The 1960s was a time of immense change for the country of America. During this time, the nation practically reformed itself in its way of life. This startling change was brought about by the people who believed it was time to be vocal about their views and ideals. Among these beliefs was the enforcing and perpetuation of equal rights across the nation, the Vietnam War conflict, and upholding the right to freedom of speech. These are just a few of the many issues the American public wished to address. Prior to the era of the 60s, the people were conservative in voicing their opinion. Brought about mainly by the Vietnam War and the civil rights movement, the citizens of the United States found it necessary to have a voice that could be heard. People cried out both for and against civil rights. This would be a revolutionary movement in the social workings of the nation. Protests would play an important part in the fight for civil rights. The issue that would have one of the biggest roles in the reform of America—the Vietnam War. This controversial happening helped spark the need to be heard. Finally, Freedom of speech would also be put to the test in this era. Protests once agai

The first issue to hit the 60s was equal and civil rights. Prior to the 1900s, segregation was a lawful practice across America. All that was required was that both races were provided with “equal” facilities. If these facilities were made available, then segregation was completely legal. It only took one person to start one of the largest movements in the era. In 1955 a woman by the name of Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on the bus. Normally this would be fine, except for the fact that Rosa Parks was black, and the man wanting her seat was white. For her refusal to move, she was placed under arrest. Because of her arrest, Rosa would become the starting fuel for the fire of anti-segregation protests. Action was taken without delay once the black population caught wind of her being taken into custody. In their outrage, a bus boycott was put into action. During this boycott, not once single person of color could be found on a bus in Montgomery. In 1956, a law was passed that deemed any form of segregation illegal and immoral. As could be expected, many were not open to this idea. All over the country public facilities were closed, as opposed to letting colored people inside. Although congress had at last instilled a Civil Rights Act, which abolished segregation, the black populace of America had an arduous journey ahead of them before their civil rights were to be at the same level as every other American.

The era of the 1960s was a period of change. The change was mainly political in nature. Through the civil rights movement, some people were mentally assaulted by this radical new train of thought. These people tried to resist, but they quickly became the minority as the nation as one, over powered them. The civil rights movement resulted in the equality of all Americans, not just whites. This was a catalyst for the major transformation the country was about to go through. The Vietnam War was one of those controversial events that spurred a slew of emotions. Those feelings were made very public; something not done much in the past. The war opened up a whole new doorway for young adults who in the past believed themselves to have been outspoken. This led into the right of upholding the freedom of speech. Young people over the nation took a stand to say that they would not be silenced. They had a message, and it must be heard. The period of the 60s was a time of love and war. It was this struggle by both sides that shaped the United States into what it is at the present. Ironically, many who seemed to favor peace—President John Kennedy, his brother Bobby, Martin Luther King, to name a few—were themselves murdered. These monumental events affected every single person. These events changed the way people thought. The 60s started off as a political movement that transformed into a movement creating social change. This change is what leaves an irreversible mark in our history books today.

As a result of the seeming non-compliance to the Civil Rights Act, many minority groups were created to assemble rallies and marches to give voice to their cause. Three main groups were formed, SNCC (Student Non-violent Coordinating Committee), the SCLC (Southern Christian Leadership Conference), and CORE (Congress Of Racial Equality). As there often will be, there are a few notable individuals in this movement. Martin Luther King Jr. and James Farmer were seen as leaders of the anti-segregation movement. Born in 1929, Martin Luther King Jr., was well-known for his means of anti-violent protest. He was a follower and supporter of the methods of Gandhi. He said Gandhi taught him that, “…there is more power in socially organized masses on the march than… in guns in the hands of a few desperate men.” King was the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964. He was the youngest person to ever receive the award in its entire history. Tragically, Martin Luther King Jr.’s life was

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