The Activist 1960s - by Robert C Cottrell (Paperback)

About the Book

"Throughout the Long Sixties, which spanned much of the conservative 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' determined efforts to ensure basic rights through fostering widespread civic engagement. Chapters demonstrate how the various campaigns within the movement were all successful to some extent, but none brought about the total revolution that many activists desired. Nonetheless, they contributed to a more open, egalitarian, participatory and emancipated nation that is still being shaped today."--

Book Synopsis

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.

Review Quotes

"In this comprehensive examination of activism during the so-called Long Sixties, which began to take shape in the postwar US and continued into the 1970s, the author makes clear the potential of social and political change fueled by the activism of so many within the Baby Boom generation. ... recommended"-Choice

About the Author

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