The 1960s: Key Themes and Documents

(Hardback)

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Description

This volume serves as an invaluable study guide covering all of the key political, social, and cultural concepts of the turbulent 1960s. The 1960s were a polarizing decade, beginning brightly and with hope but ending in disappointment and disarray. By the end, traditional values had been subverted, political institutions had been overturned, and marginalized groups had battled their own government to win equal rights and freedoms. The clear-cut foreign policies of the postwar era brought mixed results, and the world's mightiest nation became mired in a war it could not win. This overview of the 1960s covers all of the key political, social, and cultural concepts of the decade through topical and biographical entries, primary documents, a sample document-based essay question and top tips, and period-specific learning objectives. The book contains an Introduction that presents the historical themes of the period. Alphabetical encyclopedic entries relating to the period specific themes comprise the core reference material in the book. The book also contains a range of primary documents with their own introductions and a sample document-based essay question. Other features include a list of "Top Tips," a thematically tagged chronology, and a list of specific learning objectives readers can use to gauge their working knowledge and understanding of the period.

Reviews

This book would be a welcome addition to any library wanting to increase its offerings on the 1960s, and could be used in all levels of American history classes studying the decade. Recommended. * School Library Connection *

Author Bio

James S. Olson is Distinguished Professor of History at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. He has published over thirty books. Mariah Gumpert is a writer and editor specializing in American history, world history, and popular culture.