Civil Society Protests in 1950 to 1970s
TOPIC 3
OVERVIEW OF CIVIL SOCIETY PROTESTS
WHAT IS A CIVIL PROTEST:
This is a protest carried out by everyday members of society against government
policies or situations which seem unjust. Often include protest marches, civil
disobedience, strikes and boycotts.
( the protest movements overlapped. Many of the protestors applied the skills they had
learnt in one form of protest to another. )
WHY WERE THE 60s A DECADE OF PROTEST:
- USA: the people began to expect the federal government to resolve problems
- Cold War competition meant that the USA needed to present itself as being both
politically and morally superior to Communism.
- The 50s and 60s were periods of relative economic prosperity, making
economic disparity in the US more obvious. Not having to worry about their daily
needs, gave wealthier people the freedom to become involved in protest.
- People were more informed about problems thanks to growing TV coverage.
- More students were going to college than before. This created a concentration
of concerned and educated activists, especially on student campuses.
The women's movement:
Why?
In the USA, middle class women were restricted to the role of housewife or ‘pink collar
jobs.’ African- American women faced double discimination
Women’s Liberation Movement
Many different groups fought for society to recognise a woman’s worth and dignity,
equal rights in the workplace, and to allow women more control over their own lives
and reproductive rights.
Feminist groups such as NOW (National Organisation of Women) were formed
South African women fought to improve social conditions to end Apartheid
Student protest and peace movements:
Why?
Changing values of the youth:
- Rejection of parents values
- Embraced the “swinging sixties”
- Hippies (Woodstock)
, Anti-war protest
- Anti-Vietnam
- Kent State University shootings
Disarmament Movement
- Campaign of Nuclear Disarmament (CND)
- Women of Greenham Common protest
Student protests
- Formation of SDS (Student for a Democratic Society)
- Freedom of Speech Movement
Civil Rights Movement in USA:
Why?
African Americans were being denied Civil rights in the USA,
especially in the Southern States.
Peaceful campaign of Martin Luther King Jr.
- Civil disobedience
- Power of mass action
- Use media
Philosophy of Malcolm X
- This is a human rights issue, not a civil rights issue
- Use whatever means necessary
- Black Power Movement
Role of the Black Panthers
Women's movement in usa / uk
Second wave movement:
Reclaiming progress made by women before and during WWI. in the 1950s, women
were pushed back into traditional roles of wife, mother and housekeeper. If they worked
outside of the home they worked low paying jobs with no chance of ever being
promoted to management positions.
- Demonstrations
- Petitions
- Lobbying
- Mass marches
TOPIC 3
OVERVIEW OF CIVIL SOCIETY PROTESTS
WHAT IS A CIVIL PROTEST:
This is a protest carried out by everyday members of society against government
policies or situations which seem unjust. Often include protest marches, civil
disobedience, strikes and boycotts.
( the protest movements overlapped. Many of the protestors applied the skills they had
learnt in one form of protest to another. )
WHY WERE THE 60s A DECADE OF PROTEST:
- USA: the people began to expect the federal government to resolve problems
- Cold War competition meant that the USA needed to present itself as being both
politically and morally superior to Communism.
- The 50s and 60s were periods of relative economic prosperity, making
economic disparity in the US more obvious. Not having to worry about their daily
needs, gave wealthier people the freedom to become involved in protest.
- People were more informed about problems thanks to growing TV coverage.
- More students were going to college than before. This created a concentration
of concerned and educated activists, especially on student campuses.
The women's movement:
Why?
In the USA, middle class women were restricted to the role of housewife or ‘pink collar
jobs.’ African- American women faced double discimination
Women’s Liberation Movement
Many different groups fought for society to recognise a woman’s worth and dignity,
equal rights in the workplace, and to allow women more control over their own lives
and reproductive rights.
Feminist groups such as NOW (National Organisation of Women) were formed
South African women fought to improve social conditions to end Apartheid
Student protest and peace movements:
Why?
Changing values of the youth:
- Rejection of parents values
- Embraced the “swinging sixties”
- Hippies (Woodstock)
, Anti-war protest
- Anti-Vietnam
- Kent State University shootings
Disarmament Movement
- Campaign of Nuclear Disarmament (CND)
- Women of Greenham Common protest
Student protests
- Formation of SDS (Student for a Democratic Society)
- Freedom of Speech Movement
Civil Rights Movement in USA:
Why?
African Americans were being denied Civil rights in the USA,
especially in the Southern States.
Peaceful campaign of Martin Luther King Jr.
- Civil disobedience
- Power of mass action
- Use media
Philosophy of Malcolm X
- This is a human rights issue, not a civil rights issue
- Use whatever means necessary
- Black Power Movement
Role of the Black Panthers
Women's movement in usa / uk
Second wave movement:
Reclaiming progress made by women before and during WWI. in the 1950s, women
were pushed back into traditional roles of wife, mother and housekeeper. If they worked
outside of the home they worked low paying jobs with no chance of ever being
promoted to management positions.
- Demonstrations
- Petitions
- Lobbying
- Mass marches
