Lessons Learned
It was a time of peace and love, but also a time of war. Many people saw the 60’s full of was, argued that America was killing innocent people and that there was nothing but hate and segregation. The other side to people’s opinion was that it was full of peace, extravagant people, complacent music, and achievements. The 60’s was the decade of astonishing people, brave and proud soldiers, and nondiscriminatory laws. America took a big change in equality during the 60’s for different type of races, but also for females. The genesis of the 60’s was all about President John F. Kennedy dealing with the Cold War and President Lyndon Johnson and The Great Society.
President Kennedy won the first televised presidential campaign, which focused on issued as the economy and the Cold War. Despite Kennedy’s charm, however, Congress did not approve many of his domestic programs. The president was able to improve the nation’s economy and advance women’s rights. President Kennedy believed the United States should prepare to fight Communist aggression by increasing troops and weapons and depending less on nuclear arms. He also hoped to improve relations with Latin America. The United States and the Soviet Union began a space race, Cold War tensions heighten with the Bay of Pigs invasion, the construction of the Berlin Wall, and the Cuban missile crisis. John F. Kennedy’s presidency came to an end when he was assassinated on November 22, 1963. President Johnson had more experience than Kennedy in dealing with Congress and was able to get several of Kennedy’s programs approved. Johnson worked to get his Great Society started, focusing on health and welfare, education, and poverty, approved. The laws improved the lives of many Americans. Though this might of seemed like a good time, it was about the get worse when African Americans were fighting to stop segregation and to be equal in America.
Over the years, the NAACP had won several court victories against segregation. African Americans also began to gain political power. Realizing their growing political strength, more African American churches were instrumental in encouraging the civil rights movement, with ministers taking on leadership roles. While President Eisenhower favored gradual desegregation, he did not support the protest or court challenges, and he sent federal troops to uphold court rulings. Students staged sit-ins and joined organizations as a way to peacefully protest segregation. These groups often faced violence from angry mobs. Many Americans were shocked by the violence they saw on television as peaceful protestors were attacked. Violence over the civil rights struggle continued to escalate. More activist, concerned that increasing political rights would not address all the problems African Americans faced, began to focus on improving economic conditions. Increasing numbers of young African Americans became frustrated with nonviolent protest and the slow progress. These people began to call for black power and stronger actions to gain equality. After the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1968. This period of time was a success for many African Americans, but what was one of the worst events during the 60’s was The Vietnam War.
The United States began to support France’s efforts to control Vietnam after World War II. Despite the help of the United States, the French eventually were defeated by the Vietminh. During negotiations to end the war, the Geneva Accords divided Vietnam into two sections, the pro- communist North and the Pro-Western South. When France pulled out, the United States stepped in to aid South Vietnam as tensions between the North and South escalated. The events in Vietnam eventually led to an armed struggle between North and South. The United States continued its support because it believed the success of South Vietnam was vital in the battle against communism. Following the assassination of Ngo Dinh Diem, the United States became more involved in the conflict. Military aid, earlier restricted the military advisers, now included a bombing campaign and combat troops. The Vietcong used ambushes and guerrilla warfare against American soldiers. As the war raged on, the number of killed and injured Americans continued to grow. Many Americans began to question the nation’s involvement in the war. An antiwar movement began, with protesters holding teach-ins and antiwar rallies to speak out against the war and the draft. Not all Americans opposed the war. Supporters accused protesters of being unpatriotic. Following the Tet Offensive, political support for President Johnson began to decline Faced with steadily decreasing approval ratings, Johnson decided not to seek reelection. The division within the Democratic Party and voter Dissatisfaction with the war led to the election of Republican nominee Richard Nixon. President Nixon reduced the number of troops in Vietnam and worked to end U.S. involvement in the war. He appointed Henry Kissinger to negotiate peace with North Vietnam. The nation remained divided, as the war continued. Nixon’s decision to invade Cambodia and the revelations of the Pentagon Papers led to increased protest. After continued peace negotiations, the United States finally ended its involvement in Vietnam. The peace agreement did not last long. Soon after the withdrawal of American troops, the North Vietnamese invaded the South and united Vietnam under Communist rule.
Many young people grew concerned about the nation’s future and became active in social causes. More young people enrolled in colleges, and on college campuses several groups formed that aimed at bringing attention to what they saw as political and social injustices. The counterculture movement attempted to break away from traditional society. Some people embraced new spiritual movements attempted to break away from traditional society. Mainstream society gradually accepted some aspects of the counterculture, such as its fashion, art, music, and dance. Many women had become increasingly dissatisfied with society’s perception of women in the workplace. Some began to join organizations aimed at improving their role in society. The women’s movement forced the government to take action on issues such as education, but it was divided over the Equal Rights Amendment. While the amendment eventually failed, the women’s movement did bring about profound changes in American society.
The 1960’s was full of very interesting events, though some were a big impact on Americans, it was very interesting to read about this decade. There was many great achievements such as The Civil Rights Act, The Equal Rights Amendment. The Vietnam War was not seen as a accomplishment by many people because of all the innocent lives we lost and all the innocent lives we took. The 60’s is very much whatever you want to see it as, a decade of accomplishments or a decade of disappointment, overall America would not be the country it is now if what happened in the 60’s didn’t happen.
