Topic 3
Introduction and overview to civil society protest
Background and focus:
- In WW2 the Allies fought Nazi Germany to save democracy
o ≠ lasting peace or a better society
Sexism, racism, war in Vietnam and Apartheid
nuclear weapons = issues nuclear weapons = issues
- Generation after WW2 = Baby boomers
o Concerned about injustices and human right
o Challenged their parents and conventional society
What is meant by civil society protest?
1
,- Actions of ordinary citizens against government policies or situations
o Forms = marches, demonstrations, strikes, campaigns etc.
o Draw attention to injustices + influence the public
- UK + USA citizens = disillusioned with democratic institutions
o Reasons:
Felt their rights = violated
Government wasn’t putting the people first
Desire for social change (Vietnam + Apartheid)
2
, Women’s liberation and feminist movements
Traditional role of women:
- After WW2 jobs given back to men
- Male dominated society = women were housewives + mothers
- Women = pink collar jobs
o ≠ many in high positions
What was the women’s liberation movement?
- After WW2 nuclear weapons = issues women in universities + workplaces
o Dissatisfied with women positions
- Women’s liberation formed to fight for women’s rights like:
o Recognize their dignity and worth
o Enable women (equal rights)
o More control
- Not one organization but many
- Their coincided with the manufacturing of the birth control pill
Women’s movement in the USA in the 1960’s:
- Most active feminist group = National Organization of Women (NOW)
o Founded by Betty Friedan
o NOW’s focus:
End discrimination in the work place
Success = flight attendants cant ≠ when they get married
The issue of abortion
- Younger feminists set up ‘conscious-raising groups’
o Demonstrated at the Miss America Pageant (1968)
Crowned a sheep as Miss America
o Freedom trash cans = heels, make-up + curlers
Items worn to please men
- Victories:
o 1964 Civil Rights Act
Prohibited discrimination of race or gender at work
o By 1979, NOW = 100 000 members
3
Introduction and overview to civil society protest
Background and focus:
- In WW2 the Allies fought Nazi Germany to save democracy
o ≠ lasting peace or a better society
Sexism, racism, war in Vietnam and Apartheid
nuclear weapons = issues nuclear weapons = issues
- Generation after WW2 = Baby boomers
o Concerned about injustices and human right
o Challenged their parents and conventional society
What is meant by civil society protest?
1
,- Actions of ordinary citizens against government policies or situations
o Forms = marches, demonstrations, strikes, campaigns etc.
o Draw attention to injustices + influence the public
- UK + USA citizens = disillusioned with democratic institutions
o Reasons:
Felt their rights = violated
Government wasn’t putting the people first
Desire for social change (Vietnam + Apartheid)
2
, Women’s liberation and feminist movements
Traditional role of women:
- After WW2 jobs given back to men
- Male dominated society = women were housewives + mothers
- Women = pink collar jobs
o ≠ many in high positions
What was the women’s liberation movement?
- After WW2 nuclear weapons = issues women in universities + workplaces
o Dissatisfied with women positions
- Women’s liberation formed to fight for women’s rights like:
o Recognize their dignity and worth
o Enable women (equal rights)
o More control
- Not one organization but many
- Their coincided with the manufacturing of the birth control pill
Women’s movement in the USA in the 1960’s:
- Most active feminist group = National Organization of Women (NOW)
o Founded by Betty Friedan
o NOW’s focus:
End discrimination in the work place
Success = flight attendants cant ≠ when they get married
The issue of abortion
- Younger feminists set up ‘conscious-raising groups’
o Demonstrated at the Miss America Pageant (1968)
Crowned a sheep as Miss America
o Freedom trash cans = heels, make-up + curlers
Items worn to please men
- Victories:
o 1964 Civil Rights Act
Prohibited discrimination of race or gender at work
o By 1979, NOW = 100 000 members
3
