Thesis Statements
From 1960 up until the mid 1970’s, there
was a plethora of civil rights groups and
movements in the United States.
Prominent among these were the AfricanAmerican and Native American
movements. Both movements were
successful, perhaps too much. Although
African-Americans gained rights and then
equality cam about by Affirmative Action,
which favored minorities over white men.
Between the period of time of 1930 to 1975,
many minority groups in the U.S. made
great progress toward political and social
equality. Not the least of these groups
were African-Americans and Native
Americans. Both groups demonstrated
their extreme unhappiness with the
American society as it was, protesting
peacefully and violently if need be.
Fair and unfair are words that could be
spoken about the years from 1960 to
1975. Through these years, many ethnic
groups fought for political and social
equality. When many think about this
issue, two groups stand out the most:
African-Americans and women. These two
groups have fought all throughout history
for their equal places in society.
American history has been riddled with movements by
minorities and women to gain civil rights. For many years
after the abolition of slavery, racial prejudices still
dominated American culture. The Anglo people always
felt superior to the minorities who shared the land with
them. Not only were these discriminations local, such as
the Jim Crow laws, they were also national, such as the
ruling in Plessey v Ferguson case. In the 1960s and
1970s, these movements gained renewed strength.
African Americans, as well as Native Americans, stepped
to the forefront of the racial wars. Many achievements
were made by both groups in the areas of political
power, basic rights, and self respect.
During the 1930s, the United States faced an
enormous economic depression known as the
Great Depression. In response to this, President
Franklin D. Roosevelt proposed the “New Deal”
that would provide relief, recovery and reform for
the American people and economy. Under
President Lyndon Baines Johnson in the 1960s,
the welfare programs of FDR were greatly
expanded. It was during this expansion that
created the modern American welfare state. The
“Great Society” resembles the “New Deal” in its
origins, goals and social and political legacy.
Through the 1960s and 1970s many races,
and genders, pushed for equal rights.
Whether it be in the workplace or on the bus,
each group wanted fair treatment. Through
multiple acts of protest and legal bills, they
gained their independence in modern society.
First to scourge through Capitol Hill for rights
were black citizens. After being subjugated to
segregation, discrimination and degradation
of their race, they push for their civil rights.
Sit-ins, bus boycotts and freedom rides were
the societal and economic strategies to help
gain their rights.
Assignment…
Write a thesis statement on the following
question:
* Discuss how the perception of organized
labor has changed in America from the
period of the mid-1800’s to the 1960s.