Civil Society Protest

Question 1

Describe civil society protest.

Answer 1

Civil society protest is the action taken by ordinary citizens against government policies or situations perceived as unfair, including marches, demonstrations, mass rallies, strikes, and protest campaigns.

Question 2

How do people engage in civil society protest?

Answer 2

People engage in civil society protest to make their voices heard and to change aspects of society they consider wrong.

Question 3

Define the purpose of civil society protest.

Answer 3

The purpose of civil society protest is to draw attention to injustices and influence public opinion on issues such as racial segregation and gender discrimination.

Question 4

What historical context contributed to civil society protests in the 1960s?

Answer 4

In the 1960s, societies in the USA and Western Europe became disillusioned with democratic institutions, feeling that their rights were being ignored and that the government was not acting in their best interests.

Question 5

How did the United Nations Charter of Human Rights influence civil society protests?

Answer 5

The United Nations Charter of Human Rights states that all human beings are born free and have equal rights, which led some groups to feel that their rights were being violated, prompting protests.

Question 6

What societal issues sparked civil society protests in the 1960s?

Answer 6

Issues such as the Vietnam War, environmental concerns, feminism, disarmament, and civil rights for Black Americans sparked civil society protests.

Question 7

Describe the role of women in society during the 1950s.

Answer 7

In the 1950s, women were expected to return to traditional roles as homemakers and mothers after World War II, with limited opportunities in the workforce.

Question 8

What were the job restrictions for women in the 1950s?

Answer 8

Women in the 1950s were often restricted to pink-collar jobs such as waitress, school teacher, nurse, salesperson, or secretary, with few in upper management or politics.

Question 9

How did the women’s liberation movement emerge?

Answer 9

The women’s liberation movement emerged as a response to the traditional roles imposed on women and aimed to challenge the male-dominated society of the time.

Question 10

What was the impact of the Vietnam War on civil society protests?

Answer 10

The Vietnam War contributed to a desire for social change, leading ordinary people to engage in civil society protests to express their concerns.

Question 11

Describe the changes in women’s roles after the Second World War.

Answer 11

After the Second World War, more women began attending university and joining the workforce, challenging the conservative view that they should stay at home.

Question 12

Define the women’s liberation movement.

Answer 12

The women’s liberation movement was a collective of various groups aiming to end discrimination against women in all aspects of life.

Question 13

How did the birth control pill impact women’s rights?

Answer 13

The birth control pill allowed women to decide when to have children, giving them more control over their lives and the ability to avoid unwanted pregnancies.

Question 14

Do you know the purpose of the women’s liberation movement?

Answer 14

The purpose was to recognize a woman’s dignity and worth, enable equal rights with men in the workplace, and allow women more control over their lives.

Question 15

What was one significant achievement of the National Organisation of Women (NOW)?

Answer 15

NOW successfully overturned the ruling that female flight attendants were fired when they got married.

Question 16

How did younger feminists contribute to the women’s liberation movement?

Answer 16

Younger feminists set up consciousness-raising groups to discuss challenges and initiated acts of protest against discrimination.

Question 17

Describe the demonstration at the Miss America Pageant in 1968.

Answer 17

Feminists held a demonstration at the Miss America Pageant, comparing it to livestock competitions and crowned a sheep as Miss America, while discarding items like high heel shoes in ‘freedom trash cans’.

Question 18

What was the significance of the 1964 Civil Rights Act for women?

Answer 18

The 1964 Civil Rights Act prohibited discrimination based on gender in the workplace, marking a victory for the women’s liberation movement.

Question 19

How did the women’s liberation movement in Britain begin?

Answer 19

The women’s liberation movement in Britain developed from the struggle of British women workers to obtain equal pay for equal work.

Question 20

What issues did the National Organisation of Women (NOW) tackle?

Answer 20

NOW tackled issues such as laws to end workplace discrimination and a woman’s right to terminate an unwanted pregnancy.

Question 21

How did middle-class women in industrialized countries respond to traditional gender roles?

Answer 21

Middle-class women formed groups to fight for their rights, expressing dissatisfaction with the conservative view that they should remain at home.

Question 22

What was the role of consciousness-raising groups in the women’s liberation movement?

Answer 22

Consciousness-raising groups allowed women to discuss and challenge discrimination, fostering awareness and activism.

Question 23

How did the women’s liberation movement evolve in the 1970s?

Answer 23

American women continued to protest in the 1970s to highlight issues such as violence against women, with NOW growing to 100,000 members by 1979.

Question 24

Describe the main concerns of working mothers in the 1970s.

Answer 24

The main concerns included the provision of adequate day-care for their children.

Question 25

How did women in Britain organize for social and economic equality in the 1970s?

Answer 25

Women joined local women’s groups that networked with each other to define their common demands for social and economic equality with men.

Question 26

Define the purpose of the National Women’s Liberation Conference held in 1970.

Answer 26

The conference aimed to discuss the challenges facing women and to form a Women’s National Co-ordinating Committee to address these issues.

Question 27

What were the four basic demands identified by the Women’s National Co-ordinating Committee?

Answer 27

The four basic demands were equal pay, equal education and job opportunities, free contraception and abortion on demand, and free 24-hour nurseries.

Question 28

How did the women’s liberation movement demonstrate their demands on International Women’s Day in 1971?

Answer 28

They handed a petition to Prime Minister Edward Heath and marched through the streets with banners.

Question 29

What was the significance of the Miss World competition demonstration in 1970?

