1960s Liberalism

Paper Summary:

The paper examines how modern liberalism reached a peak in the 1960s United States, when the Great Society program, initiated by President Johnson, resulted in a number of significant reforms. The paper discusses these reforms, particularly in the areas of civil rights and social welfare. The paper analyzes how, since the mid-1970s, however, there has been a definitive move away from liberalism and towards conservatism in the American society. The essay discusses reasons for this change.

Outline:
Introduction
The Philosophy of the 1960s' Liberalism & its Objectives
Accomplishments of 1960s Liberalism
Reasons for the Conservative Backlash
Conclusion
References

From the Paper:

"In the recent history of the United States, liberalism had its heyday in the 1960s when the Civil Rights Movement and feelings against social injustice in the American society culminated in the 'Great Society' program of LBJ that set the ambitious goals of eliminating poverty and racial injustice by launching major initiatives in the areas of education, health, urban problems, transportation, consumer protection, and the environment. Other spin-offs of the liberal era were the flowering of movement for Women's Liberation and the gay rights. From the mid-seventies onward, however, liberalism has gradually been overshadowed by a growing conservative tide in the US society to an extent that many observers have pronounced it 'dead and buried.'"

Sample of Sources Used:

• Brands, H.W. (2001). "The Truth About Liberalism." Stanford Magazine. Retrieved on April 27, 2006 from http://www.stanfordalumni.org/news/magazine/2002/julaug/features/liberalism.html
• Califano, J.A., Jr. (1999). "What Was Really Great About The Great Society?" Washington Monthly Online. Retrieved on April 27, 2006 from http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/1999/9910.califano.html
• "Great Society" (2006). From Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved on April 27, 2006 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Society
• Kennedy, J.F. (1960). "What is a liberal?" Sen. John F. Kennedy, acceptance of the New York Liberal Party Nomination. Retrieved on April 27, 2006 from http://www.cjnetworks.com/~cubsfan/whatis.html

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• Research Paper # 57116 : "The Cold War: 1946-1960"

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