In the 1960’s, the economy of the United States shifted from one based on industry to one based on services. Prior to the 1960s, a vast majority of working people in the United States worked manufacturing jobs. Following the 1960’s, close to three quarters of the population worked in the service industry.
This transformation was caused by a number of factors. For example, the mainframe computer became much more prevalent in the 1960’s, allowing the standardization and expansion of services. Also, televisions found their ways into many people’s homes during the 1960’s, allowing for the introduction of mass culture and entertainment, a type of service, into the home. In addition, McDonald’s became popular restaurants, and began their worldwide expansion during the sixties, becoming listed on the public stock markets in 1965.
In conclusion, the United States economy went through many changes during the 1960’s. It went from an economy of manufacturing to an economy of services.
A McDonald's Sign from a McDonald's built in 1960.
A common mainframe computer from the 1960's.
A very common television from the 1960's.
Education
In 1960, the general aid-to-education bill is passed. In 1961, school legislation failed due to the controversy over proposed federal aid to private schools. JFK wanted to reenact this in 1962. Also in 1961, there was a shortage in classrooms and qualified teachers. In 1962, JFKannounced scholarships to upgrade quality of teaching and aid for adult illiterates and handicapped children. Just three days after JFK is assassinated, the aid-to-higher-education bill is passed. In 1964,President Lyndon B. Johnson unveils his $97.9 billion budget with increased spending for education. He calls it the "prime investment" for the future. In 1965, fifty new community colleges are built. In 1966,the number of enrolled students in graduate programs doubled to 570,000 since 1957. Also,$6.2 billion is approved in aid for elementary and secondary education. In 1969,nine million children from low-income families receive aid for education through Title I plan.
From 1960-1969, two black students entered into the University of Georgia, James Meredith became the first black student at the University of Mississippi, Harvey Gantt registered as the first black student at Clemson College in South Carolina, and Cleve McDowell entered the University of Mississippi Law School. In Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas, the Supreme Court ruling of 1954 declared that segregated education was unequal.
This is President Lyndon B. Johnson signing the Higher Education Facilities Act on December 16, 1963.
After the Civil Rights Act was passed in 1964,school girls played at the desegregated McDonogh 11 public school in New Orleans.
Fashion
Pierre Cardin began to create fashions for men in 1960. Also, General Motors, Ford and Chrysler introduced compact models: the Corvair, Falcon, and Valiant. In 1961, American auto industry sales were down 25%, but sales of compacts were up 9%. In 1962, General Motors cars averaged about 55% of the industry's total sales. In 1963, Quant and other Chelsea designers began to export. Also, automakers enlarged their compact cars in weight and length even though the popularity was smaller cars. In 1964, Ford introduced the Mustang, which started the trend of "pony cars" like the Firebird, the Camaro and other sporty models. That was also the year that front seat belts became a standard equipment in American cars. In 1965, the Houston Astodome, an air-conditioned stadium 642 feet in diameter was opened. Also, the Mustang sold more than any other American auto model. In 1966, the National Traffic and Motor Safety Act was passed because of public concern about automobile safety. In 1967, Chevrolet introduced the two-seat Camaro SS to compete against Ford's Mustang sales. Expensive crash tests and emission tests for new American auto models were required in 1968. Also, the Volkswagen Beetle reached record sales of 569,292 in the United States. In 1969, "hot pants" (short shorts) were introduced as something for women to wear underneath skirts, but most women wore them by themselves. Also, the "nude look" became popular on beaches. The air bag was also developed and became part of the crash-safety devices in 1969.
This was the time of transition. Manufacturers realized that if they offered items that were designed not to last a long time but to be faddish and disposable, consumers would be back in the stores sooner. Many people enjoyed the new freedom to take a chance with off-the-wall clothing, furniture, and automobiles. With their own money to spend, young people wanted objects that were different from those of their parents. Jacqueline Kennedy portrayed to American women that good taste could be achieved through simple rather than ornate clothing choices. Men began to concern themselves more with their hairstyles and clothing. Some men began to wear their hair much longer. Women started having more fashion freedom.
Ford's Mustang was released April 1964.
Jacqueline Kennedy was a fashion starter. She started the big hair fad and many clothes fads.
