Protest, Reaction and Personal Freedoms in the USA [1963-72]

By notme123

  • The Contraceptive Pill approved by FDA

    Wide use led to greater sexual activity particularly pre-marital.

  • 'Port Huron Statement'

    From Student Democratic Society and set out their aims to for participatory democracy
  • Period: to

    Protest and Reaction USA [1963-72]

  • Civil Rights Demonstrations in Birmingham Alabama

  • Civil Rights March Washington DC

  • JFK Assassination

  • The Feminine Mystique

    By Betty Frieden expressed view that women should have freedom to experience alternative lifestyles to traditional views

  • Equal Pay Act

    Due to pressure from women's groups
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    Protest and Personal Freedoms

  • Malcolm X split from NOI

  • Civil Rights Act

    Civil Rights Act

    MLK present when Johnson signed, act ended most legal segregation but did not end violence and discrimination

  • Attempt to register Black voters in Mississippi

    Met with violence and murder from white supremacists including the KK

  • Malcolm X founded OAAU

    Organisation of Afro-American Unity. to unify people of African descent and demand socio-economic independence for all blacks

  • Student demonstration at University of California (Oakland)

    Organised by Free Speech Movement and called for ban on political activity on campus to be overturned.
  • Race riots in Watts District L.A

    Race riots in Watts District L.A

    Due to large number of young Black Americans facing poor living conditions, unemployment and discrimination.
    Riots lasted 6 days with 4000 arrested, 1000 injured and 34 dead.

  • Protest march from Selma to Montgomery

    Achieved national media coverage.

  • Voting Rights Act

  • Strike by grape workers and National boycott of California grapes

    Strike by grape workers and National boycott of California grapes

    Hispanic Americans agricultural workers faced poor pay and conditions. United Farmworkers Union under Chavez led strike.
    Lasted 5 years and grew into wider movement for hispanic rights.
    UFU gained 100,000 voters and adopted name "Chicano"

  • Student march on Washington DC

    Little impact. Organised by founder of SDS Hayden.

  • 25 million women in regular employment

  • Malcolm X murdered

  • Marchers attacked by Alabama state Police

    Marchers attacked by Alabama state Police

    Took place in view of TV cameras and press, Johnson forced to intervene and protect marchers by placing Alabama police under federal control.
    Contributed to Voting Rights Act

  • SNCC voted to expel all whites

  • Floyd McKissick as chairperson for CORE

    McKissick wanted freedom of black americans attracted by wars of liberation in Africa and Portuguese colonies

  • CORE endorsed Black Power

  • Black Panther Party created

    Black Panther Party created

    Created by Bobby Seale, Eldrigde Cleaver and Huey P. Newton.
    Advocated black nationalism, wore distinctive black uniform and carried rifles to uphold self defence.
    Demanded reparations for persecution and exemption from military service.

  • MLK campaign to desegregate housing in Chicago

    SCLC arranged protest, it was poorly organised and faced opposition from Chicago Mayor Daley.
    Major confrontation at Gage Park led to march being called off.

  • National Organisation of Women founded

    campaigned for female quality in work opportunities and employment. Federal and State support for childcare and legalisation of abortion.

  • Rap Brown becomes Chairperson of SNCC

    Brown was radical and supported armed defence agains police

  • CORE removes "multiracial" from constitution

  • MLK opposed Vietnam War

    Lost support of Johnson
  • Protest against Vietnam War in Central Park

    Protest against Vietnam War in Central Park

    500.000 marchers. some burnt draft cards and criticised US military involvement

  • San Francisco becomes centre of "flower power" movement

  • Rap Brown speech called on Black Americans to take over white stores

    Cambridge, Maryland in black ghettos.
    Led to a race riot where Brown was injured

  • Martin Luther King Assassinated

  • CORE excludes whites

  • MLK supported Poor People's Campaign for greater social equality

    Led to MLK questioning the entire socio-economic system in USA
  • Black Power Salute at Olympics

    Black Power Salute at Olympics

    Protest meant neither athlete could compete or represent USA again

  • 221 major demonstrations took place

    Covered wide range of issues including Vietnam War, Student Freedoms and Student participation in University Governance

  • Students backed Eugene McCarthy

    Response to TET offensive and anger/disillusionment toward Johnson and government

  • Protest at Democratic Party Convention

    Widespread rioting outside convention centre including SDS and Yippies, met with Police confrontation.

  • 28 member Black Panthers killed in police shootouts

  • Weather Underground Organisation created

    small radical group that received national publicity due to bombings of government buildings.

  • Woodstock Music festival

    Attracted 40,000 young people, first of many major outdoor music festivals

  • NYC police raided StonewallI nn

    Stonewall was working-class gay bar. Customers fought back with 3 days of rioting.

  • Federal government published: The US Presidents Commission on Campus Unrest

    Declared unrest plagued nation and rooted in youth culture which rejected traditional american views.

  • By now Black Panther Party in decline due to clampdown by FBI

  • Elimination of sexual discrimination in education

  • US congress approved Equal Rights Ammendment

    Failed to gain support fro 75% of states

  • Women's issues at centre of national debate

    Thanks to work of NOW and Women's Liberation movement. traditional role of women becoming a dated view,

  • Roe v Wade

    Legalised abortion

  • American Psychiatric Society declares homosexuality no longer mental illness

  • Almost 800 gay and lesbian organisations formed

  • San Francisco elected Harvey Milk

    First openly gay elected official, later assassinated due to being gay