Essay
...being confronted today. The '60s was a
decade of social and political upheaval. In spite of all the
turmoil, there were some positive results: the civil rights
revolution, John F. Kennedy's bold vision of a new frontier,
and the breathtaking advances in space helped bring about
progress and prosperity. However, much was negative: student
and anti-war protest movements, political assassinations,
and ghetto riots excited American people and resulted in
lack of respect for authority and the law.
The decade began under the shadow of the cold war with
The Soviet Union, which was aggravated by the u-2 incident,
The Berlin wall, and the Cuban missile crisis, along with
the space race with the USSR.
The decade ended under the shadow of the Vietnam War,
which deeply divided Americans and their allies and damaged
the country's self-confidence and sense of purpose.
Even if you weren't alive during the '60s, you know
what they meant when they said, "tune in, turn on, drop
out." you know why the nation celebrates Martin Luther King,
Jr's birthday. All of the social issues are reflected in
today's society: the civil rights movement, the student
movement, space exploration, the sexual revolution, the
environment, medicine and health, and fun and fashion.
The Civil Rights Movement
The momentum of the previous decade's civil rights
gains led by Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. carried over into
The 1960s. But for most blacks, the tangible results were
minimal. Only a minuscule percentage of black children
actually attended integrated schools, and in the south, "Jim
Crow" practices barred blacks from jobs and public places.
New groups and goals were formed, new tactics devised, to
push forward for full equality. As often as not, white
resistance resulted in violence. This violence spilled
across TV...
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