1970s/80s Conservative Backlash
We’ll be discussing the conservative backlash to the social changes brought about by the 1960s movements we just examined. While some saw these changes as progress, others saw them as a devolution of society. After losing in Vietnam, the Watergate scandal also led many Americans to lose their trust in the government. These are the central issues we’ll focus on this week.
Read:
- Give Me Liberty!Ch 26 (Eric Foner, Kathleen DuVal, and Lisa McGirr, Give Me Liberty!: An American History, Vol. 2, Seagull 7th edition (magenta cover).
Answer JUST ONE of the four (4) posted questions about GML! Ch 26 in a 100-200 word paragraph by Wednesday.
If you cite the textbook, a video, or document in the chapter, please note the page number or video/document name in parentheses at the end of the sentence
- What was Watergate and how did it lead to the American public’s decreasing trust in the government? Use Give Me Liberty!and this videowith short video clips to answer.
- What was the significance of the ERA and why didn’t it pass in the 1970s? Use Give Me Liberty!and this short videoto answer.
- Using this very entertaining 1989 music videoand Give Me Liberty!, discuss the significance of the “yuppie” in President Ronald Reagan’s America.
- Why did groups like Jerry Falwell’s Moral Majority emerge and what did they think of the changes brought about by the 1960s/70s social movements? Use Give Me Liberty!(“the Rising Tide of Conservatism”) and thisprimary source on Falwell to answer.
Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!
Step 1: Pick ONE Question
Choose the question you feel most confident answering.
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Watergate → best if you like politics, scandals, and government trust issues.
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ERA (Equal Rights Amendment) → best if you’re comfortable writing about women’s rights.
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Yuppies/Reagan America → good if you like culture, consumerism, and economics.
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Moral Majority → best if you’re interested in religion, conservatism, and backlash to social movements.
Step 2: Structure Your Short Paragraph (100–200 words)
1. Topic Sentence (Thesis):
2. Brief Context (1–2 sentences):
3. Evidence & Analysis (3–4 sentences):
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Pull at least one detail from Give Me Liberty! (cite page).
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Include one detail from the video/primary source.
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Explain why it mattered historically (connection to broader themes).
4. Concluding Sentence (1–2 sentences):
Step 3: Citation Tips
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Cite like this: (Give Me Liberty!, p. 1056) or (Weekly Overview Video).
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You don’t need a bibliography—just parenthetical references.
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