US History 1960s-70s

This educational video explores the concept of the "unfinished revolution" in American history, arguing that the principles embedded in the Declaration of Independence created a framework for continuous social and political change. The narrator, Caroline, guides viewers through three major historical movements—the abolition of slavery, the labor movement, and the civil rights movement—demonstrating how each utilized the Declaration's ideals to challenge the status quo and expand democratic rights.

This educational video explores the critical concept of "Food Sovereignty" within Native American history, using the dramatic story of Billy Frank Jr. and the Fish Wars as a central narrative. It details how Native nations in the Pacific Northwest fought to protect their treaty-guaranteed fishing rights against state encroachment, culminating in the landmark 1974 Boldt Decision. The host explains that food sovereignty is not just about nutrition, but about the legal and cultural right of Indigenous peoples to define their own food systems and manage the resources that have sustained them for millennia. The video covers several key historical and cultural themes, including the devastating impact of colonization on Indigenous food sources—most notably the mass slaughter of the buffalo to subjugate the Great Sioux Nation. It also examines the complicated history of frybread, tracing its origins to the rations provided during forced displacements like the Navajo Long Walk, and discussing its dual status today as both a symbol of resilience and a contributor to health disparities. The narrative connects these historical events to modern revitalization efforts, such as the "Three Sisters" agricultural projects and the rise of Indigenous chefs. For educators, this video serves as a powerful interdisciplinary tool connecting American history, civics, environmental science, and health. It provides concrete examples of civil disobedience and legal battles outside the typical Civil Rights Movement curriculum. Teachers can use it to spark discussions about the importance of treaties, the ecological relationship between people and the land, and how historical policies continue to shape modern health and economic realities for Native communities.

This episode of Crash Course Black American History explores the Stonewall Rebellion and the life of one of its most iconic figures, Marsha P. Johnson. Hosted by Clint Smith, the video details the systemic police harassment and criminalization of the LGBTQ+ community in the 1960s that led to the uprising at the Stonewall Inn in June 1969. It examines the myths and realities surrounding the rebellion, including the debated role of Johnson herself during the initial outbreak of resistance. The narrative broadens to cover the aftermath, including the first Pride parades and the formation of activist organizations like the Gay Liberation Front. The video provides a deep dive into the biography of Marsha P. Johnson, a Black transgender woman who navigated homelessness, sex work, and severe mental health struggles while becoming a tireless advocate for gay rights. It highlights her friendship with Sylvia Rivera and their co-founding of STAR (Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries) to support homeless transgender youth. The content addresses the complexities of historical figures, urging viewers to see Johnson not just as a two-dimensional hero, but as a complex human being who faced significant trauma, including sexual assault and institutionalization, yet remained a pivotal force for change. For educators, this video serves as a powerful resource for teaching the intersections of Civil Rights and LGBTQ+ history. It provides critical opportunities to discuss how laws and societal norms affect marginalized groups, the evolution of social justice movements from spontaneous protests to organized political action, and the importance of intersectionality in activism. The video also opens the door for nuanced discussions about historical memory, the reliability of oral histories versus written records, and how society chooses to remember its icons.

Hosted by Lily Gladstone, this episode of Crash Course Native American History explores the pivotal and diverse roles of Native women, Femmes, and Two-Spirit people from pre-contact times to the present day. It challenges the monolithic view of Native gender roles by highlighting the existence of matriarchal and matrilineal societies, such as the Diné (Navajo), where women hold significant economic and decision-making power. The video details historical figures like the warrior Buffalo Calf Road Woman and the diplomat Jikonsaseh, who helped found the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, illustrating that Native women have always served as leaders, healers, and protectors of their nations. The video also tackles the dark history of colonization and its specific targeting of Indigenous women to destabilize tribal societies. It addresses difficult topics including the imposition of European patriarchal values, the forced sterilization of thousands of Native women in the 1970s, and the ongoing crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW). The narrative explains how settler colonialism disrupted traditional gender balances and how systemic failures in law enforcement continue to impact Native communities today. Despite these challenges, the video emphasizes resilience and modern activism. It profiles influential leaders like Elouise Cobell, who successfully sued the U.S. government for billions in mismanagement of funds, and Deb Haaland, the first Native American cabinet secretary. For the classroom, this resource is invaluable for teaching about gender studies, civil rights, and the complex legal and social history of Native Americans. It provides students with a nuanced understanding of how historical trauma and contemporary triumph coexist in Indigenous communities.

