American Freedom In The 1960s

Words: 1372
Pages: 6
Open Document
As has been discussed throughout the duration of this course, a recurring theme throughout American history is the notion that the definition of freedom differs based on experience. Outdated legislation and views of what is morally and politically correct have caused the original definition of American freedom to change as a sign of the times. The understanding of freedom that most shaped what it meant to be an American during the 20th century was the one exemplified by the Civil Rights Movement, the New Left, and various other social and political reform movements of the 1960s. Initially, if you were a traditional white American man, you were free to enjoy all freedoms offered in the American Constitution (Ellis 16). People belonging to other …show more content…
The female notion of freedom involved the freedom of choice in these aspects. Traditionally, women were expected to gain a minimum high school-level education, and either marry straight away or obtain a traditionally female-dominated job if they so cared to, before marrying and dropping said job entirely to have children. Middle and upper-class women were often encouraged to prioritize family and social obligations over career ambitions, reflecting class-based norms and values. The landmark Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade (1973) legalized abortion nationwide, further affirming women’s reproductive rights and autonomy over their bodies (Ellis 16). Another movement that gained popularity amidst the fight for equal rights in America was the Gay Rights Movement. Gay people in America have faced overwhelming societal oppression for centuries. The issue was largely ignored altogether until the social discourse brought on amid the social upheaval of the 1960s and 1970s. Incidents like the Stonewall Riots (1969), sparked by a police raid on a gay bar in New York catalyzed the Gay Rights Movement, as well as the modern LGBTQ+ Rights Movement (Ellis
Show More

Related Documents: American Freedom In The 1960s

Freedom Singers Research Paper

Music in the 1960’s was a sort of magnet that brought people together during a time where segregation was at the peak of America. Musicians like The Freedom Singers spoke to African Americans while they were in their darkest hour. The Freedom Singers traveled through America from 1962-1966. The Beatles were also a huge up and coming band that completely transformed not only America but the entire world. One way they did that was with their style. Music also helped people to protest and get their…

Words 1058 - Pages 5

Sit-Ins And Freedom Rides In The Civil Rights Movement

Sit-ins and freedom rides are significant episodes in the civil rights movement that ensued in the 1960s. During this epoch, numerous nonviolent campaigns enticed many to join the movement. African Americans took the initiative of occupying seats at segregated lunch meetings and declined to leave until their voices were heard. They also used Freedom Rides to shun segregation, especially on interstate transportation routes (Locke, 318). The March on Washington back was equally an important episode…

Words 304 - Pages 2

What Is Discrimination In Guess Who's Coming To Dinner

in the 1960’s although during this time the country was still dominated by white males. During the 1960’s groups like African Americans in particular began to arise and assert themselves more forcefully and successfully. Even though the Emancipation Proclamation was nearly 100-year prior African Americans still lived in a world of disenfranchisement, discrimination, and various forms of oppression. The struggle of African Americans for equality was at its highest in the mid-1960’s. The 1960’s era…

Words 925 - Pages 4

Freedom Of Speech Essay

FREEDOM OF SPEECH From "The Reader's Companion to American History" The modern American conception of freedom of speech derives from the principles of freedom of the press (mainly in the context of political criticism) and freedom of religion as they developed in England, starting in the seventeenth century. The arguments of John Milton and others on the importance of an unlicensed press, and of John Locke and others on religious toleration, were the precursors to the idea of freedom of speech, although…

Words 1179 - Pages 5

Essay on Goals and Strategies of the Civil Rights Movement

African-American Civil Rights Movement Throughout the 1960’s, the widespread movement for African American civil rights had transformed in terms of its goals and strategies. The campaign had intensified in this decade, characterized by greater demands and more aggressive efforts. Although the support of the Civil Rights movement was relatively constant, the goals of the movement became more high-reaching and specific, and its strategies became less compromising. African Americans’ struggle for…

Words 2427 - Pages 10

America During the 1960's Essay

11/30/10 The Legacy of the 1960’s The 1960’s were a time of great political and moral strife for not only certain people, but for the entire nation. The events that occurred then had a large impact on the United States of the 1960’s, as well as the 2010 United States. It is because of these some of these actions that the way we live is greatly influenced by the events of the 60’s. Several of the issues and controversies of the 1960’s troubled Americans in such a way that people believed…

Words 1195 - Pages 5

Civil Rights Movement In The 1960's

The social and cultural movements of the 1960s began to upset the traditional “norms” of gender constructs, family and social structures, racial biases, and portrayals of white suburbia that existed in the 1950s. Many social movements were taking place in the US while the Vietnam war going on. In early 1960 black college students in Greensboro, North Carolina sat in on a “white’s only” lunch counters and restrooms, as similar sit-ins started to happen in other southern cities too. These sit-ins…

Words 903 - Pages 4

Marriage Sexual Revolution

and societal expectations. However, due to the sexual revolution and feminist ideologies of the 1960s and 70s gender roles were being challenged. The median age at marriage began to rise (“The History of Marriage”). Writers began to question societal expectations of women and films discussed ideas of gender roles and sexuality within marriage. Women began to consider individual personhood and freedoms apart from being a mother, wife, and homemaker. In the 1950s “girls were taught the being a suburban…

Words 696 - Pages 3

Diane Nash Civil Rights Movement Analysis

things are going here all of Africa will be free before we can get a lousy cup of coffee,” (Aretha 11 ). African Americans worked to end segregation laws and get their Constitutional rights. Many of these protesters were young college students in the South, such as Diane Nash, a leader among the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. Nash participated in many events in the early 1960s. Her most important contribution to the Civil Rights Movement was her leadership in the Nashville sit-ins, because…

Words 1309 - Pages 6

Jimi Hendrix Accomplishments

Throughout history, Americans across the country have entertained different ideas of how far freedom should go and what patriotism means. In Jimi Hendrix’s performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” at Woodstock, he made his ideas and values very clear. His performance was a long, rock-and-roll rendition with lots of feedback, motion, and improvisation. While some may say this was disrespecting the country, this might have been the point of Hendrix’s performance. America was in the middle of the…

Words 979 - Pages 4