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Seven Social Movements That Changed America
A brilliantly conceived and provocative work from an award-winning historian that examines how seven twentieth-century social movements transformed America.
How do social movements arise, wield power, and decline? Renowned scholar Linda Gordon investigates these questions in a groundbreaking work, narrating the stories of many of America’s most influential twentieth-century social movements. Beginning with the turn-of-the-century settlement house movement, Gordon then scrutinizes the 1920s Ku Klux Klan and its successors, the violent American fascist groups of the 1930s. Profiles of two Depression-era movements follow—the Townsend campaign that brought us Social Security and the creation of unemployment aid. Proceeding then to the 1955 Montgomery bus boycott, which inspired the civil rights movement and launched Martin Luther King Jr.’s career, the narrative barrels into the 1960s�70s with Cesar Chavez’s farmworkers� union. The concluding chapter illumines the 1970s women’s liberation movement through the dramatic story of the Boston-area organizations Bread and Roses and the Combahee River Collective. Separately and together, these seven chapters animate American history, reminding us of the power of collective activism.
How do social movements arise, wield power, and decline? Renowned scholar Linda Gordon investigates these questions in a groundbreaking work, narrating the stories of many of America’s most influential twentieth-century social movements. Beginning with the turn-of-the-century settlement house movement, Gordon then scrutinizes the 1920s Ku Klux Klan and its successors, the violent American fascist groups of the 1930s. Profiles of two Depression-era movements follow—the Townsend campaign that brought us Social Security and the creation of unemployment aid. Proceeding then to the 1955 Montgomery bus boycott, which inspired the civil rights movement and launched Martin Luther King Jr.’s career, the narrative barrels into the 1960s�70s with Cesar Chavez’s farmworkers� union. The concluding chapter illumines the 1970s women’s liberation movement through the dramatic story of the Boston-area organizations Bread and Roses and the Combahee River Collective. Separately and together, these seven chapters animate American history, reminding us of the power of collective activism.
528 pages, Hardcover
First published March 4, 2025
27 people are currently reading
3,175 people want to read
About the author
Linda Gordon
42Ìýbooks62ÌýfollowersLinda Gordon is the Florence Kelley Professor of History at New York University. She is the author of numerous books and won the Bancroft Prize for The Great Arizona Orphan Abduction. She lives in New York. "
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 31, 2025
The book offers a thought provoking examination of several pivotal grassroots movements that shaped the nation between the late 19th and 20th centuries. Covering a spectrum of ideologies, Gordon explores the settlement house movement, the resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan in the 1920s, the Townsend old age pension campaign, unemployment relief activism, the Montgomery bus boycott, the United Farm Workers movement, and 1970s women’s liberation.
Her analysis emphasizes how these movements, whether progressive or reactionary, were driven by ordinary people, working together, to enact change both socially and politically. She highlights both well known figures, such as Cesar Chavez and Rosa Parks, and lesser known activists whose contributions were crucial but are often overlooked. The book also examines the strategies and challenges these movements faced, offering valuable lessons on how activism can succeed or falter.
As I've come to expect from Gordon, it's well researched and well written. The book provides essential insights into the power of collective action and its lasting impact on American society. It is a must read for those interested in history, activism, and social justice.
Her analysis emphasizes how these movements, whether progressive or reactionary, were driven by ordinary people, working together, to enact change both socially and politically. She highlights both well known figures, such as Cesar Chavez and Rosa Parks, and lesser known activists whose contributions were crucial but are often overlooked. The book also examines the strategies and challenges these movements faced, offering valuable lessons on how activism can succeed or falter.
As I've come to expect from Gordon, it's well researched and well written. The book provides essential insights into the power of collective action and its lasting impact on American society. It is a must read for those interested in history, activism, and social justice.
Read
January 29, 2025Gordon reminds North Americans of seven key movements. Focusing on social movements like unionization, housing, and social security, Gordon's exploration of these topics give important context for Americans' ongoing battle for these rights. Each chapter can be read separately and make an excellent reading for high school and college students alike.
ARC given by publisher for honest review.
ARC given by publisher for honest review.
April 23, 2025
A brilliantly conceived and provocative work from an award-winning historian that examines how seven twentieth-century social movements transformed America.
How do social movements arise, wield power, and decline? Renowned scholar Linda Gordon investigates these questions in a groundbreaking work, narrating the stories of many of America’s most influential twentieth-century social movements.
How do social movements arise, wield power, and decline? Renowned scholar Linda Gordon investigates these questions in a groundbreaking work, narrating the stories of many of America’s most influential twentieth-century social movements.
Read
April 11, 2025DNF - way more detailed and scholarly than I was looking for; just not for me.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
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