The Sixties A Decade of Rebellion Essay - 1630 Words

â€Å"Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans† (Kennedy 916). With these words, John F. Kennedy in his inaugural address in 1961 described the 1960’s decade. This era in American history encapsulated a belief in the power of young people to change the world, a desire to help others globally and accept their differences, and a war that would eventually destroy all that America stood for. It was a time for new ideas in all aspects of life. This shift in thinking is apparent when looking at the happenings in society, the younger generation, and the media. The sixties were the beginning of many great revolutions in society. The sixties were a time of†¦show more content†¦The third president during the sixties was Richard Nixon, a republican who paid much attention to foreign affairs. He withdrew the United States from the Vietnam War and reestablished diplomatic ties with China (Horton 165). He was involved in the Watergate scandal and was also responsible for a great deal of illegal wiretapping. Richard Nixon was eventually impeached in 1974 for abusing his powers (Carter-Cooper). These events directly affected people’s lives and impacted the country’s society. People’s lives were both directly and indirectly affected by the politics of the sixties. Society reacted to political events in different ways depending on what social class they belonged to. The tone of the decade was one of rebellion. One significant influence was the feminist movement and women’s rights. The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan inspired many women and caused new women’s groups to be created. Women all across the country began to question the roles they had and fight for equal rights (Horton 32-41). Birth control was legalized in the United States, and abortion was a huge topic of controversy (Holland 126). Women wanted to be able to procure abortions without the risk of complications, and many got abortions even though they were illegal and in most cases, unsafe (Singleton 2). Women also wanted to get paid the same wages for doing the same work as men, which eventually happened in 1963 with the passing of the Equal Pay Act (Horton 41). AnotherShow MoreRelatedThe Vietnam War and Its Effects on Society During the 1960s1594 Words   |  7 Pagesthough out the counting during the middle of the decade. The infamous Vietnam War and the new alternative culture were pushing the United States towards a time of liberalism and a nationwide rebellion against the social norms. The first combat forces were sent to Da Nang in 1965, by a formally anti war President, Lyndon B Johnson. The question of why the United States was engaging in a war between North and South Vietnam was raised. Anti war rebellions sprouted up all across the country, all askingRead More Counterculture Essay1501 Words   |  7 Pagesviews and made their point get across to America. This cultural movement had a profound impact on society. It had both beneficial and detrimental effects on the society. As we look back on the sixties, it was one of the most important decades because it accomplished so many important things. The sixties was an era that was filled with so many important events that caused people to become actively involved in challenging the structure of American society and taking a stand. Civil rights was oneRead MoreThe Revolution Of The Time1159 Words   |  5 PagesThe 1960s were a decade of era-defining significance, the start of a counter-culture revolution, and a time when young people stood up and made their voices heard. The exhibition You Say You Want a Revolution portrays this through five years of influential music, art and design, film, fashion and politics. 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