The 1960s was a decade of great political and social tumult. The period is marked by the emergence of a number of historically significant protest movements. The Civil Rights Movement, the Free Speech Movement, the Women’s Rights Movement, and the protests against American participation in the Vietnam War captured the essence of an American society on the edge of transformative social and political reform.
This essays requires students to answer two separate but related questions.
First, which of the social protests organizations/movements would you have supported?
Be specific in your selection of organizations/movements. For instance, if you wish to discuss the Civil Rights Movement, then identify a specific organization (ex: NAACP, CORE, SCLC, SNCC, BPP, NOI). If you wish to discuss the women’s rights movement, then identify a specific organization (ex: NOW). You can do the same with the anti-Vietnam War protests organizations, or those associated with the various student movements on college campuses (SDS, etc.).
Explain why these movements needed your support. But avoid making your response about you. Rely on historical information.
Explain why you think their cause was most necessary in the proper historical historical context. Discuss the historical context when answering the first part of the assignment.
This part of the essay should be no more than one page.
Second, which of the social protest movements do you think was most effective at advancing change? This part of the essay is more argumentative, so you must incorporate historical evidence to prove your point.