Film & Theatre-Nathalie
During the 1960’s Theater producers did a lot of experimenting. Due to the large amounts of different new groups trying to be heard by the American people a divide was formed between Broadway and other productions. The secure and settled Americans favored Broadway, while other American communities preferred productions by companies such as the Bread and Puppet Theater, Negro Ensemble Company, and El Teatro Campesino. In 1965, the American Government established the National Endowment for the Arts, in order to celebrate the diversity of American Theater.
Due to the invention of T.V. the film industry was in an all time low. The American people comfortably stayed home watching T.V., rather than get up and go watch a movie. This was a big problem for film producers, so they thought of new ways to make their movies superior to Television. They spent millions and millions of dollars on movies so that they would be filmed in exquisite locations and well known actors. The 1960’s is also when the rating system for movies was created. Originally there was no PG-13, which was added later. By having content that was deemed inappropriate for Television, movie makers were able to attract a whole new crowd of people.
Food & Drink-Nathalie
Throughout the1960’s a lot of restaurants and foods that are around today were created. Although they may have altered a little they are still the same companies that were created 45 years ago. Taco bell for example was established in 1962, it is still today a leading fast food restaurant. An example of a drink that was created in the sixties is Sprite. Sprite was created in 1961, while originally produced solely to compete with 7 Up; Sprite is a leading pop up to this day. In the sixties Sprite’s slogan was “Taste it’s Tingling Tartness”, over the years the slogan has evolved into other slogans until landing at its current.”Obey Your Thirst”. For many food and drink products the sixties kind of set the guidelines for the rest of the century.
During the 1960’s, print culture was going out of style. Televisions were becoming more and more common in people’s homes, so the newspaper was slowly being outpaced as the largest medium for news travel by the television. However, print culture was still alive, and covered a great many things, from the Space Race to the Civil Rights movement. By the mid 1960’s, the media was largely sympathetic of the Civil Rights movement and was greatly in support of the Space Race and Apollo program. The support of the Space Race was largely driven by a fear of the Soviets that was very prevalent throughout the Cold War era. In addition, the media helped to turn public opinion against the Vietnam War. Printed news, though losing ground to television news programs, still had a large impact upon the beliefs of the people of the 1960’s.
Sports & Games
In the 1960’s, professional sports grew significantly. The National Basketball Association, at the dawn of the 1960s, had eight teams. By the end of
the decade, the NBA had over one dozen teams. The Boston Celtics won nine of the ten NBA Championships during the 1960s. The NFL and the MLB both also had similar growing trends. The leading NFL team was the Green Bay Packers and the leading MLB team was the New York Yankies. However, the changes during the 1960s did not concern the sports themselves. Rather, the commercialization of the sports increased. The cameras that were used for television broadcasts started to become more interesting. Varied camera angles made specific aspects of the game to be highlighted, such as a certain block or shot. Sports Illustrated was the leading sports publisher and highlighted specific players in the game and discussed many issues, such as African-Americans in the game and women being introduced to the game.
As sports became more commercialized and popular, it started to highlight many of the issues of the time. Rivalry between the U.S. and the Soviet Union started to form with the growing popularity of the Olympics. In addition, many black sports stars, such as Mohammed Ali, used their fame as leverage for the Civil Rights movement.
Sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos made a salute to “black power” after winning their Olympic medals for the sprint in the 1968 Olympics. These events brought more attention to the Civil Rights movements.
Music
The rock revolution of the 1960's was a significant aspect of the musical culture. The Beatles, who are considered by many to be the best band of all time, prompted this revolution. The Beatles made their debut in America in 1964. From this time, the Beatles led the "British Invasion" of music throughout America.Through famous hits such as "I Get Around" and "She Loves You", the Beatles dominated the charts through the 1960s for decades to come with their musical arrangements.
In addition the to rock revolution, a predominate aspect of music was the popular and original music produced by Motown Records (in Detroit, Michigan), created by Berry Gordy Jr. The music produced by Gordy directly comment on the civil rights movement. Because of this, Motown Records (led by Berry Gordy) directly contributed to the evolvement of civil rights and had a significant impact on the country.
Ben Gordy
Taken from www.blackpreneur.net
Woodstock, a music festival help in 1969, is considered by most to be a very significant aspect of the decade. Three businessmen planned this festival in 1969 in an attempt to celebrate peace and music. Artists such as The Who and Jimi Hendrix performed for over half a million fans. Filled with drugs, sex, and nudity, they celebrated the general spirit of the happiness found in music. These ideas of peace and love were in a response to the Vietnam war, which most of the youth at the time opposed, and were thus significant political commentary. Woodstock was a symbol of the ideals of the 1960s and a major event in opposition to the Vietnam War.
