U.S. Social Movements and Political Changes in the 1960s

Flashcards to help review key terms and concepts related to social movements and political changes in the U.S. during the 1960s.

Great Society

A set of domestic programs launched by President Lyndon B. Johnson aimed at eliminating poverty and racial injustice.

Black Power Movement

A movement advocating for the rights and empowerment of Black Americans, often through more militant and self-determined approaches.

Malcolm X

A civil rights leader who advocated for Black nationalism and self-defense, emphasizing the need for racial pride and economic independence.

SDS (Students for a Democratic Society)

A student activist movement in the 1960s that called for participatory democracy and criticized the current political institutions.

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

A resolution passed by Congress in 1964 that granted President Johnson the authority to escalate U.S. military involvement in Vietnam.

Agents Orange

A toxic herbicide used by the U.S. military during the Vietnam War to destroy jungle cover; linked to serious health issues.

Counterculture

A cultural movement in the 1960s that rejected traditional social norms and values, promoting peace, love, and alternative lifestyles.

Stonewall Riots

A series of violent demonstrations by members of the LGBTQ+ community in response to a police raid at the Stonewall Inn in New York City in 1969.

Environmental Movement

A social and political movement aimed at protecting the environment and promoting conservation and sustainability.

Equal Pay Act of 1963

U.S. legislation aimed at abolishing wage disparity based on sex.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Legislation that prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

National Organization for Women (NOW)

An organization founded in 1966 to advocate for women's rights and equality.

Chicano Movement

A civil rights movement for Mexican Americans advocating for social justice, political rights, and cultural pride.

American Indian Movement (AIM)

A civil rights organization formed to advocate for Native American rights, including sovereignty and better living conditions.

Participatory Democracy

A model of democracy in which citizens have the power to make decisions about political and social policies, rather than just voting.

Roe v. Wade

A landmark 1973 Supreme Court decision that recognized a woman's constitutional right to have an abortion.

Bill of Rights for the Disadvantaged

A proposal made by Martin Luther King Jr. aimed at addressing economic inequalities faced by disadvantaged groups.

Diem

The president of South Vietnam whose government was seen as corrupt and influenced by the U.S. until his overthrow in 1963.

Miranda Rights

The legal rights of an arrested individual to be informed of their rights, including the right to an attorney and the right to remain silent.