Teacher Notes MODULE 23.pptx

American History
An Era of Social Change
Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company
1
President John F. Kennedy’s efforts to confront the Soviet Union and address social ills are cut short by
his assassination. President Lyndon B. Johnson spearheads civil rights legislation and declares a “war
on poverty.”

American History
ESSENTIAL QUESTION
An Era of Social Change
2
LESSON 1
LESSON 2 Johnson and the Great Society
LESSON 3 Culture and Counterculture
How are significant and lasting social changes created?
LESSON 4 Environmental Activism
Kennedy and the New Frontier
LESSON 3

American History
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Lesson 1
John F. Kennedy brought energy, initiative, and important new ideas to the presidency.

American History
4
Lesson 1
The Election of 1960
• Americans fear U.S. falling behind Soviets militarily; losing Cold War
• Democratic nominee for president—Massachusetts senator John Kennedy
• Republican opponent—Vice-President Richard M. Nixon
• Candidates share similar positions on policy issues
• Two factors give Kennedy edge; television and civil rights issue
The Televised Debate Affects Votes
• John F. Kennedy discusses Catholicism openly, allays public worries
• First televised presidential debate between Kennedy, Richard Nixon
• Nixon is foreign policy expert
• Kennedy coached by TV producers, comes across better than Nixon
Kennedy and Civil Rights
• JFK takes stand on arrest of Martin Luther King, Jr; wins black vote

American History
Lesson 1
5
The Camelot Years
• Kennedy wins presidency in close election
• Kennedy White House known as Camelot for its grace, elegance, wit
The Kennedy Mystique
• Kennedy White House invites many artists and celebrities
• The press loves Kennedy’s charm
• Critics argue his smooth style lacks substance
• First Lady admired for her elegance; constant articles about family
The Best and the Brightest
• JFK’s advisers called “the best and the brightest”
• Brother Robert Kennedy named attorney general

American History
Lesson 1
6
The Promise of Progress
• Kennedy sets out to transform his broad vision of progress; New Frontier—policies of the
Kennedy administration
Early Challenges
• JFK faces Republican-Southern Democrat coalition
• Lacks skill to get policies passed
• Also lacks mandate—clear voter support for his agenda
Stimulating the Economy
• By 1960, U.S. in recession; 6% unemployment
• JFK administration pushes for deficit spending to stimulate growth
• Gets 20% increase for defense; money for unemployment problems
Continued…

American History
Lesson 1
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The Promise of Progress (continued)
Addressing Poverty Abroad
• Peace Corps—volunteers assist developing nations; great success
• Alliance for Progress—economic, technical assistance to Latin America
— in part meant to deter spread of communism in Latin America
Confronting Domestic Problems
• Many Americans suffer at home—poverty, racial discrimination, segregation
• 1963, JFK begins to work on poverty, racial injustice, civil rights
• Kennedy presents Congress with civil rights bill and proposal to cut taxes

American History
Lesson 1
8
Tragedy in Dallas
• Fall 1963—Kennedy losing popularity because of civil rights advocacy; most still supported
Four Days in November
• November 22, 1963, JFK shot, killed riding in motorcade in Dallas
• Jack Ruby shoots alleged assassin Lee Harvey Oswald
• Vice president Lyndon Johnson succeeds JFK
Unanswered Questions
• Warren Commission investigates, concludes Oswald acted alone
• 1979 reinvestigation concludes Oswald part of conspiracy

American History
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Johnson and the Great Society
Lesson 2
The demand for reform helps create a new awareness of social problems, especially on
matters of civil rights and the effects of poverty.

