America: The Last Best Hope, Volume II Enhanced, Chapter 12, Nixon s The One Chapter 12 Debate: Resolved: The Counterculture Movement of the 1960s and 1970s Helped Create a Better America Introduction Teachers can use class debates to help students understand conflicting perspectives of a past time and place or of a contemporary issue. This often involves dividing the class into two or more parts and assigning each group a role. Students are then encouraged to take on that role and argue their position. They need to argue the position they are assigned, regardless of whether or not they agree with that position. Sometimes, teachers may encourage students to know both sides of the argument and have the two sides switch roles midway through the debate. Objectives of This Debate Students will learn the key components of the counterculture movement. Students will evaluate the impact of the counterculture movement on our own day. Background If the 1950s are often seen as a decade of consensus, the 1960s and 1970s are seen as decades in which traditional American values were challenged by a movement known as the counterculture. Primarily associated with disaffected young people, the counterculture encompassed a wide variety of movements including the women s movement, the peace movement, the gay rights movement, the environmental movement, and people calling for free love. America is a very different culture today than in was before the 1960s. The counterculture certainly played a role in that transformation. Have the changes, on balance, been positive or negative for the culture? The debate goes on. Many analysts see a dividing line in our current politics centered on how one answers key questions raised by the counterculture 40 years ago. Procedures This debate can be done in one class period. The teacher should divide the class into two parts, each side making arguments either for or against the resolution. Students should be reminded that they should stick to their role and argue passionately for their position, despite what they personally may believe. They should also be encouraged to base their points on factual information, rather than opinion and emotion.
Each side of the debate should research both their position AND the position of their opponents. This is important in the event the teacher elects to have the sides change positions. It also makes for a better debate because each side is better able to counter arguments of their opponents. Students should be able to use America: The Last Best Hope to find dual perspectives on these issues, but teachers will also need to provide background through short lectures or explanations. Students can also do research on their own to find arguments to support their point of view. Primary sources from the period can be particularly valuable as a side builds its case. The following chart represents basic points that should be covered by both sides. Teachers should not immediately give students these points. They might be offered to each side after students have had time to research on their own, or they might be withheld until after the debate and used as a summary or to debrief the debate. A blank version of the chart is offered at the end of this debate. Students may use this blank chart to take notes as they research their positions in the debate. When the debate takes place, arrange student desks or chairs with the two debate factions on opposite sides of the classroom facing each other. The teacher should serve as a moderator, beginning the proceedings, laying out the resolution, and calling on members of each side in alternating order. If the debate begins to lag, the teacher may call a short break and have each side caucus to rethink their positions and prepare responses to arguments made by the other side.
Resolved: The Counterculture Movement of the 1960s and 1970s Helped Create a Better America Affirmative Negative The counterculture was based on the idea of freedom for all people to be whoever they want to be. For example, the women s movement opened up new worlds of opportunities for women. The counterculture challenged values that inhibited peoples freedom in the area of sexuality The counterculture opened the way for gay Americans to come out of the closet and live life honestly, without the fear of persecution or discrimination. The counterculture encouraged citizens to be vigilant and never automatically trust their government. This makes for a more engaged citizenry. The counterculture called for a more realistic foreign policy, one in which the United States does not seek to impose its will on the rest of the world. The counterculture encouraged a new respect for our environment and Americans to be conscience of how easy it is for humans to destroy the environment. The counterculture encouraged all people to establish their own morality. Of course there are many morals we can all agree on, but there are many others that are based on antiquated traditions. We are thinking, rational creatures, we don t need someone else to tell us what is right and wrong. Of course there are many aspects of the counterculture that were good for America, but the question is one of balance. Countercultural freedom meant, if it feels good, do it. This has led to widespread problems including rampant drug abuse. Women getting new opportunities is a great thing, but we are still struggling on how to handle the question of caring for our children. Have we benefited from having children in daycare, as opposed to being raised by a parent in the home? The new openness in sexuality has led to the explosion of pornography and the spread of STDs, and even the huge increase of divorce rates. Ending discrimination of gays is a good thing, but the gay rights movement also has begun to challenge the very definition of marriage. A more engaged citizenry is a good thing, but attitudes of the counterculture have led to a decline in patriotism, less respect for our leaders and universal cynicism. Countercultural attitudes have led to a weaker U.S. foreign policy, causing the U.S. to lose respect around the globe. The best way to achieve peace is through strength. Environmental protection is a good thing, but it has also led to overregulation of business, stifling economic growth. A very real problem of the counterculture is its call for relative morality leading to a clear decline
morality leading to a clear decline in morals. People need standards for a society to function.
America: The Last Best Hope, Volume II Enhanced, Chapter 12, Nixon s The One Student Debate Sheet Name Date As your group researches their position on these issues, use the following table to record your views and prepare for the debate. You should research and prepare for both sides of this debate. As the debate progresses, make notes made by the opposing side that your side did not anticipate. Resolved: The Counterculture Movement of the 1960s and 1970s Helped Create a Better America Affirmative Negative