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
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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
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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.
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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
in morals. People need standards
for a society to function.
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