"They Way We Lived"-Nathalie
Hippie mindset
All about love, peace, and drugs
Heavy drug abuse
-LSD
-Marijuana
Meditation/ Yoga
Music
Womens Rights
Music, Politics, and alternative lifestyle to oppose American Culture
Movedout of the City
- Organic Farming
- Community Service
Government & Politics
Much of the government and politics of the 1960’s were focused upon the issues of civil rights. Many great strides were made in the realm of civil rights, and these great advancements required correspondingly great people to head them. One of the most famous men involved in public life in the 1960’s was Martin Luther King, Jr. He was a Baptist minister who fought for civil rights in America through the use of nonviolent methods. He gave many famous speeches, including the iconic “I Have a Dream” speech.
Another famous man in public life was Robert Kennedy. The brother of President John Kennedy, Robert, or “Bobby,” fought against organized crime and for civil rights. During his time as United States Attorney General, the number of convictions against organized crime rose eightfold. Also, he pushed for realistic recruitment of black and ethnic workers. In addition, he supported all of the major civil rights advances of the 1960’s.
These two men serve to illustrate the importance of civil rights to the politics of the 1960’s. Civil rights was one of the largest issues of the times, and encompassed the majority of the politics of the time.
Law & Justice
In 1964, the United States Senate passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Initially started by President Kennedy, the Civil Rights Act was a response to the growing demand for equality for minorities in America. The law included a prohibition of racial discrimination in public accommodations, employment, and education (Civil Rights Acts of the 1960s). Although this law was a major step in Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream of an equal America, there were still many other discrepancies that were not solved. African-Americans were still unable to vote in many areas in the South. Other legislation that prevented Southern regions from not allowing blacks to vote eventually was created in the Supreme Court.
Eventually, the Civil Rights Act of 1968 was created. It applied to about 8 percent of the nation’s housing (Civil Rights Acts of 1968). It removed racial barriers between neighborhoods. Basically, the Act said that it was illegal for one to deny someone the right of housing or renting housing due to their race, skin color, or ethnicity.
Events like these were part of an overall legal issue: Civil Rights. Throughout the 1960’s, the Civil Rights movement was progressing forward with a large amount of momentum, largely due to Martin Luther King Jr. This movement led to reforms in law and justice concerning minorities.
Another major figure in the 1960s concerning law and justice was the infamous serial killer Charles Manson, who was convicted of seven counts of murder and one count of conspiracy. Through the creation of his “Family” (group of “hippies” he gathered together to join his cause), Manson attempted to promote hippie ideals through group sex, drug use, and communal living. Manson was a symbol of the demonic side of the psychedelic age, and brought negative attention towards the hippie ideals.
(http://www.law.umkc.edu/)
Religion
The Protestant Episcopal Church approved the use of artificial birth control in 1960. Also, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Southern United States declared that marital sexual relations without the intent of having children is not sinful. In 1961, the National Council of Churches approved the use of birth control and family planning. In the Supreme Court case of Engel vs. Vitale in 1962, it ruled that the prayer required for the public schools of New York violated the establishment of religion clause in the First Amendment. In 1963, Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton is canonized by Pope John XXIII, making her able to become the first American-born saint. Also the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council authorized the use of English and Spanish in the United States in Mass. In 1964, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Martin Luther King, Jr. for his work in civil rightsd. He donated the $54,600 award to the civil rights movement. In 1965, the Most Reverend Harold Robert Perry was appointed auxiliary bishop of New Orleans. He was the first African American bishop in the Roman Catholic church in the twentieth century. Also, in 1965, Pope Paul VI arrived in New York. He was the first reigning pope to come to the United States. In December 2, 1966, Roman Catholic bishops announced that Catholics in the US could eat meat on Fridays, except during Lent. In 1968, Troy Perry organized the Metropolitan Community Church, a ministry directed at homosexual men and women. April 4, 1968, Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated in Memphis. Riots followed in 130 cities. In 1969, Thomas Kilgore, Jr. was elected president of the American Baptist Convention, the first African American to hold that office.
