The Power of Youth Voices: Uncovering Political and Social and Political Change by Youth in the 20th Century

During the 20th Century, the United States underwent unprecedented change to its social and political Institutions. The roles of many American citizens were being revisited as women were in the pursuit of the right to vote and be treated as first-class citizens, and newly freed enslaved people were being integrated into American society. In order to accommodate and address the evolving nature of the US at this time, many politicians and elected officials committed political and legislative action that would extend fundamental freedoms to marginalized individuals. While much of the political change that occurred is accredited to the past leaders and elected officials of America. There is a lack of recognition to additional efforts that contributed to this change. In this paper I chronicle and examine some of the most important movements in American History and illuminate the part young people played within these movements, specifically their establishment of political and social organizations. Beginning with Woman’s Suffrage and ending with the Vietnam War. Asking the question, “To What Extent did Grassroots Movements and Youth Civic Engagement contribute to the wave of social and political Change in the 20th Century”? I make the argument that without the efforts of young people during the 20th century, the country would not have evolved into the country we see it as today. This argument is supported by political and legislative changes that were a result from the activism, organizations, and rebellion by young people. The evidence found in this paper supports my initial theory, that the expansion of freedoms, extension of equality, and erosion of oppressive political systems was an outcome of the persistent efforts, activism, and resistance to unjust laws by the youth. The purpose of this project is to shine a light on the impact of young people during this time period in contributing to the positive evolution of our country.

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Political Science

Grantor

Texas State University

Year dc:date.issued

2024

Author dc:creator

• Curley, Blaire

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Rowlands, Lauren M.

• politics
• political changes
• activism
• youth voices

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10877/20331

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digital.library.txst.edu:10877/20331