Political Life of America - Coursework Example

While JFK thought they were helping the people in South Vietnam, the strategies and weapons were harming the people that they were trying to protect. There was a gradual escalation and then the South Vietnamese executed members of the secret police. Kennedy did not change his policies.

Johnson did not want the reputation of the country to suffer by continuing involvement with Vietnam. But he did order air strikes on North Vietnam after hearing that the North Vietnam military had fired on U.S. ships. He continued support to South Vietnam and the U.S. military became more aggressive. Military and economic assistance to the government and military of South Vietnam continued.  Instead of Johnson having a defensive military presence, he changed it so that it was more of an offensive approach. Some of that pressure was also coming due to the approaching presidential elections.

During Johnson’s time in office, he created a lot of reform that helped bring people out of poverty that helped male-headed households but worsened female-headed households. Many civil rights groups were created to protest Johnson’s changes. There were several new movements during this time so feminists could accomplish the goals of equality. Women were involved in changing the collegiate environment so that there would be more religious studies programs. Women that were lesbians began a movement so that they no longer had to keep their sexuality hidden and there was a Stonewall Riot that resulted in more attention to gay rights. More women began to take jobs. Women realized their opportunities were not equal and they began to go to school more. The National Organization for Women was created for more civil rights for women and there was an investigation in the workplace where the Equal Pay Act of 1963 made it illegal to pay women less than men for the same work. People picketed the Miss America pageant because they thought it was a focus more on beauty. Radical feminists emphasized ending women’s subordination in the family and other personal relationships. NOW, a more mainstream group wanted equal treatment for women by integrating women into existing institutions. Other racial groups began their feminist groups such as the National Black Feminist Organization and poor feminists formed the National Coalition of Labor Union Women and the National Welfare Rights Organization. Many more equal rights were instilled. Feminists pressured state legislatures to end restrictions on abortion. Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 banned sex discrimination in all aspects of education. There was more passing of laws forcing police and the legal system to treat victims of rape more justly and humanely. Some women thought the Equal Rights Amendment which outlawed different treatment of men and women under federal law would devalue a woman’s role as a wife and mother. Read More