Chapter 37: The Stormy Sixties (1963-1973)

Lyndon B. Johnson

36th President known for domestic programs against poverty and racial injustice

• civil rights, healthcare, education, financial equality

  • Civil Rights Act of 1964

  • Voting Rights Act of 1965

Great Society

Lyndon B. Johnson’s set of domestic programs to fight poverty and racial inequality

• stunted by the Vietnam War’s funds

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Legislative achievement that banned discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in public accommodations, employment, and federally funded programs

• direct response to injustice against Black Americans

• dismantle segregation

  • strong opposition from Southern Democrats

War on Poverty

Programs by LBJ to reduce poverty rate in US

• address root causes through economic assistance, education, and job training

  • faced challenge of Vietnam War draining resources

    • biggest successes were Medicare and Medicaid

Freedom Summer of 1964

Major campaign by civil rights groups to register African Americans voters in Mississippi

• volunteers and activists faced extreme dangers including death

  • contributing to Voting Rights Act of 1965

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Legislation made to eliminate discriminatory practices used to disenfranchise Black voters

• outlawed literacy tests and poll taxes

• significant increase in African American political participation

Robert McNamara

Secretary of Defense under JFK and LBJ

• pivotal role in escalating US involvement in Vietnam War

  • advocate for strong military intervention

    • key proponent of the Domino Theory

• later in life, regret his views on intervention and criticized himself

Election of 1968

One of the most tumultuous and significant elections

• LBJ did not run for a 2nd term because of Vietnam

• Democratic National Convention had riots

• Republican Richard Nixon promises to restore order and wins

  • shift towards conservatism and the “Silent Majority”

Stonewall Rebellion

Pivotal event in LGBTQ+ rights movement

• started with Stonewall Inn riots

  • nationwide protest for LGBTQ+ rights

• created Gay Liberation Front

Students for a Democratic Society

Student organization advocating for civil rights, anti-war protests, and social reform

• initially focused on poverty and racism

  • radicalized over time, creating the “Weathermen”

    • violent tactics (bombing + sabotage) to oppose the government

• extreme left’s rejection of mainstream politics

Vietnamization

Nixon’s policy to reduce American involvement in Vietnam war by slowly pulling Americans out and increasing role of Southern Vietnamese forces

• Nixon Doctrine expanded this, saying America would honor defense commitments, but allies need to take care of their own military needed

My Lai Massacre

One of the most horrific atrocities committed by US soldiers

• US troops massacred 350-500 unarmed Southern Vietnamese civilians

  • covered up, but eventually discovered by journalists

• intensified opposition to the Vietnam War

Kent State Massacre

Members of Ohio National guard opened fired on unarmed students, killing 4 and wounding 9

• students were protesting against the US invasion of Cambodia

  • led to extreme public criticism of the government

  • exacerbated counterculture

Détente

Period of improved relations between US and Soviet Union during Cold War, particularly under Richard Nixon

• diplomacy / arms control (SALT)

• normalize US-China relations

  • eventually unraveled with the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan

Environmental Protection Agency

Created under Nixon to address concerns over environmental pollution and regulate activities that harm the environment

• Clean Air Act + Clean Water Act

  • increase public awareness of environmental issues