American History
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Johnson and the Great Society
Lesson 2
LBJ’s Path to Power
• Lyndon B. Johnson, or LBJ, succeeds to presidency with legendary ambition and drive
From the Texas Hills to Capitol Hill
• Fourth-generation Texan, Johnson grew up in Texas Hill Country
• 1937—LBJ wins a special election to fill vacant U.S. House of Representatives seat
• As Congressman, Lyndon Baines Johnson mentored, helped by FDR
• 1948, LBJ narrowly wins Senate seat
A Master Politician
• 1955, LBJ becomes Senate majority leader
• “LBJ treatment”—ability to persuade senators to support his bills
• Gets Civil Rights Act of 1957 passed—voting rights measure
• LBJ helps Kennedy win key Southern states in presidential election

American History
Lesson 2
11
Johnson’s Domestic Agenda
• Johnson urges Congress to pass Kennedy’s civil rights and tax-cut bills
Continuing Kennedy’s Programs
• 1964 tax cut spurs economic growth; lowers federal deficit
• 1964 Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination, allows enforcement
The War on Poverty
• LBJ declares “war on poverty”
• Economic Opportunity Act: education, training, small business loans
• Includes Job Corps, VISTA, Head Start, Community Action Program
Continued…

American History
Lesson 2
12
Johnson’s Domestic Agenda (continued)
The 1964 Election
• Republicans nominate Senator Barry Goldwater
• Goldwater: government should not deal with social, economic problems
• Threatens to bomb North Vietnam, advocates intervention
• LBJ says will not send troops to Vietnam; wins by landslide
• Democrats big majority; Southern Democrats not needed to pass bills

American History
Lesson 2
13
Building the Great Society
• May 1964—Johnson sums up vision for American in a phrase: Great Society—LBJ’s legislation to
end poverty, discrimination
A Plan for Change
• LBJ wants to change America
• Great Society will offer programs to improve social welfare
• Johnson gets Congress to pass 206 of his bills
Education
• Elementary and Secondary Education Act funds school materials
Healthcare
• Medicare—low-cost medical, hospital insurance for senior citizens
• Medicaid—health insurance for welfare recipients
Continued…

American History
Lesson 2
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Building the Great Society (continued)
Continued…
Housing
• Legislation shifts political power from rural to urban areas
• Money set aside for public housing; low-, moderate-income homes
• Dept. of Housing and Urban Development created
• Robert Weaver is first African American in cabinet, HUD secretary
Immigration
• Existing immigration quotas discriminate against non-Western Europeans
• Immigration Act of 1965 ends quotas based on nationality

American History
Lesson 2
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Building the Great Society (continued)
The Environment
• Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring exposes dangers of pesticides
• Water Quality Act of 1965 requires states to clean up rivers
• LBJ orders government to search out worst chemical polluters
Consumer Protection
• Laws set standards for consumer labels, auto safety, food safety

American History
Lesson 2
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Reforms of the Warren Court
• Warren Court—Supreme Court under Chief Justice Earl Warren
• Rejects loyalty oaths, affirms free speech, church-state separation
Congressional Reapportionment
• Reapportionment—way states redraw election districts by population
• Court rules districts must have approximately equal population
• Leads to shift in political power from rural to urban areas
Rights of the Accused
• Warren Court rulings expand rights of people accused of crimes:
— illegally seized evidence cannot be used in court
— courts must provide legal counsel to poor
— suspect must be read rights before questioning
• Some praise protection of right to a fair trial
• Others think rulings handicap police investigations

American History
Lesson 2
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Impact of the Great Society
• Post-WW II, LBJ extends federal power more than all other presidents
• Poverty drops from 21% of population in 1962 to 11% in 1973
• Massive tax cut spurs economy; Great Society contributes to deficit
• Debate over finances, effectiveness of programs, government role

American History
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Culture and Counterculture
Lesson 3
The ideals and lifestyle of the counterculture challenge the traditional views of
Americans.

American History
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Culture and Counterculture
Lesson 3
The Counterculture
• Counterculture—white, middle-class youths reject traditional America
• Attitude creates generation gap; older generation does not understand beliefs of young people
“Tune In, Turn On, Drop Out”
• Members of counterculture called hippies
• Feel society and its materialism, technology, war is meaningless
• Idealistic youth leave school, work, home
— want to create idyllic communities of peace, love, harmony
Continued…

American History
Lesson 3
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The Counterculture (continued)
Hippie Culture
• Era of rock ‘n’ roll, crazy clothing, sexual license, illegal drugs
• Some hippies turn to Eastern religion, meditation
• Haight-Ashbury neighborhood of San Francisco becomes hippie capital
Decline of the Movement
• Urban communes turn seedy, dangerous
• Some fall victim to drug addiction, mental breakdowns

