The Sixties was a pivotal decade in the 20th century Spanning the years 1960 to 1969 in the Western world, the Sixties is remembered for a number of important social, political, and cultural events, including the civil rights movement, the Cuban missile crisis, the Kennedy assassination, and the Vietnam War. The Sixties represented a time of increased personal freedoms, protest, and rebellion against the “establishment.” Musically, the decade saw the rise of rock and roll, and a vibrant counterculture of psychedelic music, hippies, and alternative lifestyles.
Considering the Sixties was such a monumental decade, it can make for an interesting essay topic. Here are five of the best topics about the Sixties:
1.The Counterculture Movement: The Sixties saw the emergence of a counterculture movement that represented a rebellion against the traditional values of the 1950s. This was the era of hippies, alternative lifestyles, and psychedelic music. Through an exploration of primary sources, such as diaries, letters, and oral history interviews, examine the impact of this movement on Western society.
2.The Vietnam War: The Vietnam War was a major event of the Sixties and was responsible for a great deal of social and political upheaval. In this essay, explore the effects of the Vietnam War on the culture of the United States, including its impact on the protests of the civil rights movement, race relations, and the overall social climate of the decade.
3.Gender Roles in the 1960s: The Sixties saw a shift in the roles that women and men were expected to fulfill in society. Examine the changing expectations for gender roles in the Sixties and analyze their effect on the economy, politics, and the family.
4.The Cuban Missile Crisis: The Cuban Missile Crisis was the closest the world has come to nuclear war. Through primary source documents, analyze the events of the Cuban Missile Crisis and examine the role of the United States and the Soviet Union in the crisis.
5.Civil Rights Movement: One of the most important social movements of the Sixties was the civil rights movement. Analyze the impact of the civil rights movement on the culture of the United States, as well as its contributions to the broader struggle for freedom and equality around the world.