It was a time of peace and love, but also a time of war. Many people saw the 60’s full of was, argued that America was killing innocent people and that there was nothing but hate and segregation. The other side to people’s opinion was that it was full of peace, extravagant people, complacent music, and achievements. The 60’s was the decade of astonishing people, brave and proud soldiers, and nondiscriminatory laws. America took a big change in equality during the 60’s for different type of races, but also for females. The genesis of the 60’s was all about President John F. Kennedy dealing with the Cold War and President Lyndon Johnson and The Great Society.
President Kennedy won the first televised presidential campaign, which focused on issued as the economy and the Cold War. Despite Kennedy’s charm, however, Congress did not approve many of his domestic programs. The president was able to improve the nation’s economy and advance women’s rights. President Kennedy believed the United States should prepare to fight Communist aggression by increasing troops and weapons and depending less on nuclear arms. He also hoped to improve relations with Latin America. The United States and the Soviet Union began a space race, Cold War tensions heighten with the Bay of Pigs invasion, the construction of the Berlin Wall, and the Cuban missile crisis. John F. Kennedy’s presidency came to an end when he was assassinated on November 22, 1963. President Johnson had more experience than Kennedy in dealing with Congress and was able to get several of Kennedy’s programs approved. Johnson worked to get his Great Society started, focusing on health and welfare, education, and poverty, approved. The laws improved the lives of many Americans. Though this might of seemed like a good time, it was about the get worse when African Americans were fighting to stop segregation and to be equal in America.
Over the years, the NAACP had won several court victories against segregation. African Americans also began to gain political power. Realizing their growing political strength, more African American churches were instrumental in encouraging the civil rights movement, with ministers taking on leadership roles. While President Eisenhower favored gradual desegregation, he did not support the protest or court challenges, and he sent federal troops to uphold court rulings. Students staged sit-ins and joined organizations as a way to peacefully protest segregation. These groups often faced violence from angry mobs. Many Americans were shocked by the violence they saw on television as peaceful protestors were attacked. Violence over the civil rights struggle continued to escalate. More activist, concerned that increasing political rights would not address all the problems African Americans faced, began to focus on improving economic conditions. Increasing numbers of young African Americans became frustrated with nonviolent protest and the slow progress. These people began to call for black power and stronger actions to gain equality. After the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1968. This period of time was a success for many African Americans, but what was one of the worst events during the 60’s was The Vietnam War.
The United States began to support France’s efforts to control Vietnam after World War II. Despite the help of the United States, the French eventually were defeated by the Vietminh. During negotiations to end the war, the Geneva Accords divided Vietnam into two sections, the pro- communist North and the Pro-Western South. When France pulled out, the United States stepped in to aid South Vietnam as tensions between the North and South escalated. The events in Vietnam eventually led to an armed struggle between North and South. The United States continued its support because it believed the success of South Vietnam was vital in the battle against communism. Following the assassination of Ngo Dinh Diem, the United States became more involved in the conflict. Military aid, earlier restricted the military advisers, now included a bombing campaign and combat troops. The Vietcong used ambushes and guerrilla warfare against American soldiers. As the war raged on, the number of killed and injured Americans continued to grow. Many Americans began to question the nation’s involvement in the war. An antiwar movement began, with protesters holding teach-ins and antiwar rallies to speak out against the war and the draft. Not all Americans opposed the war. Supporters accused protesters of being unpatriotic. Following the Tet Offensive, political support for President Johnson began to decline Faced with steadily decreasing approval ratings, Johnson decided not to seek reelection. The division within the Democratic Party and voter Dissatisfaction with the war led to the election of Republican nominee Richard Nixon. President Nixon reduced the number of troops in Vietnam and worked to end U.S. involvement in the war. He appointed Henry Kissinger to negotiate peace with North Vietnam. The nation remained divided, as the war continued. Nixon’s decision to invade Cambodia and the revelations of the Pentagon Papers led to increased protest. After continued peace negotiations, the United States finally ended its involvement in Vietnam. The peace agreement did not last long. Soon after the withdrawal of American troops, the North Vietnamese invaded the South and united Vietnam under Communist rule.
Many young people grew concerned about the nation’s future and became active in social causes. More young people enrolled in colleges, and on college campuses several groups formed that aimed at bringing attention to what they saw as political and social injustices. The counterculture movement attempted to break away from traditional society. Some people embraced new spiritual movements attempted to break away from traditional society. Mainstream society gradually accepted some aspects of the counterculture, such as its fashion, art, music, and dance. Many women had become increasingly dissatisfied with society’s perception of women in the workplace. Some began to join organizations aimed at improving their role in society. The women’s movement forced the government to take action on issues such as education, but it was divided over the Equal Rights Amendment. While the amendment eventually failed, the women’s movement did bring about profound changes in American society.
The 1960’s was full of very interesting events, though some were a big impact on Americans, it was very interesting to read about this decade. There was many great achievements such as The Civil Rights Act, The Equal Rights Amendment. The Vietnam War was not seen as a accomplishment by many people because of all the innocent lives we lost and all the innocent lives we took. The 60’s is very much whatever you want to see it as, a decade of accomplishments or a decade of disappointment, overall America would not be the country it is now if what happened in the 60’s didn’t happen.