This educational video from Crash Course Black American History, hosted by Clint Smith, provides a comprehensive examination of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study (1932-1972). It details how the United States Public Health Service recruited 600 Black men in Macon County, Alabama, under the guise of receiving free health care, only to withhold life-saving treatment for syphilis to observe the disease's progression. The video explores the historical context of scientific racism that fueled the study, the specific unethical methodologies employed, and the devastating impact on the men, their families, and the broader Black community's trust in the medical system. The narrative delves into the complex layers of the study, including the role of the Great Depression and poverty in coercing participation, the lack of informed consent, and the involvement of Black medical professionals like Nurse Eunice Rivers. It highlights the eventual exposure of the study by whistleblower Peter Buxtun in 1972, the subsequent class-action lawsuit led by Fred Gray, and the resulting changes in medical ethics laws, including the National Research Act of 1974 and the establishment of Institutional Review Boards. For educators, this video is a powerful tool for teaching about bioethics, civil rights history, and systemic racism in healthcare. It connects historical events to contemporary issues, such as medical mistrust and health disparities, encouraging students to think critically about the responsibilities of scientific institutions. The video serves as a case study for understanding the importance of informed consent and the long-term sociological effects of unethical government actions.

This engaging episode of Crash Course Government and Politics explores the complex relationship between the United States government and the economy. Host Craig Benzine breaks down the four primary goals of government economic policy: promoting stable markets, fostering economic prosperity, encouraging business development, and protecting consumers and employees. Through humor and fast-paced examples, the video illustrates how the government uses tools like regulations, subsidies, and federal agencies to achieve these objectives. The video also provides a historical overview of economic regulation in the US, tracing the shift from 19th-century laissez-faire policies to the rise of the administrative state. It covers key historical turning points, such as the regulation of railroads in the 1880s, the anti-trust laws of the Gilded Age, the New Deal under FDR, and the expansion of regulatory agencies like the EPA and OSHA in the 1970s. The narrative explains how the government's role has evolved from minimal interference to becoming an active participant in managing the nation's economic health. For educators, this video is an excellent resource for Civics, Government, and Economics classrooms. It simplifies abstract macroeconomic concepts and connects them to real-world government agencies that students may recognize, such as the FDA and the Federal Reserve. The content serves as a perfect springboard for discussions on the balance between free enterprise and government intervention, the efficacy of subsidies, and the historical context of modern economic debates.

This educational video explores how popular culture in the 1970s served as a mirror for the significant societal changes occurring in the United States. Through a framing narrative of a boy named Jordie exploring his grandmother's attic, the video examines three specific cultural touchstones: the Star Wars franchise, the rise of home video game consoles, and the emergence of sensationalized television news coverage. It connects these entertainment forms to real-world historical events like the Women's Liberation Movement, the Vietnam War, the proliferation of television sets, and the spike in violent crime during the decade. Key themes include the use of film as political allegory (specifically George Lucas's comparison of the Empire to the U.S. during Vietnam), the shattering of traditional gender roles through characters like Princess Leia, the technological shift that brought gaming into living rooms, and the ethical dilemmas surrounding "infotainment" and true crime reporting. The video defines important terms such as "infotainment" and "guerrilla warfare" within these contexts. This resource is highly valuable for Social Studies and U.S. History classrooms as it demonstrates that art and entertainment do not exist in a vacuum. It provides teachers with an engaging way to discuss complex topics like the Vietnam War and media literacy by linking them to familiar pop culture icons. The video encourages students to look critically at the media they consume today to identify similar reflections of current societal issues.

This educational video examines the rise and impact of community organizations during the turbulent 1960s in the United states. It moves beyond the mainstream Civil Rights movement to explore how grassroots groups like the Black Panther Party and Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) redefined civic engagement. The lesson distinguishes between two primary strategies used by these groups: "mass mobilization" (public protests and boycotts) and "direct action" (creating independent community programs like food pantries and clinics). The content provides a structured analysis of both the Black Panthers and the SDS, breaking down the specific societal issues they sought to address, the methods they employed, and the significant backlash they faced from both the public and the government. Key historical events, such as the FBI's investigation into community programs and the tragic Kent State shootings in 1970, are discussed to illustrate the intense friction between these activist groups and established authority figures. For educators, this video serves as an excellent resource for U.S. History and Civics curricula, particularly when teaching about the 1960s counterculture, social movements, and civic responsibility. It offers a balanced look at controversial historical topics, encouraging students to analyze the efficacy of different forms of protest and the complexities of community leadership. The clear structure—defining concepts first, then applying them to case studies—makes it ideal for note-taking and comparative analysis activities.

