SocialBrown v. Topeka
(1954) The supreme court case which made a decision on "separate but equal" doctrine. During this time, African Americans and Whites were segregated and blacks were looking to be viewed on a level of equality. The supreme court said that "the segregation clearly gave black children a feeling of inferiority as to their status in community that may affect their hears and minds in a way unlikely to ever be undone." On May 17th, 1954 the court unanimously struck down the separate but equal doctrine and said it was unconstitutional violation of the fourteenth amendment. Unfortunately, no changes are made immediately despite the doctrine being stuck down but it does create a foundation for change in the future in society. Sit-Ins The Greensboro sit-ins were non-violent protests in 1960. They took place in Greensboro, North Carolina at Woolworths store. On February 1, 1960, four students sat down at the lunch counter at Woolworths and ordered coffee. This at the time was completely unacceptable because the students were African American. The lunch counter staff refused to serve the African American men at the "whites only" counter and the store's manager asked them to leave. More students joined the next day, and white kids would harass the blacks but they refused to be violent. The african american students stayed and although they suffered, white students even joined their movement and they made a huge statement about their rights and search for equality. |
EconomicWar on Poverty
Both JFK and LJB were faced with this war. LJB grew up poor and knew what it was like. Kennedy began setting up anti-poverty programs and after Kennedys assasination Johnson began VISTA(Volunteers In Service To America). It put young americans to work in poor neighboorhoods, and rural areas to help chip away at the conditions and eventually over come poverty. Great Society Reforms Created by LBJ after Kennedy's assasination. This idea of a "great society" was a more equitable and perfect America. Some of these programs included (there were 60) Medicare, Medicaid, and Headstart. The programs were designed to help out society after the great depression now that the economy began to improve and poverty was slowly being reduced. Because of the Vietnam War, funding for these programs saw a defecit. |
PoliticalJohn F Kennedy
Inaugurated January 20th 1961 Known as one of the greatest Presidents, Kennedy spoke with an aire of confidence and led our country into better times. He tried to benefit the people, creating reform programs to fight poverty and did women a lot of justice. He also dealt with Europe, and denounced communism in Berlin. He made sure to address the people and include himself in his speeches, making himself seem like just another citizen. He is famous for saying, "So my fellow americans- aks not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country." Although he did not live to continue making strides in America, he did fulfill his duties and make many positive changes to America during his presidency. Civil Rights Act (1964) Known as the nations benchmark civil rights legislation. The act prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin. Previous to the passage of the act, the Jim Crowe laws had been in effect which had been upheld by the Supreme Court. The Civil Rights Act was expanded by Congress to strengthen enforcement of fundamental civil rights. |
Progress or not?
The 60's was definitely progress for America. After the War and slow pick up of the economy, both JFK and LBJ did incredible things and made strides to try and fix the broken society. Toward the end of the 60's Martin Luther King makes a presence and fights for rights for African Americans through completely non-violant protests and speeches. I think this time period truly shows America in a good light and how we can come together even after such tragedies.