Mainline Protestant churches seemed to continue their dominance of society and culture in the beginning of the decade. Activists supported the efforts of black southerners to end legal segregation in the Jim Crow South and checked the expanding American role in the conflict in Vietnam, as well as in issues of poverty and gender. American Roman Catholics finally found symbolic acceptance with the election of JFK, the first Roman Catholic president. There were many changes in the Vatican II such as the switch of the Mass from Latin to English, the turning of the priest from the altar to the parishioners at the Mass, and the new democratic impulse released by Vatican II. By the end of the decade the Roman Catholic Church in the United States was an integral part of the larger community, and its members were among the most successful of American groups.
This is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He led the civil rights movement to achieve freedom for African Americans. He was assassinated April 4, 1968.
Many African American churches in the South were bombed or burned because they were stages for civil rights demonstrations in the 1960s.
November 22, 1963 was assassinated when going through Dallas, Texas
Political Views:
I support the Democratic party
Religious Views
First Roman Catholic President
Years Served as President
1961-1963
Occupations
U.S. Naval Reserve,politician
Interests/Hobbies
Writer
Illnesses during his youth forced him to spend many hours alone reading in bed
Fascinated with the romantic figures of history
Observer of current events
Education
1931 - entered the Choate School, an elite preparatory academy in Connecticut, but was absent for long periods due to illness
Attended London School of Economics, 1935-36
Stanford University, graduate study, 1940
Harvard University, B.A. (with honors), 1940
Friends
Theodore ("Ted") Sorensen, his trusted assistant
Journalist and family friend Arthur Krock
Kennedy's brother Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy
Kennedy's successor, Lyndon B. Johnson
A conservative adviser, Secretary of the Treasury C. Douglas Dillon
Civil rights leader Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Sports
Received a back injury while playing football
Back strengthened through a routine of exercises so he could join the US Navy
During my stint as president, the political, social and economic factors and challenges that I had to deal with (at home) included:
Political
Introduced a comprehensive civil rights bill, but his efforts were small
Avoided the Civil Rights issues in his inaugural address
Told Civil Rights leaders to be patient and avoid incidents harmful to America's image abroad
Social
Shy in public
Appeared to enjoy a happy family life
Known to have had a number of extramarital affairs throughout his lifetime
Economic
Gave less attention to domestic affairs
Did not challenge the legislative process
Updated public housing, minimum wages, and Social Security benefits
During my stint as president, the political, social and economic factors and challenges that I had to deal with (abroad) included:
Political
Kennedy established a military advisory command to assist South Vietnam in resisting communist infiltration
Kennedy felt responsible for stopping communist advances wherever they might occur
Kennedy's Alliance for Progress raised hopes in Latin America
Social
Skinny, often sickly, appearance (Addison's Disease)
Not a natural politician
Had a natural charisma that many voters found appealing
Economic
Champion of space exploration - challenged the United States to put the first man on the Moon
Kennedy requested a massive buildup of nuclear missiles and an increase in conventional military armaments
His inaugural address proved his exalted view of the presidency
Looking back at my presidential career, I had to wear several "hats." Wearing these different "hats," these were my most significant achievements and failures:
Commander-in-Chief
As Commander-in-Chief, I had many problems to take care of. See "Key Events"
Chief Executive
I did not have a strong support for the Civil Rights movement.
Chief Diplomat
Industry leaders announced price increases did not like the voluntary wage and price guideposts that had been put in place to control inflation. So I stopped all of the resources of government to force the steelmakers to reverse themselves. The public liked my cause, but people in the business community did not.
Ceremonial Head of State
After Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s arrest, I promised support for his cause.
Manager of the Economy
The stock market suffered its worst one-day drop since 1929, erasing over $20 billion worth of paper assets. I supported having a major tax reform.
Party Leader
I was fearful of the backlash from Republicans and conservative Southern Democrats by the tax cut.
National Leader
I had good looks, intellect, humor, proper manner, and wit. This helped to give a positive impression on the United States.
Favorite Quote About Me by a Famous Historian:
"The tragedy of John Fitzgerald Kennedy was greater than the accomplishment, but in the end the tragedy enhances the accomplishment and revives the hope." -James Reston
Famous Quote by Me
“And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country” (JFK Inaugural Address)
Positive Political Cartoon
Jacqueline Kennedy created Camelot in remembrance of her husband, JFK.
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