1. The Widening Struggle: An Era of Change
The Widening Struggle: An Era of Change

2. Feminism
1963 – Betty Friedan’s The Feminine Mystique influenced the women’s movement.
The National Organization for Women (NOW) advocated women’s issues.
The Supreme Court legalized abortion with Roe v. Wade (1973).
1972 – Congress passed the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), but it wasn’t ratified.

3. Latinos Fight for Change
In the 1960s, activists Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta organized Mexican field hands into the United Farm Workers (UFW).
Chicanos sought change by running for political office & forming political groups like La Raza Unida.

4. Addressing Native American Problems
The American Indian Movement (AIM) was formed in Its goals included:
enforcement of treaties
better living conditions
greater autonomy, or self-government
1973 – AIM took over Wounded Knee for 71 days, holding off U.S. marshals.
Several laws passed in the 1970s favored Native American rights.

5. Counterculture youth
Many young people (called hippies) adopted counterculture values.
The emergence of new views on sexual conduct was labeled “the sexual revolution.”
The use of illegal drugs became widespread during the 1960s.

6. Music as Protest
Music both reflected & contributed to the cultural changes of the 1960s.
Folk music & protest songs became popular.
August 1969 – Woodstock Music and Art Fair

7. Protecting the Environment
Rachel Carson’s book Silent Spring about DDT and other chemicals led to tighter government controls on pesticides.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) aimed to ensure that nuclear power plants operated safely.
In 1970, President Nixon established the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The issue became balancing economic development with environmental protection.

8. The Consumer Movement
The consumer movement gained strength & popularity – largely due to the actions of attorney Ralph Nader.
Nader brought attention to safety issues with:
automobiles
baby food
insecticides