Homework: R3.2 Practice 1
Modern Feminism
1. The modern feminist movement was well timed. The civil rights movement had imprinted the politics of inclusion on the public mind. President Kennedy had been receptive, and his successor, Lyndon B. Johnson, although probably not himself a feminist, was steeped in the tradition of New Deal liberalism and social activism. Following his landslide victory over Republican Barry Goldwater in 1964, Johnson unveiled a domestic program to bring forth a "greater society" in the United States. Johnson had faith in the ability of government to improve society through active policies aimed at economic stimulus, equality of opportunity for all people, and a variety of social safety nets for the elderly and the underprivileged. A progressive tax cut in 1964 stimulated the economy to full employment, and thereafter Johnson set out to reform society with a goal of making the United States an example of democracy to the world. Johnson declared a War on Poverty and planned to spend a billion dollars to clean up the nation's slums and assist the poor. His administration secured passage of Medicare and Medicaid, providing federal funding for health care to the elderly and the impoverished. Johnson launched a new program of public works, sponsored research-and-development acts, and funded a greatly expanded higher education program.
2. Both Kennedy and Johnson indirectly aided women's rights by championing civil rights legislation. With the help of traditional women's organizations such as the League of Women Voters and the General Federation of Women's Clubs, significant measures became law. In 1963, Congress passed the Equal Pay Act (a part of the Civil Rights Act of 1964) banning gender-based discrimination in employment. In 1965 and 1967, Johnson signed executive orders that made discrimination in employment under federal contracts illegal. Meanwhile, during the mid-1960s, several state-level conferences on the status of women convened. A robust economy and a low unemployment rate contributed to the increasing sense of optimism among women's groups.
3. Changing social conditions were partly responsible for the acceleration of the feminist movement. So were technological breakthroughs. In addition to birth control, which lowered the birthrate and gave women new control over having children, labor-saving devices continued to proliferate, allowing women more time to join the work force. From 1950 to 1970, the female labor force doubled, most of that increase coming during the 1960s. Women were increasingly willing to participate in movements that enhanced their position in society.
Nash,Roderick, and Gregory Graves. From These Beginnings: A Biographical Approach to American History. 6th ed., vol. 2, Longman, 2003, pp. 298-99.
1. The modern feminist movement was well timed. The civil rights movement had imprinted the politics of inclusion on the public mind. President Kennedy had been receptive, and his successor, Lyndon B. Johnson, although probably not himself a feminist, was steeped in the tradition of New Deal liberalism and social activism. Following his landslide victory over Republican Barry Goldwater in 1964, Johnson unveiled a domestic program to bring forth a "greater society" in the United States. Johnson had faith in the ability of government to improve society through active policies aimed at economic stimulus, equality of opportunity for all people, and a variety of social safety nets for the elderly and the underprivileged. A progressive tax cut in 1964 stimulated the economy to full employment, and thereafter Johnson set out to reform society with a goal of making the United States an example of democracy to the world. Johnson declared a War on Poverty and planned to spend a billion dollars to clean up the nation's slums and assist the poor. His administration secured passage of Medicare and Medicaid, providing federal funding for health care to the elderly and the impoverished. Johnson launched a new program of public works, sponsored research-and-development acts, and funded a greatly expanded higher education program.
2. Both Kennedy and Johnson indirectly aided women's rights by championing civil rights legislation. With the help of traditional women's organizations such as the League of Women Voters and the General Federation of Women's Clubs, significant measures became law. In 1963, Congress passed the Equal Pay Act (a part of the Civil Rights Act of 1964) banning gender-based discrimination in employment. In 1965 and 1967, Johnson signed executive orders that made discrimination in employment under federal contracts illegal. Meanwhile, during the mid-1960s, several state-level conferences on the status of women convened. A robust economy and a low unemployment rate contributed to the increasing sense of optimism among women's groups.
3. Changing social conditions were partly responsible for the acceleration of the feminist movement. So were technological breakthroughs. In addition to birth control, which lowered the birthrate and gave women new control over having children, labor-saving devices continued to proliferate, allowing women more time to join the work force. From 1950 to 1970, the female labor force doubled, most of that increase coming during the 1960s. Women were increasingly willing to participate in movements that enhanced their position in society.
Nash,Roderick, and Gregory Graves. From These Beginnings: A Biographical Approach to American History. 6th ed., vol. 2, Longman, 2003, pp. 298-99.