Racial prejudice existed in America long before the counter-culture movement of the 1960s, which served as the peak of the civil rights movement. The exchange of ideas that countered traditional beliefs and ways of thinking sparked a rising interest in the Civil Rights Movement. The exploration into counter-culture during the Hippie Movement greatly influenced civil rights issues by opposing the war in the Vietnam, promoting the message of equality against racial and gender discrimination, and encouraging nonviolent resistance in challenging authorities. The Hippie Cultural Movement occurred throughout the 1960s and 1970s. The movement was sparked by the growing counter-culture, which often promoted ideas of equality. The values people encouraged
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involvement in the Vietnam War began in the 1950s, but increased during the 1960s. The increase of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War would result in a need for conscription, or a draft of men. However, those who volunteered for, or were drafted into, the war were discriminated against based on a multitude of factors, including race. According to George Riser, “The Civil Rights Movement and the escalating war in Vietnam were the two great catalysts for social protest in the sixties” (Riser). The Civil Rights Movement influenced the resistance against the Vietnam War by bringing awareness to racial injustice. Before the 1954 Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education, which concluded that segregation was illegal under law, segregated units during wars existed to separate the two races (Gallagher). There was tension during the Vietnam War, which was “America’s first racially integrated conflict” (Gallagher). Initially draft boards in the south showed signs of discrimination, by drafting mainly white men of age to fight in the war. However as time passed, African Americans became increasingly involved in serving in the military. Prejudice existed when it came to serving time as well; African Americans serving in the U.S. army tended to serve more time than their white male counterparts
involvement in the Vietnam War began in the 1950s, but increased during the 1960s. The increase of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War would result in a need for conscription, or a draft of men. However, those who volunteered for, or were drafted into, the war were discriminated against based on a multitude of factors, including race. According to George Riser, “The Civil Rights Movement and the escalating war in Vietnam were the two great catalysts for social protest in the sixties” (Riser). The Civil Rights Movement influenced the resistance against the Vietnam War by bringing awareness to racial injustice. Before the 1954 Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education, which concluded that segregation was illegal under law, segregated units during wars existed to separate the two races (Gallagher). There was tension during the Vietnam War, which was “America’s first racially integrated conflict” (Gallagher). Initially draft boards in the south showed signs of discrimination, by drafting mainly white men of age to fight in the war. However as time passed, African Americans became increasingly involved in serving in the military. Prejudice existed when it came to serving time as well; African Americans serving in the U.S. army tended to serve more time than their white male counterparts