The Sixties: An Era of Social Change
* Counterculture- 1960’s; new breed of youth who rejects fashion, traditions, and
morals of American society; minority groups assert their equal rights; women protest
forms of oppression
Latinos & Native Americans Seek Equality
















Latinos:
During 1960’s, the Latino population in the US grew from 3 million to more
than 9 million
The largest Latino group is Mexican Americans, large numbers of Puerto
Rican & Cubans as well who all faced discrimination & prejudice in jobs and
housing
During 1960’s, Latinos demanded equal opportunity and respect for their
culture & heritage
United Farm Workers Organizing Committee- a labor union formed to seek
higher wages and better working conditions for farm workers (leader- Cesar
Chavez)
1968- Bilingual Education Act- provided funds for schools to develop
bilingual & cultural heritage programs for non- English speaking children
Young Mexican Americans called themselves Chicanos to express pride
Mexican American Political Association formed to help elect Hispanics
La Raza Unida- (Mexican Americans United) 1970’s independent movement;
organization trying to get greater representation in politics
The League of United Latin American Citizens- formed to fight segregation &
discrimination; worked to desegregate schools
Native Americans:
Native American group have been the poorest & suffered the highest
unemployment rate
Native American groups met to draft the Declaration of Indian Purpose to
called for an end to Eisenhower’s termination program and create policies to
create economic opportunities
American Indian Movement- a militant Native American rights organization
aimed at protecting the rights of large NA populations
“Trail of Broken Treaties”- march in Washington DC to protest US treaty
violations
1972- Congress passed the Indian Education Act
1975- passed the Indian Self- Determination and Education Assistance Act;
both give tribes greater control over their own affairs & children’s education
During 1970’s & 1980’s Native Americans won settlements that provided
legal recognition as well as compensation
Women Fight for Equality











Betty Friedan- wrote The Feminine Mystique in 1957; addressing “the
problem that has no name”
Feminism- the theory behind the women’s movement of the 1960’s; the
belief that women should have economic, political, and social equality with
men
By 1960’s 40% of women were involved in the workplace although certain
jobs were still considered “men’s work”
Women also faced discrimination in fighting civil rights & antiwar
movements
NOW- National Organization of Women; organization created to pursue
women’s goals; childcare facilities & ban on gender discrimination in hiring
Gloria Steinem- journalist, political activist, supporter of women’s liberation
movement; helped formed National Women’s Political Caucus- a group that
encouraged women to seek political office; created Ms. Magazine designed to
treat contemporary issues from a feminist perspective
Roe v. Wade- 1973; Supreme Court ruled that women have the right to have
an abortion within the first 3 months of pregnancy
Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)- 1972; to guarantee that both men and
women have the same rights and protections under the law
Phyllis Schlafly- a conservative who led a resistance to the ERA; anti- feminist
who was afraid ERA would allow women to be entered into the draft and
encourage anti- family laws
The New Right- a “pro- family” movement to combat the ERA; focused on
social, cultural, and moral problems & debated family centered issues
Legacy of Women’s Movement- ERA defeated, transformed conventional
roles of women, changed attitudes towards women having jobs & careers,
expanded career opportunities, increase of women in politics,
Culture and Counterculture





Counterculture- movement made up mostly of white, middle- class college
youths who had grown disillusioned with the war in Vietnam & injustices in
America since the 1960’s; tried to establish a new society based on peace &
love
Known as “hippies”; shared some beliefs of New Left movement
Hippie era- rock n roll music, outrageous clothing, sexual license, illegal
drugs, Eastern religions, long hair, communes,
Movement declined by 1970- many addicted to drugs, homeless and mental
breakdowns
Legacy: Art- pop- art, Andy Warhol; Rock Music- protest, Beatles, Woodstock:
led many Americans to more liberal attitude about dress and appearance,
lifestyle, and social behavior

Conservative response- many felt America was losing its sense of right &
wrong; Nixon elected as president as many turned toward a more
conservative movement