The Turbulent Sixties

As the name suggest, the period was a witness to many social changes due to the social unrest among the people. People showed their dissatisfaction by taking to the streets and protesting on different issues. The African Americans, women, Native Americans, hippies, Latinos, and students to stop the Vietnam War, for civil equality and a cry for reforms along with escalation of the cold war. There was students unrest across the nation demanding for freedom of speech, against racism, poverty and other social issues. The Students for a Democratic Society were known for their violence and turmoil within the state. Economic disparity among the races was high in spite of Martin Luther King advocating non-violent means to attain the goals. After his assassination riots broke out in the cities and people took pride in the Black culture and favored calling themselves as Afro-Americans or Blacks instead of Negroes. Besides, other groups such as the Mexican Americans and the Native Americans exposed their cultural heritage and language classes and programs promoted this in a large way. Even the Congress promoted this trend by passing the Ethnic Heritage Studies Act of 1972. Furthermore, women started movements to vent out their feelings against the discrimination shown in work places and at the domestic front. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Rights Amendment of 1972 favored women's right and equality. With the faction within the Democratic power it became easy of Nixon, Republican to make a in 1968.