and social tensions among radicals, liberals, and conservatives in American society are seen to have rapidly unfolded. Due to this, the decade has had an overwhelming effect on the decades that have followed. The sixties have had the greatest impact on American society out of any decade in recent history. Whether for better or for worse, the decade has had a profound influence on politics, society, foreign policy, and culture.

The 1950’s and early 1960’s was a time of consensus in the US. By the middle of the 60’s the US experienced a series of shocks which undermined consensus. The assassination of President Kennedy in Dallas in 1963. The differences in the civil rights movement. The escalation of the Vietnam War. All of these factors undermined American confidence to change the world and improve the country. By the late 60’s, US society was polarised: divided between different viewpoints: Youth culture; counter-culture, and multiculturism.