The Great Society and Women's Rights Movement

The Great Society

• Lyndon B. Johnson, elected in 1964, pursued a vision for a more abundant America.
• Sought to end discrimination based on race or gender, fostering equal rights.
• Key legislation included the Social Security Act of 1965, creating Medicare (elderly health insurance) and Medicaid (low-income health insurance).
• The Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
• The Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 formed the basis for the "War on Poverty".
• It established the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) to oversee programs addressing poverty through education, job training and community development.
• The "War on Poverty" built upon the New Deal's core principles (relief, recovery, and reform).
• Challenges and pushback arose from both the escalating Vietnam War and continued civil rights struggles.

The Women's Rights Movement (Second Wave Feminism)

• The 1960s and 70s witnessed the emergence of the Second Wave Feminism.
• This movement built on the First Wave's focus on suffrage (19th Amendment).
• Betty Friedan, a key figure, highlighted the dissatisfaction of women with their limited roles through "The Feminine Mystique" (1963).
• Friedan co-founded NOW (National Organization for Women) in 1966 to advance legal and workplace equality, reproductive rights and anti-discrimination policies.
• Drawing inspiration from Simone de Beauvoir's "The Second Sex".

The Student Movement

• Social tensions in the 1960s, including economic inequality and civil rights issues, fueled youth discontent.
• The Vietnam War further exacerbated these tensions.
• A distinct counterculture emerged, characterized by Rock 'n' Roll and a unique youth culture.
• The assassination of John F. Kennedy in 1963 caused widespread disillusionment.

The March on Washington (1963)

• Organized by A. Philip Randolph with key leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., Roy Wilkins, and John Lewis.
• The August 28, 1963 March aimed to push for the Civil Rights Act.
• The march advocated for an end to discrimination in employment, education, and public life.
• The march culminated in MLK's “I Have a Dream” speech.
• The march's impact was heightened by national TV coverage, symbolizing the fight for equality.

Civil Rights Organizations

• The NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), founded in 1909, fought discrimination through legal action.
• The SNCC (Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee), established in 1960, championed nonviolent resistance and community organizing, playing roles in sit-ins, freedom rides, and voter registration drives.

1960s Context

• The 1960s showcased both progress (civil rights legislation, Great Society reforms) and polarization (Vietnam War, cultural shifts).
• The decade's legacy continues to inspire social movements like LGBTQ+ rights and environmentalism.
• The decade demonstrated the potential of mass mobilization in shaping policy.

1980s Conservatism

• The 1980s saw a resurgence of conservatism in the US.
• Economic challenges like high inflation ("stagflation") and unemployment fuelled a desire for change.
• American exceptionalism declined due to international setbacks.
• A cultural divide arose with progressive trends in sexual liberation and evolving gender roles, met by a conservative backlash rooted in Christian conservatism and traditional values.
• Key Republican presidents included Ronald Reagan (1980, 1984), George H.W. Bush (1988), and George W. Bush (2000), marking a period of conservative dominance in the presidency, Senate, and House.
• Christian groups like the Moral Majority (1979-1989), led by Jerry Falwell, campaigned against abortion and the Equal Rights Amendment.

1980 Presidential Election

• Jimmy Carter faced criticism for his handling of the "Crisis of Confidence," the energy crisis, and rising inflation.
• Ronald Reagan capitalized on discontent and portrayed a strong leadership alternative that resonated with the resurgent conservative sentiment. His famous quote, "Government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem," encapsulated this message.
• Reagan attacked Carter's record and advocated Reaganomics. He utilized conservative sentiment to present himself as a confident leader.
• Reagan's landslide victory marked the resurgence of conservatism in US politics.

Key Developments and Policies

• Business Lobbies and Think Tanks: Organisations like the Heritage Foundation and the National Association of Manufacturers played significant roles in shaping conservative policies.
• Neoconservatism: Emerged in the 1970s, fuelled by disillusionment with counter-culture movements and concern about societal decline from drug use, moral erosion, and challenges to family values. It advocated interventionist foreign policy in contrast to détente, and opposed leftist ideologies within education.
• New Right vs. New Left: The New Right, a conservative coalition of Christian leaders and business elites, advocated for traditional values, opposing social programs, and emphasizing religion in education and media (televangelists).
• Reagan's Policies: Reagan's administration implemented deregulation across public services, healthcare, and environmental protection, rolling back some New Deal and Fair Deal programs. His foreign policy characterized the Soviet Union as an 'Evil Empire' and supported confrontation during the Cold War. An emblematic initiative was the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI). Reaganomics, a supply-side economic approach, featured significant tax cuts (favoring higher income brackets) to stimulate economic activity.
• Reaganomics Criticism: Its implementation led to a tripling of the national debt from $1 trillion to $3 trillion, while also increasing income inequality.
• Neoliberalism: Shared links with Reagan's policies and Margaret Thatcher's UK policies focused on privatization, tax cuts and deregulation.
• Sandra Day O'Connor: First woman appointed to the Supreme Court (1981), she held moderate Republican views and opposed overturning Roe v. Wade, advocating for women's rights. She later received the Presidential Medal of Freedom (2009), showcasing a progressive legacy for women in law and politics.
• Pat Buchanan and the 1990s "culture wars": A conservative commentator, he articulated concerns over cultural divisions, framing the 1992 election as a religious and cultural struggle.

Key Themes to Remember

• Economic: Reaganomics lessened inflation but widened income disparity and increased national debt.
• Cultural: Neoconservatism and the New Right confronted counter-culture movements.
• Political: Conservatism dominated the political landscape through Republican leadership and policies, including deregulation and tax cuts.
• Social: Fierce ideological clashes emerged regarding morality, religion, and national identity.

Explore the key initiatives and legislation of Lyndon B. Johnson's Great Society, aimed at promoting equality and fighting poverty in America. Additionally, delve into the Second Wave Feminism that emerged during the 1960s and 70s, highlighting the struggle for women's rights. This quiz covers vital historical movements that shaped modern America.