The Columbia Guide to America in the 1960s

The Columbia Guide to America in the 1960s

The 1960s continue to be the subject of passionate debate and political controversy, a touchstone in struggles over the meaning of the American past and the direction of the American future. Amid the polemics and the myths, making sense of the Sixties and its legacies presents a challenge. This book is for all those who want to take it on. Because there are so many facets to this unique and transformative era, this volume offers multiple approaches and perspectives.

The first section gives a lively narrative overview of the decade's major policies, events, and cultural changes. The second presents ten original interpretative essays from prominent historians about significant and controversial issues from the Vietnam War to the sexual revolution, followed by a concise encyclopedia articles organized alphabetically. This section could stand as a reference work in itself and serves to supplement the narrative. Subsequent sections include short topical essays, special subjects, a brief chronology, and finally an extensive annotated bibliography with ample information on books, films, and electronic resources for further exploration.

With interesting facts, statistics, and comparisons presented in almanac style as well as the expertise of prominent scholars, The Columbia Guide to America in the 1960s is the most complete guide to an enduringly fascinating era.
  • CONTENTS
  • ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
  • INTRODUCTION
  • PART I: The American Sixties: A Brief History
  • CHAPTER ONE John Kennedy and the Promise of Leadership
  • THE POSTWAR ERA: COLD WAR PROSPERITY
  • The Election
  • THE KENNEDY PRESIDENCY
  • CHAPTER TWO The Civil Rights Revolution
  • THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT: ORIGINS
  • MASS PROTEST
  • FEDERAL CIVIL RIGHTS LEGISLATION
  • CHAPTER THREE The Great Society
  • DEBATING RACIAL JUSTICE
  • THE 1964 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
  • LBJ AND THE GREAT SOCIETY
  • THE NEW LEFT
  • CHAPTER FOUR The Vietnam War
  • BACKGROUND TO DIRECT AMERICAN INVOLVEMENT
  • NATION-BUILDING
  • INCREASING INVOLVEMENT
  • THE ESCALATING WAR
  • THE WAR AT HOME
  • CHAPTER FIVE Polarization
  • 1968
  • RACIAL MILITANCY
  • GROWING POLARIZATION AND RADICALIZATION
  • RICHARD NIXON’S WAR IN VIETNAM
  • AMERICA’S FIGHTING MEN
  • ENDING THE WAR
  • CHAPTER SIX Sixties Culture
  • THE GOOD LIFE
  • YOUTH CULTURE
  • COUNTERCULTURE
  • BLACK CULTURE
  • CONCLUSION
  • CHAPTER SEVEN New Directions
  • THE NIXON RECORD
  • WATERGATE
  • WOMEN’S LIBERATION MOVEMENT
  • LIBERATION, POWER, AND PRIDE
  • CHAPTER EIGHT Conclusion
  • PART II: Debating the Sixties
  • The Upheaval of Jim Crow: African Americans and the Struggle for Civil Rights in the 1960s Beth Tompkins Bates
  • The New Left: Democratic Reformers or Left-Wing Revolutionaries? Doug Rossinow
  • Losing Ground? The Great Society in Historical Perspective Edward Berkowitz
  • Urban Uprisings: Riots or Rebellions? Heather Ann Thompson
  • Explaining the Tragedy of Vietnam Richard H. Immerman
  • The Women’s Movement: Liberation for Whom? Beth Bailey
  • The Sexual Revolution: Was It Revolutionary? Beth Bailey
  • Debating the Counterculture: Ecstasy and Anxiety Over the Hip Alternative Michael Wm. Doyle
  • Political Conservatism in the Sixties: Silent Majority or White Backlash? Jeff Roche
  • The Sixties Legacy: “The Destructive Generation” or “Years of Hope”? David Farber
  • PART III: The Sixties A to Z
  • PART IV: Short Topical Essays
  • Cities and Suburbs Amy Scott
  • Environmentalism Jeff Sanders
  • Law and Justice Rusty L. Monhollon
  • Popular Music Durwood Ball
  • Religion Beth Bailey
  • The End of Enthusiasm: Science and Technology Timothy Moy
  • Sports David Key
  • Art: Expanding Conceptions, Sites, and Audiences Suzaan Boettger
  • PART V: Special Sections
  • Portrait of a Nation
  • POPULATION
  • RACE AND ETHNICITY
  • HEALTH
  • EDUCATION
  • CRIME
  • TRAVEL AND RECREATION
  • Economy and Labor
  • National Politics and Elections
  • Entertainment, Popular Arts,and Publications
  • Fashion
  • Sports and Olympics
  • PART VI: Chronology
  • BRIEF CHRONOLOGY
  • "INTRODUCED IN” LIST
  • PART VII: Annotated Bibliography
  • Index

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