HISTORY 102 Updated Study Guide American Military University

The Liberal Consensus: Flaming Out (1960-1968), Toward a Conservative America, The 70s, and the Reagan Revolution and the End of the Cold War (1980-2001) Overview After the civil rights movement achieved most of its ...

The Liberal Consensus: Flaming Out (1960-1968), Toward a Conservative America, The 70s, and the Reagan Revolution and the End of the Cold War (1980-2001) Overview After the civil rights movement achieved most of its goals, the Liberal agenda turned to ending poverty, environmental concerns, and advancing rights for other marginalized groups, such as women and homosexuals. As the century progressed, the failures of liberalism turned Americans towards a more conservative mindset. Topics covered will include: • Great Society • Feminism • War in Vietnam • Violence and Unrest • 1968 election • Women’s Liberation and Gay Liberation • Nixon • Energy Crisis • Economic Decline • Reform and Reaction • Family Values • Resurgence of Religion • Reagan and the New Right • AIDS • Economic Growth • End of the Cold War • Conflict in the Middle East Johnson’s Agenda In 1960, John F. Kennedy was elected President. At 43, Kennedy was the second youngest person ever to hold the U.S. presidency, a fact matched by his youthful idealism. Handsome, eloquent, and an excellent communicator, President Kennedy’s appeal was in many ways more based on image than on substance. The sweeping agenda that his administration had worked towards was never fully delivered, and he was assassinated before his first term had ended. His Vice-President, Lyndon B. Johnson, quickly took the reins. Johnson was born in Texas, to a family that had long been farmers and ranchers. After losing their family farm left the Johnsons impoverished, Lyndon became committed to helping those less fortunate. Before entering politics, Johnson worked as a schoolteacher in an underserved community. Compared to that of Kennedy, who had been the product of one of the nation’s wealthiest families, Johnson’s background made him particularly suited as a champion of the poor.