American History
Lesson 3
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A Changing Culture
• Counterculture youth embrace a variety of new ideas in art and music
Art
• Pop art uses commercial, impersonal images from everyday life
— imply that personal freedom lost to conformist lifestyle
— movement led by Andy Warhol
Rock Music
• The Beatles most influential rock band, help make rock mainstream
• Woodstock festival gathers many of most popular bands
— over 400,000 attend
Continued…

American History
Lesson 3
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A Changing Culture (continued)
Protest Songs
• Hippies and other activists use music as a vehicle for political expression
• Thousands unite in song; express rejection of mainstream society, outrage over Vietnam War,
demand civil rights,
Changing Attitudes
• Attitudes toward sexual behavior become more casual, permissive
• Mass culture addresses forbidden topics, like sex, explicit violence
• Some think permissiveness is liberating; others sign of moral decay
• Long term liberal attitudes about dress, lifestyle, behavior adopted

American History
Lesson 3
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The Conservative Response
• Late 1960s—many believe that the country is losing its sense of right and wrong
Conservatives Attack the Counterculture
• Conservatives alarmed at violence on campuses, cities
• Consider counterculture values decadent
• Some think counterculture irrational, favor senses, lack inhibitions

American History
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Environmental Activism
Lesson 4
During the 1970s, Americans strengthen their efforts to address the nation’s
environmental problems.

American History
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Environmental Activism
Lesson 4
The Roots of Environmentalism
• 1960s—widespread realization that pollution and overconsumption are damaging environment
Rachel Carson and Silent Spring
• Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring warns against use of pesticides
— argues poisons kill food, harmless animals as well as pests
• Becomes best seller; leads JFK to establish advisory committee
— chemical companies claim book inaccurate, threaten suits
• Carson starts national focus on environmental issues

American History
Lesson 4
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Environmental Concerns in the 1970s
• Nixon and Carter administrations confront environmental issues
The First Earth Day
• Earth Day—celebration highlighting environmental awareness
• First observed 1970 by communities, thousands of schools, colleges
The Government Takes Action
• Nixon not an environmentalist—active protector of environment
• Signs Clean Air Act, creates Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
— main government arm on environmental issues
• 1970s, Congress passes 35 laws on conservation, clean up
Continued…

American History
Lesson 4
27
Environmental Concerns in the 1970s (continued)
Continued…
Balancing Progress and Conservation in Alaska
• Pipeline creates jobs, revenue, worries over wildlife, native people
• Nixon gives millions of acres to native tribes for conservation, use
• Carter sets aside 56 million acres as national monuments
• 1980, Congress adds 104 million acres as protected areas
The Debate over Nuclear Energy
• Many think nuclear power good alternative to foreign oil
• Opponents contend nuclear plants, waste potentially harmful

American History
Lesson 4
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Environmental Concerns in the 1970s (continued)
Three Mile Island
• March 1979, reactor at Three Mile Island nuclear plant malfunctions
• Low-level radiation escapes; 100,000 people evacuated from area
• Incident rekindles debate over safety of nuclear power
• Nuclear Regulatory Commission strengthens safety standards
— also improves inspection procedures
Love Canal
• Environmental disaster in New York; long-buried chemicals begin seeping up through the ground
• High rates of birth defects in community linked to chemical exposure
• State of NY buys homes of residents; government cleans up mess

American History
Lesson 4
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A Continuing Movement
• Government, industry, and environmentalists must find balance between environmental
protection and economic interests
Private Conservation Groups
• Membership grows for private, nonprofit organizations dedicated to preservation
• Groups lobby for protective legislation
• Environmental Defense Fund brings lawsuits that lead to ban of DDT, leaded gasoline
• Radical groups form; Greenpeace, Environmental Life Force
Economic Concerns
• Struggle to balance environmental concerns with jobs and progress
• Opponents protest loss of jobs, revenues

American History
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Teacher Notes MODULE 23.pptx

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Teacher Notes MODULE 23.pptx