American Culture in the 1960s

I. Times they are changingA. College campuses became centers of debate

and scenes of protest more than ever before1. Great numbers of young adults, baby boomers,

reaching military draft age (selective service)2. Not yet voting age (minimum voting age did

not become 18 until 1971)3. Caused a struggle which played out on many

campuses as the country became more involved  in the Vietnam War

4. The generation gap became a growing phenomenon

B. In 1966, James S. Coleman, commissioned by the government, published Equality of Educational Opportunity

1. A landmark study that led the way to forced integration and busing in the 1970s

II. The SixtiesA. Counterculture and social revolution

1. Describes the values and norms of behavior of a cultural group, or subculture, that run counter to those of the social mainstream of the day

2. Refers to an upheaval in which existing property relations are smashed

III. Key EventsA. Election of JFKB. Civil Rights reformsC. Vietnam WarD. Woodstock Music & Art Fair

1. "An Aquarian Exposition: 3 Days of Peace & Music”

2. One of the biggest rock festivals of all time and a cultural touchstone for the late Sixties