The 1960s were years full of victories and tribulations that have shaped the United States of America. The history of America from the 1960s comprises of both political and social aspects that are practiced to date. The sixties can be described as the years of great victory and loss. The sixties resulted in a ripple effect that has led to the democratic practice in the United States of America and consequently emulated by many nations.

Civil rights were an issue in the 1900s. However, during the sixties, people became bold and demanded their rights. The segregation of the whites and blacks was evident in the 1900s. President John Kennedy spearheaded civil rights law by proposing equal pay in 1963. However, Johnson is the president who implemented the civil rights law in 1964. Women empowerment was prominent in the 1960s. Additionally, the approval of birth control pills by the FDA in 1960 started a new era of women pursuing education and careers.

The Vietnam War was carried out during the sixties. The Vietnam War was called President Johnson’s War as a result of North Vietnam Bombing. In 1964, American troops were sent to fight in the Vietnam War. In 1965, Johnson ordered the bombing of North Vietnam. The bombing escalated the war. The Americans continued to fight in the War until 1968, when American soldiers returned from Vietnam following the Tet offensive. The Tet offensive led to the start of peace talks in Vietnam. The choices made by President Johnson during the Vietnam War prompted people to question his leadership. Young leaders had sprout since 1960 with the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS). The move by the President in 1965 to bomb North Vietnam, led to an uprising of people demanding for better leaders. The need for better leaders also led to the enactment of equal voting rights in the United States of America in 1965.

The 1960s were also attributed to environmentalism. The book “Silent Spring” by Rachel Carson documented the effects of DDT and other pesticides in 1962. The bold move by Rachel to speak on environmental issues and climate change led to environmental movements in the United States of America. The rise of activists groups started in the sixties. The black power movement was formed in 1965 to fight for the rights of black people. The National Organization for Women was formed in 1966 to spearhead women empowerment. The gay liberation movement in 1969 followed the Stonewall riots which advocated for gay rights.

The 1960s also represented the deaths of many great people among them the assassination of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King in 1965 and 1968 respectively. The two were activists who championed equal rights. In 1963 President John Kennedy was assassinated. His assassination led to conspiracies with his alleged killer being murdered before going to prison. The losses continued in 1968 when riots escalated following the assassination of Martin Luther King. Despite the losses experienced, in 1969, the landing of Apollo II to the moon was a great victory for America.

The sixties spearheaded movements and laws that are implemented in society. The movements of black power, gay liberation, and women empowerment though slowly implemented, are celebrated today in the 21st Century. Women, gay people, and black Americans are no longer segregated in America. The landing of Apollo II prompted the creation of aerospace engineering courses offered in the United States of America and also positioned the nation superior to the Soviet Union. Voting rights implemented in 1965 provided freedom of voting to all citizens thus resulting to accountable leaders. The sixties began a ripple effect in America that has led to the great success of the nation.