A look at the causes of the sense of social crisis of the 1960s and 1970s in America.
This paper examines how the 1960s were a time of upheaval in American society against established institutions. It looks at how the protests represented facets of the dissatisfaction against the seemingly unyielding standards of society, which people perceived as being compelled to follow. It focuses on segregation and the civil rights struggle, the hippie movement, the student protest movement, and the anti-war movement.
“Also prominent during this time was an organized movement of America’s youth, most namely students, against established standards of society. Forming this movement were the silent generation, those who grew up during the Eisenhower years. Growing up amidst the Cold War, a strongly feared nuclear holocaust, an overly rigid political system, and a number of forming social protest movements, these youths became disgusted towards the government, and toward the older generation in general. The students, too, broke off into clearly defined groups.”