The Activist 1960s: Striving for Political and Social Empowerment in America - Paperback

by Robert C. Cottrell (Author)

Throughout the Long Sixties, which spanned much of the seemingly quiescent 1950s and continued into the 1970s, progressive activists sought to change American policy both foreign and domestic. Beginning with a civil rights crusade that later expanded to a campaign against the Vietnam War, the movement eventually splintered into a series of focuses: racial, ethnic, demographic, political, cultural, gender-based and environmental.

This work details activists' efforts to ensure basic rights through fostering civic engagement. Chapters demonstrate how the various campaigns within the movement were all successful to some extent, but none brought about the results that many desired. Nonetheless, they contributed to a more open, egalitarian, participatory and emancipated nation that is still being shaped today.

Author Biography

A professor emeritus of history and American studies at California State University, Chico, Robert C. Cottrell is the author of twenty books, including studies of the counterculture, the year 1968, American radicalism, black baseball and the World War II smokejumpers.