OCR · GCSE · History
Course version: J410 · Version from Mar 2026
The People and the State (J410/07) - Government and dissent c.1964–1974:…
Full specification wording
The USA 1945–1974: The People and the State (J410/07) - Government and dissent c.1964–1974: Development and impact of African American radical movements and leaders, including Malcolm X and Black Power; impact of civil rights campaigns for Native Americans and Chicanos; development of feminist movements, including Betty Friedan and National Organisation for Women; the impact of feminism, including Status Commission 1963, Equal Pay Act, use of Civil Rights Act, the 1972 Supreme Court ruling on equal rights; Stonewall riots 1969; political, economic and social divisions in the USA: anti-Vietnam War protests, campaigns to improve welfare of the poor, Johnson’s ‘Great Society’, Nixon’s pledges on welfare.
This topic examines dissent and division in the USA from about 1964 to 1974.
Checked against the OCR J410 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- 3 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
This topic examines dissent and division in the USA from about 1964 to 1974. Students study the development and impact of African American radical movements and leaders, including Malcolm X and Black Power, and the impact of civil rights campaigns for Native Americans and Chicanos. They trace feminist movements through Betty Friedan and the National Organisation for Women, and assess feminism's impact via the Status Commission 1963, the Equal Pay Act, use of the Civil Rights Act and the 1972 Supreme Court ruling on equal rights. The Stonewall riots of 1969 are also covered. Finally, students examine political, economic and social divisions: anti-Vietnam War protests, campaigns to improve welfare of the poor, Johnson's 'Great Society' and Nixon's pledges on welfare.
What earns the marks
- Describes the development and impact of African American radical movements and leaders, including Malcolm X and Black Power.
- Explains the impact of civil rights campaigns for Native Americans and Chicanos.
- Outlines the development of feminist movements, including Betty Friedan and the National Organisation for Women.
- Assesses the impact of feminism, including the Status Commission 1963, the Equal Pay Act, use of the Civil Rights Act and the 1972 Supreme Court ruling on equal rights.
- Identifies the Stonewall riots of 1969 and their significance.
- Explains political, economic and social divisions, including anti-Vietnam War protests, welfare campaigns, Johnson's 'Great Society' and Nixon's pledges on welfare.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Confuses Malcolm X with Martin Luther King's approach.
Put it right: Malcolm X is linked to more radical black nationalism.
Mixes up the feminist milestones.
Put it right: Keep the Status Commission 1963, Equal Pay Act and 1972 Supreme Court ruling distinct.
Treats Stonewall as unrelated to the wider dissent.
Put it right: Link it to the period's social divisions.
Assumes Johnson's 'Great Society' and Nixon's welfare pledges were identical.
Put it right: Note their different emphases.
Exam tips
- Match each named figure or law to its correct year and purpose.
- Separate radical movements from mainstream civil rights when answering.
- Distinguish the aims of Johnson's 'Great Society' from Nixon's welfare pledges.
- Read options carefully for swapped names or dates before choosing.
Try the lesson
The start of the The USA 1945–1974: The People and the State (J410/07) - Government and dissent c.1964–1974: Development and impact of African American radical movements and leaders, including Malcolm X and Black Power; impact of civil rights campaigns for Native Americans and Chicanos; development of feminist movements, including Betty Friedan and National Organisation for Women; the impact of feminism, including Status Commission 1963, Equal Pay Act, use of Civil Rights Act, the 1972 Supreme Court ruling on equal rights; Stonewall riots 1969; political, economic and social divisions in the USA: anti-Vietnam War protests, campaigns to improve welfare of the poor, Johnson’s ‘Great Society’, Nixon’s pledges on welfare. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which African American leader, associated with the Nation of Islam, argued for black separatism and self-defence in the early 1960s?
Listen
This topic examines dissent and division in the USA from about 1964 to 1974. Students study the development and impact of African American radical movements and leaders, including Malcolm X and Black Power, and the impact of civil rights campaigns for Native Americans and Chicanos. They trace feminist movements through Betty Friedan and the National Organisation for Women, and assess feminism's impact via the Status Commission 1963, the Equal Pay Act, use of the Civil Rights Act and the 1972 Supreme Court ruling on equal rights. The Stonewall riots of 1969 are also covered. Finally, students examine political, economic and social divisions: anti-Vietnam War protests, campaigns to improve welfare of the poor, Johnson's 'Great Society' and Nixon's pledges on welfare. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Describes the development and impact of African American radical movements and leaders, including Malcolm X and Black Power. Explains the impact of civil rights campaigns for Native Americans and Chicanos. Outlines the development of feminist movements, including Betty Friedan and the National Organisation for Women. Assesses the impact of feminism, including the Status Commission 1963, the Equal Pay Act, use of the Civil Rights Act and the 1972 Supreme Court ruling on equal rights. Exam tip: Match each named figure or law to its correct year and purpose.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Radical black movements and leaders
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Minority civil rights campaigns
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Dissent, welfare and political division
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Radical black movements and leaders
- Development and impact of African American radical movements and leaders, including Malcolm X and Black Power.
- Minority civil rights campaigns
- Impact of civil rights campaigns for Native Americans and Chicanos.
- Dissent, welfare and political division
- Political, economic and social divisions in the USA: anti-Vietnam War protests, campaigns to improve welfare of the poor, Johnson's 'Great Society' and Nixon's pledges on welfare.
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Test your understanding of The USA 1945–1974: The People and the State (J410/07) - Government and dissent c.1964–1974: Development and impact of African American radical movements and leaders, including Malcolm X and Black Power; impact of civil rights campaigns for Native Americans and Chicanos; development of feminist movements, including Betty Friedan and National Organisation for Women; the impact of feminism, including Status Commission 1963, Equal Pay Act, use of Civil Rights Act, the 1972 Supreme Court ruling on equal rights; Stonewall riots 1969; political, economic and social divisions in the USA: anti-Vietnam War protests, campaigns to improve welfare of the poor, Johnson’s ‘Great Society’, Nixon’s pledges on welfare.
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