The Decisive Rupture

The Times They Were a-Changin’

The Decisive Rupture of the 1960’s was characterized by civil unrest and social change. African-Americans were fighting for equal rights. Protestors were demanding an end to the war in Vietnam. These movements were spread throughout the country, even to college campuses. Throughout American history, colleges and universities had been places to train students to keep power securely at the top of the socioeconomic food chain. Students were not instructed to challenge authority because that would hurt the interests of the elites that controlled education in the country. Because of these circumstances, it is very surprising that the peace and civil rights movements would become so strong at United States colleges. What can account for the strength of these movements in historically conservative places? Well, many things; but one major factor was the music of the era. “Protest music,” as it was called, gave students a connection to these movements through pop culture. Making the movements fashionable was key in attracting the massive amounts of followers that they did. Without protest music in the 1960’s, the Decisive Rupture would not have been nearly as profound or successful.

The first protest music written during the 1960’s was primarily folk music. Singers like Joan Baez and Bob Dylan made music that criticized American governmental policy. Songs from this time generally sent messages of peace and freedom. For example, Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind” asks: “How many years can some people exist, before they’re allowed to be free?” The song implores the U.S. government to realize all the people that are suffering as a result of its policies and to find the answers that are “blowin’ in the wind.” Dylan wants African-Americans to gain equal rights and the war in Vietnam to end. As this type of music began to gain popularity, singers started appearing at anti-war events. Because protest music became so popular, it...