Compelling Question: How did a fracturing of the liberal consensus shape politics and culture between 1968 and 1980?

Chapter Objectives:

• Students will explain the triumph and decline of the liberal consensus over the welfare state and the rise of the conservative movement.
• Students will analyze how different groups in American society fought for equality and rights.

• Richard Nixon Opens Diplomatic Relations with China Narrative
• Richard Nixon and Watergate Narrative
• Barbara Jordan and Watergate Decision Point
• Nixon Tapes: The “Smoking Gun” Tape, 1972 Primary Source
• Barbara Jordan, Speech on Impeachment, July 25, 1974 Primary Source
• Herblock, Watergate Cartoons, 1973-1974 Primary Source

• Vietnam War DBQ Lesson (from teachrock.org)
• Did U.S. Media Provide Fair and Accurate Coverage of the Tet Offensive? Point-Counterpoint
• Kent State Narrative
• The 1973 Oil Crisis and Its Economic Consequences Narrative
• Jimmy Carter and the Iran Hostage Crisis Narrative
• Jimmy Carter and the “Malaise” Speech Narrative
• Jimmy Carter, “Malaise” Speech, July 15, 1979 Primary Source
• The Controversy over Busing Narrative

• Art as Protest: Images from the United Farm Workers of America, 1973-1978 Primary Source
• César Chávez, Dolores Huerta, and the United Farm Workers Narrative
• American Indian Activism and the Siege of Wounded Knee Narrative
• The Birth Control Pill Narrative
• Phyllis Schlafly and the Debate over the Equal Rights Amendment Narrative
• The Gay Liberation Movement Narrative
• Music as Protest: “We Shall Overcome” Primary Source
• National Organization for Women (NOW), Bill of Rights, 1968 Primary Source
• Indians of All Tribes, Alcatraz Proclamation, 1969 Primary Source

Additional Resources:

• Chapter 15 Introductory Essay: 1968-1980
• Neil Armstrong and the Moon Landing
• The New York Blackout of 1977 Lesson
• Unit 7 Civics Connection: Modern Liberalism, Limited Government, and Rights Lesson

Unit 7 Essay Activity

How did a fracturing of the liberal consensus shape politics and culture between 1968 and 1980?

Option C: Explain the causes and effects of continuing policy debates about the role of the federal government during the period 1968-1980.

Through this inquiry, students will evaluate primary and secondary sources to explain the factors that contributed to political and cultural change from 1968-1980. Ultimately, students will use the primary and secondary sources in this chapter to practice constructing an essay, in AP Long Essay Question format, demonstrating their skills in explaining historical causation. Students should be evaluated using theAP Rubric. Assess students’ progress in understanding the compelling question for this chapter by assigning theUnit 7 Essay Activity.