The 1960's

Introduction

The 1960's were a time of great change in American society characterized by ethnic consciousness and civil rights, women's rights and female liberalism, anti-war demonstrations, student protests, and the genesis of the counterculture. A noted speaker once said, “The Cold War, conformity, and consumerism provided the background for the social protests movement of the 1960's.

The cause of the protest movements were much more deeply rooted in U.S. institutions and history.” Although the protest movements of the 1960's were deeply rooted in U.S. institutions and history of the 1950's, the Cold War, conformity, and consumerism provided much more than a background for these movements, in a way they were the reason behind them. In the 1950's politicians constantly used the Cold War as a threat to the lifestyle of the American people-a conformist lifestyle dominated by consumerism in which families for the first time in history had the purchasing power of credit (McNamara, 66).

Vietnam War

The Vietnam War was perhaps the most important and influential event in American history in the last half of the 20th century. That war, which claimed the lives of more than 58,000 American soldiers and millions of Vietnamese, was certainly not, in human terms, the costliest conflict in American history; the American Civil War and World War II each claimed far more American lives. The Vietnam War was, however, a conflict that divided the nation more deeply than any since the Civil War. Military involvement in Vietnam ignited and exacerbated the profound social and political upheavals of the 1960s and early 1970s, eroded Americans' trust in their political and military leaders, sapped American military and economic strength, and damaged the credibility and prestige of the United States in international affairs (Davis, 13).

The Vietnam War also created deep and enduring social and political divisions between those who served in Vietnam or supported the American effort there, and those who opposed the war or avoided military service. The legacy of Vietnam has haunted the American people and deeply influenced American foreign policy since its conclusion in April 1975. The divisions and issues that emanate from the American experience in Vietnam are not likely to subside until the generation that fought in Vietnam or protested the war at home is no longer a significant element in American society.

The Civil Rights Era

But Little Rock marked no general turning point in the administration's enforcement efforts. Legislation passed during this period included the Civil Rights Acts of 1957 and 1960, involved voting rights. However, even when armed with increased authority to investigate denials of voting rights by the Civil Rights Act of 1957, the Justice Department brought few cases. President John F. Kennedy's administration also began with little impetus toward substantial civil rights achievement. But the rising tide of private civil rights activity, increased public awareness, and continued Southern resistance to desegregation made new federal and state confrontations inevitable.

In May 1961, federal marshals were employed to protect freedom riders. In September 1962, in connection with efforts to integrate the University ...