Answer 29

Demonstrators used the event to highlight their demands for equal pay, free abortion, and a place outside the home, with slogans expressing their anger.

Question 30

What were some social and political gains achieved by women in industrialized countries due to the women’s liberation movement?

Answer 30

Women achieved equality in the workplace, access to education, provision of child-care, and election to political office.

Question 31

How did the women’s liberation movement impact women in male-dominated societies during the 1960s?

Answer 31

Women in male-dominated societies did not benefit from the movement and continued to struggle for economic, social, and political rights.

Question 32

What factors contributed to the rise of peace movements in the 1960s?

Answer 32

The Cold War tensions, arms race between the USA and USSR, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Vietnam War, and ongoing conflicts in the Middle East contributed to the rise of peace movements.

Question 33

How did the United Nations Charter of Human Rights influence views on equality?

Answer 33

The Charter stated that all human beings are born free and have equal rights, regardless of race, sex, language, or religion, promoting the idea of universal equality.

Question 34

Describe the role of peace movements in the 1960s.

Answer 34

Peace movements emerged in response to uncertainty and conflict, particularly against the backdrop of the Vietnam War and the threat of nuclear weapons. They involved civil society protests, including disarmament advocacy and anti-war demonstrations.

Question 35

Define disarmament in the context of the Cold War.

Answer 35

Disarmament refers to the reduction, limitation, or abolition of weapons, particularly nuclear arms, during the Cold War, as both the USA and USSR possessed weapons of mass destruction, raising fears of nuclear war.

Question 36

How did the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) attempt to promote disarmament in Britain?

Answer 36

The CND organized protests, including marches from London to Aldermaston, ‘Ban the Bomb’ campaigns, and sit-in demonstrations outside the British Parliament to advocate for the abolition of nuclear weapons.

Question 37

What was the significance of the Women’s Peace Camp at Greenham Common?

Answer 37

The Women’s Peace Camp at Greenham Common was significant as it represented a long-term commitment to peace and disarmament, where women protested against the basing of nuclear weapons in Britain, living under challenging conditions for 19 years.

Question 38

How did the arrival of Women for Life on Earth influence the protest at Greenham Common?

Answer 38

The arrival of Women for Life on Earth in September 1981 marked the beginning of the protest at Greenham Common, as they expressed their fears for future generations and initiated a sustained demonstration against nuclear weapons.

Question 39

Describe the living conditions at the Women’s Peace Camp at Greenham Common.

Answer 39

The women at the camp lived under primitive conditions, lacking running water, electricity, or telephones, yet they remained committed to their cause for nearly two decades.

Question 40

What actions did protestors take to demonstrate against nuclear weapons in the 1960s?

Answer 40

Protestors in the 1960s organized marches, demonstrations, and sit-ins, including the notable annual march from London to Aldermaston and various ‘Ban the Bomb’ campaigns.

Question 41

Explain the fears that motivated the disarmament movement during the Cold War.

Answer 41

The disarmament movement was motivated by fears of nuclear war due to the possession of weapons of mass destruction by both the USA and USSR, leading to widespread public concern over international disputes escalating into conflict.

Question 42

What was the impact of the anti-war movements in the USA during the Vietnam War?

Answer 42

Anti-war movements in the USA mobilized citizens to protest against American involvement in the Vietnam War, reflecting a broader societal push for peace and disarmament during a tumultuous period.

Question 43

Describe the living conditions at the Greenham Common Peace Camp.

Answer 43

The women at Greenham Common created makeshift homes called benders, constructed from live branches and covered with plastic to keep them dry. These structures were designed to be comfortable, often lined with blankets and secured with boulders or pegs.

Question 44

How did women at Greenham Common practice passive resistance?

Answer 44

Women at Greenham Common practiced passive resistance by sitting or lying down on the ground when authorities attempted to move them. This non-violent approach required mental preparation and was aimed at avoiding any violent confrontation.

Question 45

Define a ‘bender’ in the context of the Greenham Common Peace Camp.

Answer 45

A bender is a type of shelter made from live branches covered with plastic, traditionally used by people living outdoors. It is designed to be comfortable and snug, often lined with blankets and secured against the elements.

Question 46

How did the youth culture of the 1960s challenge societal norms?

Answer 46

The youth culture of the 1960s, particularly among students, challenged societal norms by rejecting their parents’ values. They embraced a rebellious lifestyle characterized by distinctive clothing such as kaftans, long skirts, bell-bottom jeans, and long hair for boys.

Question 47

Describe the significance of the 1960s for students in the Western world.

Answer 47

The 1960s was a time of affluence in the Western world, allowing many young people from middle-class backgrounds to attend university or college. This period fostered a rebellious spirit among students, who often rejected traditional standards of behavior and appearance.

Question 48

What was the essence of the non-violent approach used by women at Greenham Common?

Answer 48

The essence of the non-violent approach used by women at Greenham Common was to avoid any violent interactions with authorities while resisting eviction. This required mental preparation and a commitment to non-violence, even in challenging situations.

Question 49

How did the fashion choices of the 1960s youth reflect their rebellion?

Answer 49

The fashion choices of the 1960s youth, including kaftans, long skirts, bell-bottom jeans, beads, and sandals, reflected their rebellion against the conservative standards set by their parents, symbolizing a break from traditional values.

Question 50

What role did the Greenham Common Peace Camp play in the anti-nuclear movement?

Answer 50

The Greenham Common Peace Camp served as a significant site for women protesting against nuclear arms, embodying a commitment to peace and non-violence while challenging governmental policies on nuclear weapons.