This episode of Crash Course US History explores the rise of the conservative movement in American politics during the 1960s and 1970s, challenging the common perception of the era as solely defined by liberal counterculture. John Green explains how the Republican Party began to gain a foothold in the traditionally Democratic South through the "Southern Strategy" and the appeal of candidates like Barry Goldwater and Richard Nixon. The video details the ideological fusion of free-market libertarians and moral conservatives who united against communism and "big government," setting the stage for the modern political landscape. Key themes include the political realignment of the Deep South following the Civil Rights Act, the significance of the 1964 and 1968 elections, and the emergence of the "Silent Majority." The video also covers the backlash against the sexual revolution and the feminist movement, specifically discussing the defeat of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) and the impact of Roe v. Wade. Additionally, it examines the paradox of Richard Nixon's presidency—marked by conservative rhetoric but surprisingly liberal domestic policies like the creation of the EPA—before concluding with the Watergate scandal. For educators, this video is an excellent resource for teaching political realignment, the complexity of the Nixon administration, and the origins of the "Culture Wars." It helps students understand that historical eras are rarely monolithic; while hippies and war protestors garnered headlines, a powerful conservative undercurrent was simultaneously reshaping American politics. The content provides a nuanced look at how trust in the federal government eroded during this period, culminating in the resignation of a president.

This educational video explores the dynamic social, political, and economic landscape of the United States in the 1970s through the unique lens of fashion. Hosted by an engaging narrator, the lesson frames fashion not just as clothing, but as a direct reflection of societal changes. The video features four interview segments with fictionalized characters representing different archetypes of the era: a vintage store owner, a hippie environmentalist, an artist, and a professor. Each interview sheds light on a specific factor that influenced 1970s trends, ranging from economic inflation necessitating cheaper fabrics like polyester to the Black Power movement using style as a form of resistance and pride.

This educational video provides a comprehensive overview of the Civil Rights Movement during the 1960s, analyzing how the struggle for equality evolved from the previous decade. It details the shifting priorities of organizers, moving beyond desegregation and voting rights to encompass economic justice, police reform, and the concept of intersectionality. The narrative highlights the vital role of key figures like Martin Luther King Jr. as well as the emergence of youth-led organizations like the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). The video systematically breaks down the methods and strategies used to effect change, contrasting traditional nonviolent civil disobedience and sit-ins with newer approaches like the strategic use of mass media and the development of African American studies programs. It explores how activists leveraged television coverage to gain national sympathy and international support, connecting their local struggles to global movements against oppression. Finally, the content addresses the significant challenges the movement faced, including persistent white supremacist violence, resistance from local governments, police brutality, and negative media framing of events like the Watts Riots. By examining both the legislative victories, such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the enduring societal obstacles, the video offers students a nuanced understanding of the complexity and resilience required to drive social progress.

In this installment of Crash Course US History, John Green explores the complex and often maligned decade of the 1970s. Moving beyond the disco era stereotypes, the video delves into the profound economic shifts that defined the period, specifically the phenomenon of "stagflation"—a combination of stagnant economic growth and high inflation that perplexed economists and policymakers alike. It examines the decline of American manufacturing, the rise of global competition, and the energy crises that shocked the American way of life. The video provides detailed coverage of the presidencies of Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter, analyzing their domestic policies and struggles to manage the struggling economy. Key topics include the end of the post-WWII economic boom, the impact of the oil shocks, the Camp David Accords, the Iran Hostage Crisis, and the shifting geopolitical landscape of the Cold War. The narrative connects these events to a broader "crisis of confidence" in American institutions. For educators, this video serves as an excellent resource for explaining the transition from the New Deal era to the rise of conservatism in the 1980s. It offers clear explanations of difficult economic concepts like stagflation and the misery index, while providing primary source analysis through Carter's "Malaise" speech. The content helps students understand the roots of modern political debates surrounding energy, regulation, and America's role in the Middle East.