The 1960s: Counterculture, Vietnam & Protest
Aligned to C3.D2.His.8 — C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards.
What this lesson teaches
During the 1960s, the United States fought a long and costly war in Vietnam to stop the spread of communism, while at home a wave of protest movements challenged the war, racism, and traditional social rules. Young people in the counterculture questioned authority through music, marches, and new ways of living.
Worked example
On May 4, 1970, Ohio National Guard troops opened fire on students protesting the Vietnam War at Kent State University, killing four; the shootings shocked the nation and triggered strikes on hundreds of college campuses.
Practice questions
- Why was the United States fighting in Vietnam?
- Explain what the counterculture of the 1960s reacted against.
- Analyze how events like Kent State affected public support for the Vietnam War.
Watch the lesson
Every lesson comes with a video taught in English and Spanish — the same video the QR code in the printed workbook opens.
▶ Watch this lessonEn español
Los años sesenta: contracultura, Vietnam y protesta
Durante la década de 1960, Estados Unidos libró una guerra larga y costosa en Vietnam para frenar la expansión del comunismo, mientras que en casa una ola de movimientos de protesta cuestionó la guerra, el racismo y las normas sociales tradicionales. Los jóvenes de la contracultura desafiaron a la autoridad a través de la música, las marchas y nuevas formas de vida.
Ejemplo: El 4 de mayo de 1970, tropas de la Guardia Nacional de Ohio dispararon contra estudiantes que protestaban por la Guerra de Vietnam en la Universidad Estatal de Kent, matando a cuatro; los disparos conmocionaron a la nación y provocaron huelgas en cientos de campus universitarios.
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