A Watershed Decade

The 1960s were a period when long-held
values and norms of behavior seemed to
break down, particularly among the young.
POLITICAL ACTIVISM

Many college-age men
and women became
political activists and
were the driving force
behind the civil rights
and antiwar
movements.
16 MILLION CULTURAL
REBELS

Other young people
simply “dropped out”
and separated
themselves from
mainstream culture
through their
appearance and
lifestyle.
THE 1950S





OLD America
Conservatism,
Complacency, and
Contentment
Nuclear Family
Traditional role for
women
Racially Segregated
America
THE 1960S





NEW America
Social Unrest, Reform
and Revolution
Protean Family
New Freedom in
Manners and Morals
Racially Integrated
America
THE FIFTIES

1950s America
THE SIXTIES

1960s America
BEFORE THE 60S

1950s America
AFTER THE 60S

1960s America
BEFORE THE 60S

Racial Segregation
AFTER THE 60S

Racial Integration
BEFORE THE 60S

Housewife of 1950s
AFTER THE 60S

“The New Woman”
BEFORE THE 60S

1950s Male Identity
AFTER THE 60S

“The New Man?”
BEFORE THE 60S

1950s Suburbia
AFTER THE 60S

Anti-conformity
BEFORE THE 60S

1950s Nuclear Family
AFTER THE 60S

New Protean Families
BEFORE THE 60S

1950s Music
AFTER THE 60S

New Protean Music
BEFORE THE 60S

1950s Sexual Mores
AFTER THE 60S

New Freedom in
Manners and Morals
1950s Society
1.
“Be Normal”
1960s Society
1.
“Do Your Own
Thing”
2. Control Your
Emotions
2. “Let it all Hang Out”
3. Repress sexuality
3. “If it feels good, do
it”
 This
course will explore the
various religious traditions
and religious history that
makes American society
diverse and pluralistic.
 Judaism
 Christianity
 Islam