Lecture Notes: The 1960s - JFK, LBJ, and Social Change

Exam Information

The exam will be online and due on the 15th (consistent with the syllabus).
The format will include one essay question with a rubric and fill-in-the-blank questions.

Introduction to the 1960s

Focus on John F. Kennedy's presidency and the significant changes during this period.

Key Topics

The student movement and its "nemesis," Lyndon B. Johnson.
Lyndon B. Johnson's "Great Society" plan and its undoing due to the Vietnam War.
Resistance to the Vietnam War and the rise of the counterculture.
Women's activism and the struggles of racial groups.

Pop Art

Pop art emerged, utilizing everyday objects as artistic subjects; Roy Lichtenstein's "Wham!" (1963) is an example.
Andy Warhol became famous for silk-screen prints of Brillo pad boxes and soup cans.

The 1960 Election

John F. Kennedy (Senator from Massachusetts) ran against Richard Nixon.
Kennedy, an Irish American and Catholic, won the election.
His family had wealth from various ventures, including movie production and bootlegging.
Kennedy was youthful (42 when elected) and charismatic, often joking about his wealth.
He addressed accusations of his father buying votes with humor.
A televised debate marked the first of its kind, where Kennedy's appearance was perceived more favorably than Nixon's.

Kennedy's Inauguration

Delivered on January 20, 1961.
Famous quote: "The torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans."

Kennedy's White House

Brought a sense of newness and youthfulness.
He and his wife were young, and they had young children.
Kennedy promoted cultural events at the White House, initiating the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
The Spanish cellist Pablo Casals, who had fled Spain due to Franco's regime and refused to play in countries recognizing Franco, made an exception for Kennedy and performed at the White House.

Kennedy's Presidency

It was short-lived.
He was considered weak on civil rights, unable to pass a civil rights act.
He maintained Eisenhower's advisors in Vietnam.
Kennedy was a Cold Warrior, holding anti-Soviet, pro-American views.

Kennedy's Assassination

Assassinated in Dallas, Texas, on November 22, 1963, during a campaign for the 1964 election.
Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested and then shot by Jack Ruby on live television.
Abraham Zapruder filmed the assassination, creating the Zapruder film.
Life magazine bought and published the photos save the point of impact.
Controversy arose over the bullet's trajectory.
The assassination remains a topic of discussion, with open files released by a current president.
Conspiracy theories involve the government, mafia, or foreign agents.
The movie "JFK" exemplifies distrust in government.

Kennedy's Initiatives

Established the Peace Corps, sending young college graduates for humanitarian service in foreign countries.
Created VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America), a domestic version of the Peace Corps.

Bob Dylan and Generational Change

Bob Dylan's 1964 song reflected the changing times.
Lyrics such as "Don't criticize what you can't understand" captured the youth's sentiment.

Youth Focus

A shift towards focusing on youth occurred.
Parents were urged to understand and accept their children.
In the 1950s, there was more complacency and control over children.
There's a concern that children have fewer rights today and are being controlled.

The Baby Boom

The baby boom (1946-1964) led to a large population of young, politicized individuals.
Baby Boomer generation experienced class divisions, not everyone attained same level of prosperity.
It is important to consider class and race when looking at generations.

Student Activism

The Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) formed at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
They issued the Port Huron Statement, expressing dissatisfaction with the atom bomb, careerism, conformity, and racial bigotry.
The SDS called for dignity and creativity in life.
Students were influenced by thinkers like Albert Camus.

College Enrollment

Increased significantly; in 1940, 15% of 18-22-year-olds were in college, while in 1965, it was 44%.
Government initiatives like Pell Grants expanded access to higher education.
By the end of the 1960s, 6 million students were in college, four times as many as in 1940.
Students were generally more educated than previous generations.

Tuition Costs

Tuition were lower because states were giving colleges more money than today.
Today universities make up money with tuition, grants, and etc.

Educated Youth

Young people are educated and unified, forming their own consensus.
Not all members of one generation think alike as Donald Trump is a baby boomer.
Attitudes depend on factors like class, race and gender.

Lyndon B. Johnson and the Great Society

Lyndon B. Johnson's "Great Society" aimed to address poverty and racial injustice.
He was committed to civil rights and ensured the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Johnson had experience with Mexican-American communities, influencing his policies.
Supported by League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and American GI Forum.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Ended segregation in public places.
Banned employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, and sex.
The inclusion of "sex" was initially a joke by a Southern congressman but was ultimately included.
Expanded to protect against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Offered protections for everyone.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

Outlawed discriminatory voting procedures, like poll taxes and literacy tests.
African Americans became full-fledged citizens.
Reauthorized four times, underscoring ongoing racism.
Section 5 (oversight by the US Justice Department) was eliminated in 2013 by the Supreme Court (Shelby County v. Holder).
Voter ID laws were implemented in some states after oversight was removed.
It is more difficult for elderly and those without access to a DMV or State ID to vote.
Real ID requirements are also a parallel example, where people need a real ID or Passport to travel by air.

Medicare

Instituted in 1965 under Johnson.
Provided medical insurance for those 65 and older.
A continuation of Social Security.
Does not cover dental or ophthalmology.
The first Medicare card was issued to Harry S. Truman.

Higher Education Act of 1965

Provided federal grants and loans for students.

Immigration Act of 1965

Eliminated quotas for immigration.
Emphasized family bonds for immigration.
Placed restrictions on immigration from the Western Hemisphere for the first time, limiting immigration from Mexico to 20,000 annually.
Caused an upsurge in undocumented immigration.
Immigration service is complex and needs to be reformed.

Vietnam War

The Vietnam War was part of the Cold War, a struggle between communism and capitalism fought in a surrogate country.
On August 4, 1964, the Gulf of Tonkin incident led Johnson to ask Congress for permission to wage an undeclared war on North Vietnam.
Vietnam had been divided, and a vote to reunite it was prevented by the US due to fears of communism.
Ho Chi Minh, leader of the North, was a communist and nationalist inspired by the Declaration of Independence.
The US sent advisors to South Vietnam.

Gulf of Tonkin Resolution

Allowed Johnson to wage war without Congressional approval.
Johnson likened the resolution to "grandma's nightshirt" because it covered everything.
In April 1965, there were 50,000 American soldiers in Vietnam.

University Involvement in the War

Students became aware of universities' connections to the war, such as producing weapons like napalm.
Napalm was developed at a university to remove vegetation, and students protested about university involvement.
There has been other events in the past like the atomic bomb developing at Berkeley.
Universities and Military Industrial Complex has existed for a long time and still exists today.
Students had a heightened awareness due to their peers dying in the war.