Chapter 36: The Stormy Sixties 1963-1973

MUST KNOW: Events and People

Cold War
Lyndon Johnson
Gay and lesbian activists
Vietnam War
Civil Rights Act of 1964
Resurgent conservative movement
Detente
Great Society
Oil crisis
Counterculture of the 1960s

MUST UNDERSTAND: Essential Knowledge from Period 8 (1945-1980)

Cold War Fluctuations: Understand why the Cold War fluctuated between periods of military confrontation and periods of mutual coexistence (or detente). Relevant pages: 893-896, 901-904, 908-909.
Vietnam War Protests: Analyze the surge of antiwar protests that arose from the Vietnam War, which were passionate and occasionally violent. Relevant pages: 893-896.
Oil Crises: Explore how multiple oil crises in the Middle East sparked discussions on a national energy policy. Relevant pages: 909-910.
Executive Power Debate: Investigate why Americans debated the power of the executive branch in foreign and military policy. Relevant pages: 908-909.
Civil Rights Act of 1964: Assess how the three branches of government used laws like the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to promote racial equality. Relevant pages: 886-887.
Nonviolence in Civil Rights: Discuss the increasing debate over the efficacy of nonviolence among civil rights activists after 1965. Relevant pages: 890-893.
Gay and Lesbian Activism: Examine why gay and lesbian activists mobilized for legal, economic, and social equality. Relevant pages: 897, 900-901.
Poverty Concerns: Despite postwar affluence, understand why advocates expressed concerns about poverty as a national problem. Relevant pages: 889-890.
Liberalism at its Peak: Identify why liberalism, grounded in anticommunism and faith in government, reached its zenith politically in the mid-1960s. Relevant pages: 886-897.
Great Society Initiatives: Study how Lyndon Johnson's Great Society sought to end racial discrimination, alleviate poverty, and address social issues through federal legislation. Relevant pages: 886-887, 889-890.
Supreme Court Decisions: Analyze how Supreme Court rulings expanded civil rights and individual liberties. Relevant pages: 904-905.
Conservative Reaction to Liberalism: Explore why conservatives challenged liberal laws and court decisions, perceiving cultural decline, and called for limited federal government roles. Relevant pages: 887-889, 896-897, 901-902, 905-908.
Leftist Perspectives: Assess why some leftist groups rejected liberal policies, arguing they were insufficient to transform the status quo at home and pursued immoral foreign policies. Relevant pages: 897, 900-901.
Environmental Movements: Understand how environmental issues spurred the growth of movements aimed at combating pollution and protecting natural resources. Relevant pages: 906-907.
New Environmental Regulations: Discuss why the federal government established new environmental programs and regulations. Relevant pages: 906-907.
Immigration in America: Explore why immigrants sought political, social, and economic opportunities in the U.S., especially post-1965 immigration reforms. Relevant pages: 889-890.
Counterculture and Feminism: Reflect on why feminists in the 1960s counterculture rejected their parents' values and advocated for sexual norm changes. Relevant pages: 890-891.
Youth Rejection of Tradition: Investigate why youth involved in the 1960s counterculture rejected traditional social, economic, and political values and embraced informality. Relevant pages: 890-891.

MUST CONNECT: Essential Knowledge and Historical Thinking Skills

Recognize the debates on civil rights activism, particularly the increasing discussions on nonviolent strategies after 1965.

Contextualization Assignment

Write a paragraph that accurately and specifically describes the historical context of the debates among civil rights activists about the usefulness of nonviolent strategies post-1965.

Essential Knowledge: Political Dynamics

Liberalism influenced postwar politics but faced increasing attacks from both the left and a resurgent conservative movement.
The Vietnam War incited significant antiwar protests that were more numerous and occasionally violent.
Debates ensued over the appropriate size of the United States' nuclear arsenal and the implications of the military-industrial complex.

Comparative Analysis Assignment

Create a three-column graphic organizer comparing liberals, conservatives, and radicals of the 1960s.

Causation Analysis Assignment

Write a paragraph explaining the historical significance of the antiwar protests in the 1960s.

Continuity and Change Assignment

Describe patterns of change regarding the executive branch's power in foreign and military policy during the 1960s and early 1970s.

MUST DEVELOP: AP® Historical Thinking Skills (Source Claims and Evidence)

Limitations of a Source's Argument: Scrutinize the reliability and persuasiveness of sources, explaining the influence of the author's point of view, audience, purpose, and historical context.
Use primary sources to practice explaining limitations, particularly excerpts from Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X, the Marine Corps office, and the Washington Post.

Key Themes from The Stormy Sixties

The 1960s represented a transformative period in American history characterized by a myriad of social upheavals, including the sexual revolution, a civil rights movement, and a vibrant youth culture.
Following President John F. Kennedy’s assassination, the country underwent substantial political and cultural transformations.
Under President Lyndon Johnson, the passage of landmark legislation reflected a commitment to civil rights and social welfare, despite burgeoning conservative backlash.
The Vietnam War became a focal point of national contention, influencing public sentiment and political dynamics significantly.