1960-1969

1960-1969









=** Evaluation **= The 60’s was a completely revolutionary decade full of change. Compared to the decades prior the 60’s was a decade that had gone rogue from its “old-school” traditions. The 60’s had changed in almost every aspect of life. When it came to social, political, or economic the 60’s was something new from beginning to end.

The early 60’s was the start of a change that would continue to grow as time went on. John F. Kennedy was the new presidential candidate in the year 1960 in the first televised debates. Kennedy’s appearance, age, and fresh ideas gave him an edge in the elections and soon became president of the United States. In the year 1961 the Berlin Wall was put in place to divide Germany into separate countries and policies. In 1962 the Cuban missile crisis occurred and was the closest the United States and Russia came to physically fighting. In 1963 tragedy struck when President Kennedy was assassinated. Linden B. Johnson became the new president. Throughout the beginning of the 60’s the counterculture was rising up and developing. People like Timothy Leary who was a college professor advocated using drugs like LSD to expand your mind and “turn on, tune in, and drop out”. Groups like SDS (Students for a Democratic Society) who believed in participatory democracy with non-violent protest were also rising in 1962.

In the middle of the decade There was Linden B. Johnson as president in 1963. In 1964 LBJ honored Kennedy’s desire for equality by passing the Civil Rights Act in 1964. Leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcom X became national sensations with their famous protesting for civil rights. This started change throughout the nation. There were also a lot of military situations in the mid 60’s. In July of 1964 the attack of the U.S. Maddux and the Gulf Tonkin Resolution gave the president power and money to do whatever he felt necessary in Vietnam. In 1965 Operation Rolling Thunder was an air raid against the North Vietnamese and an increase of ground troops in the South. These events sparked interest back in the U.S. with the Yippies. The Free Speech movement in 1964 at UC Berkley lifted a ban on campus political activity so college students were now allowed to freely express or protest their political views. In 1965 Mario Savio led the first anti-war rally and Civil Rights leader Malcom X was assassinated.

The late 60’s was an extreme change from all that had been done before. There never seemed to be a dull moment in the late 60’s. In 1967 there was the “Summer of Love” and Woodstock in 1969, which all the hippies who believed in sex, drugs, and rock and roll attended. 1967 was also eventful because of the March on the Pentagon with the largest draft-card burning. The year 1968 was truly an eventful year. Regarding military was the Tet Offensive, which was a major turning point in the war in Vietnam. Within the Civil Rights movements Martin Luther King Jr. and his peaceful protesting ended in April with his assassination. In the U.S. the new presidential elections were happening with Robert Kennedy running and Richard Nixon. Robert Kennedy was assassinated in June before the new president was elected. Richard Nixon became the new president of the United States in November. The “New Left” was at its peak in 1968. The Youth International Party gave anti-war rallies and free speech movements. Rioters like the Chicago Seven used the media to broadcast their message and also brought up speakers like Jerry Rubin and Abbie Hoffman who used foul language to make a bold statement.

The 60’s was a new movement that would change the history and the lives of Americans forever with its originality and audacity in every aspect of that decade.

**Bibliography**
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