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57. Shaping a New America

Modern feminism, reproductive rights, the Equal Rights Amendment, environmental reform, and the student activism of the period.

57. Shaping a New America

Rat, an underground radical feminist newspaper. This cover from a 1970 issue. "Say it loud, I'm Black and I'm proud." -soul singer James Brown A woman needs a…

57a. Modern Feminism

Before the 1960s, traditional American society encouraged young women to find happiness and fulfillment through marriage and homemaking. Television shows like…

57b. The Fight for Reproductive Rights

Introduced in 1960, birth control pills gave women the opportunity to choose to deter pregnancy. The consequences of sexual relations between women and men sim…

57c. The Equal Rights Amendment

"Equality of rights under the law shall not be abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex." This simple sentence comprised Section 1 of th…

57d. Roe v. Wade and Its Impact

Pope John Paul II was a leader in the pro-life movement. During his landmark 1998 visit to Cuba, he criticized the island's legalized abortion policies. No top…

57e. Environmental Reform

It was time to save the earth. A century of full-fledged industrialism in America had taken its toll on the environment. Concerned citizens began to appeal in…

57f. Others Demand Equality

Cesar Chavez used tactics similar to those used by Martin Luther King, Jr. in his attempts to improve working conditions for migrant farm workers in the Americ…

57g. Student Activism

The Students for a Democratic Society — or SDS — became the leaders of the American anti-war movement following the release of the Port Huron Statement. The ab…

57h. Flower Power

Make love, not war. Don't trust anyone over 30. Turn on, tune in, and drop out. I am a human being — please do not fold, bend spindle, or mutilate. These and m…