The Struggle for Social Change in the 1960s: The American Moment

The Civil Rights Movement

The civil rights movement was a struggle for racial equality in the United States. It began in the early 1950s, but it gained momentum in the 1960s with the emergence of leaders such as Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X. The movement used nonviolent protest to challenge segregation and discrimination. It also fought for voting rights and other civil rights for African Americans.

The civil rights movement faced stiff resistance from white supremacists and segregationists. There were riots and bombings, and many activists were arrested and beaten. But the movement refused to give up. In 1964, Congress passed the Civil Rights Act, which outlawed segregation in public places and employment. In 1965, Congress passed the Voting Rights Act, which guaranteed the right to vote for all Americans.

The civil rights movement was a major victory for social justice in the United States. It helped to end segregation and discrimination, and it gave African Americans a greater voice in society.

And the Crooked Places Made Straight: The Struggle for Social Change in the 1960s (The American Moment)

by Ken Kollman

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The Anti-War Movement

The anti-war movement was a protest against the Vietnam War. The war began in the early 1960s, and it quickly became unpopular with the American people. The anti-war movement argued that the war was immoral and that it was not in the best interests of the United States.

The anti-war movement used a variety of tactics to protest the war. There were marches, rallies, and civil disobedience. Some activists even burned their draft cards. The anti-war movement faced opposition from the government and from supporters of the war. But it ultimately helped to bring about the end of the war. In 1973, the United States withdrew its troops from Vietnam.

The anti-war movement was a major victory for peace in the United States. It helped to end a war that had killed thousands of American soldiers and Vietnamese civilians. It also helped to raise awareness of the dangers of war and the importance of peace.

The Feminist Movement

The feminist movement was a struggle for gender equality in the United States. It began in the early 1960s, but it gained momentum in the late 1960s and early 1970s with the emergence of leaders such as Betty Friedan and Gloria Steinem. The movement fought for equal pay, equal rights, and reproductive freedom for women.

The feminist movement faced resistance from traditionalists and sexists. There were protests and boycotts, and many activists were ridiculed and harassed. But the movement refused to give up. In 1964, Congress passed the Equal Pay Act, which guaranteed equal pay for equal work. In 1972, Congress passed the Equal Rights Amendment, which guaranteed equal rights for all Americans regardless of gender.

The feminist movement was a major victory for social justice in the United States. It helped to break down gender barriers and it gave women a greater voice in society.

The Legacy of the 1960s

The 1960s was a decade of great social change in the United States. The civil rights movement, the anti-war movement, and the feminist movement all fought for major changes in American society. These movements were often met with resistance, but they ultimately helped to bring about significant progress.

The legacy of the 1960s is still felt today. The civil rights movement helped to end segregation and discrimination, and it gave African Americans a greater voice in society. The anti-war movement helped to end the Vietnam War, and it raised awareness of the dangers of war and the importance of peace. The feminist movement helped to break down gender barriers and it gave women a greater voice in society.

The 1960s was a time of great turmoil and change, but it was also a time of great hope and progress. The movements of the 1960s helped to make the United States a more just and equitable society.

Bibliography

• Carson, Clayborne.In Struggle: SNCC and the Black Awakening of the 1960s. Harvard University Press, 1981.
• Dallek, Robert.American Tragedy: Kennedy, Johnson, and the Origins of the Vietnam War. Oxford University Press, 2003.
• Friedan, Betty.The Feminine Mystique. Dell Publishing, 1963.
• Sale, Kirkpatrick.SDS: A Short History of the Students for a Democratic Society. Random House, 1973.
• Sitkoff, Harvard.The Struggle for Black Equality: 1954-1992. Hill and Wang, 1993.

And the Crooked Places Made Straight: The Struggle for Social Change in the 1960s (The American Moment)

by Ken Kollman

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1420 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	231 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE