The Turbulent 60s Times of change

In the beginning… JFK in office “New Frontier” of social change Public service engages the youth JFK commits to going to the moon within the decade

Things start to change… Cuban Missile Crisis/Bay of Pigs Southern Democrats and Republicans resist social change re: Civil rights Vietnam War Space Race turns political

Americans enter into darkness… 1963 Assassination of JFK Vietnam War

Americans enter into darkness… Counterculture creates generational divide Death of our heroes

Cold War People lived with the fear of nuclear annihilation or Soviet invasion The “Space Race” illustrated the competition

Race Relations Civil Rights brought social activism to the political forefront Caused the country to split ideologically— Role models emerged; villains did, too.

More Social Rights Groups The Women’s Movement Emerged as women fought to pass the Equal Rights Amendment to the US Constitution Gay Rights also erupted in the counterculture, but was less accepted

Vietnam War The first war fought “on television” US involvement in a civil war divides the nation A taste of vulnerability